Do you ever walk around saying to yourself..."Well, this is just the way life is"...."My job will always be like this"...."My family will never change"....."Life will always be crazy". "Woe is me!!!"
You are not stuck! God does not want you to give up hope. Remember, God is the God of hope and he has made you fully capable of handling life and moving forward, and with his grace he will help you do it. Remember the old saying, "God will never give you more than your can handle." ?
What is it that you want for your life? What vision do you have? How does your attitude block your path towards that vision? If you want to move forward in life, you must first start with yourself and make sure that your attitude isn't your primary obstacle.
Next, look at the other obstacles around you. Come up with a plan to overcome those things, and if those things around you seem too big and you are fearful or you become cynical because you feel whatever you do won't change anything, then it's time to call on the Lord. Ask for deliverance from your fear. Ask for deliverance from your cynicism. God will deliver you so you can overcome and lead the life he is calling you to.
Remember, God doesn't want you to be stuck. He doesn't even want you to feel stuck. You are His child and he wants you to continue to grow and move towards a better life.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
An Idea In Mind
Have you ever come up with an idea and thought, "Somebody should do that" or "Wouldn't it be great if somebody would..." ? Have you ever thought that maybe God inspired that idea because he wants you to do it? Maybe, maybe not, but how would you know?
It's called discernment. Take the idea to prayer, not just once, but several times. Do you see God developing a passion in you about that idea? Are more ideas generated about it each time you take it to prayer? If so, pray about it some more. Ask God to open or close some doors for you about it. If you see doors opening and a passion developing, start taking some action towards the vision you have developed. Then, with regards to your action, see if doors continue to open or slam shut.
Too many times when people are searching for an answer from God, they want the answer too quickly or they want a sign before they start. I think God doesn't give us those things because he wants to develop our faith in the process as we are waiting. This way, we learn to listen, and as we take action, we grow in faith. You see, it's about the journey towards the idea as much as the idea itself. It's not just about helping others with your idea, but it's about your growth in the process and God knows that. So, he takes his time.
It's called discernment. Take the idea to prayer, not just once, but several times. Do you see God developing a passion in you about that idea? Are more ideas generated about it each time you take it to prayer? If so, pray about it some more. Ask God to open or close some doors for you about it. If you see doors opening and a passion developing, start taking some action towards the vision you have developed. Then, with regards to your action, see if doors continue to open or slam shut.
Too many times when people are searching for an answer from God, they want the answer too quickly or they want a sign before they start. I think God doesn't give us those things because he wants to develop our faith in the process as we are waiting. This way, we learn to listen, and as we take action, we grow in faith. You see, it's about the journey towards the idea as much as the idea itself. It's not just about helping others with your idea, but it's about your growth in the process and God knows that. So, he takes his time.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Why Not Me
Do you ever listen to speakers on the radio or TV and notice that they always have these miraculous stories about how God intervened in their life? Or how they were talking with some stranger and the outcome of the conversation made it clear that God was working in an amazing way? I was thinking about that the other day, and I thought, "Why not me? How come I never seem to have any amazing stories like that to share?"
My first thought was "well, I must not be one of the "chosen" ones of God." You know, those who have been blessed with all sorts of spiritual gifts...no wonder they have all these great stories, the spirit is constantly moving through all those gifts. But then, I thought again. That's it! The Spirit is constantly moving! Not because they have all these gifts, but rather because they have faith that the spirit will move and because of that, they have courage to always speak out. God's work is evident on a regular basis in so many of their circumstances because they merely believe. Then they step back and say, "God do your work, I'm just coming along for the ride. Show me what you want me to do. I'll be your assistant, when you want my help."
Too many people walk through life with the attitude that they are in control. Then when something bad happens, they are constantly doing the work and asking God to be the assistant. Remember those bumper stickers that say, "God is my co-pilot?" Why not make Him the pilot? My challenge to you this week is to try to let God do the work and you be the assistant. After a week, let me know if you have any new good stories where you saw God moving, and please post them to the blog! Thank you.
My first thought was "well, I must not be one of the "chosen" ones of God." You know, those who have been blessed with all sorts of spiritual gifts...no wonder they have all these great stories, the spirit is constantly moving through all those gifts. But then, I thought again. That's it! The Spirit is constantly moving! Not because they have all these gifts, but rather because they have faith that the spirit will move and because of that, they have courage to always speak out. God's work is evident on a regular basis in so many of their circumstances because they merely believe. Then they step back and say, "God do your work, I'm just coming along for the ride. Show me what you want me to do. I'll be your assistant, when you want my help."
Too many people walk through life with the attitude that they are in control. Then when something bad happens, they are constantly doing the work and asking God to be the assistant. Remember those bumper stickers that say, "God is my co-pilot?" Why not make Him the pilot? My challenge to you this week is to try to let God do the work and you be the assistant. After a week, let me know if you have any new good stories where you saw God moving, and please post them to the blog! Thank you.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Waiting on God
Have you been waiting on God? Are you waiting for him to answer your prayers? Are you waiting for him to give you direction? Are you waiting for your calling to be revealed? Waiting.... waiting.... waiting. Sometimes it seems that is all we do is wait on God. In fact, I believe that everyone waits at some point in their life.
However, the question is what do you do with the time while you are waiting? Do you get upset with God because he hasn't revealed the answer to you in your time? Do you plead to him over and over again with worry he will never reveal it to you? Do you spend hours stewing over it?
Well, fret no more. The Bible says to "Praise God in all circumstances", so that is what should be done. After all, God already knows the answer. He already has the plan in place for you. He has you in the palm of his hand. Then, praise God. He is taking care of it.
One last thought. Think of God's plan for your life as a birthday present. When a child is going to receive a present for their birthday, they wait with total excitement. They dream about what it might be, but they don't fret about it. They just know that it is going to be something wonderful. Something that someone picked especially for them. They are happy, and so it should be for us. God has something very special planned for each of us, and that plan is a gift from our heavenly father. We need to be waiting with expectant joy...and praising God while we wait.
However, the question is what do you do with the time while you are waiting? Do you get upset with God because he hasn't revealed the answer to you in your time? Do you plead to him over and over again with worry he will never reveal it to you? Do you spend hours stewing over it?
Well, fret no more. The Bible says to "Praise God in all circumstances", so that is what should be done. After all, God already knows the answer. He already has the plan in place for you. He has you in the palm of his hand. Then, praise God. He is taking care of it.
One last thought. Think of God's plan for your life as a birthday present. When a child is going to receive a present for their birthday, they wait with total excitement. They dream about what it might be, but they don't fret about it. They just know that it is going to be something wonderful. Something that someone picked especially for them. They are happy, and so it should be for us. God has something very special planned for each of us, and that plan is a gift from our heavenly father. We need to be waiting with expectant joy...and praising God while we wait.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Grass Is Always Greener
Do you ever find your mind wandering about what life would be like if you were in a different place, a different time, or with different people? We act as if life would be so much better somewhere else. The grass always seems greener on the other side, until we are there. Then we get there and it seems greener elsewhere.
What is this about and why do so many seem to struggle with this? I think this is part of the fall of human nature. We fall into sin, of coveting our neighbors' goods, or we loose hope and loose sight that we are ultimately in God's hands. We forget that God knows where we are and all the circumstances that brought us there. Maybe the grass really is greener on the other side, but maybe God doesn't want you there yet. Or maybe you just can't get there until you change something in you.
God doesn't want you dreaming about how your life could be so much better if only one thing changed in your life. God wants you to change your own life. That's how you make life better. Sure, we all suffer. We all have our problems, but the question is "How do you choose to deal with them?" How do you start to change you so the grass becomes greener right where you are?
What is this about and why do so many seem to struggle with this? I think this is part of the fall of human nature. We fall into sin, of coveting our neighbors' goods, or we loose hope and loose sight that we are ultimately in God's hands. We forget that God knows where we are and all the circumstances that brought us there. Maybe the grass really is greener on the other side, but maybe God doesn't want you there yet. Or maybe you just can't get there until you change something in you.
God doesn't want you dreaming about how your life could be so much better if only one thing changed in your life. God wants you to change your own life. That's how you make life better. Sure, we all suffer. We all have our problems, but the question is "How do you choose to deal with them?" How do you start to change you so the grass becomes greener right where you are?
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Peace
"Peace to all" , "Peace on Earth", "Peace, love and joy", "Peace to you". These are all just common phrases we hear at Christmas time, but what really brings you peace? I used to think that if I could get my life completely organized then I could have peace. I used to think that if I could get my kids to behave "just perfectly" I would have peace. I used to think that if I could get everything "just right" with my spouse then I would have peace. I was wrong.
I was wrong because I was searching outside of myself to find peace. I was wrong because I was searching outside of Christ to find peace.
If you are thinking that all you need to do is fix this "one little thing" in your life and then you will have peace. You may be wrong. Perhaps you need to look at that again. Ask yourself, why do you think that will truly give you peace? If you couldn't fix that "one little thing", how else would you find it?
Peace and a Blessed Advent.
I was wrong because I was searching outside of myself to find peace. I was wrong because I was searching outside of Christ to find peace.
If you are thinking that all you need to do is fix this "one little thing" in your life and then you will have peace. You may be wrong. Perhaps you need to look at that again. Ask yourself, why do you think that will truly give you peace? If you couldn't fix that "one little thing", how else would you find it?
Peace and a Blessed Advent.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
"Women Rejoicing"
Last Saturday the "Women Rejoicing" Conference had over 120 in attendance, and the response was incredible! Women really did attain a spirit of rejoicing. Many women told us they were inspired and empowered. There was a renewed spirit as women came to realize the vital importance of their God given gifts as an individual and as a woman. There was new understanding about feminism and our role in our families, our community and our church. The message by Pope John Paul II spoken through Katrina Zeno made us aware of our dignity as women and how crucial our role is to society.
As a whole, the conference was fun, spiritual, inspiring and empowering. Praise God, mission accomplished! But as an individual, what did you experience while at the conference? Did God lift a cloud that was hanging over your head? Did you feel touched spiritually? Did you grow closer to Christ? Have you been a better mother, wife or sister? We want to know. So, please, add your comments to this blog. Your comments will only serve to inspire other women.
What did I get out of it all? I was pleased to see God's hand in it all and to see so many women from my generation who care about their faith. I was reminded of the fact that my identity is in Christ not by the wounds of the past or how others have perceived me. I was reminded that I am a daughter of God's first...that means that I am taken care of and fully loved just as I am. What about you?
As a whole, the conference was fun, spiritual, inspiring and empowering. Praise God, mission accomplished! But as an individual, what did you experience while at the conference? Did God lift a cloud that was hanging over your head? Did you feel touched spiritually? Did you grow closer to Christ? Have you been a better mother, wife or sister? We want to know. So, please, add your comments to this blog. Your comments will only serve to inspire other women.
What did I get out of it all? I was pleased to see God's hand in it all and to see so many women from my generation who care about their faith. I was reminded of the fact that my identity is in Christ not by the wounds of the past or how others have perceived me. I was reminded that I am a daughter of God's first...that means that I am taken care of and fully loved just as I am. What about you?
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