tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65118975034309290592024-03-19T18:20:55.630-04:00Celebrate Your GiftsWe all have different unique strengths and gifts. Life is messy....because we are! Let's encourage others to Celebrate our God given gifts and spur one another on to fulfilling our purpose.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-34815467344872872442018-09-14T23:27:00.000-04:002018-09-15T00:51:14.397-04:00God Bless the Broken Road Screening Review<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Thanks to the <a href="http://nutsaboutbooks.ca/" target="_blank">Nuts About Books</a> program by Graf-Martin, I was provided with a pre-screening link to watch this movie.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I've let this blog sit for a very long time as I've experience a very busy season of my life and look forward to sharing some reviews going forward. Since the transition of business owner to employee, I have experienced many of the challenges of accepting changes due to things beyond my control. My faith is what always gets me through. God's grace has been the most incredible gift in my life. It is my Christian beliefs that prompts me to watch faith based movies.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;">As I prepared to watch this movie, <a href="http://www.godblessthebrokenroad.com/" target="_blank">God Bless The Broken Road</a>, I had assumptions, of course, about brokenness being restored by God. I was thrilled once again with the quality of cinematography, editing, lighting and sound that is happening with current Faith based films. These elements all enhanced m experience of watching this movie.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;">The characters and actors were all believeable even if they were somewhat stereotypical, again they didn't distract from story. The plot unfolded well with an unexpected twist of the child's rebellion. This made the story more plausible. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;">The faith of the child, Bre was inspirational. Cody, the race car driver's advances were a little bit of challenge to see accept so quickly when Amber is working so very hard to make ends meet. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">The disabled soldier's testimony and patience was a highlight of the movie. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Without giving any spoilers this feel good family movie is based upon the very real truths of how faith is our only hope in accepting things that just don't make sense. Life is hard and we need community to cope well. This message is loud and clear in this movie.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;">I lost track of time, which always indicates that I'm caught up in the story.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;">I highly recommend seeing this movie in the theatre as soon as possible. Find out locations where it is playing here at <a href="https://faithfilms.ca/god-bless-the-broken-road-september-7-2018/" target="_blank">faithfilms.ca</a>. I went to see this movie live on September 7th when it opened. It was a late showing and there was only two of us in the theatre. We really need to share and support these movies when there are so few worthwhile movies to spend money on. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-6318978305299328992013-04-25T11:16:00.001-04:002018-09-14T22:47:46.525-04:00Honouring my ParentsThe day comes, not of our choosing, when major life changes occur. I spent last evening at home with my parents knowing that today my Mom was being admitted to a nursing home. Alzheimer's has taken it's toll on her health and his too. Waking this morning to watch my Dad try to keep their normal routine while his heart was breaking, to know this was the last time he would wake beside his wife of 59 years!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A book of pictures about our family my daughter made was one of the few items that went with Mom today.</td></tr>
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I've had occasion this past year to take Mom out to give my Dad a break and spend one on one time with her. One particular day she was in a foul mood, treating my Dad miserably. As I was helping her get of the car it dawned on me....how many times was I a miserable teenager in a terrible mood and she calmly encouraged me to see things from a different perspective. It was my turn! <br />
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My parents, like all parents, are not perfect and we all come away with some peculiar family baggage to decide to continue to carry or to unpack, unfold and put where it belongs, in our past. I choose to relish in the many great things my parents have taught me that are pillars of my character.<br />
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They took me to church, taught me that family is important and to work hard! I had a few moments with my Mom this morning to tell her how much I value her and the sayings that have served me so very well. I told her as I look at my children and know I too will have many grandchildren, I am so extremely thankful for the example she set and I will continue to quote her.<br />
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"This too shall pass" is one phrase that not only got me through natural labour and delivery but through each challenging phase of raising children. My mother helped me become resourceful by continually saying "where there is a will, there is a way". This has spurred me on both personally and professionally. She taught me that "anything worth doing is worth doing well"!<br />
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She not only taught me these things she lived them out before my eyes. <br />
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As I watched my Dad pause this morning and pray before he went to kiss her goodbye, I thanked God for his commitment to serving her during these last few very difficult months and years. He became her nurse and did things he never dreamt he would because he stood before God 59 years ago and said 'for better or worse'. This has definitely not been the best of times for either of them but I will tell you I saw glimpses of tenderness and affection between them as the disease progressed that melted my heart. <br />
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I remember my last visit with my Mom's Dad in their home in Corner Brook, NF when he said to me (with my grandmother's health failing while she was in the hospital) that he had a new question to add to his list for the Skipper (how he affectionately referred to God); that after all these years it made no sense for him to live a part from his wife of over 65 years.<br />
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As the disease progresses and my Mom's memory fails her, her God has not. I see her expressing her faith more openly than ever before. She quoted scripture this morning at breakfast and I was reminded of both her and my grandmother before her as she said their 'grace' before we ate. Knowing that God loves both my parents even more than I do, I know who will be taking care of both of them and sustaining them during this new transition. <br />
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Thank you Lord for Godly grandparents and parents that understand commitment to your word and through their faith and dependence upon you have lived out the stages of life well. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-38528702260537640322013-03-21T06:48:00.001-04:002013-03-21T06:48:24.456-04:00What are you reading?<span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">What would you think if you were in a social setting and twice in a matter of 15 minutes two different people that you respect asked you "Why don't you write a book"? Both of these questions as a result of separate conversations on different topics. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">What role does books, ebooks, audiobooks play in your life? I'm sure you have a few favourite books that have affected you spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially or fed your intellect. Although the mediums maybe changing as to how we receive the written word, the result of a great book is the same. It expands your context thereby allowing more content.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">I love to learn, reading is a gift to open our minds to the experience of ours. I remember hearing a speaker talking about our ability to learn from someone else's life, all their experiences, the lessons learned in a matter of a few hours. We've all heard the quote "</span><em style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;">Experience is the best teacher</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">, but a fool will learn from no other". - Benjamin Franklin </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">Reading provides us the opportunity to learn from another's experience.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">How do you put a price tag on the genuine sharing of a life? When someone takes the time to share their dream and the pursuit of that vision it often inspires us to believe we can do the same. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Of course the great fiction books that have been written have some of the best parables in them. C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia come to mind for me. What about you? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Regardless of your learning style, we have unlimited information at our finger tips these days. I am an auditory learner so listening while I drive often works best for me. However, there is nothing like a cup of tea and a great book to captivate me for a few hours. Transferring my mind from its ceaseless reasoning and opening the floodgate for new information and experience to transform my thoughts. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Being a geek at heart I often think of the statement 'garbage in, garbage out' which applies to data input in computing but also applies to our lives. The sources of information we choose to spend our precious time indulging in dictates what comes out of our mouths and lives. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">"We should always choose our books as God chooses our friends, just a bit beyond us, so that we have to do our level best to keep up with them."</span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> Shade of His Hand, 1216 L</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I have a book to write and I believe it will be a movie some day. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-24731036727134917332013-03-05T07:18:00.002-05:002018-09-14T22:49:14.699-04:00Whose acceptance are you after?<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mommy, Daddy, watch this! Every parent has heard that command too many times to count. Why do we as children demand our parents attention and approval?</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.bobgass.com/todaysword.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Why God Accepts You by Bob Gass</i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"The world tells us that our value is connected to our ‘doing.’ Growing up, we’re constantly compared. When asked why we were not doing as well as our brother or sister, we felt we were doing our best and we had no answer. So we resolved to try harder, but no matter how hard we tried, someone still wasn’t satisfied. We were still getting the message, ‘Something’s wrong with you.’ This leaves us burned out, confused and turned off. It drives many of us into counselling, when all we need is the assurance of God’s unconditional love! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Your wrong behaviours won’t be changed until you know you’re loved by God apart from what you do. And that’s what Jesus made possible through the cross. Why is this important to believe? Because until you know who you are in Christ, you’ll stumble along believing that your acceptance with God is performance-based. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Your acceptance with God is based on performance, but not yours - Christ’s! Jesus loves you unconditionally and is committed to working with you. And the best part is, He doesn’t condemn you while He’s doing it! He understands your temperament, your struggles, and even the faulty foundation upon which you’ve based your self-worth. He not only understands - He cares. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Once you enter into a personal relationship with Christ He begins a process of relieving your pain, revealing your true value, and releasing your gifts. Bit by bit, He restores everything satan has stolen from you. And while all this is happening, you are positioned securely ‘in Christ.’ Therefore you’re always acceptable to Him."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ask yourself today...Whose acceptance am I after? What am I willing to do to feel approved by those people? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most life changing event for me was the day I came to the end of myself and realized that I am never going to be perfect and cannot please everyone. What freedom! I have to be true to myself, own my side of the street and treat everyone with love and respect and the rest is up to them. Some will accept me and choose to share this journey of life with me, others will not and that is just a fact.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am loved by God and He is more than enough.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-63056126058945301012013-02-24T09:05:00.000-05:002018-09-14T22:48:23.431-04:00The Place of Help - Recharging and Reflecting<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">George Bernard Shaw wrote: ‘Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I get to hold for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before turning it over to future generations.’</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our lives have a ripple effect and as I swam in the Caribbean sea this past week I found myself pausing to ponder many things at this mid-point in my life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">My nephew's wedding brought his family and friends to a gorgeous resort. It was a time to share memories about him and his new wife. From my perspective he was the first grandchild in our family and the day he was born was the one and only time I ever got sent home from work; I was too distracted to focus on work.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">He was the first infant I held, the first diapers I changed and definitely the first one to spit up on me (too many times to count)! I stood as his God parent when he was baptized and spent a lot of weekends with him during the first few years of his life. He came to me at the age of 8 and asked me to 'teach him how to program a computer.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Our mutual interest in computers has kept us connected over the years to the point that we now work together full time. I remember when he made his first website....he was so very proud and probably about 12...we won't discuss the content! I used to be his his tech support as he was learning how to build computers and now he is mine.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Life is funny like that, this vacation was compliments of my children and for the first time in over 25 years I feel well rested! The forced time away could not have come at a better time. Recharging my batteries for the next chapter of my life and causing me to reflect on the incredible journey thus far was wonderful. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I was asking myself questions like:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">"Am I getting nobler, better, more helpful, more humble, as I get older? Am I exhibiting the life that men take knowledge of as having been with Jesus, or am I getting more self-assertive, more deliberately determined to have my own way? It is a great thing to tell yourself the truth." </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The Place of Help</em><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Watching so many people at the resort interact; families, singles, young and older, staff, customers and locals....How do people see me was my question? Each interaction could be our last, what do we want to be remembered for and how can we make a difference in brief encounters. I became a great aunt for the first time on this trip and saw an opportunity to get to know my new niece and nephew.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I got a little overwhelmed at one point realizing that life is so very full and our family is obviously going to continue to get larger so how do I make the most of each moment. How can I best help each new person that I meet. I was constantly in amazement of the beauty surrounding me and how creative God is. My relational questions drove me to my knees as I searched God for answers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Awe is the condition of a man’s spirit realizing Who God is and what He has done for him personally. Our Lord emphasizes the attitude of a child; no attitude can express such solemn awe and familiarity as that of a child. </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Not Knowing Whither, 882 L</em><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">My place of help...is in refle</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">cting on what God has done for me and my family, and as I remain childlike in my faith He will provide me the opportunities to love on new people and the grace to be in relationship with an ever growing family. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I am blessed and thankful and wanted to share a devotional that I read while I was away about people and relationships. </span></span><br />
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<i>“But we all…are changed…by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV </i><br />
<i>Prayer, Not Pressure, Changes People</i></div>
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<i>Jesus asked the question, ‘Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?’ (Matthew 7:3 NIV). Expecting more out of people than they’re able to give will hurt your relationships, not help them. People need the freedom to be who they are. That doesn’t mean they don’t need or want to change. But nobody appreciates being given the message, even subtly, that they must change in order to be loved and accepted. We’re more likely to change for those who are willing to accept us with our shortcomings, than for those who demand we live by their rules. One thing is certain: God won’t change the people we’re trying to change until we adopt a ‘hands off’ policy. We must get out of His way and let Him work! Even when we think we’re hiding our disapproval, people still feel it. It’s in our voice and body language. Prayer is the greatest agent for change, not pressure. If we truly love people we’ll pray for them and allow God to work on them His way, on His schedule, and for His glory. Many of those who irritate us are simply being themselves; their personality just doesn’t mesh with ours. Sometimes we want them to change when we need to change. Often the things we require in other people are already available for us to enjoy, if we’ll just stop judging them. For change to be lasting, it must come from the inside out. And only the Spirit of God can bring that kind of change.</i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0Runaway Bay, Jamaica18.4562829 -77.32669909999998518.426158400000002 -77.367039599999984 18.4864074 -77.286358599999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-12919603078491322242013-02-17T12:51:00.002-05:002013-02-17T12:51:35.156-05:00Get Service - Everyone has a storyInterestingly I was introduced to this video awhile ago and saved it because I knew I wanted to share it. Today, as I sit in on extremely beautiful resort patio overlooking the Caribbean Sea, in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Jamaica" target="_blank">Jamaica</a> I am awe struck for several reasons.<br />
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1) The sheer beauty of nature is truly breath taking...thinking about snow, ice and cold weather in Toronto, Ontario as I bask in 80 degree weather makes me think once again of God's incredible creativity. <br />
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2) This resort hosts 2500 people in luxury, the volume of food, alcohol and amenities available is sure to please anyone's tastes.<br />
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3) Most importantly for me it is about the people. I watch the many families, couples and singles that this may be the trip of a lifetime for, the ones that is obvious this is a regular occurrence and the staff! They see it all, most living in poverty, their families livelihood is dependent upon their ability to serve.<br />
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<li>Each new person that serves me, causes me to stop and think; what is their story? I've asked a few of them and to realize that one woman in a little booth by the pool that sells all those things people forget and need like sunscreen, lip balm, etc. earns $50/week base + commission. We spend $1800 for a week and that would be her salary for 3 years! </li>
<li>The waitress this morning that served me was explaining how hard it is to even come and visit a country like Canada. On average of 100 people that go through the application process for a visa, may be 25 get approved. She has tried twice already but will continue to try until she gets approved.</li>
<li>Another lady, a single Mom of three shared how difficult the balancing act is with so little money and how her Mom is her main support and she could not manage without her.</li>
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I am very thankful to be hear enjoying the break from our winter, the rest and relaxation, the beauty and will do my best to look at each person I meet and remember they have a story to share. I'll serve them the best way I can in each moment as the opportunities present themselves.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0Runaway Bay, Jamaica18.4562829 -77.32669909999998518.426158400000002 -77.367039599999984 18.4864074 -77.286358599999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-63695767359845470062013-01-30T22:50:00.000-05:002013-01-30T22:50:00.913-05:00I wish you enough<br />
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<span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">I recently attended an Amway conference for the first time in almost two years and they played this song. I wept! I will share that the Amway business I started in 1999 has had more of an impact on my life than any other educational investment I've made. To stop and realize what a positive environment of encouragement and development can do for your attitude is incredible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">As my pastor put it so very well...we need <a href="http://www.gfcdonmills.ca/sermons#series_2" target="_blank">knowledge and faith</a>. How are you developing these two areas of your life? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">Knowing that we need to have a reason to get up each day and choose to move forward sometimes through valleys and occasionally we are on mountain tops but either way it is our attitude that determines majority of our outcomes. As the song states we need to persist and do the next right thing anyways...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">As I reflected upon why I started in Amway and why I am willing to build again the stark truth of wanting to have the money enough to free up my time to serve where I feel compelled to serve is a great goal. God will be glorified as I've come to terms with my definiteness of purpose and will build it anyway!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">Investing my life in helping others find their God given vision come to fruition will be a life well spent. I pray you choose to develop your faith and knowledge and as for life's ups and downs...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."</span></div>
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I so agree with this quote and have said several final good-byes over the years, each time thanking God for my time with that person and their impact on my life. As they say...it takes a minute to find a special person. An hour to appreciate them. A day to love them. And an entire life to forget them.
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-67016004546409301072013-01-19T09:39:00.000-05:002013-01-19T09:39:13.154-05:00Reflecting upon who we allow in our lives<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our Moms' were right! We do become who we hang out with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over and over again this truism plays out in life. From our teenage years, the discussions we had with our parents regarding our friends to our adult lives with expanding networks of people we are introduced to we have to constantly be aware of the people we are spending time with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Depending on our experiences as young children we are often imprinted with habits that are positive or negative. The hangups we have developed from our families circumstances soon become a crossroads as adults. I believe we all come to a point where the rose coloured glasses come off and we choose to accept responsibility for our lives or put the glasses back on quick and pretend we didn't see a thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have made both choices at different times and can relate with the Israelites taking 40 years to do an 11 day journey through the wilderness. Accepting responsibility for our lives, not blaming our parents and choosing to do the hard work of growing our knowledge in the areas of <a href="http://timothywise.com/why-emotional-wellness/" target="_blank">emotional fitness</a> will start to direct our lives on the path fulfillment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the tremendous areas of my journey has been learning to about co-dependency and what that looks like. I've had to set some serious boundaries with the people I choose to be part of my daily life. Loving everyone is vital but allowing them time and space in our lives has to be a choice based upon mutual edification.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Can I help you, without hurting me? Can we share our lives, without me giving up mine? When do you truly need my help? When do I need to let go, and let you and God handle it? Finding the balance between ‘enough’ and ‘too much’ in relationships is a constant challenge and isn’t easy. Especially when your role tends to be, ‘all things, at all times, to all people’, and theirs is, ‘I’m helpless, you owe me, take care of me’; when you have no ‘no’ and they have no ‘yes’. Needing to be needed by needy people who always want someone to take care of them puts the needy person in the driver’s seat" <a href="http://www.bobgass.com/todaysword.php" target="_blank">Today's Word by Bob Gass</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can learn from each person that crosses our path, even if just for a moment if we are aware of the interaction that happens. Everyone has something to teach. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Well-adjusted people find the right balance between protecting their personal space, and allowing others to infiltrate, manipulate and dominate them. They know how to say yes to what’s healthy and no to what’s not." </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bobgass.com/todaysword.php" target="_blank">Today's Word by Bob Gass</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who are the 5 people closest to you? Do they have the fruit on the tree? Would you like your lives to reflect theirs? Just a few questions to think about who you are allowing to influence your life. I'm off to hangout with some great positive leaders....</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-43459482553732648012013-01-16T07:53:00.000-05:002013-01-16T07:53:04.276-05:00How many of us have learned to look inwardly with courage?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The art of examination is a beautiful thing. So many of us can live such incredibly busy lives that we do not take the time to pause and reflect upon our daily choices but rather wake up one day and wonder how we got to the destination we did. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;">"We can only be used by God after we allow Him to show us the deep, hidden areas of our own character. It is astounding how ignorant we are about ourselves! We don’t even recognize the envy, laziness, or pride within us when we see it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;">We have to get rid of the idea that we understand ourselves. That is always the last bit of pride to go. The only One who understands us is God. The greatest curse in our spiritual life is pride.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;">As you journey with God, the only thing He intends to be clear is the way He deals with your soul. The sorrows and difficulties in the lives of others will be absolutely confusing to you. We think we understand another person’s struggle until God reveals the same shortcomings in our lives. There are vast areas of stubbornness and ignorance the Holy Spirit has to reveal in each of us, but it can only be done when Jesus gets us alone. Are we alone with Him now? Or are we more concerned with our own ideas, friendships, and cares for our bodies? Jesus cannot teach us anything until we quiet all our intellectual questions and get alone with Him."</span></span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"> <a href="http://utmost.org/" target="_blank">My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers</a></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Choosing to make a habit of getting alone with God and evaluating our daily lives will allow us to ask a few critical questions like; Why am I doing this? How do I feel about my choices and their outcomes? Are my results lining up with my goals? What is God saying to me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read Becky Tirabassi's book Let Prayer Change Your Life in 1999 and I never forgot the concept of a daily appointment time with God. Becky talks about the opportunity to sit down with a world renown coach and how we would do anything for an hour of their time and here we have the ability to spend time with God any time we choose. The amazing part of a quiet time with God that involves Bible reading and journalling is that after a year you've got a record of your progress and God's faithfulness. You will see how He answers prayers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been journalling for years and it has helped me immensely. Now I am doing a daily score card of the different areas I'm focusing on which allows me to write a few comments about how I feel at the end of the day. If we truly want God to lead our lives then we have to consciously give him the reins. This happens once we are saved, spirit led, sanctified, submissive and suffering for our Saviour. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else. “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord”;… </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The Highest Good—The Pilgrim’s Song Book, 537 L</em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-86089946147286377862013-01-08T08:00:00.000-05:002013-01-08T08:00:25.649-05:00Each new day is a fresh start<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seven days in...the goals are set...life happens...choices are made. Learning about God's mercies being new each day leads to healthy self-care and a thankful heart. </span></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">"God engineers circumstances to see what we will do. Will we be the children of our Father in heaven, or will we go back again to the meaner, common-sense attitude? Will we stake all and stand true to Him? “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” The crown of life means I shall see that my Lord has got the victory after all, even in me." </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The Highest Good—The Pilgrim’s Song Book, 530 L</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Already this week I see progress, surprises and resulting actions. As each day presents it new set of circumstances it is in the reflection of these choices that the daily plan is written. So many of the great leaders I've had the privilege of studying have taught me the simple art of reflection. Taking 10 minutes at the end of the day to assess how my time was spent allows me to journal and track my progress.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seeing how I plan my priorities and then other people come along with their set of circumstances and affect my plan, if I so choose. Being flexible is important. Laser focus is important. Which is more important?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being open and available to God interrupting my daily plans has brought incredible Joy as the bottom line is who are we here to serve, ourselves or Jesus? </span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, then </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">choose</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> for </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">rselves </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">this</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">day</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">whom</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">will</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">serve</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, whether the gods </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">r ancestors </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">serve</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">d beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> are living. But as for me and my household, we </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">will</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">serve</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> the LORD.” Joshua 24:15</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiDLe_VY63nlB1glKhiDPUX-hA81VrdpGDyGXfbK4zerCII0Uz3UdkjY6REi7_Wo4arvJHFyicijqVjzF_mq_c8BRDec3ntlAcuqQ6kIiX7eHw9BFwH6BjIypfTsFoSj4Q0hJY7V8gxI/s1600/importand+vs+urgent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiDLe_VY63nlB1glKhiDPUX-hA81VrdpGDyGXfbK4zerCII0Uz3UdkjY6REi7_Wo4arvJHFyicijqVjzF_mq_c8BRDec3ntlAcuqQ6kIiX7eHw9BFwH6BjIypfTsFoSj4Q0hJY7V8gxI/s1600/importand+vs+urgent.png" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the past I've struggled with allowing people to steal my time in an attempt to being open and available. The balance lies in discerning whether the people and circumstances that are presenting themselves are an opportunity to serve God or to derail our plans. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Various time management expert use a chart similar to this one to help us understand how to make choices. We truly cannot manage time but rather it is ourselves we learn to manage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of the day if we take the time to review where we've spent those precious moments we've been give we will determine which quadrants we allowing our deposits of time to be invested in. Choosing wisely to take care of important and not urgent items as our primary focus will ensure progress towards our achieving our goals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God has brought incredible people into my life through business associations, church affiliations, family and the internet. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">"For</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">I</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">know</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">plans</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">I</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">have</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">for</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">,” declares </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> LORD, “</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">plans</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> to prosper </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> and not to harm </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">plans</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> to give </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 </i>It has been the most amazing experience to see just how He has orchestrated my particular set of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">circumstances. The lessons I've learned and the phenomenal joy I've beheld by allowing Him to intersect my life with different people is more than I can explain. I will continue to work out my salvation through managing myself, always at the ready to be flexible enough to receive a Godly interruption.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s one thing to hear how God works based on somebody else’s experience, it’s another to see it first hand when you’re wondering, ‘What did I do to deserve this?’ or asking, <a href="http://celebrateyourgifts.blogspot.ca/2012/12/why-god-why.html" target="_blank">‘If God’s really there, why am I here?</a>’ Why?</span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-86393481289162418202013-01-04T09:22:00.000-05:002013-01-04T09:31:02.958-05:00Purpose vs Goals<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The goals we set should help us to fulfill our purpose. However, our goals are for us. Our purpose is emotional, not logical and is not about us. It is about others and mankind. </span><br />
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As I was setting my goals for this year I reread some of my earlier blog posts, specifically where I was at in my thinking at the start of the previous years. What I found amazing was that when I read <a href="http://celebrateyourgifts.blogspot.ca/2009/06/reflecting-on-heroes.html" target="_blank">My Heroes</a> post, it was when I read about my kids that once again the tears flowed.</span><br />
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I wanted to make a difference so that when I leave this planet my legacy will be visible in the lives of my children and future generations of servant leaders. My goal was to become the best Mom, wife and business women I could be. I am a good Mom. My 22 year marriage failed and I am winning as a business woman. Throughout the success and failures of my life I have not loss track of my purpose. I have not always waited for God's timing and instead charged full steam ahead on my own thoughts/plans and this did not bode well. </span><br />
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Now I am learning to wait on the Lord, his timing is perfect. <span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">How do you do that? By valuing God’s will more than my own and trusting in His timing which is revealed through the peace that passes all understanding. </span></span><br />
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<i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Prov-3-5" id="en-NIV-16461" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">Trust in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16461A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> with all your heart </span></span></i></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Prov-3-5" style="position: relative;">and lean not on your own understanding;</span></span></span></i></span></i></div>
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<span class="text Prov-3-6" id="en-NIV-16462" style="background-color: white; position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">6 </sup></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Prov-3-6" id="en-NIV-16462" style="background-color: white; position: relative;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Prov-3-6" id="en-NIV-16462" style="position: relative;">in all your ways submit to him, </span></span></i></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Prov-3-6" style="position: relative;">an</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Prov-3-6" style="position: relative;">d he will make your paths<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16462B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> straight.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">(Proverbs 3:5</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">)</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">God's timing involves our character development. We don't always understand waiting once we have a vision or defined a set of goals but He is more interested in our character development than our comfort. Therefore, we must seek to be able to live out the character qualities of Christ as described in Scripture: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Gal-5-22" id="en-NIV-29185" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup><i>But the fruit<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29185AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)"></sup> of the Spirit is love,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29185AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></sup> joy, peace,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29185AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)"></sup> forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,</i></span><span class="text Gal-5-23" id="en-NIV-29186" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>gentleness and self-control.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29186AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)"></sup> (Galatians 5:22-23)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">These principles keep our actions within boundaries; honesty, integrity, the golden rule, helping others. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was put here to lead as many people as possible to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by using the gifts and talents I've received from God for His glory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Setting purpose driven goals requires having the end in sight. What is your purpose? Do your goals line up with the bigger picture? Have your developed the principles necessary to achieve your ultimate purpose? Your purpose is what keeps you alive and the sparkle in your eye.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulOn_77liFCnROa50_ycLINq2Vd69DynH-Ce9U7SZ9AsooG6OOVqGym4Hz0zpL9vm795lMuVUMGvETwGr11YDzuFZwrwbF-_EuYDeYGvzg2IhMGd0YEIXgePARBwSJq8m8qiU274a1RM/s1600/purpose+drive+goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Lining up your goals with your purpose" border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulOn_77liFCnROa50_ycLINq2Vd69DynH-Ce9U7SZ9AsooG6OOVqGym4Hz0zpL9vm795lMuVUMGvETwGr11YDzuFZwrwbF-_EuYDeYGvzg2IhMGd0YEIXgePARBwSJq8m8qiU274a1RM/s320/purpose+drive+goals.jpg" title="Setting purpose driven goals requires an eternal perspective" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will find a vehicle that will be used to accomplish our purpose. The vehicle may be a job, business or cause where you volunteer. Regardless of your vehicle it will involve people and this is where you make eternal deposits. Your God given purpose will affect others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Matt-6-19" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23302B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> where moths and vermin destroy,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23302C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> and where thieves break in and steal.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-20" id="en-NIV-23303" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23303D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. </span></span></i></span><br />
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Have you found the vehicle to accomplish your goals? A purpose gives you meaning and you will get passionate and enthusiastic enough to complete your purpose once you find the vehicle to get there. Passion is the multiplier of your efforts, if you do not have confidence in your vehicle you will not get passionate about driving it.</span><br />
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As this first week of the new year is underway I pray we are focusing on new goals and character development that lead to the fulfillment of our purpose here on earth. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-23100761132607031602013-01-03T09:29:00.003-05:002013-01-03T09:29:41.013-05:00Who am I pleasing?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever struggled with people pleasing? Do you wonder why you do the things you do when you really want to do make different choices? Have you felt out of control?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've learned a lot about codependency and people pleasing over the past few years. It has been quite the journey to unravel my own motivations, hurts, hangups and habits. We can see ourselves, especially as Christians as motivated to server others when in fact the core reason we do things for others is for their approval. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Divorce is one of life's biggest rejections and drove me to my knees in search of 'who am I living for', the love of a man, my children, family, friends, team mates, business leaders, clients or myself. There is real danger in the swinging the pendulum so far after being rejected, to living for oneself. My quest has been to learn healthy self care while remaining focused upon fulfilling the purpose for which I was created. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God’ (2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through programs like <a href="http://www.celebraterecovery.ca/cr/" target="_blank">Celebrate Recovery</a>, Divorce Care and great Bible teaching I have come to the point in my life where I've chosen to sell out to the one and only God that so loved me that he sent his own son into the world so that I may have eternal life. My faith has been an integral part of my life since the age of 13. However I can tell you that it has taken my to the age of 50 to completely surrender. It took the Israelites 40 years to make the 11 day journey out of the wilderness and it took me 37!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg6AaIxEI0F27eGwAmXuVrMgD2LWEIs7QGG6AB9pZ7EmLizhg2yKehGXFXS9FJN0Zobpin2THUXChaAddqTBV5deW8r7a-6QKGwohGw82gyQfWh10eyZqdyLr8JLUACreLKVmsMCJg-Q/s1600/love-heart-cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="God's heart pursues ours and we choose to surrender" border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg6AaIxEI0F27eGwAmXuVrMgD2LWEIs7QGG6AB9pZ7EmLizhg2yKehGXFXS9FJN0Zobpin2THUXChaAddqTBV5deW8r7a-6QKGwohGw82gyQfWh10eyZqdyLr8JLUACreLKVmsMCJg-Q/s320/love-heart-cloud.jpg" title="My heart belongs to the Lord, I choose to please Him" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cannot begin to express the freedom that I feel in knowing who I am in Christ. The joy of the Lord is my strength. I choose to live each day living out His will for my life, slowly discovering how He speaks and directs my steps. Spending time in <a href="https://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/14-first-steps-reading-plan?content=2&day=3" target="_blank">God's word</a>, listening to <a href="http://utmost.org/" target="_blank">great messages</a> from <a href="http://www.bobgass.com/todaysword.php" target="_blank">Bible teachers</a> and submitting to accountability within the <a href="http://www.gfcdonmills.ca/" target="_blank">local church</a> and a support team keeps my life moving in the right direction.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"><i>To understand the difference between submission and selfishness you must ponder these words: ‘So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain’ (Ezekiel 33:31 NKJV)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My life's goal is to hear the words "Well done good and faithful servant" which can only happen when I live to please God first and foremost, by the example Jesus set. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"and </span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and </span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">a voice came from heaven, </span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"You are my beloved Son;</span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> with you I am well pleased." Luke 3:22 </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am a grateful follower of Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-72881034604643390242013-01-02T09:45:00.000-05:002013-01-02T09:57:43.205-05:00Goals, Plans and Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UUJCMhfuj7AmUtJP2gOdEaaL8Wm92tmtPyYOAtvcTkZX-PQK4SSWwsT6B44BYa5Q24V1zfYjHnsxyymHzQRUUQUE6Q2MuAus5TtrpYfGXjD3Tj6Zkfwdrwy4KdbjlRZROwpDCAQxq8A/s1600/peace.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Defining our Goals, making plans and executing them brings peace" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UUJCMhfuj7AmUtJP2gOdEaaL8Wm92tmtPyYOAtvcTkZX-PQK4SSWwsT6B44BYa5Q24V1zfYjHnsxyymHzQRUUQUE6Q2MuAus5TtrpYfGXjD3Tj6Zkfwdrwy4KdbjlRZROwpDCAQxq8A/s320/peace.gif" title="Goals, Plans, Execution and Peace" width="308" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the new year, the second day, so how about all those plans for a new schedule? Thankfully, we serve a gracious God that has taught me a lot about mercy. As I begin moving towards my new goals I realize there has to be flexibility and grace in order to have peace and progress. I have set my goals and I have written my plan. Now to execute with peace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have three main objectives for this year; to become fit physically, get out of debt and find my ministry work. The physical part involves eating well and of course finally making exercise part of my daily routine. It really is simple...all diet plans aside, no miracle cure, no quick fixes as it has taken me a long time to get to my current physical condition. I understand it will take time to reach my vision of fitness. So eat less and move more is my mantra.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The yoke of debt really is a stronghold that can kill you! It has been a very long journey to get where I am today financially and I have made some great choices and some very poor choices. One of the most common mistakes of a single Mom is too want to provide your kids with a lifestyle to which they were accustomed to. This is nearly impossible after a divorce and my attempt to do so has cost me dearly. I have also experienced immeasurable providence from God and we have all survived, all the wiser. Now it is time to have my finances line up with the word of God; <i>"<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law."Romans 13:8.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">My third goal is to find my next ministry work. I have had the honour and privilege of serving in several different congregations over the years and volunteered with various organizations. My gifting lies in the areas of hospitality, <a href="http://celebrateyourgifts.blogspot.ca/2013/01/knowledge-obedience-faith-journey.html" target="_blank">teaching</a>, and encouragement. With these strengths I've been blessed to help out with church coffee programs, taught three year olds to adults and led numerous Bible studies. As I reflect, three major items come to mind; walking alongside a teenager as he chose to get his life in order (this is a great story that will someday be a movie!), coaching new business owners as the embark on starting their own business, and women's small groups. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">My Bible reading for today included a passage from Luke and what struck me with the Christmas Season just ending were the words 'peace among those with whom he is pleased!' that sums up my goals for not only this year but my life!</span></span><br />
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<i><b>10</b>And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. <b>11</b>For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.<b>12</b>And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." <b>13</b>And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,</i></div>
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<i><b>14</b>"Glory to God in the highest,</i></div>
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<i>and on earth <b>peace among those with whom he is pleased!</b>" Luke 2:10-14</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-43721669247828139752013-01-01T12:51:00.000-05:002013-01-01T12:53:47.614-05:002013...the end of an era and the beginning of the next chapter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqVgU-DQqPwhDr1Qt8ch7Mr8IMnyr9M2KKwc9UlEyj5oWOILjOr41f31NxZ4nRYzJ9zNoyvwwB24ljlDwl8jOzDOobz2A27s0fCJM90Bri1U_Kpgf_-8bljzWRv-z8-ULL7S40aWjIAg/s1600/happy-new-year-2013-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kathy Crann-Hogeveen's commitment to a surrendered life for 2013." border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqVgU-DQqPwhDr1Qt8ch7Mr8IMnyr9M2KKwc9UlEyj5oWOILjOr41f31NxZ4nRYzJ9zNoyvwwB24ljlDwl8jOzDOobz2A27s0fCJM90Bri1U_Kpgf_-8bljzWRv-z8-ULL7S40aWjIAg/s200/happy-new-year-2013-e.jpg" title="2013 - the year of surrendered living by Kathy Crann-Hogeveen" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This is the year I put into practice all the wonderful knowledge my dear God has bestowed upon me. I've often thought (as Joyce Meyer puts it) that "we are equipped beyond our level of obedience". This has been true in my life.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I look at the bookshelves full of wonderful materials, the google reader full of subscriptions to great blogs and the volumes of audios CDs I own....the question is does my life reflect these great concepts. As I've entered a new relationship this past year I've become acutely aware of something my children taught me. "Not everything is a lesson opportunity Mom" is something I heard them say regularly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the amazing people and programs God has brought into my life I've come to know myself well. I know the good, the bad and the ugly! One of my gifts is teaching so each new lesson I learn I want to share with those I love. One of the best revelations for me in 2012 was that I can intercede through prayer for those people instead. This is a vital part of caring for people. I believe that when the 'student is ready, the teacher will appear' so rather than always sharing my new insights with people, not knowing if they are ready to hear, I'll equip myself and have the answers ready when they do ask. Spreading seeds of hope via blogging and social media is a great way to expel these new thoughts as I own them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also know who's I am. I was on a quest in 2012 to understand what a surrendered life looked like. I found this to be one of the most difficult of all questions to answer. How do we practically live out our faith in a world that is bent on self actualization? </span><br />
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<span class="text Isa-29-15" id="en-NIV-18209" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; position: relative;"><i>Woe to those who go to great depths</i></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-29-15" style="position: relative;">to hide<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18209A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> their plans from the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="text Isa-29-15" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; position: relative;"><i>who do their work in darkness and think,</i></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-29-15" style="position: relative;">“Who sees us?<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18209B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> Who will know?”<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18209C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span></i></span></div>
<span class="text Isa-29-16" id="en-NIV-18210" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; position: relative;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">16 </sup></i></span><br />
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<span class="text Isa-29-16" id="en-NIV-18210" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; position: relative;"><i><i>You turn things upside down,</i></i></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-29-16" style="position: relative;">as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18210D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="text Isa-29-16" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; position: relative;"><i>Shall what is formed say to the one who formed<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18210E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> it,</i></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-29-16" style="position: relative;">“You did not make me”?</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="text Isa-29-16" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; position: relative;"><i>Can the pot say to the potter,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18210F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup></i></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-29-16" style="position: relative;">“You know nothing”? Isaiah 29:15-16</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Isa-29-16" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">I have voluntarily put myself back on the Potter's wheel daily last year to try to understand how to incorporate God in every area of my life. I know the messes I can make when I'm leading and truly want to become all that He intended me to be because His plan is so much better than anything I could come up with!</span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Isa-29-16" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">I started reading My Utmost for His Highest Devotional last year and enjoyed the challenges it presented. Today's message sums it up best for me:</span></span><br />
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<li><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Isa-29-16" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; position: relative;"><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://utmost.org/" target="_blank"><strong>My Utmost for His Highest.</strong> </a>“. . . my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed . . . .” We will all feel very much ashamed if we do not yield to Jesus the areas of our lives He has asked us to yield to Him. It’s as if Paul were saying, “My determined purpose is to be my utmost for His highest— my best for His glory.” To reach that level of determination is a matter of the will, not of debate or of reasoning. It is absolute and irrevocable surrender of the will at that point. An undue amount of thought and consideration for ourselves is what keeps us from making that decision, although we cover it up with the pretense that it is others we are considering. When we think seriously about what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God He doesn’t know what our obedience will mean. Keep to the point— He does know. Shut out every other thought and keep yourself before God in this one thing only— my utmost for His highest. I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and Him alone.</i></span></span></li>
<li><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Isa-29-16" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; position: relative;"><i style="background-color: white;"><strong>My Unstoppable Determination for His Holiness.</strong> “Whether it means life or death-it makes no difference!” (see <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1:21" style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;">Philippians 1:21</a>). Paul was determined that nothing would stop him from doing exactly what God wanted. But before we choose to follow God’s will, a crisis must develop in our lives. This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God’s gentler nudges. He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him and we begin to debate. He then providentially produces a crisis where we have to decide— for or against. That moment becomes a great crossroads in our lives. If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely and irrevocably.</i></span></span></li>
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Isa-29-16" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">The crisis is over, a 10 year journey of separation, divorce, going back to work full time from consulting part-time, multiple moves including major scaling down, launching a new business, raising 5 teenagers and encouraging them to pursue God's will for their lives, welcoming three new son-in-laws and a grand baby into the family! I'm exhausted just writing that list :-)!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of all <a href="http://celebrateyourgifts.blogspot.ca/2012/12/why-god-why.html" target="_blank">God has been faithfully providing for and guiding me</a> and my family each step of the way. I am so extremely excited about this new year as I walk out the knowledge God has given me and allow Him to develop the discipline I need to carry my responsibilities to fruition. Prayerfully, I will intercede for those I love and ask for the wisdom necessary to lead where He places me.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.38318429999998243.285996499999996 -80.028631299999986 44.0204555 -78.737737299999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-84218707134707574362012-12-01T20:49:00.000-05:002012-12-30T00:20:06.804-05:00Why God why? <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When was the last time you asked God the 'why' question? Sometimes, when things just don't make sense we find ourselves trying to reason and understand how our particular set of circumstances came to be. We want to DO SOMETHING! We are frustrated with where we are or losing hope to see our dreams come true. I experienced one of those seasons this fall and God's timing was perfect as our Pastor, <a href="http://julianfreeman.ca/" target="_blank">Julian Freeman</a> was completing a series on Genesis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His sermon called - <b><a href="http://www.gfcdonmills.ca/index.php/sermons/sermon-detail/?sermonID=114" target="_blank">The God of Astonishingly Complex Providence</a> </b>addressed this question so succinctly. As a followup to our weekly services most of our congregation meets in small groups and discusses how the biblical principles taught are being adopted and accepted. With Julian's permission I am sharing these thought provoking questions with you because I found them so profound. </span><br />
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<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>At the heart of the ‘why’ question there are several presuppositions: (1) that you are able to understand; (2) that it would be better to know; (3) that you deserve to know why; (4) that God needs to explain himself to me; and (5) that if there’s no good explanation, God had better fix it.</i></span></span></li>
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<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>What are the ‘why’ questions you are prone to ask God (in your thoughts)?</i></span></span></li>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>Are you hopeful that you’ll trust God more consistently now (and question him less)? Why/Why not?</i></span></span></li>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>We sometimes fail to see the severity of questioning God. What’s wrong with having a light hearted attitude toward our struggles in this area?</i></span></span></li>
</ul>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>Trust in God’s providence gives us contentment with our lot.</i></span></span></li>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>Are you content? If so, how can you attest to God’s grace in your being contentedness. If not, ways have you been struggling with discontentment?</i></span></span></li>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>What are you failing to trust God for? Explain how truth from Genesis 37-39 can help you in your battle for contentment? </i></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>How would trusting in God’s providence change the way you are deal with your current circumstances (and make you more obedient now)?</i></span></span></li>
</ul>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>Trust in God’s providence gives patience for his work in others.</i></span></span></li>
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<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>What is it so hard for you to be patient with (in other people)?</i></span></span></li>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>How would a long-view of God’s providential work in the world help your patience towards these people?</i></span></span></li>
</ul>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The sermons in this series were for me, timely and exceptionally impactful. Coming to terms with God's <a href="http://www.gfcdonmills.ca/index.php/sermons/sermon-detail/?sermonID=114" target="_blank">providence</a>, sovereignty, our <a href="http://www.gfcdonmills.ca/index.php/sermons/sermon-detail/?sermonID=115" target="_blank">dreams</a> and ultimately the fact that our lives are a very small part of <a href="http://www.gfcdonmills.ca/index.php/sermons/sermon-detail/?sermonID=118" target="_blank">His story</a>. I found this series to be freeing, encouraging and inspirational all at the same time. My journey to coming to complete surrender to God has been a long one....50 years of <a href="http://www.gfcdonmills.ca/index.php/sermons/sermon-detail/?sermonID=107" target="_blank">preparation</a> in fact. I've chosen the long painful way so very often and yet God has been <a href="http://www.gfcdonmills.ca/index.php/sermons/sermon-detail/?sermonID=111" target="_blank">faithful</a>. Coming to the conclusion is that He works in <a href="http://www.gfcdonmills.ca/index.php/sermons/sermon-detail/?sermonID=120" target="_blank">mysterious ways</a>, His ways are always better than anything I could come up with. Ahhh....letting go....and hanging on to His promises.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It is really very simple as the hymn says "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Trust and obey, for there’s no other way</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am free to choose to serve my God and He doesn't need me, I need Him! Thank you Julian for putting life here on 'planet hollywood' into the proper perspective. I am developing patience. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.38318429999998243.285996499999996 -80.028631299999986 44.0204555 -78.737737299999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-40006978571249881282012-08-21T06:50:00.001-04:002012-12-29T19:49:32.943-05:00Reflecting on turning 50!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2TrSQYuxNFnVeHDqaNQ1juLrkIhBnHpBud4MbvuXGWzrPY3uBnzDc1-XONCE4B3Hk848v5xrCZ2KfBwSLSQjsC8Q92Da0jVBzVwPFb6c3W740DmH64BP8N6sulq2CMadt_0AN_XJwjE/s1600/turning-50-jokes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2TrSQYuxNFnVeHDqaNQ1juLrkIhBnHpBud4MbvuXGWzrPY3uBnzDc1-XONCE4B3Hk848v5xrCZ2KfBwSLSQjsC8Q92Da0jVBzVwPFb6c3W740DmH64BP8N6sulq2CMadt_0AN_XJwjE/s320/turning-50-jokes.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
50! Is it just a number or is it more? So many people have struggled with turning a certain age. I remember a friend not wanting to celebrate their 40th birthday, it was about their expectation of what life was supposed to look like at 40. Is that why the milestone birthdays affect people?<br />
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Each new year I like to take the time to reflect on the past year and look forward to what lies on the horizon. As I approach the 50 mile marker I find myself in transition once again. This journey has definitely not been a dull one. I chose to follow Christ as a teenager and the older I get the more I realize how much I don't know. <br />
<br />
As <a href="http://www.joycemeyer.org/BroadcastHome.aspx?video=Pressing_Past_Guilt_and_Shame_%E2%80%93_Pt_1" target="_blank">Joyce Meyer</a> often puts it "I'm not where I want to be but thank God I'm not where I use to be". I see God's handiwork everywhere in my life. I have so many reasons to be thankful. If I never accomplished another thing...with God's help I've raised 5 incredible young adults. No career could surpass the joy of seeing five lives choosing a faith walk. <br />
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I see so many families with young children and can encourage you to stay the course, fight the good fight of teaching a disciplined life to your kids. They do come back and thank you when they become adults! <br />
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For all those women that are aspiring to become Proverbs 31 women, I can tell you that the moment your children '<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">arise and call her blessed' </span>every sleep deprived night, the hundreds of nursemaid moments, the many repeated discussions and countless hours as a taxi driver are all worth it.<br />
<br />
One of life's greatest moments recently has been to watch my child become a parent and bond with their baby. To know that they are capable of loving and leading.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
I can look back and remember the people I've loved and lost. Today I look around me and am thankful for the many programs that have inspired me to continue to grow<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.crcna.org/pages/crhm_work_cbbasic.cfm" target="_blank">Coffee Break</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.amway.ca/thefreedomtouch" target="_blank">Amway</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.divorcecare.org/" target="_blank">Divorce Care</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.celebraterecovery.ca/cr/" target="_blank">Celebrate Recovery</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">) </span>and the coaches/counsellors that have given me perspective when I've lost sight of the bigger goals. It is truly the people; family, friends and small groups that help us see who we are and how we can improve.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
I've moved 16 times now and I know there will be more to add to that number. From empty nesting to hot flashes....there is always a new season of adjustment.<br />
<br />
I look forward and own my choices in work and play. I treasure each new day as a fresh start with God's grace and mercy as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">'</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I press on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29436A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">toward the goal to win the prize </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29436B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">for which God has called </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29436C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">me heavenward in Christ Jesus.' </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil%203:14&version=NIV" target="_blank">Phil 3:14</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
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I encourage others to discover their <a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/faith_in_life/dicovering_your_god_given_purpose.aspx">God given gifts</a> and pursue their destiny, knowing that we are not islands and one day we'll account for our time here on earth.<br />
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My birthday wish is that you may know the richness of serving others in love and measure success by the number of lives you affect along the way. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-17636016522148932662012-05-21T14:16:00.000-04:002012-12-29T19:46:43.237-05:00This is your life...Have you ever had a 24 hour period of your life that helped you to put things into perspective?<br />
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I had a great couple over for dinner on Saturday night and they were telling me about a story about two young men that intersected their lives recently. Two young men that were choosing to start over in a humble way and take <a href="http://www.aa.org/" target="_blank">full responsibility for their lives</a>. We then had a discussion about a home business idea and how its success could impact their lives.<br />
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I went to bed with a smile on my face knowing that these two people had found each other and were sharing a journey that was filled with God's purpose.<br />
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I am a member of <a href="http://www.gfcdonmills.ca/" target="_blank">Grace Fellowship - Don Mills</a> and so Sunday I awoke and prepared to hear what God was going to share with this church family. Our Pastor spoke about how we read and apply the Bible. What struck me was walking out our belief and being able to ask God about His promises. I have a huge promise in my heart that I had prayed about that morning. and here was God via Julian saying go ahead and ask, but don't just ask believe My answer and live accordingly.<br />
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Next I met with a couple I hadn't seen in over 10 years and they were as gracious and kind as I had remembered. They extended a warm welcome and said where would you like to go? They would like to work with me to achieve my goals and dreams. They reminded me that motivation is comprised of motive to take action. What is my motive and what do I want to achieve? Great questions.<br />
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I had a hour drive to my next appointment and pondered their questions. The next couple I met are the wonderful parents of a very close friend that we recently lost to cancer. We laughed at some of the memories and cried as we shared how much we miss him. This beautiful couple that are in their senior years spoke of how much they'd like to build relationships with their grandchildren still.<br />
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I came home and enjoyed a glorious sunset on my balcony and then spent an hour watching various fireworks going off throughout the city. All the while pondering how each day God gives us is a reason for celebration, whether it be tears of joy or sadness life is made richer by the people we share the experiences with.<br />
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I will continue to invest my life into the people God brings across my path and store my treasures in heaven. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-24858691068046989262012-05-17T22:21:00.001-04:002012-12-29T19:45:43.727-05:00The Bible and why it's the best selling book ever!<div class="devotional paddingtop10 todaysword">
Do You Love God's Word?</div>
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One
of the first books to come off the printing press when it was invented
was the Bible. And it’s still the world’s best-selling book. An
anonymous author has written: ‘It contains the mind of God, the state of
man, the way of salvation, the fate of sinners, and the happiness of
believers. It is a light to direct you, food to nourish you, and comfort
to cheer you. It is the traveller’s road map, the pilot’s compass, the
soldier’s weapon, and the player’s game plan. It’s a mine of incredible
wealth, and a river of genuine joy. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts
are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Christ is its grand subject, your good its design, and the glory of God
its end. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be
spiritually healthy. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. Let it
fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your steps. It is given to
you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered for ever.
It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest
labour, and judge those who trifle with its sacred contents.’ The Bible
is ‘The word of our God which shall stand forever…’ (1Peter 1:25). Most
of us respect the Bible; the trouble is we don’t read it daily and put
it into practice. After hearing a discussion on various translations of
the Bible, one man said: ‘I prefer my mother’s translation, because she
translated it into everyday life.’ Are you doing that?<br />
<br />
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.' Matthew 24:35 NIV<br />
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This is my favourite online devotional. The author is <a href="http://www.bobgass.com/todaysword.php" target="_blank">Bob Gass </a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-90751418661597913542012-05-11T22:55:00.001-04:002012-12-29T19:45:13.508-05:00Living, Loving and Letting goWalking along side a friend through an illness teaches you much about that person, yourself and everyone affected. I recently lost one of my best friends. When he became aware of his brain tumor almost two years ago he took it in stride and remained hopeful to the very end of his life here on earth. He would say "I have peace either way Kathy, whichever God prefers". His sense of humour and testimony of faith were beautiful to witness.<br />
<br />
During one of my hospital visits Bob asked me to bring in my laptop and let him update his facebook status. We took a picture and posted it. He had over 140 responses within 24 hrs. This man touched lives! His gift was to serve and he genuinely put others first.<br />
<br />
The friends and family I got to meet through this journey just confirmed how humble and loving this man was. He served so many people in his lifetime that it was an honour to be able to serve him near the end. His parents are amazing people, no wonder Bob was so thoughtful. <br />
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Each visit I was reminded that it may be my last...is that not how we are supposed to live each day? Bob blessed me with unconditional love and acceptance, he was my biggest fan. I think of you often my friend and am living each day to the fullest.<br />
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To know that he is now dancing before his Lord and Saviour makes me smile. His visitation and memorial service were packed with people from every area of his life. He made a friend wherever he went and if anyone chose not to accept his offer of a relationship it was their loss.<br />
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Here is the tribute video his son-in-law and daughter prepared for him:<br />
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Until we meet again Bob, thank you from the bottom of my heart for our years as sojourners. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-5914751527664091612012-02-29T21:23:00.000-05:002012-02-29T21:25:16.758-05:00Google Search Story....so far<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wxALEMjC9g8?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-57641760767488925452011-12-29T21:32:00.001-05:002011-12-29T21:32:43.393-05:00This says it all as 2011 winds down and I prepare for a New Year full of adventure, trials and overcoming!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLBD1564459F97AD03&hl=en_US" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-51667362014467138632011-10-16T22:01:00.000-04:002013-01-02T10:31:47.020-05:00Changes.....empty nest!A month ago I dropped one of my sons off to live and work with his Dad for the year. This marked a beginning and an end! Two days prior I had dropped his twin brother off at the airport for his year long adventure in a different province. It was official, my incredible children have all left home (for how long...time will tell).<br />
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What a feeling....after twenty five years of raising children I was alone. A weekend away with a few of my children to attend my nephew's wedding was next on the agenda. We traveled together and spent the weekend with extended family. The wedding was beautiful as we witnessed two people who genuinely loved and respected one another commit to a lifetime of serving one another.<br />
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I found myself very reflective this weekend as I looked at my extended family, my mother aging with Alzheimers, my father just learning that is last sibling was near death, my brother and his wife in the process of adding a young girl to their family and my children all experiencing milestones in the past 90 days. WOW! So very much to be thankful for and yet so reminders of how temporary this life is. We spend so much time planning events like weddings, post-secondary education and career moves, in search of what?
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Choosing to fully engage in the moments I became very aware of how each memory adds to the richness of the experience called life!
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So...as a chapter was ending, I shed a few tears and then realized each ending is a new beginning. Just like the bride and groom that have given up their single lives to start a new family unit, I was starting a new adventure.<br />
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At the age of 49, with God's help we have raised 5 incredible children that all know who they are. I remembered the conscious decision at 26 to put my children first and now am very thankful for that decision. This stage.....empty nested, I have been set free to pursue what God had in store for me next.
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The realization that I've been given gifts that involve people, technology and a love for business led to the start up of <a href="http://thetouchmarketing.com/about-2/">Touch Marketing</a>. I am declaring my fiftieth year of life to be one of complete surrender to my faith journey and continue to develop the fruit of the spirit. Discipline...here I come.
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My goal this year - Fit at Fifty! Both physically and financially. I am excited to pursue all that God has in store for me as a Grandmother, Business Partner and Woman.
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This week's reading - <a href="http://kathypilcher.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/og-mandino-scrolls.pdf">GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD by OG MANDINO. Time to put into practice The 10 scrolls mentioned in this book</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-224911901855854432011-08-01T17:36:00.004-04:002011-08-01T18:01:31.568-04:00Really, it's been almost a year since I shared...<span style="font-family: arial;">What a difference a day makes! That is the understatement of the year for me personally. This has been by far, the busiest year of my life. Being a single Mom, you can imagine the scheduling involved with a large family and a business start up. I have been blessed beyond measure both personally and professionally and think about this blog often; usually when I'm driving and/or stuck in traffic. (Hence the pending move) </span><br /></br><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We took time out in December 2009 to take a family vacation to Florida and I'm very thankful we did! 2011 brought four of the five kids graduations (2 from university and 2 from high school). That meant...yes....I pause...done the High School phase of our lives! We not only survived the kids are achieved great accomplishments and I couldn't be prouder.</span><br /></br><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">At the High School grad I reflected on the fact that their schedules were now their own! With God's help we made it. There was no hesitation or slowing down however, because 5 days before the graduation we had our next generation join the family. Yes, I got to add Grandmother to my list of relationships! How truly amazing to watch your child bond with their baby. A moment I'll never forget.</span><br /></br><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Now we are preparing for the next wedding in the family. My second daughter is about to be wed in a few days and I find myself very contemplative about the speed at which life changes. Our family adapts so quickly to welcoming new people into the fold. </span><br /></br><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This month marks a whole new era for this family. As we gather for the wedding and a few other special occasions (Happy Birthday to my ex - 50! woot), we also prepare to move as we are starting new chapters of our lives. My family is spreading out, the new grandson 17 hours away with his parents, newest couple 2 hours away, my baby girl heading to her own place in Toronto to pursue her passion in cooking school, and my sons, one off to B.C. for a year long leadership course and the other...well maybe, just maybe he'll be moving with me to the big city of Toronto.</span><br /></br><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Change is.....opportunity. I for one am going to take this opportunity to communicate via my blog a weekly message to all these wonderful young adults because we've been so protected as a family and have so very much to be thankful for that I look forward to seeing them all 'pay it forward' in their own lives. Oh...and that means that special extended child of mine too! (He just became a Dad 2 days ago and I got to hold his precious son today!)</span><br /></br><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">As sojourners on this planet I believe we are called to bring out the best in each other and my devotional reading today rang so very true to my heart:</span><br /></br><br /><div class="devotional paddingtop10 todaysword"><a href="http://www.bobgass.com/todaysword.php">Bring Out the Best in Others by Bob Gass<br /></a></div> <div class="devotional_snippet2" style="text-align:justify"><p>Over and over in Scripture God says things like, ‘Be strong and of good courage, do not…be afraid…for the Lord…goes with you’ (Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV). Why? To bring out the best in us! The history books are full of stories of gifted people whose talents were overlooked until someone believed in them. Einstein was four years old before he could speak. Isaac Newton did poorly in primary school. A newspaper editor fired Walt Disney because he had ‘no good ideas’. Tolstoy dropped out of college. There’s a lesson here: people develop at different rates. To motivate them you must always be on the outlook for hidden capacities. Your words create an environment in which people not only discover their gifts, but also develop and excel in them. John Erskine, Professor of English at Colombia University, was an educator, concert pianist, author of 60 books, president of the Juilliard School of Music, and a popular and witty lecturer. Writing about that remarkable career, his wife, Helen, attributed it to his ‘defiant optimism’. ‘He was a good teacher,’ she said, ‘because of his own excitement for learning and his trust in the future.’ He would say to her, ‘Let’s tell our young people that the best books are yet to be written; the best paintings have not yet been painted; the best governments are yet to be formed; the best is yet to be done by them.’ Within every human being there is a God-given drive to achieve something. If you tap into that drive and demonstrate that you believe in their future, they’ll do almost anything to live up to your expectations.</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-90809434023069765012011-02-27T19:19:00.000-05:002011-10-16T22:04:42.780-04:00Trusting the Father - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2010<a href="http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.5824419/k.6E3/Trusting_the_Father.htm">Trusting the Father - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2010</a><br />
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Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com/">ShareThis</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511897503430929059.post-91777282856637168602010-11-30T07:04:00.000-05:002013-01-02T10:32:19.694-05:00No orphans with God<iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9BkN-4NYQj0?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="425"></iframe><br />
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Scott Peck writes, 'It's only because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually. It's through the pain of confronting them that we learn.' No matter how bad things seem, every situation holds something positive-look for it."<br />
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<a href="http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/this-week-on-tv">This Week on TV</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381509343647142314noreply@blogger.com0