EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES

A few years ago a little book came out which had amazing success.
No one saw it coming- could never have predicted it's impact on the world because it was focused on a non-descript bible verse from
1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Yes, you guessed it...The Prayer of Jabez.
As I pondered this, I realized one of the reasons it was so successful was because it spoke to each one's spirit- that part of us that we don't readily share with others. The part that imagines dreams and possibilities that we think are out of reach--at least for us. This small book challenged us to believe that no matter what our circumstances, God can and will extend our tent pegs far beyond our greatest imaginings...if we only ask. Jesus affirmed this when he said in Matt.7:7 "Ask and you shall receive."

Gloria Steinem said, "Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning."

On the outskirts of our everyday lives- there are adventures waiting to be embarked on- nothing lies beyond our dreams.
Ps.37:4 says that God gives us the desires of our heart. So believe that the possibilities are endless.

A year and a half ago, Kathryn Bonner- a Life Coach and author from Austin, Texas asked me to partner with her in forming a group called Women of Passionate Purpose. This happened during my stay there for a 2 day Life Plan. I had expected my life to change as a result of that life plan but this was beyond my wildest imagination. It was evident that we both had a passionate love for women and desired to minister to them in their life purpose, spiritual growth, and Spirit-led walk. We hosted a writing retreat in Pennsylvania last September and from that group we invited women to join us in this God-anointed venture. Today we are an official corporation with 12 members totally committed to the dream and vision that God gave our founder.

Let me ask you this:
Has there been a dream or vision that God has laid on your heart?
Is there a desire you've harbored but thought to be out of reach for you?
Is there a path you've secretly wanted to follow?
What possibility would you like to explore?


"Everything is possible for him who believes." Mark 9:23

"Dwell in Possibility." Emily Dickenson

ACTION STEPS:

Pray for discernment and counsel.
Identify a vision or longed for dream...write it down.
Look at all the possibilities this dream will offer.
Be joyful, hopeful, and full of expectation.
Write down at least 3 specific steps you can take to reach this goal
Find someone to share this with and hold you accountable.
Be courageous and go for your dreams.
Start today.......we're not sure of tomorrow.

Meditate on Hab.2:3
"Write down the revelation,
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come,
and will not delay.

Taking Risks...

Divine Challenger,
when did I stop risking?
When did I lose my edge
for adventure and surprise?
When did I start pretending
that what I now know
is all there is to know?
When did I give in to fear
and bow to security?

When did I let uncertainty
press against my free spirit?
When did I start moving
toward the easy, sure thing?
When did I give away
my ability to be disturbed?
When did I start refusing
to pay the price
for fuller depth and joy?
When did I let panic
of the unknown future
wrap its barbed wire fingers
around my desire to grow?

Inner Source of Courage,
nudge me toward my growth.
Urge me away from my strongholds.
Convince me of my potential
to leap beyond the barriers.

"And if anyone longs for wide experience,
she knows the things of old, and infers the things to come."
Wisdom 8:8

The above prayer is taken from "Prayers to Sophia" by Joyce Rupp

Journal Applications..........

What are the challenges and obstacles in your life at this time?


Who and what encourages you to face your fears and take risks? How?


Who and what holds you back from taking risks...who are the border bullies?


How willing are you to let go of your security blankets in order to grow?

I love this prayer about taking risks! I find it challenging and it's making me search my heart for the answers. Giving way to our fears always holds us back and God has so much more for us, doesn't He? I'd love to hear some of your thoughts and reflections on this piece. Let's chat about it...shall we?

NEW YEAR...........NEW DAY

"We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, and cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives-- not looking for flaws but for potential." Ellen Goodman

Isn't this a thought provoking statement? Does it sound familiar to the way you start out a new year? I don't have a problem looking at the past because I believe we can learn valuable lessons for the future, we can see patterns of thought and behavior that weren't healthy or live giving, and most importantly we can remember the blessings and favor that God showered upon us. The trap can be when we focus on the flaws, cracks, weaknesses and failures thus becoming discouraged and feeling helpless. This is not God's plan for us this New Year. I believe He wants all of us to engage in our present lives whatever the circumstances........Thank Him, worship Him, serve Him, and most importantly seek Him knowing that with Him all things are possible and He will bring about the best for our lives. So often, it's a matter of timing and waiting on Him. I want this year to be a year of Unbelievable Belief in a miracle working God who has awesome plans for my future and who has invited me to come follow Him. How about you? Are you game? Let's do it together.
"Let your eyes look straight ahead.
Fix your gaze directly before you." Pr 4:25

"Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it."
Anne De Lencios

ANOTHER LOOK AT KINDNESS

Speak Gently

by David Bates

Speak gently!—It is better far
To rule by love, than fear—
Speak gently—let not harsh words mar
The good we might do here!

Speak gently!—Love doth whisper low
The vows that true hearts bind;
And gently Friendship's accents flow;
Affection's voice is kind.

Speak gently to the little child!
Its love be sure to gain;
Teach it in accents soft and mild:—
It may not long remain.

Speak gently to the young, for they
Will have enough to bear—
Pass through this life as best they may,
'Tis full of anxious care!

Speak gently to the aged one,
Grieve not the care-worn heart;
The sands of life are nearly run,
Let such in peace depart!

Speak gently, kindly, to the poor;
Let no harsh tone be heard;
They have enough they must endure,
Without an unkind word!

Speak gently to the erring—know,
They may have toiled in vain;
Perchance unkindness made them so;
Oh, win them back again!

Speak gently!—He who gave his life
To bend man's stubborn will,
When elements were in fierce strife,
Said to them, "Peace, be still."

Speak gently!—'tis a little thing
Dropped in the heart's deep well;
The good, the joy, which it may bring,
Eternity shall tell.

CHRISTMAS POEM

HEAVEN'S GIFT

Heaven's gift has come to man.
Mortal fate rests
Within tiny hallowed hands.
Shepherds singing, a shining star
Angels proclaiming,
Kings bearing gifts from afar.
A scene of serene glory,
The weight of a holy hush,
The meaning of heaven's story,
'Twas God's first Christmas gift to us.

Who would recall the power of that day,
At the time when He was led away
Bearing a crown,a robe, and fateful wounds?
Was He not the gift from heaven's womb?

Shall we turn from that holy day
And walk away unchanged?
Will we allow it to envelope our souls
Only to let it slowly slip away?

Through plastic, tinsel, parties and gifts,
Shopping, planning, and Christmas lights lit,
Can the simple gift be heard or seen,
Or does it quietly fade behind holiday sheen?

Let us not forget that He loves us so.
He loves us too much to let us go.
He sent a plan with His sacrifice
To forgive and cleanse and give us life.

Embrace the greatest gift of all;
Don't let your sense of the manger wane.
The gift of heaven is yours to receive.
It was the true reason He came.

by Sandra A. Popp

Advent...A Time of Waiting

Advent is one of my favorite seasons of the year. It is a time of waiting, expecting, and preparing for the coming of Christ. It is a time of wondering, hoping, seeking and longing for peace. It is a time to be light in the dark corners of this world...to be still and know that He is God. But it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and commercial hype of Christmas that we forget the real meaning of the season. Have you found yourself being pulled in many different directions during this holiday time? Do you want a slight nudge from the Spirit...from the Word of God to help you refocus?
Isaiah 64:4 " For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him."
Is.30:18 " Blessed are all who wait for Him."
I pray these words may encourage all of us to fix our eyes on the coming of Christ. To wait for His coming by bringing light into the dark places of someone's life; by bringing peace and reconciliation into our relationships; by rekindling hope in those who have lost hope; by making crooked ways straight and by leading others to the heart of Christ by extending grace and kindness.

May He come afresh to each one of us during this sacred journey of Advent.
Let us wait in hope for the coming of our Lord.

Application:
Find one thing you can do to make this season about Jesus/ not Santa.
Find one thing you can do to make this season about giving/ not receiving.
Find one thing you can do to make this season about peace and reconciliation/ anger and unforgiveness.

Prayer:
Lord, teach us to wait on you. Draw us to yourself. Help us to put aside our busyness to spend some quiet time with you. Show us how to prepare the way for you in our own lives and in those we meet along the way. We wait, we hope, we long for you, O Lord. May you be praised and lifted high. Amen.

Crossroads

This is a devotional I shared at our Writer's Retreat in the Poconos. Somehow, this theme always seems relevant at some point in our lives. Let's begin with the scripture from Jer.6:16  "Stand at the crossroads and look: Ask for the ancient paths; Ask where the good way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your souls."    This verse reminds me of one of my favorite poems written by Robert Frost..."The Road Not Taken"  He says "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that made all the difference."  What about you? Have you ever found yourself standing at a crossroads and pondering which path to take? Up to that point you may have felt fairly confident- finding your way- thinking all is well. But now a little nagging doubt creeps in. The question arises: Should I stay on my planned course or am I here at this crossroads for a reason?  That's a very powerful question that many of us have had to ask ourselves at turning points in our lives. Sometimes going off in a new direction is a great pick-me-upper if you're in a rut and routine. Other times we veer off course-waste our time and energy and get seriously lost. Other times we speed up to life's crossroads because of restlessness caused by dissatisfaction with our present circumstances...job, marriage, relationships, health issues etc. Whenever we are at this point it is best to wait upon the Lord... It's hard not to run ahead of God but these decisions need serious prayer, listening to the Holy Spirit and times of deep introspection.
 Sometimes we're at a fork in the road not of our own choosing. We may be laid off work; experience the death of a loved one; betrayal of a friend; divorce or sudden illness. In those cases, we're forced to wander down uncharted paths. The answer is to remain before God..."Be still and know that I am God." Ps.46:10  Be purposeful and reflective, not reactive and compulsive.
  So the question I'm asking you today is this: Where are you now at this point in your life?  Are you at a crossroads? If so... which direction, which road will you follow? Is it the road where God is leading you? What decisions and changes will need to be made in order to walk down that path? How will your decisions affect others in your life?   All of these are powerful, soul-searching questions that need to be asked. As you stand at this crossroad listen to the words of Isaiah 30:21-22   Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."   Recall all the times in the past when God led you on the right path... believe that He will make a way even when there seems to be no way.  He is a faithful and loving God. This may be a time of New Beginnings for you or it may be a time of waiting and being still. Whatever path you choose...remember that you are not alone because His presence is with you and will go before you. Maybe this path will make all the difference. God be praised.