Friday, May 23, 2014

Weekend Challenge



Long weekend ahead. 


Disconnect from technology and enjoy your family & friends. 


Go outside, experience nature. 


Go for a walk, have face to face conversations, make precious memories. 


Life is short, so live every moment out without regrets. 



At the end of your life, you will not wish you had spent more time on social media, watching TV, or playing video games. 


LIFE IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS, spend time with people face to face and build real relationships.




Thursday, May 22, 2014

I Am Somebody

I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that, then I realized I am somebody. 

What do you need to step up to today to make a difference?







Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Life Purpose



You can overcome the fears that are holding you back today. 

Step out today to overcome those fears. 

Take some risks. 

Be bold. 

Your life has a specific reason that only you can accomplish. 

Take some steps today to live your purpose.



Tuesday, May 20, 2014

A Life That Matters



Want a life that matters, a life that leaves a legacy?  Do you want to leave footprints on people's heart and have a life worthy of the reason you were put on earth?  













Monday, May 19, 2014

Friday, May 16, 2014

Uncomfortable Grace

Uncomfortable grace.....when God takes you to a place in your faith that isn't what you intended, and not at all where you want to go, but it's a place of learning, healing, growth.  

Uncomfortable grace is a word that came up today around noon when I was talking with someone I consider a mentor in the faith.  We were talking about Beth Moore.  She asked me which study of Beth Moore's was my favorite.  I have done several studies, but told her which one touched me the most.  I told her how I did that study at a time when God took me to a place of rock bottom in my faith, broke me to many pieces, and then put me back together again. When I did the study, I was climbing back up from a dark place.  As I hit rock bottom, I understood grace more than I ever had, but it was not a pleasant time, God broke me, and I needed it.  Uncomfortable grace, for sure. 

Nine years ago today was the last time I saw my beloved, sweet Gram.  She died on the 17th, but slipped in to a state of unconsciousness and I did not want to remember her like that, so did not see her on her last day on this earth.  I sat in the waiting room, crying, overcome with anxiety, and worrying every time my mom would come out of her room that my Gram was gone.  But, my Gram being my Gram, went on her terms.  She left her earthly body right before her two daughters arrived the following morning.  What does this have to do with uncomfortable grace?  One, I dealt with learning how to grieve, work through that, cherish precious memories, and heal through loss.  Today, nine years to the date later, I sat in the same hospital, in the same waiting area, on the same floor, with my friend.  I have been to that hospital numerous times since that date, but today was tough as I walked by the last place I held my Gram's hand, kissed and hugged her, and told her I loved her.  Memories swept over me, and I fought tears, because I was there for my friend.  As the hours passed, my mind would drift to the room across the hall from where I was sitting, the place my Gram moved from this earthly life to life with Jesus.  Uncomfortable grace popped in my head, and I smiled at how God brought this phrase in to my life just hours before.  At that moment, uncomfortable grace was moving through my soul.  I was there to support a friend, but God brought some healing to me while I was there.  

Uncomfortable grace is where God intervenes so we can recognize our weaknesses, and lean into his strength.  Uncomfortable grace is where God reveals Himself to us in the difficulties, so we learn to trust Him.  Uncomfortable grace takes places of brokenness, puts the pieces back together, and though we are cracked, we are stronger because we have allowed God to carefully glue us back together and mold us as He wants us to be.  Uncomfortable grace goes into the places of fear, and covers it with peace.  Uncomfortable grace shakes up our comfort zone and makes us examine what we really believe.  Uncomfortable grace died on a cross for all of our sins, to save us.  




Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Do Something Wonderful

Change comes when we are different than the world.  

Be kind.  

Be generous.  

Be loving.  

Give.  

Serve.  

Laugh.  

Have hope.  

Let your life be one that will make a positive difference in the world.  






Tuesday, May 13, 2014

The Dance

I don’t want to miss the dance.  I get hung up on so many things in life,  worrying about what I will never do or achieve or have. But I don’t want to miss the dance. I want to love my spouse, care for my kids, and give life to my friends. I want to do the work God made me to do. I want   to love God and the world he made. I want to do my part to help it flourish, for my spiritual maturity is not measured by following rules. “The me God made me to be” is measured by my capacity to love. When we live in love, we flourish. That is the dance.
– John Ortberg, The Me I want to Be


How many times do we miss the dance? 
How many times do we turn away, quit trying, because we’re tired,  lonely, or forgot why we                         even cared in the first place? 
The world can be a difficult place to live at times. We need each other.
God wants us to love each other, serve each other.  He is asking us to dance without fear, so take                     the first step and enjoy the dance.



Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Advice From A Friend



The following is advice from a friend of ours, only in his early 40's, who is in a battle with ALS:


"Don't spend your day tied up with electronics. Go out and see the beauty of nature! Unplug and enjoy the moments."




"Your family deserves the best you, you can be."

"Never miss a chance to laugh or say I'm sorry.  Never hold back your tears, they are cleansing. Never ever miss a chance to say I love you."

"Life is full of choices. For instance: my prognosis is death but I see it as an ETA. It's all in how you view it. You have to make a choice!"



Live each moment of your life, don't waste it on electronics.  Love deeply.  Laugh.  Forgive.  Apologize.  Don't take one moment of life, family, faith for granted.  








Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Battle For The Mind



Most of the battles in life are won or lost in our mind. To overcome those battles, we need to learn to control our anxiety, fear, and negative self talk.







Our beliefs affect how we act. We first need to examine what we believe, and make changes where needed. When we change our thinking, changing our behavior will come much easier.











Monday, May 5, 2014

Friday, May 2, 2014

Achieving Success



Success comes when we overcome the fear of failure, push forward to get past the obstacles in our path, say I CAN DO IT, and keep going!




Thursday, May 1, 2014