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Prayer...More than a Moment of Silence

2009-09-11T07:59:00.002-04:00

Today, I hope you will take a moment, stop everything and take some time out to pray for those families who lost loved ones eight years ago today during the September 11th bombing of the Trade Center and US Pentagon.

Lives have been completely altered; families torn apart by the irreparable physical and mental damage as a result of that one day.

I was fortunate that my none of my immediate family was affected. I take this moment to thank God for that and I encourage you to do the same if you were just as lucky.

I pray that God will continue to mend the minds and hearts of those families; that He will comfort, bless abundantly, and instill a sense of peace that can not be shaken. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Pride is a Beast - Is it consuming you?

2009-09-09T08:47:00.003-04:00

"Just before they entered the Promised Land, the Lord told the Israelites that He would drive out their enemies before them little by little lest "the beasts of the field" increase among them...
I believe pride is the "beast" that will consume us if we receive too much freedom too quickly. It is actually better to be set at liberty in one area at a time. That way, we appreciate our freedom more; we realize it is truly a gift from God and not something we can make happen in our own strength." from Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind
(Joyce Meyer, 35)

Joyce Meyer's explanation of the "beast" of Deut. 7:22 is so insightful and so true. I know becuase I've experienced what happens when victories come to quickly. Pride does in fact, creep in and consume. I remember having a big head, and thinking I was special; invincible even - that I had made those victories happen. That was so dangerous - I had let all that hot air carry me off and I forgot that everything I had - EVERYTHING - was God-given. Then one day, God stuck a pin in my hot air balloon and I suddenly began crashing down to earth - to reality.

When I moved to GA, I felt like I was on top of the world. I had just graduated from college at the top of my class and had snagged a rare job opportunity. Out of thousands of applicants, I was one of the 44 who made it. I felt like I could do anything.

Then on my very first day, after months of additional training, I stepped into the classroom alone for the first time. As I looked around at a room of students bustling with rebellious energy, came the most startling truth - I was totally unprepared. My quiet and gentle approach was no match for these boisterous youngsters. I couldn't keep them seated, let alone do any portion of any kind of lesson. I remember thinking, What on earth have I gotten myself into?

The entire experience was humbling. Everyday, I was pushed to such an extreme that I truly believe was at the absolute brink of what even God thought was the limit of what I could bear. Just that quickly, my whole world had changed from believing I could do anything to feelling like a complete failure. Pride had turned into discouragement and doubt.

But little by little...
God worked a change in me that never would have been possible had I not gone throught that grueling test.

I eventually had to face the fact that, that particular job wasn't right for me, but God's grace reminds me everyday that I needed that experience so that I could remember that everything I ever had was a gift from Him. He had already given me so many gifts and showed me far more favor than I ever deserved. I needed that slap in the face to release that beast of pride from within me once and for all.

I now understand the purpose for the delay in God's answer to my requests. Little by little, He blesses me with pieces to remind me that it is by His power only - in His time only that I will receive what He has promised. Honestly speaking, I'd rather it be His way than mine, because what God gives - no one can take away. I thank God for the little by little.

I Know God is Able, But it's the "How" Part that Gets Me

2009-09-04T11:19:00.003-04:00

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

I've been witness over and over again to God's provisions, in my life and in others. It inspires joyful celebration within me everytime. But then something happens. Time passes. Another challenge presents itself...and I begin to worry.

My Pastor has repeatedly told me that if I'm going to pray about, there's no need to worry about it and if I'm going to worry about it, then there's no need to pray about it. He says this because the two can't co-exist. Worrying is a contradiction to prayer - worry is an expression of doubt and of disbelief that God truly is able to work it out.

Yet, how is it that I often find myself (I'm sure you don't do this...) going through a cycle of prayer and then later, when I don't see any evidence of change, worry? I'm a confessed believer - I know that God is able - what is my problem?

It's because I can't see "how" He's going to work it out. I can see "how" it could be possible. Yet I know that God works with impossibilities all the time. It's because I'm failing to do what the above scripture (Proverbs 3:5) tells me to do - and I'm leaning on my own feeble understanding. It's time for me to stop this, and finally digest His Word and allow it to nourish my mind and my body. God's promises are true!

"...You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed." Joshua 23:14 (NIV)

"...and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Joshua 23:14 (KJV)

I Kept Reading

2009-08-30T15:31:00.002-04:00

Before I begin this post, I first want to thank everyone who has been reading and commenting on the posts in this blog. I may not have been able to respond to each one individually, but I truly have appreciated all of your feedback. I see many of you are from all around the world. I thank God for you and pray many blessings upon you. It touches my heart to know that my meek and humble worlds have made there way across continents and oceans and hopefully to your hearts. It's a blessing to me just to be able to write to you.

I wanted to share with you my most recent accomplishment - one that I know without the help of the Holy Spirit wouldn't have been possible. Today, I finished reading through the entire Holy Bible from Genesis 1 to Revelaton 22 after three years of making the commitment to do so. I was inspired by Pastor Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life (no surprise, huh?). I used his read the entire Bible in a year plan, but as you can see, it took me much longer (I admit I am a little slow). But, despite how long it's taken me, I'm just glad that I was able to finish.

There were times when I was unable to read and times when I had no excuse for not reading. But as I look back I see that God worked with even my downfalls. Whenever I would go through a period of where I was stuck in a particular book, somehow my pastor at church would end up teaching us about that very book during Bible Study. I had gotten stuck at the beginning of Revelations, within days, my Pastor was teaching and explaining its symbolism, chapter by chapter. Had I tried to get through it alone, I would have been utterly confused. So I thank God for working with me, even in my times of weakness.

Praise God, I made it through the entire 66 books - now it's time to go back and study. Let's see how that goes... :-)

Reach Up and Get It!

2009-08-13T09:27:00.000-04:00

Whenever I listen to Kurt Carr's "Set the Atmosphere" these lyrics (reach up and get it...) get me everytime. They remind that all I have to do, is reach for my blessings and they'll be given. I believe this now, but at first, my logic wouldn't allow me to understand this.

How could it be possible that all I have to do is reach up and get it, and it would be mine? If it was that simple why hadn't the things I'd been praying for come to fruitition yet? What did he mean, when he said that I could get my breakthrough tonight? What was he really saying?

While the choir's singing, "reach up and get it," Kurt Carr's in the background saying, "reach up by faith", but what does it mean to "reach up by faith"?

Faith is the key to it all - if you believe your blessings are waiting for you, then they are; if you doubt, then they won't be, it's that simple. When you believe, you position yourself so that you can receive your blessings. You remove people and things that might block your blessings. You stop listening to negative feedback - as a matter of fact, you stop asking others for their opinions, you learn to only ask God.

When you start having faith, all of a sudden, you look up and realize, your blessings truly have been there all along, you just didn't recognize them while you were looking through your previously unfaithful eyes. You realize that suddenly your opinion has even changed about what you consider a blessing. You start stepping out on faith more, listening to God more, doing things you never thought you could do before, because now you have the confidence that only God can give - now that's a breakthrough!

But really, most of the time, we don't receive our blessings, because we simply have not sought, knocked, or asked for it. In other words, we are not reaching up to get it - we're expecting it to just fall in our lap, but reaching requires work - it is a work of faith. If you truly believe God is a provider, He will provide, in his perfect timing - not our timing. We've got to learn to be patient, and have enough faith to live in celebration as if we've already received what we've been praying for. We've got to ignore those negative whispers and worries that creep into our head, and praise and thank God as if it is already done.

Praise God, The 2 Journalists are Pardoned!

2009-08-04T21:05:00.002-04:00

After 4 1/2 months, Laura Ling and Euna Lee have finally received a pardon. I've been concerned and praying about them since I first heard of their arrest and all I can say is that prayer works!

It was just too unsettling for me to accept the idea that we really live in a world where something like this could happen to two undeserving people. It was heartbreaking to consider what their families must have been going through all this time. I'm so glad for them and I praise God that Laura Ling and Euna Lee are free.

Please join me in praying for their future, that God watches over and blesses them and their families. That He heals any mental or physical anguish that they have suffered. Let's pray that God uses what someone meant for their demise and works it out for their good.

Why Pray?

2009-07-16T22:07:00.002-04:00

As I've continued to learn and grow in Christ, I realize that I come to develop new insights as time goes on. There was a time when I prayed some of the most selfish prayers. They were begging sessions for things I wanted or didn't want to happen. Then as time went on, I moved to the other extreme and I got into this phase where it was difficult to pray because I felt like everything I had to pray about would be an empty repetition of generic prayers for things like "peace, health, protection" for my family, myself, and others.

I stopped growing in my prayer life because I had a hard time understanding how in one section of the Bible it could talk about "ask and you shall receive" yet in others it said that God knows all and controls all things. So why should I continue making requests when He already knows what I need? And what about my requests that weren't in God's will? If I receive everything I ask for, what would that mean for other people? As you can see I had questions and my prayer, which should be considered direct communication and quality time with God, was severely suffering.

Then one day something hit me. I don't even really know what caused it - maybe it was a sermon at church - I really don't know exactly. But one day I realized the point of prayer requests. Even if God does know what we want and need, he wants us to humble ourselves enough to ask. By making a request in prayer, we acknowledge that He is the one with the power to make it so. Even if He doesn't grant a particular request, if it is a desire and we truly believe that God himself places desires in our hearts for a reason, we must step out on faith and humble ourselves so that we can ask. Prayer requests require humility and faith. That is the reason he tells us to "seek, knock, and ask". Sometimes He wants to know if we even have faith enough to do that.

The Magnificence of God's Plan

2009-07-10T12:37:00.001-04:00

This story is going to sound too magnificent to be true, but I promise you this this just recently happened to me and is completely true. I'm sharing it because it is a great example of the magnitude of God's glory.
My husband and I had been looking feverishly for a house for our family for months. We had been living in a cramped apartment and the environment in the complex was deteriorating. People were constantly loitering, blasting loud music, fighting and participating in other unsafe behaviors. Apartments had begun to get robbed more frequently and we worried if ours would be next.
Every time we discovered a home we liked, something would happen, either we didn't qualify or couldn't afford the payment. We were becoming discouraged, but we kept looking.
We found a house we could get on Land Contract, and it seemed promising, but every week things kept changing - one minute the answer was "yes", the next something would come up and the answer would be "no." The uncertainty was killing us. Finally at the last minute just before our tentative move in date, we got word that we could move. However, by that time, we'd had ample time to really think about it and we decided that the house wasn't right for our family. So it was back to the drawing board for us - back to the house hunt.
We looked and looked and came close a couple other times, but things just didn't work out right for us, so we called our search off. We prayed about it and decided to continue living in our cramped quarters and do what we could to endure the setting until next year some time. We didn't want to rush into something just to discover that it was just as bad if not worse than our current situation. We wanted to live in a safe area, but within our financial means. We decided to trust and wait.
Two or three days had passed when one day, I got stuck in construction traffic. The right lane had been closed all week, but that day traffic was really backed up. I was tired and I really didn't feel like waiting for the line of cars to move. So I followed another vehicle and took a detour down a road I'd never been before.
Just as I was turning, a voice stirred in me that said, keep an eye out you might find a house this way... I hadn't made it half-way down the road when I saw it. A newly renovated 3 bedroom house with a lovely yard.
I called and was able to schedule a viewing for an hour later. That was unheard of - my entire house hunting experience had consisted of me waiting for days just to take a fifteen minute tour of a house.
The house was perfect inside and out and was in a great location - our children could attend the same schools and we would be able to shop at the same grocery stores. It felt so homey. From that point, everything went smoothly - we moved two weeks later. We were even able to go from totally unpacked to completely moved in a matter of days. When it seems like things are just impossible and no matter how hard you try things just don't work out, it may be because God has something better waiting for you.
We had been searching for so long that we had given up looking and just have faith that God would work our situation in that apartment out for us. And he did! He put things in motion in a way we weren't able to. Only God can turn a detour from traffic into an unexpected blessing! That construction traffic is still there, but now I just smile and wait patiently. From now on traffic will be a gentle reminder to thank God for his unexpected yet magnificent plan.

Avoiding Self-Righteousness

2009-06-24T05:59:00.002-04:00

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10 (KJV)

I don't know about you, but sometimes being a Christian means having an internal battle with the self. You'll know that the Holy Spirit is truly at work within you when you start seeing yourself for what you really are. You will begin to chastise yourself for the things you do throughout the day that you know aren't pleasing to God. Although, the process is slow and will certainly vary from person to person, when the Holy Spirit works from within, you start seeing how unrighteous you really are.

We have all seen that one person in church, who refuses to believe that they could ever do anything that would go against the word of God. They are too saved and too righteous for that. They never really let anyone in because they feel that they've gotten better than everyone else. They are so self-righteous and don't believe anything they will ever do from now on could possible be wrong. They don't need the lessons, because they've already learned everything they need to know. And while they may know alot; they may actually study the Bible; they may actually be kind and generous to others - there will always be something more to learn about God - so pretending to know it all is really just a refusal to grow.

I'm going to be honest, I've been this person. I've done this in waves - times when I drift in and out of this phase. I'm better than I used to be, but I've still got a ways to go with this. Avoiding self-righteousness is one of many things that require constant prayer. Help me to see myself the way you see me, Lord. Is a prayer that will have your eyes opening before you know it. I think God wants it this way so that we can assess ourselves and evaluate our lives.

No, the Scripture above does not give people to sin freely. What it does is acknowledges that to act like we haven't sinned is to negate the need for Jesus. If we could have gotten it right ourselves, God wouldn't have gone through the trouble of sending us His only begotten Son. To deny that will have done wrong is to allow the sufferings and blood of Jesus to go in vain.

He went through entirely too much for us to keep doing that. I'm going to attempt to make a conscious effort throughout my day to ask for forgiveness. I should be specific when I can - sometimes we don't realize what we've done is sin, but realize it or not it's still sin. I'm going to ask for the cleansing of the blood of Jesus to fall on me. This will have to be done repeatedly - it's not a one time deal. I'm going to rely on the Holy Spirit's tap on my shoulder to remind me and help me to avoid reverting to self-righteousness - because in reality it is simply a bold, unrighteous self-lie.

Day 40: Living With Purpose

2009-06-19T05:29:00.002-04:00

Living With Purpose is the Only Way to Really Live

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption Acts 13:36 (KJV)

For David...served the purpose of God in his own generation. Acts 13:36 (NASB)

Question to Consider:
When will I take the time to write down my answers to life's five great questions? When will I put my purpose on paper?
Yesterday, while in Walmart I found a nice hard cover bound journal. I was looking for a large one with a nice cover. I searched through several options. I wanted a journal that would make me want to write in it. I picked up a cute pink leather journal - I thought it was perfect - yet there as a couple of others that caught my eye: an even larger pink and black one, and a large multicolored hard covered journal. I was torn. I loved the pink leather one, it had a nice embellishment on the corners of its page, a beautiful ribbon as a place holder. Yet, as I began to examine it, I discovered small blemishes on the cover that looked like someone attempted to repair unsuccessfully.

It was the only one of its kind left. I couldn't just trade it for another one just like it. As much as I wanted that journal, I was reminded of my purpose for buying it. The purpose of this journal is to record what God has taught me, my testimonies, my insights - I am planning that this book will mean something to my family and possibly others when I'm gone, I need a book with lasting power and one that will honor God, I need one without a blemish. I became drawn to the pink and black journal. As I examined the cover, I noticed a sticker that indicated that a portion of the proceeds would benefit breast cancer research...I thought, even in choosing a journal, God's purposes are work. I bought it and will begin recording my Purpose Statement as my first entry over the weekend.

During these last 40 days, it truly has been a pleasure sharing this journey with you. I hope that you have enjoyed it and have gained something as a result. My hope is that you will share your experiences with me if you have any that you'd like to share. I'd like to feature them as a post, rather than simply comments at the end of my entries. You can submit them as an email attachement to: ms.keasley@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.

Up Next: T.D. Jakes's, Making Great Decisions. I hope you will join me as I respond chapter by chapter to his teachings. More details on this later.

Have a blessed day!

Important Quotes:
"Most people struggle with three basic issue in life. The first is identity: 'Who am I?" The second is importance: 'Do I matter?' The third is impact: 'What is my place in life?' The answers to all three questions are found in God's five purposes for you." (Warren, 312)

"Once you know what God wants you to do, the blessing comes in actually doing it." (Warren, 312)

"It's easy to drift away from what matters most and slowly get off course. To prevent this, you should develop a purpose statement for your life and then review it regularly." (Warren, 313)

"A life purpose statement not onlu spells out what you intend to do with your time, life, and money, but also implies what you aren't going to do." (Warren, 313)

"Take your time writing out your life purpose statement. Don't try to complete it in a single sitting, and don't aim for perfection in your first draft; just write down your thoughts as fast as they come to you. It's always easier to edit that to create." (Warren, 313-4)

"When God is at the center [of your life], you worship. When he's not, you worry. Worry is the warning light that God has been shoved to the sideline. The moment you put hinm back at the cetner, you will have peace again." (Warren, 314)

"Don't get discouraged and give up when you stumble. It takes a lifetime to build Christlike character." (Warren, 315)

"While you are shaped to serve others, even Jesus didn't meet the needs of everyone while on earth. You have to choose whom you can best help, based on your shape." (Warren, 315)

"If you are a parent, part of your mission is to raise your children to know Christ, to help them understand his purposes for their lives, and to send them out on their mission in the world." (Warren, 315-6)

"Focus on God's purposes for your life, not your plans, since that's what will last forever." (Warren, 317)

"When fulfilling your purposes seems tough, don't give in to discouragement. Remember your reward, which will last forever." (Warren, 318)

Day 39: Balancing Your Life

2009-06-18T05:41:00.002-04:00

Blessed are the Balanced; They Shall Outlast Everyone

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise Ephesians 5:15 (KJV)

Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do. Ephesians 5:15 (Ph)

Question to Consider:
Which of the four activities will I begin in order to stay on track and balance God's five purposes for my life?
Pastor Warren says we if we want to stay on track, we'll need to:

Talk it through with a spiritual partner or small group
Give yourself a regular spiritual check-up
Write down our progress in a journal
Pass on what you know to others

I will do my best to do all of these things. But I will start with doing a better job of keeping a spiritual journal, one that records what lessons I've learned from God rather than a record of events. I'll include things I've noticed throughout my day that let's me know that God is constantly at work in my life. The last few times I've done this book, this is the one I've chosen, but for whatever reason, I've never seemed to be able to do. So I'm going to try again this time. I know that there are so many things God has showed and taught me that I need to be recording. I'm going to set a time - make an appointment with myself and get to it.

This is not to say that I won't do any of the others - I'm just making journal keeping my focus goal, the other three things are practices I will being doing as often as the opportunity arise. Keeping a journal is something I should be doing consistently - everyday if possible and will require me to prioritize it so that I don't drop the ball on it again. I'll never really know who my journal might help, but if I don't start writing, I can be sure that no one will be.

"Your life is a pentahlon of five purposes, which you must keep in balance." (Warren, 305)

"God's five purposes for your life:

Love God with all your heart.
Love your neighbor as yourself
Go and make disciples
baptize them into...
teach them to do all things... " (Warren, 306)

"If you are serious about staying on track, you will need to develop these habits. Talk it through with a spiritual partner or smal group...Give yourself a regular spiritual check-up. The best way to balance the five purposes in your life is to evaluate yourself periodically. God places a high value on the habit of self-evaluation...For spiritual health you need to regularly check the five vitals signs of worship, fellowship, growth in character, ministry, and mission...Write down your progress in a journal. The best way to reinforce your progress in fulfilling God's purposes for your life is to keep a spiritual journal...Pass on what you know to others...Those who pass along insights get more from God." (Warren, 306-7)

"Not only does he want us to live out his purposes, he also wants us to help others do the same. God wants us to introduce people to Christ, bring them into his fellowship, help thme grow to maturity and discover their place of service, and then send them out to reach others, too. This is what purpose-driven living is all about. Regardless of your age, the rest of your life can be the best of your life, and you can start living on purpose today." (Warren, 311)

Day 38: Becoming a World-Class Christian

2009-06-17T05:43:00.002-04:00

The Great Commission is My Commission

That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Psalm 67:2 (KJV)

Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind. Psalm 67:2 (LB)

What steps can I take to prepare to go on a short-term missions experience in the next year?
I can start by setting aside at least $50 every time I get paid. I'll call it my "secret mission-trip fund" (shhh...). Although I'm not sure where I'll be working after the summer, I'll keep this commitment going as long as I have a job. I'll research some missions agencies and get a quote for about how much I'm going to need and I'll just keep saving until I get there. I don't know if I'll have enough saved in a year, but I won't stop trying to gather the funds. Honestly, when we put our minds to something we'd be surprised how quickly we can generate the money.

I'm not going to make a big announcement to my family or friends, some of them won't understand and may unwittingly try to talk me out of it. But I am making a personal commitment to doing this - and you are my witness. Would you be interested in joining me in these efforts? If you already know a lot about this can you shoot some info my way? I've never left the country and don't even own a passport - to be honest I haven't been any farther west than Chicago. Are you getting the picture? I'm going to need some help with this. But I know God will provide.

"[W]orld-class Christians know they were saved to serve and make for a mission. They are eager to receive a personal assignment and excited about the privilege of being used by God. World-class Christian are the only fully alive people on the planet. Their joy, confidence, and enthusiasm are contagious because they know they're making a difference." (Warren, 298)

"The great barriers [for world-wide missions] are no longer distance, cost, or transportation. The only barrier is the way we think. To be a world-class Christian we must make some mental shifts. Your perspective and attitudes must change." (Warren, 299)

"Shift from self-centered thinking to other-centered thinking...Of course, this is a difficult mental shift because we're naturally self-absorbed and almost all advertising encourages us to think of ourselves. The only way we can make this paradigm switch is by a moment-by-moment dependence on God. Fortunately he doesn't leave us to struggle on our own." (Warren, 299)

"Begin asking the Holy Spririt to help you think of the spiritual need of unbelievers whenever you talk to them. With practice you can develop the habit of praying silent "breath prayers" for those you encounter. Say, 'Father, help me to understand what is keeping this person from knowing you.' Your goal is to figure out where others are in their spiritual journey and then do whatever will bring them a step closer to knowing Christ." (Warren, 299)

"Shift from local thinking to global thinking...The first way to start thinking globally is to begin praying for specific countries." (Warren, 300)

"Prayer is the most important tool for your mission in the world. People may refuse our love or reject our message, but they are defenseless against our prayers." (Warren, 300)

"What should you pray for? The Bible tells us to pray for opportunities to witness, for courage to speak up, for those who will believe, for the rapid spread of the message, and for more workers. Prayer makes you a partner with others around the world. You should also pray for missionaries and everyone else involved in the global harvest." (Warren, 301)

"The best way to switch to global thikning is to get up and go on a short-term mission project to another country! There's simply no substitute for hands-on, real life experience in another culture. Quit studying and discussing your mission and just do it!" (Warren, 301)

"Shift from 'here and now' thinking to eternal thinking...So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don't trade your life for temporary things." (Warren, 302)

"Shift from thinking of excuses to thinking of creative ways to fulfill your commission." (Warren, 303)

Day 37: Sharing Your Life Message

2009-06-16T05:25:00.002-04:00

God Want to Say Something to the World Through Me

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1 Peter 3:15-16 (KJV)

Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15b-16 (TEV)

Question to Consider:
As I reflect on my personal story, who does God want me to share it with?
Whenever I run into young mothers-to-be I'm always compelled to share my story and to encourage them not to give up. Whenever I talk to people who are discouraged and depressed, I can't help but share my story with them as well. But the problem with talking, is that I'm not the best at leading a conversation and when I don't know people very well and haven't had an opportunity to hear about their experiences, I am often very reluctant to share my personal stories with them. That's a weakness of mine that I must rely on grace for help - but what I lack in verbal communication, God has blessed me with written communication. I grow more and more certain each day, that I am to attempt to reach people with my writing.

It makes sense because I can reach more people, I don't have to be everywhere they are (which means I don't have to worry about socializing and being shy), and so long as whatever texts I create exist, so will my story even long after I'm gone.

So this blog is more than my ministry to believers, it can also be the vehicle for my mission to nonbelievers. When I first started this blog, I sought out other Christian blogs, after this 40 Days of Purpose series, I will begin to seek out others and spread my story that way. So if you know of anyone who could benefit from a postive message and some encouragement, pass my link on to them. If you've read this chapter, you'll remember that we must pray for those who are unbelieving and bring them to Christ through our life message first, then when they are ready, we can begin sharing Scripture with them.

Important Quotes:
"When you became a believer, you also became God's messenger." (Warren, 289)

"You may feel you don't have anything to share, but that's the devill trying to keep you silent. You have a storehouse of experiences that God wants to use to bring others into his family." (Warren, 289)

"Your Life Message has four parts to it:

Your testimony: the story of how you began a relationship with Jesus
Your life lessons: the most important lessonts God has taught you
Your godly passions: the issues God shaped you to care about most
The Good News: the message of salvation" (Warren, 289-90)

"Sharing your testimony is an essential part of your mission on earth because it is unique. There is no other story just like yours, so only you can share it. If you don't share it, it will be lost forever." (Warren, 290)

"Shared stories build a relational bridge that Jesus can walk across from your heart to theirs." (Warren, 290)

"Another value of your testimony is that it bypasses intellectual defenses. Many people who won't accept the autority of the Bible will listen to a humble, personal story." (Warren, 291)

"The best way to "be ready" is to write our your testimony and then memorize the main points. Divide it into four parts:

What my life was like before I met Jesus
How I realized I needed Jesus
How I committed my life to Jesus
The difference Jesus has made in my life" (Warren, 291)

"You should make a list of all the problems, circumstances, and crises that God has brought you through. Then be sensitve and use the story that your unbelieving friend will relate to best. Different situations call for different testimonies." (Warren, 291)

"While it is wise to learn from experience, it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others. There isn't enough time to learn everything in life by trial and error. We must learn from the life lessons of one another." (Warren, 292)

"Write down the major life lessons you have learned so you can share them with others. We should be grateful Solomon did this, because it gave us the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, which are filled with practical lessons on living." (Warren, 292)

"God gives us different passions so that everything he wants done in the world will get done. You should not expect everyone else to be passionate about your passion...Never belittle someone else's godly passion." (Warren, 293)

"Whenever you feel apathetic about your mission in the world, spend some time thinking about what Jesus did for you on the cross." (Warren, 294)

"As long as you know one person who deson't know Christ, you must keep praying for them, serving them in love, and sharing the Good News. As long as there is one person in your community who isn't in the family of God, your church must keep reaching out." (Warren, 294)

"Of these five purposes the fifth [your mission] can only be done on earth." (Warren, 295)

Day 36: Made for a Mission

2009-06-15T05:30:00.002-04:00

PURPOSE #5: You Were Made for a Mission

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Question to Consider:
What fears have kept me from fulfilling the mission God made me to accomplish? What keeps me from telling others the Good News?
Again, my shyness gets in the way - but it's not just that. I have a fear that once I start talking about Jesus, I will say the wrong things and end up alienating people instead of encouraging them to accept him into their lives.

There's a specific way you can talk to other believers about God that would be totally foreign and maybe even discouraging if you used the same language to talk to them about him. Even Jesus used fables to teach, to get unbelievers to come to understand him. This is probably the example that we all should emulate, but when I find myself on the brink of speaking about God, I discover that I'm at a loss for words. The fear that no one wants to hear what I have to say crops up and eventually the opportune moment is lost. Even worse, sometimes I don't even recognize that moment until long after it's gone.

Please pray with and for me, that I (and that we all) find the right words; the right fable; and the right time to tell about the Good News of Jesus. Lord, give me the sight to recognize the opportunity when it presents itself and strengthen me so that I don't let it pass. AMEN.

Important Quotes:
"God wants you to have both a ministry in the Body of Christ and a mission in the world. You ministry is your service to believers, and your mission is your service to unbelievers. Fulfilling your mission in the world is God's fifth purpose for you life." (Warren, 281)

"What is that mission? Introducing people to God!" (Warren, 282)

"Fulfilling your life mission on earth is an essential part of living for God's glory...Your mission is a continuation of Jesus' mission on earth." (Warren, 282)

"[The Great] commission was given to every follower of Jesus, not to pastors and missionaries alone. This is your commission fro Jesus, and it is not optional...To ignore it would be disobedience." (Warren, 283)

"You may have been unware that God holds you responsible for the unbelievers who live around you...You are the only Christian some people will ever know, and your mission is to share Jesus with them." (Warren, 283)

"Your mission is a wonderful privilege. Although it is a big responsibility, it is also an incredible honor to be used by God." (Warren, 283)

"Telling others how they can have eternal life is the greatest thing you can do for them If your neighbor had cancer or AIDS and you knew the cure, it would be criminal to withhold that lifesaving information. Even worse is to keep secret the way to forgiveness, purpose, peace, and eternal life." (Warren, 283-4)

"Your mission has eternal significance. It will impact the eternal destiny of other people, so it's more important than any job, achievement, or goal you will reach during your life on earth. The consequences of your mission will last forever; the consequences of your job will not. Nothing else you do will ever matter as much as helping people establish an eternal relationship with God." (Warren, 283)

"The clock is ticking down on your life mission, so don't delay another day." (Warren, 284)

"This does not mean you should quit your job to become a full-time evangelist. God wants you to share the Good News where you are. As a student, mother, preschool teacher, salesman, or manager or whatever you do, you should continually look for people God places in your path with whom you can share the gospel." (Warren, 284)

"Your mission gives your life meaning...If you fail to fulfill your God-given mission on earth, you will have wasted the life God gave you." (Warren, 285)

"There are people on this planet whom only you will be able to reach, because of where you life and what God has made you to be. If just one person will be in heaven because of you, your life will have made a difference for eternity. Start looking around at your persona mission field and pray, 'God, who have you put in my life for me to tell about Jesus?'"

"It is easy to get distracted and sidetracked from your mission because Satan would rather have you do anything besides sharing your faith. He will let you do all kinds of good things as long as you don't take anyone to heaven with you. But the moment you become serious about yor mission, expect the Devil to throw all kinds of diversions at you. When that happens, remember the words of Jesus: 'Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.'" (Warren, 286)

"If you will commit to fulfilling your mission in life no matter what it costs, you will experience the blessing of God in ways that few people ever experience. There is almost nothing God won't do for the man or woman who is committed to serving the kingdom of God." (Warren, 287)

"If you want to be used by God, you must care about what God cares about; what he cares about most is the redemption of the people he made. He wants his lost children found! Nothing matters more to God; the Cross proves that." (Warren, 288)

Day 35: God's Power in Your Weakness

2009-06-14T08:31:00.002-04:00

God Works Best When I Admit My Weakness

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NIV)

Question to Consider:
Am I limiting God's power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?
Being honest about my weaknesses is one of the hardest things to do. Before I can even move on to being honest about my weaknesses with others, I have to wrestle with being honest with myself. Sometimes I'm so busy worrying about what other people do (or don't do) that I completely overlook what I do (or don't do). I thank God that in those instances, He allows the Holy spirit to gently remind me to take a look inward and examine my own weaknesses.

Now, Pastor Warren, makes a clear distinction so that we don't get confused and reminds us that weaknesses are limitations, physical or emotional limitations that we can't change. They key phrase is that these are things we "can't change" not "won't change." He used overeating as an example - I can change this about myself, but I can't change the fact that I'm a shy introvert. I just have to accept I will always have to rely on God for help with this especially when I meet new people or have to speak in front of a crowd. I often have low energy and get tempted to stay in bed longer than I should, so I have to accept the fact that every morning I will have to rely on God to help me out of bed and get me on task. I'll probably never be a natural morning person, but with God's help I can still get up early and do what I need to do.

I'm so grateful for this chapter and I encourage you to read it or at least read through all of the quotes I picked out below. When Pastor Warren points out that "God want us to have a Christlike ministry. That means other people will find healing in your wounds" I could have shouted for joy. It just shows that we can't truly help others unless we've suffered. That's good news because that means we don't ever have to let our suffering go in vain - at any moment we can use it to help someone else.

Important Quotes:
"We think that God only wants to use our strengths, but he also wants to use our weaknesses for his glory." (Warren, 272)

"Your weaknesses are not an accident. God deliberately allowed them in your life for the purpose of demonstrating his power through you. God has never been impressed with strength or self-sufficiency. In fact, he is drawn to people who are weak and admit it." (Warren, 273)

"A weakness, or 'thorn', as Paul called it, is not a sin or a vice or a character defect that you can change, such as overeating or impatience. A weakness is any limitation that you inherited or have no power to change." (Warren, 273)

"When you think of the limitation in your life, you may be tempted to conclude, 'God could never use me.' But God is never limited by our limitations. In fact, he enjoys putting his great power into ordinary containers." (Warren, 273)

"Admit your weaknesses. Stop pretending you have it all together, and be honest about yourself." (Warren, 273)

"Be content with your weaknesses...contentment is an expression of faith in the goodness of God. It says, 'God, I believe you love me and know what's best for me.' (Warren, 274)

"Whenever you feel weak, God is reminding you to depend on him." (Warren, 274)

"Our weaknesses also prevent arrogance. They keep us humble." (Waren, 274)

"Most of all, our weaknesses incrase our capacity for sympathy and ministry. We are far more likely to be compassionate and considerate of the weaknesses of others. God wants you to have a Christlike ministry on earth. That means other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts. The things you are most embarrassed about, most ashamed of, and most reluctant to share are the very tools God can use most powerfully to heal others." (Warren, 275)

"Honestly share your weaknesses. Ministry begins with vulnerability. The more you let down your guard, take off your mask, and share your struggles, the more God will be able to use you in serving others." (Warren, 276)

"Humility is not putting yourself down or denying your strengths; rather, it is being honest about your weaknesses. The more honest you are, the more of God's grace you get. You will also receive grace from others. Vulnerability is an endearing quality; we are naturally drawn to humble people." (Warren, 276)

"If all people see are your strengths, they get discouraged and think, 'Well, good for her, but I'll never be able to do that.' But when they see God using you in spite of your weaknesses, it encourages them to think, 'Maybe God can use me!' Our strengths create competition, but our weaknesses create community." (Warren, 277)

"Glory in your weaknesses...Instead of posing as self-confident and invincible, see yourself as a trophy of grace. When Satan points out your weaknesses, agree with him and fill your heart with praise for Jesus, who 'understands every weakness of ours,' and for the Holy Spirit, who 'helps us in our weakness.'" (Warren, 277)

Day 34: Thinking Like a Servant

2009-06-13T08:27:00.002-04:00

Service Starts in the Mind: To be a Servant I Must Think Like a Servant

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (KJV)

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NIV)

Question to Consider:
Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others?
While I'm most naturally inclined to say that I'm more concerned about finding ways to serve others because I do try to help whenever I can - there's a whisper stirring in the back of my mind... When it comes to my relationship with my husband, sometimes I feel overwhelmed and even resentful that service seems to only to go one way most of the time.

It seems like the more I do, the less it's appreciated. Sometimes I wonder if he'd ever go out of his way to do for me, what I do for him - my hypothetical answer for this hypothethical question often disappoints me. But if I had my mind and my attitude in the right place, I wouldn't be worried about what people don't do for me - I would only be concerned with what I can do for them. I'm grateful that this chapter has reminded me of that, because I do believe this is at the heart of some of my frustrations when it comes to serving others.

If I start basing the decision to help others solely on whether or not they would or could ever return the favor, then my service isn't really service at all because it has a self-serving component. If I really love God, I should be able to help others without being concerned about what they can do for me - I should only concern myself with the rewards that God has promised.

Important Quotes:
"God is always more interested in why we do something than what we do. Attitudes count more than achievements." (Warren, 265)

"Servants focus on others, not themselves...This is what it means to 'lose your life' - forgetting yourself in service of others. When we stop focusing on our own needs, we become aware of the needs around us." (Warren, 265)

"Unfortuntely, a lot of our service is often self-serving. We serve to get others to like us, to be admired, or to achieve our own goals. That is manipulation, not ministry. The whole time we're really thinking about ourselves and how noble and wonderful we are." (Warren, 266)

"Real servants don't try to use God for their purposes. They let God use them for his purposes." (Warren, 266)

"Servants remember that God owns it all." (Warren, 266)

"Money has the greatest potential to replace God in your life. Most people are sidetracked from serving by materialism than by anything else...When Jesus is your master, money serves you, but if money is your master, you become its slave. Wealth is certainly not a sin, but failing to use it for God's glory is." (Warren, 267)

"Servants think about their work, not what others are doing." (Warren, 268)

"Real servants don't complain of unfairness, don't have pity-parties, and don't resent those not serving. They just trust God and keep serving." (Warren, 268)

"It is also not our job to defend ourselves against criticism. Let your Master handle it." (Warren, 268)

"Your service for Christ is never wasted regardless of what others say...Servants base their identity in Christ." (Warren, 269)

"Only secure people can serve. Insecure people are always worrying about how they appear to others. They fear exposure of their weaknesses and hide beneath layers of protective pride and pretensions. The more insecure you are, the more you will want people to serve you, and the more you will need their approval." (Warren, 269)

"When you base your worth and identity on your relationship to Christ, you are freed from the expectations of others, and that allows you to really serve them best." (Warren, 269)

"The closer you get to Jesus, the less you need to promote yourself." (Warren, 270)

"Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation." (Warren, 270)

"It doesn't matter what your age is, God will use you if you will begin to think like a servant." (Warren, 270)

Day 33: How Real Servants Act

2009-06-12T08:32:00.002-04:00

I Serve God by Serving Others

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:42 (KJV)

If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded. Matthew 10:42 (NLT)

Question to Consider:
Which of the six characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me?[availability, paying attention to needs, doing the best with what you already have, equal dedication in every task, faithfulness to ministry, and maintaining a low profile]
My greatest challenge lies in availability. I've been working full time and going to school for so many years that almost all of my energy has been devoted to staying on top of those things. I'm done with school now, but I'll begin working full time at yet another job real soon. And it does bother me that the greatest chunk of my day will be given to that.

I must remember, though, that I can't be anywhere that God hasn't allowed me to be - I wouldn't have even gotten the job if he hadn't approved it - as a matter of fact, I hadn't even applied for this particular job, but another. The woman saw my resume and thought I'd be suitable for something else. So I graciously accept the opportunity to earn a living - I just don't want it to consume me. I want to have enough energy left over from my day to enjoy my husband and children, serve my church, and still have time to work on those projects that have been on the backburner for so long.

I pray that this job doesn't interfere with my availability to serve . Maybe one day, I'll have enough money coming in that I won't have to work full time... Pray for me, please!

Important Quotes:
"God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. This is so contrary to the world's idea of greatness that we have a hard time understanding it, much less practicing it." (Warren, 257)

"While knowing your shape is important for serving God, having the heart of a servant is even more important. Remember, God shaped you for service, not for self-centeredness. Without a servant's heart you will be tempted to misuse your shape for personal gain. You will also be tempted to use it as an excuse to exempt yourself from meeting some needs." (Warren, 258)

"Your primary ministry should be in the area of your shape, but your secondary service is wherever you're needed at the moment. Your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant's heart will reveal your maturity." (Warren, 258)

"If you only serve when it's convenient for you, you're not a real servant. Real servants do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient." (Warren, 259)

"Servants see interruptions as divine appointments for ministry and are happy for the opportunity to practice serving." (Warren, 259)

"One reason many people never serve is that they fear they are not good enough to serve. They have believed the lie that serving God is only for superstars. Some churches have fostered this myth by making "excellence" an idol, which makes people of average talent hesitant to get involved." (Warren, 260)

"It doesn't have to be perfect for God to use and bless it." (Warren, 260)

"You will never arrive at the state in life where you're too important to help with menial tasks. God will never exempt you from the mundane. It's a vital part of your character curriculum." (Warren, 260)

"By the way, faithful servants never retire. They serve faithfully as long as they're alive. You can retire from your career, but you will never retire from serving God." (Warren, 262)

"Servants do promote or call attention to themselves. Instead of acting to impress and dressing for success, they 'put on the apron of humility, to serve one another.' If recognized for their service, they humbly accept it but don't allow notoriety to distract them from their work." (Warren, 262)

"You may be serving in obscurity in some small place, feeling unknown and unappreciated. Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose!...You had better stay put until he chooses to move you. He will let you know if he wants you somewhere else." (Warren, 263)

"Even the smallest service is noticed by God and will be rewarded." (Warren, 264)

Gina Marie Incandela: She Brought Glory to God Lastnight!

2009-06-11T21:01:00.004-04:00

I am not a sports fan, not by far. I just happened to be turning through the channels and got caught up when I heard a booming voice coming from a little tiny body. It was Gina Marie Incandela.

I was already impressed, because she was so young with such a strong voice. But when I heard that the child had a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, I was awe-struck and was almost brought to tears. I could feel every note...and when she came to the climax of the song, her voice did not waver or crack. I started praising God; glory be to God!

The fact that the child persevered despite her diagnosis; despite everything - it just proves that God can show off his wonders through anyone He chooses.

It's always amazing to me when I get a chance like this to see God working His miracles in the most unexpected ways. Thank God for little Gina Marie Incandela - she really touched my soul!

Day 32: Using What God Gave You

2009-06-11T08:28:00.002-04:00

God Deserves My Best

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

Question to Consider:
How can I make the best use of what God has given me?
I went to Bible Study last night, and before I even made it into the church, a member who had taken my T-shirt Painting class greeted me and was proudly wearing the T-shirt she had painted. Even though that class was about a year ago, her shirt was still in new-like shape, the glitter accents still intact. This was the same woman who claimed she had no artistic ability - yet her shirt was gorgeous.

Moments later, inside the church a youth member asks if I will be teaching arts and crafts again now that school is out, because she wants to paint a T-shirt for the Cedar Point trip. I finally just accepted God's tug in the right direction and worked out which day would be more convenient for her and other interested youth. We decided on Tuesdays after Youth Bible Study and Choir Practice.

As if that wasn't enough confirmation, after Adult Bible Study was over, I was informed by yet another member, that if I wanted to change the format and start teaching the Children's Class with art instead of using the Sunday School Books, I was given the "okay" to go ahead and do so.

So there you have it...I will use my artistic ability; pair it with my teaching ability and teach others how to praise God creatively with art.

Important Quotes:
"The best way to discover your gifts and abilities is to experiment with different areas of service...Until you're actually involved in serving, you're not going to know what you're good at. You have dozens of hidden abilities and gifts you don't know you've got because you've never tried them out." (Warren, 250-1)

"Part of accepting your shape is recognizing your limitations. Nobody is good at everything, and no one is called to be everything. We all have defined roles." (Warren, 253)

"Satan will try to steal the joy of service from you in a couple of ways: by tempting you to compare your ministry with others, and by tempting you to conform your ministry to the expectations of others. Both are deadly traps that will distract you from serving in the ways God intended. Whenever you lose your joy in ministry, start by considering if either one of these temptations is the cause." (Warren, 253)

"There are two reasons why you should never compare your shape, ministry, or the results of your ministry with anyone else. First, you will always be able to find someone who seems to be doing a better job than you and you will become discouraged. Or you will always be able to find someone who doesn't seem as effective as you and you will get full of pride. Either attitude will take you out of service and rob you of your joy." (Warren, 254)

"You will find that people who do not understand your shape for ministry will criticize you and try to get you to conform to what they think you should be doing. Ignore them." (Warren, 254)

"Whatever gifts you hve been given can be enlarged and developed through practice. For instance, no one gets the gift of teaching fully developed. But with study, feedback, and practice, a 'good' teacher can become a better teacher, and with time, grow to be a master teacher. Don't settle for a half-developed gift. Stretch yourself and learn all you can...Take advantage of every training opportunity to develop your shape and sharpen your serving skills." (Warren, 255)

Day 31: Understanding Your Shape

2009-06-10T08:50:00.002-04:00

Nobody Else Can Be Me

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)

God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings. 1 Peter 4:10 (LB)

Question to Consider:
What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer to my church?
Most people are surprised when I tell them that my oldest child is 16. The first thing they say is "You don't look old enough to have a 16 year old!" Well, that's because I'm not exactly. I was a teenage mom - I had my oldest son at 16. They are also surprised to hear that my husband and I have been married for 15 of those years and that I've gone to school and earned my Masters. They are surprised because they assume that if you were dumb enough to get pregnant at such a young age, you should be on drugs by now!

When I got pregnant, everyone assumed that I'd completely ruined my life. Honestly, it should have ruined my life - but apparently God had other plans. There are so many times, that had one thing been different, maybe I would have become strung out on drugs or alcohol. (It's not that I didn't stupidly try them at times). But God... He made it so I had an affordable house to live in to raise my baby (my husband's parents allowed us to stay in a house they owned for free), my mother-in-law was a daycare provider, so I didn't have to send my baby to a stranger while I finished school. I started doing so much better in school that my teacher refered me to the school's job program - so I ended up working for the Board of Education as a secretary. I ended up working with a woman who encouraged and helped me to register for college a few years later... Although, having a child made things harder, God didn't let it ruin me.

Recently, a teenage niece of mine had a baby (he's so cute!). When she'd gotten pregant, she had to endure those same condescending comments of relatives. She had only been in college a semester and was forced to drop out. She was depressed and disappointed. She didn't talk to me for a couple of months because she thought I would say the same things as the rest of the family. I quickly suggested she do some calculations between my age and her cousin's age - I reminded her that I was even younger than she was when I had my first child. I reassured her that she could handle whatever God had in store for her - but the key was to depend on Him and let him guide her where He wants - apparently He wants her to be a mom now - so accept it. The great part, is that when you let God work out your troubles, He throws in unexpected blessings.

My grate-nephew is so precious - and she loves him so much. She was afraid she wouldn't be a good mother, but she's already made some pretty good choices - she's breastfeeding, despite its unpopularity among her friends. If I hadn't gone through the same experience myself I don't know how much I could have encouraged her in her time of despair...But God...

Important Quotes:
"No one has the exact same mix of factors that mkae you unique. That means no one else on earth will ever be able to play the role God planned for you. If you don't make your unique contribution to the Body of Christ, it won't be made." (Warren, 241)

"You have dozens, probably hundreds, of untapped, unrecognizxed, and unused abilities that are lying dormant inside you." (Warren, 242)

"God has a place in his church where your abilities can hine and you can make a difference. It's up to you to find that place." (Warren, 243)

"What I'm able to do, God wants me to do...God will never ask you to dedicate your life to a task you have no talent for. On the other hand, your abilities you do have are a strong indication of what God wants you to do with your life...God doesn't waste abilities; he matches our calling and our capabilities." (Warren, 243)

"When you are forced to minister in a manner that is 'out of character' for your temperament, it creates tension and disomfort, requires extra effort and energy, and produces less than the best results. This is why mimicking someone else's ministry never works." (Warren, 245)

"It feels good to do what God made you to do. When you minister in a manner consistent with the personality God gave you, you experience fulfillment, satisfaction, and fruitfulness." (Warren, 246)

"If you really desire to be used by God, you must understand a powerful truth: The very experiences that you have resented or regretted most in life - the ones you've wanted to hide and forget - are the very experiences God wants to use to help others. They are your ministry!" (Warren, 247)

"People are always more encouraged when we share how God's grace helped us in weaknesses than when we brag abotu our strengths." (Warren, 247)

"What wil you do with what you've been through? Don't waste your pain; use it to help others." (Warren, 248)

Day 30: Shaped for Serving God

2009-06-09T07:32:00.002-04:00

I was Shaped for Serving God

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 1 Corinthians 12:6 (KJV)

God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all. 1 Corinthians 12:6 (Ph)

Question to Consider:
In what way can I see myself passionately serving others and loving it?
I love arts and crafts. Making beautiful things with my hands is so satisfying to me. The hours just fly by when I'm working on a project. I've had opportunities to share my art with others and I really enjoyed it. I've organized an arts and crafts class at my church a few times, but my schedule was so hectic that I couldn't maintain it. I've been debating trying to start it up again, but I've been back and forth with it for a while now.

I guess I better start examining my excuses...

Important Quotes:
"You are the way you are because you were made for a specific ministry." (Warren, 234)

"God uses all of it to mold you for your ministry to others and shape you for your service to him. God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory. By identifying and understanding these factors you can discover God's will for your life." (Warren, 235)

"Whenever God gives us an assignment, he always equips us with what we need to accomplish it. This custom combination of capabilities is called your SHAPE:
Spiritual gifts,
Heart,
Abilities,
Personality,
Experience. " (Warren, 236)

"You can't earn your spiritual gifts or deserve them - that's why they are called gifts!" (Warren, 236)

"You spiritual gifts were not given for your own benefit but for the benefit of others, just as other people were given gifts for your benefit." (Warren, 236)

"How do you know when you are serving God from your heart? The first telltale sign is enthusiasm. When you are doing what you love to do, no one has to motivate you or challenge you or check up on you. You do it for the sheer enjoyment. You don't need rewards or applause or payment, because you love serving in this way. The opposite is also true: When you don't have a heart for what you're doing, you are easily discouraged." (Warren, 239)

"The second characteristic of serving God from your heart is effectiveness. Whenever you do what God wired you to love to do, you get good at it." (Warren, 239)

Day 29: Accepting Your Assignment

2009-06-08T07:49:00.002-04:00

PURPOSE #4: You Were Shaped for Serving God

Service is Not an Option

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Question to Consider:
What is holding me back from accepting God's call to serve him?
This question is a hard one - no matter what I write here, it will be a trivial excuse. I guess that's the purpose: to honestly examine our excuses. If we really think about, there is no limit to what we could be doing to serve. If we have extra time to watch television or read a book; we have time to do something for God.

I know I have not exhausted my efforts in serving God. Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in a rut, my week passes predictably, Tuesday, I teach Youth Bible Study, Wednesday I attend Adult Bible Study, every third Saturday, Women's Book Club, Sunday Church, add Monday, Thursday, Friday and repeat. Some members of my family think I spend too much time at church because they don't see the real value in it. But sometimes, for a different reason, I question my time spent at church, because I wonder, what am I really doing to make a difference? On the days in between the duties of motherhood, wifehood, and general familyhood, keep me entangled in blur of obligations and activities - I often feel like I fail in my duties to do all I can for Christ.

But Pastor Warren suggests that we serve others in practical ways. If this is the case, then that means I serve God when I drive my mother to the grocery store, spend quality time with my daughter, help my sister with her hair, fix my husband's plate, do a favor for a friend...I could keep going. While there's always room for improvement, maybe if when someone asks us to do something, we think of it as if we're doing it for God, maybe some of that reluctance would leave us. The small things we do for others aren't insignificant and unimportant - they are how we 'show' God that we love him by letting him work through us. Everyone's assignment is different, of course, but no matter what it is we can't let anything keep us from it.

Important Quotes:
"You were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it. God wants you to give something back. This is God's fourth purpose for your life, and it is called your 'ministry,' or service." (Warren, 227)

"Whenever you serve others in any way, you are actually serving God and fulfilling one of your purposes." (Warren, 228)

"We don't serve God out of guilt or fear or even duty, but out of joy, and deep gratitude for what he's done for us. We owe him our lives." (Warren, 228)

"If I have no love for others, no desire to serve others, and I'm only concerned about my needs, I should question whether Christ is really in my life. A saved heart is one that wants to serve." (Warren, 228)

"Another term for serving God that's misunderstood by most people is the word ministry. When most people hear 'ministry,' they think of pastors, priests, and professional clergy, but God says every member of his family is a minister. In the Bible, the words servant and minister are synonyms, as are service and ministry. If you are a Christian, you are a minister, and when you're serving, you're ministering." (Warren, 228-9)

"Regardless of your job or career, you are called to full-time Christian service. A 'non-serving Christian' is a contradiction of terms." (Warren, 229)

"Anytime you use your God-given abilities to help others, you are fulfilling your calling." (Warren, 229)

"For Christians, service is not optional, something to be tacked onto our schedules if we can spare the time. It is the heart of the Christian life. Jesus came 'to serve' and 'to give' - those two verbs should define your life on earth, too. Serving and giving sum up God's fourth purpose for your life." (Warren, 230-1)

"We are only fully alive when we are helping others...If you aren't serving, you're just existing, because life is meant for ministry. God wants you to learn to love and serve others unselfishly." (Warren, 232)

Day 28: It Takes Time

2009-06-07T08:28:00.002-04:00

There are no Shortcuts to Maturity

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again. Philippians 1:6 (NCV)

Question to Consider:
In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient and persistent?
I get mad at myself sometimes when I don't do things that I know I should - or vice versa - do things that I know I shouldn't. I realize that God's plan even includes our sins - No, I'm not condoning sin, but if we face the truth, a lot of things that have caused us to grow and mature came out of our sins. If some of our parents hadn't sinned we wouldn't have even been born - talk about growing on a literal level!

Again, this is not a praise of sin, I'm just trying to honestly face the truth about it. God knows I'm going to sin again - even if at this particular moment, I declare it in my heart that I won't, given the right conditions I am going to do it again. I think the key is that we try harder and harder not to and then repent and turn to God for his forgiveness.

I desire to be Christlike, so bad...but the reality is that then I would be perfect and I won't be able to stay on this earth a second longer. Besides, if I were perfect, how could help anyone? Why would they ever listen to me? They'd say, of course that works for you...you're perfect! If I'm perfect, they'd never believe that I've been through the same trials and temptations as they - so they'd never come to accept that what God has done for me - he can and will do for them as well.

All we can do is try to learn from our falls, and remember that there is a purpose for everything. We must also believe passionately that God's grace and mercy will fill in all of our cracks.

"It takes years for us to grow to adulthood, and it takes a full season for fruit to mature and ripen. The same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. The development of Christlike character can not be rushed." (Warren, 217)

"While we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow. God views our lies from and for eternity, so he is never in a hurry." (Warren, 218)

"You may think you have surrendered all your life to him, but the truth is, htere is a lot to your life that you aren't even aware of. You can only give God as much of you as you understand at that moment. That's okay. Once Christ is given a beachhead, he begins the campaign to take over more and more territory until all of your life is completely his. There will be struggles and battles, but the outcome will never be in doubt." (Warren, 218)

"I have already pointed out that the truth will set us free but it often makes us miserable first. There fear of what we might discover if we honestly faced our character defects keeps us living in the prison of denial. Only as God is allowed to shine the light of his truth on our faults, failures, and hang-ups can we begin to work on them. This is why you cannot grow without a humble, teachable attitude." (Warren, 220)

"Believe God is working in your life even when you don't feel it...Expect gradual improvement." (Warren, 221)

"Keep a notebook or journal of lessons learned. This is not a diary of events, but a record of what you are learning. Write down the insights and life lessons God teaches you about him, about yourself, about life, relationships, and everything else. Record these so you can review and remember them and pass them on to the next generation." (Warren, 222)

"When God wants to make a mushroom, he does it overnight, but when he wants to make a giant oak, he takes a hundred years. Great souls are grown through struggles and storms and seasons of suffering. Be patient with the process." (Warren, 222)

"Don't get discouraged...A delay is not a denial from God." (Warren, 222)

"Remember how far you've com, not just how far you have to go. You are not whee you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be." (Warren, 223)

Day 27: Defeating Temptation

2009-06-06T09:18:00.001-04:00

There is Always a Way Out

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. 1 Corinthians 10:13b (NLT)

Question to Consider:
Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?
All of these strategies that Pastor Warren suggests are extremely powerful - that is when I actually put them to use. God is faithful, he is not the one that drops the ball when we are tempted - we do. But God is good and he sent the antidote to our sickness when he sent Jesus, and I am so grateful!

When I first started this 40 Days of Purpose series - at first it felt like I was sending my thoughts out into a vaccuum. I didn't think anyone was listening, but a voice told to press on, that even if no one was reading right now, eventually someone would stumble upon these posts and find something that would touch and inspire them - and even if it was just one person, it would be well worth it. But you all have been so supportive - you're comments have been so encouraging - they have not gone unread. So who could be better than you to be my spiritual partners? Together we could help each other defeat our persistent temptations - so let's start praying for each other. My first prayer is this:

Lord,
I ask that you help us follow your Word - you've provided strategies that have been clarified for us through Pastor Warren and we are grateful. Help us to be strong in mind and be more aware of how temptation works so that we may be better equipped for handling it and not giving in to it. Let us be a help to one another so that we are able pick up a fallen friend and when needed, they'll be able do the same. AMEN.

Important Quotes:
"You may sometimes feel that a temptation is too overpowering for you to bear, but that's a lie from Satan. God has promised never to allow more on you than he puts within you to handle it." (Warren, 209)

"Since temptation always begins with a thought, the quickest way to neutralize its allure is to turn your attention to something else. Don't fight the thought, just change the channel of your mind and get interested in another idea. This is the first step in defeating temptation." (Warren, 210)

"Ignoring a temptation is far more effective than fighting it. Once your mind is on something else, the temptation loses its power." (Warren, 211)

"Spiritually, your mind is your most vulnerable organ. To reduce tempation, keep your mind occupied with God's Word and other good thoughts." (Warren, 211)

"Do you really want to be healed of that persistent temptation that keeps defeating you over and over? God's solution is plain: Don't repress it; confess it! Don't conceal it; reveal it. Revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing...You are only as sick as your secrets. So take off your mask, stop pretending you're perfect, and walk into freedom." (Warren, 213)

"You won't be able to say no to the devil unless you've said yes to Christ...If you are a believer, Satan cannot force you to do anything. He can only suggest." (Warren, 214)

"Don't try to argue with the devil. He's better at arguing than you are, having had thousands of years to practice...This is why memorizing Scripture is absolutely essential to defeating temptation. You have quick access to it whenever you're tempted." (Warren, 215)

"Given the right circumstances, any of us are capable of any sin. We must never let down our guard and think we're beyond temptation...Don't carelessly place yourself in tempting situations. Avoid them." (Warren, 215)

Day 26: Growing Through Temptation

2009-06-05T08:34:00.002-04:00

Every Temptation is an Opportunity to Do Good

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12 (KJV)

God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NLT)

Question to Consider:
What Christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?
If I could defeat the temptation to eat the wrong things - sugary and fattening things that I know will only pack the pounds on, not only would I gain some self-discipline, I would also be able to lose some weight. If could defeat the temptation to proscrastinate, I would further develop that self-discipline and I would be able to do more of what God expects me to do. These two issues on surface level appear simple - someone who's battling a drug addiction would scoff at these trivial problems. But they are real issues for me because I struggle with them at the level of desire - when I'm tempted, I often find myself not even wanting God's help because I want to go ahead and eat some chocolate confection and worry about consequences later. I'm glad Pastor Warren addressed this aspect of temptation in this chapter - it brings better understanding and helps me develop a better strategy for handling these issues.

God wants to develop my self-discipline, I'm going to need his help in shaping my desires. On a practical level I can do my best to avoid circumstances that make it more likely for me to slip up. If I've already eaten something healthy - like a salad, I would be less hungry and less likely to eat the wrong things. If I perform my most important tasks first thing in the morning, I won't have to give in to tiredness later in the day - my work will already be done.

Important Quotes:
"Every time you chooose to do good instead of sin, youare growing in the character of Christ." (Warren, 201)

"God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you're tempted to express the exact opposite quality! Character development always involves a choice, and temptation provides that opportunity." (Warren, 202)

"You can't claim to be good if you've never been tempted to be bad. You can't claim to be faithful if you've never had the opportunity to be unfaithful. Integrity is built by defeating the temptation to be dishonest; humility grows when we refuse to be prideful; and endurance developes every time you reject the temptation to give up." (Warren, 203)

"Temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought) that you give in to an evil desire, or that you fulfill a legitimate desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. Always beware of shortcuts. They are often temptations!" (Warren, 203)

"...there are specific steps you need to take to overcome [temptation]...Refuse to be intimidated...You will never outgrow temptation. In one sense you can consider temptation a compliment. Satan does nothave to tempt those who are already doing his evil will; they are already his." (Warren, 204-5)

"It is not a sin to be tempted...Temptation only becomes a sin when you give in to it." (Warren, 205)

"Sometimes while you are praying, Satan will suggest a bizarre or evil thought just to distract you and shame you. Don't be alarmed or ashamed by this, but realize that Satan fears you prayers and will try anything to stop them. Instead of condemning yourself with 'How could I think such a thought?' treat it as a distraction from Satan and immediately refocus on God." (Warren, 206)

"Recognize your pattern of tempation and be prepared for it...You should identify your typical pattern of tempation and then prepare to avoid those situations as much as possible." (Warren, 206)

"Request God's help...God wants you to ask him for assistance in overcoming temptation." (Warren, 207)

"God's love is everlasting, and his patience endures forever. If you have to cry out for God's help two hundred times a day to defeat a particular temptation, he will still be eager to give mercy and grace, so come boldly. Ask him for the power to do the right thing and then expect him to provide it." (Warren, 207)

Day 25: Transformed by Trouble

2009-06-04T07:33:00.002-04:00

There is a Purpose Behind Every Problem

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (KJV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Question to Consider:
What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?
When my husband and I separated, it created a snowball effect of events that ended with joblessness and homelessness. It was the most humbling experience I've ever gone through. Everything in my life had changed - I felt like I was in a never-ending episode of the Twilight Zone. Nothing made sense. The level of confusion, anger, and depression I endured at that time was so great that it seemed as if everything had pushed me so near to the edge of a cliff that one slip would send me tumbling down into a bottomless pit of dispair. There were times when all I could do to keep from losing my mind, was chant "Jesus, help me...Jesus help me...Jesus...Jesus." That's all I had energy enough to say. And you know what? He came to my rescue before I even realized it.

I finally completely surrendered to him because there was nothing left - yes, sometimes I think God will take away everything so that you can see Him more clearly so that you can't miss Him anymore. By the time He's done with you, you'll know who's really in control - and it's not us! When I finally said, "Okay, Lord, you're gonna have to take this because I'm too weak to do anything about it..." that's when he stepped in a created a whirlwind of change in my life. He changed me from the inside - the external circumstances were the same, my husband was still gone, but I was finally able to accept it and I began to believe that God clearly had something better in mind for me. The minute I stopped worrying about whether or not I was going to be alone for the rest of my life, whether or not I was ever going to find a job or get a place of my own - God changed it...for the better. My life is so much better. It's so much better that I thank God for allowing me to go through my trials just so I could get to this point where I'm so grateful, so stronger, so much more content and patient.

He wanted to demonstrate his glory in my life - I went back to school, got a job working at the school, God worked out my circumstances so that I was able to rent a small, but decent place to live. And get this...He even fixed my marriage that seemed so doomed and irreconcilable! He breathed life into the dead bone that was my marriage and now we get along so much better. God worked all the bad that was in my life for my good - I didn't always like it, but I couldn't have done it on my own. Without the troubles in my life I'm certain I'd still be the immature, self-centered person I once was - but I'm so glad that's not me anymore.

Important Quotes:
"God uses problems to draw you closer to himself...Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in your darkest days - when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you're out of options, when the pain is great - and you turn to God alone." (Warren, 194)

"We learn things about God in suffering that we can't learn any other way...Problems force us to look to God and depend on him instead of ourselves." (Warren, 194)

"You'll never know God is all you need until God is all you've got." (Warren, 194)

"Everything that happens to a child of God is Father-Filtered, and he intends to use it for good even when Satan and others mean it for bad." (Warren, 194)

"The events in your life work together in God's plan. They are not isolated acts, but interdependent parts of the process to make you like Christ. To bake a cake you must use flour, salt, raw, eggs, sugar, and oil. Eaten individually, each is pretty distasteful or even bitter. But bake them together and they become delicious. If you will give God all your distasteful, unpleasant experiences, he will blend them together for good." (Warren, 196)

Day 24: Transformed by Truth

2009-06-03T06:28:00.002-04:00

The Truth Transforms Me

If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32 (KJV)

Question for Consideration:
What has God already told me in his Word that I haven't started doing yet?
I need to start working on my book again. I started a book last year, and then I got discouraged and stop working on it. I kept feeling like I wasn't saying anything new - nor did anyone want to read what I had to say. I didn't feel like my words would inspire anyone. On top of that came test after test that made me question myself - how could I encourage others if I couldn't even practice what I was preaching? It felt hypocritical so I stopped. Despite countless sermon's and messages I've received over this past year I haven't been able to pick it back up.

God has constantly been assuring me that I have to go through what I'm trying to teach others about so that through experience I can understand the pitfalls and trials they will face along the way - it will make me better prepared to teach them. Yet, I've been procrastinating. I keep telling myself that there must be something else I have to learn that must be blocking me. I pray that God will help me move beyond whatever it is because I don't want to continue witholding a message that could be the key, even if only to one person's breakthrough. I don't want to be a hindrance by omission.

Important Quotes:
"When God speaks, things change." (Warren, 185)

"God's Word is the spiritual nourishment you must have to fulfill your purpose." (Warren, 186)

"There are more Bibles in print today than ever before, but a Bible on the shelf is worthless. Millions of believers are plagued with spiritual anorexia, starving to death from spiritual malnutrition. To be a healthy disciple of Jesus, feeding on God's Word must be your first priority." (Warren, 186)

"It's not enough to just believe the Bible; I must fill my mind with it so that hte Holy Spirit can transform me with the truth. There are five ways to do this: You can receive it, read it, research it, remember it, and reflect on it." (Warren, 188)

"Anytime you feel you are not learning anything from a sermon or a Bible teacher, you should check your attitude, especially for pride, because God can speak through even the most boring teacher when you are humble and receptive." (Warren, 188)

"If you cut out one thirty-minute television program a day and read your Bible instead, you will read through the entire Bible twice a year." (Warren, 188)

"Daily Bible reading will keep you in range of God's voice." (Warren, 188)

"Without implementation, all our Bible studies are worthless." (Warren, 191)

"The best way to be a 'doer of the Word' is to always write our an action step as a result of your reading or studying or reflecting on God's Word. Develop the habit of writing down exactly what you intend to do. This action step should be personal (involving you), practical (something you can do), and provable (with a deadline to do it). Every application will involve either your relationship to God, your relationship to others, or your personal character." (Warren, 192)

Day 23: How We Grow

2009-06-02T07:55:00.002-04:00

It is Never too Late to Start Growing

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 (KJV)

Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. Romans 12:2b (TEV)

Question to Consider:
What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God's way?
If I dig into last years notes, I probably answered this question by saying my money was the one area that I needed to change my thinking. While I still have work to do in that area, this year I truly believe, my time is the one area. As I reflect on the way I spend my time, especially when I'm just sitting in front of the television, I realize I've been selfish. When people call for my help, I often only agree if I'm already out, or I'll make them wait until I have to go out for something else that I need. If I only help people when it's convenient for me, am I really making a God-pleasing sacrifice? Honestly speaking to myself, I'd have to say the answer is no.

So it must be those times when I really don't feel like going to teach the Children's Bible Class, or driving across town to help out a family member that turn out to be the real sacrifices of my time. I had believed that if I wasn't helping others enthusiasically that it was as if I wasn't doing them - so I slacked off. Now that I reflect back on it - that was probably a trick! And I fell for it. From now on I will see those sacrifices of my time as an opportunity to show God that I have changed my thinking. That I have realized that it really isn't my time, but His - and He could choose to end it at any time.

Important Quotes:
"Spiritual growth is not automatic. It takes an intentional commitment. You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing." (Warren, 179)

"Your commitment can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way, they will define you. Tell me what you are committed to, and I'll tell you what you wil be in twenty years. We become whatever we are committed to." (Warren, 180)

"Every choice has eternal consequences, so you had better choose wisely." (Warren, 180)

"Christlikeness is the result of making Christlike choices and depending on his Spirit to help you fulfill those choices...Spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between you and the Holy Spirit." (Warren, 180)

"To change your life you must change the way you think. Behind everything you do is a thought...Change always starts first in your mind. The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act." (Warren, 181-2)

"The New Testament call this mental shift repentance, which in Greek literally means 'to change your mind.' You repent whenever you change the way you think by adopting how God thinks - about yourself, sin, God, other people, life, your future, and everything else. You take on Christ's outlook and perspective." (Warren, 182)

"Today many assume that spiritual maturity is measured by the amount of biblical information and docrine you know. While knowledge is one measurement of maturity, it isn't the whole story." (Warren, 183)

Day 22: Created to Become Like Christ

2009-06-01T08:31:00.002-04:00

PURPOSE #3: You Were Created to Become Like Christ

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)

As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more. 2 Corinthians 3:18b (NLT)

Question to Consider:
In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?
This question only asks about one area, yet there are many in my life that I need help with. But the most pressing is my family life: dealing with my children. I've got a teenager, a pre-teen, and a toddler (yeah, go ahead and ask me: What were you thinking?!). Each one of my children are at ages that require an enormous amount of patience in order to deal with their attitudes. I often find myself yelling at them, but the louder I talk it seems, the less they hear. Somedays a voice whispers in my ear, This is just a phase...they will grow out this...one day they will refer to the knowledge you've given them and use it when they most need it... They'll be alright - just wait and see...

That has got to be the Holy Spirit speaking to me at those moments when I'm so frazzled that I could slap somebody. I'm immediately calmed. That doesn't mean that my children have stopped acting like complete idiots, it just means that I stopped being affected by their actions. I can see beyond what they are doing, they aren't doing it to hurt me, they are trying to sort through raging hormones and intense emotions that they hadn't experienced before puberty. I remember how I was at that age. I suddenly remember the frustration of being caught in a limbo stage between child and adult and that helps me to be a little more patient and understanding with them. But I need constant help with this because there are times when I get so disappointed in the way that they behave that I just want to set them and their belongings out in front of the nearest children's home. But with God's help; with his grace and mercy, I'll make it to the end when my youngest goes away to college, then I'll pray that empty nest syndrome won't be my next complaint. :-)

Important Quotes:
"God doesn't want you to become a god; he wants you to become godly - taking on his values, attitudes, and character." (Warren, 172)

"God's ultimate goal for you life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Becoming like Christ does not mean losing your personality or becoming a mindless clone. God created your uniqueness, so he certainly doesn't want to destroy it." (Warren, 173)

"Every time you forget that character is one of God's purposes for you life, you will be frustrated by your circumstances." (Warren, 173)

"Never forget that life is not about you! You exist for God's purposes, not vice versa." (Warren, 173)

"It is the Holy Spirit's job to produce Christlike character in you...This process of changing us to be more like Jesus is called sanctification, and it is the third purpose of your life on earth...most of the time the Holy Spirit's power is released in your life in quiet, unassuming ways that you aren't even aware of or can't feel." (Warren, 174)

"First, we must choose to let go of old ways of acting...Second, we must change the way we think...Third, we must 'put on' the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits. Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act." (Warren, 174)

"God uses his Word, people, and circumstances to mold us. All three are indispensible for character development." (Warren, 176)

"Spiritual maturity is not a solitary, individual pursuit! You cannot grow to Christlikeness in isolation. You must be around other people and interact with them. You need to be a part of a church and community." (Warren, 176)

"Spiritual maturity is neither instant nor automatic; it is a gradual, progressive development that will take the rest of your life...and even then it won't be completed here on earth. It will only be finished when you get to heaven or when Jesus returns." (Warren, 176-7)

Day 21: Protecting Your Church

2009-05-31T08:35:00.002-04:00

It is My Responsibility to Protect the Unity of My Church

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Romans 14:19 (KJV)

Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together. Romans 14:19 (Ph)

Question to Consider:
What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family right now?
After reading this chapter, I really feel like my efforts for preserving unity have been very whimpy. I've heard people saying negative things about our pastor and I have tried to offer them a different perspective, and to remind them that sometimes we expect too much of our leaders and not enough accountability from ourselves. But I often get frustrated and retreat when they just don't seem to be listening or they just don't care.

When people are gossiping, I know I'm guilty of listening. I often fail to step in and remind them that it is not pleasing to God - I've got to do better than this. People are so quick to criticize and gossip, but it's important that we still love them and remind ourselves that God is the one who will judge them not us. We are, however, expected to do our part - to gently remind them to stop gossiping, stop criticizing, and stop complaining about the church and its leaders. Pastor Warren said it perfectly: "If a church must be perfect to satisfy you, that same perfection will exclude you from membership, because you're not perfect!" (Warren, 163)

Important Quotes:
"Unity is the soul of fellowship. Destroy it, and you rip the heart out of Christ's Body." (Warren, 160)

"If you are a part of God's family, it is your responsibility to protect the unity where you fellowhsip." (Warren, 161)

"Focus on what we have in common, not our differences...We should remember that it was God who chose to give us different personalities, backgrounds, races, and preferences, so we should value and enjoy those differences, not merely tolerate them. God wants unity, not uniformity." (Warren 161)

"Be realistic in your expectations Once you discoer what God intends real fellowship to be, it is easy to become discouraged by the gap between the ideal and the real in your church. Yet we must passionately love the church in spite of its imperfections. Longing for the ideal while criticizing the real is evidence of immaturity. On hte other hand, settling for the real without striving for the ideal is complacency. Maturity is living with the tension." (Warren, 162)

"Reconciliation, not running away, is the road to stronger character and deeper fellowship...Divorcing your church at the first sign of disappointment or disillusionment is a mark of immaturity. God has things he wants to teach you, and others, too. Besides, there is no perfect church to escape to. Every church has its own set of weaknesses and problems. You'll soon be disappointed again." (Warren, 163)

"The sooner we give up on the illusion that a church must be perfectin order to love it, the sooner we quiet pretending and start admitting we're all imperfect and need grace. This is the beginning of real community." (Warren, 163)

"Choose to encourage rather than criticize. It is always easier to stand on the sidelines and take shots at those who are serving than it is to get involved and make a contribution."

"Whenever I judge another believer, four things instantly happen: I lose fellowship with God, I expose my own pride and insecurity, I set myself up to be judged by God, and I harm the fellowship of the church...It's the Devil's job to blame, complain, and criticize members of God's family. Anytime we do the same, we're being duped into doing Satan's work for him." (Warren, 164)

"Refuse to listen to gossip...You know spreading gossip is wrong, but you should not listen to it, either, if you want to protect your church. Listening to gossip is like accepting stolen property, and it makes you just as guilty o the crime." (Warren, 164)

"Practice God's method for conflict resolution." (Warren, 165)

"Support your pastor and leaders." (Warren, 165)

Day 20:Restoring Broken Fellowship

2009-05-30T09:47:00.002-04:00

Relationship Are Always Worth Restoring

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18 (KJV)

Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. Romans 12:18 (TEV)

Question to Consider: Who do I need to restore a broken relationship with today?
This list may be longer than I initially thought it would be. Sometimes relationships are broken due to out right conflict and sometimes they are broken from neglect. Because I've worked and gone to school full time, have a husband and kids, there are many who have been neglected by me. At this point, I need to start by praying about it - so that God can reveal what it is I need to do to reconcile. I'm sure it's going to require a different approach for each person. After I pray, I can then pick up the phone and start placing some calls. Who do I need to check on today? Who do I need to encourage today? Who do I need to spend time with? Who do I need to apologize to? I want to do all I can to fix my relationships - then I'll have to let God do the rest.

Important Quotes:
"Since Christ wants his family to be known for our love for each other, broken fellowship is a disgraceful testimony to unbelievers." (Warren, 152)

"If you want God's blessing on your life and you want to be known as a child of God, you must learn to be a peacemaker...peacemaking is one of the most important skills you can develop." (Warren, 153)

"Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict. Running from a problem, pretending it doesn't exist, or being afraid to talk about it is actually cowardice...Peacemaking is also not appeasement. Always giving in, acting like a doormat, and allowing others to always run over you is not what Jesus had in mind." (Warren, 153)

"Talk to God before talking to the person. Discuss the problem with God. If you will pray about the conflict first instead of gossiping to a friend, you will often discover that either God changes your hart or he changes the other person without your help. All your relationships would go smoother if you just pray more about them." (Warren, 154)

"Most conflict is rooted in unmet needs. Some of these needs can only be met by God. When you expect anyone - a friend, spouse, boss, or family member - to meet a need that only God can fulfill, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and bitterness. No one can meet all of your needs except God...Instead of looking to God, we look to others to make us happy and then get angry when they fail us. God says, 'Why don't you come to me first?'" (Warren, 154)

"It doesn't matter whether you are the offender or the offended: God expects you to make the first move. Don't wait for the other party. Go to them first. Restoring broken fellowship is so important, Jesus commanded that it even takes priority over group worship." (Warren, 154)

"Use your ears more than your mouth. Before attempting to solve any disagreement you must first listen to people's feelings...Focus on their feelings, not the facts. Begin with sympathy, not solutions." (Warren, 155)

"It is a sacrifice to patiently absorb the anger of others, especially if it's unfounded. But remember, this is what Jesus did for you." (Warren, 156)

"If you are serious about restoring a relationship, you should begin with admitting your own mistakes or sin...Also ask God to show you how much of the problem is your fault." (Warren, 156)

"When you begin by humbly admitting your mistakes, it defuses the other person's anger and disarms their attack because they were probably expecting you to be defensive. Don't make excuses or shift the blame; just honestly own up to any part you have played in the conflict. Accept responsibility for your mistakes and ask for forgiveness." (Warren, 157)

"God expects unity, not uniformity, and we can walk arm-in-arm without seeing eye-to-eye on every issue." (Warren, 158)

Day 19: Cultivating Community

2009-05-29T09:15:00.005-04:00

Community Requires Commintment

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16 (KJV)

We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers. 1 John 3:16 (GWT)

Question to Consider:
How can I help cultivate today the characteristics of real community in my small group and my church?
Sometimes we have to be the first person to reveal our weaknesses. This can be scary if you haven't accepted the fact that everyone has come short of the glory of God; that we are all filthy rags in the sight of God; that we are often as disgusting as the dog that returns to his vomit and the pig to his mud. There are people in church who want to paint a spotless picture, but they don't realize they are just covering up the dirt with a new coat of paint - they haven't cleaned anything up. But we can't worry about these people and really, when they start listening to our honest testimony they may even get motivated to change. When they realize that it is safe to be who God has made them to be - that He made no mistake in choosing their personality and physical traits - they may even begin to scrape off all that paint and let the real them shine through.

In order to cultivate real community in our small groups, Paster Rick Warren encourages us to make a group covenant that includes the nine characteristics of biblical fellowship:

Authenticity - we will share our true feelings
Mutuality - we will offer encouragement
Sympathy - we will support each other and bear each other's burdens
Mercy - we will forgive each other
Honesty - we will speak the truth in love
Humility - we will admit our own weaknesses
Courtesy - we will respect our differences, we don't all have to be the same
Confidentiality - we won't gossip about each other
Frequency - we will meet often and make it a priority

Important Quotes:
"Cultivating community takes honesty. You will have to care enough to lovingly speak the truth, even when you would rather gloss over a problem or ignore an issue." (Warren, 146)

"Many fellowships have been sabotaged by fear: No one had the courage to speak up in the group while a member's life fell apart." (Warren, 146)

"Real fellowship, whether in a marriage, a friendship, or your church, depends on frankness. In fact, the tunnel of conflict is the passageway to intimacy in any relationship. Until you care enough to confront and resolve the underlying barriers, you will never grow close to each other...Frankness is not a license to say anything you want, wherever and whenever you want. It is not rudeness. The Bible tells us there is a right time and a right way to do everything." (Warren, 147)

"Cultivating community takes humility...Pride builds walls between people; humility builds bridges...Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less." (Warren, 148)

"Cultivating community takes courtesy. Courtesy is respecting our differences, being considerate of each other's feelings, and being patient with people who irritate us...One key to courtesy is to understand where people are coming from. Discover their history. When you know wat they've been through, you will be more understanding. Instead of thinking about how far they still have to go, think about how far they have come in spite of their hurts." (Warren, 149)

Cultivating community takes confidentiality. Only in the safe environment of warm acceptance and trusted confidentiality will people open up and share their deepest hurts, needs, and mistakes." (Warren, 150)

"Cultivating community takes frequency. You must have frequent, regular contact with your group in order to build genuine fellowship. Relationships take time." (Warren, 150)

Day 18: Experiencing Life Together

2009-05-28T08:34:00.002-04:00

I Need Others in My Life

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NLT)

Question to Consider:
What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine, heart-to-heart level?
Because I am a shy person, connecting with other people is often a challenge for me. But I've gotten better at since I've joined my church book club. During our monthly women's book club meetings at our church we often share and connect with one another. Sometimes we cry when we hear about one another's pain - sometimes we even share our experiences with temptation. I believe this is the hardest to do - at church we often try to put our "best foot forward" because we want people to believe that we are blessed and have everything in our lives together. But Pastor Warren says that is not authentic fellowship. I admire the fact that our trust level is high enough where we can talk about times when we were tempted whether we resisted or not. The key to maintaining this kind of openness is confidentiality. Nothing we say is supposed to leave the meeting. I truly believe we have developed authentic fellowship and I am so grateful for it. I often leave the book club with my spirit so filled that the sun even seems to shine a little brighter on the way out. Sharing each other's burden is like lifting a heavy piece of furniture - nothing is too heavy when you have enough people holding up their end.

If you haven't already found a source of authentic fellowship at your church, don't be afraid to start a group. You can study the Bible together, or review inspirational books, share a meal, do arts and crafts together - the possibilities are endless. Even if you only find one other person to join you in authentic fellowship it will be worth it because God promises to be in the midst. (Matthew 18:20)

Important Quotes:
"Real fellowship is more than just showing up at services. It is experiencing life together." (Warren, 138)

"Authentic fellowship is not superficial, surface-level chit-chat. It is genuine, heart-to-heart, sometimes gut-level sharing. It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives." (Warren, 139)

"All of us are more consistent in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. The Bible commands mutual accountability, mutual encouragment, mutual serving, and mutual honoring." (Warren, 141)

"Sympathy is not giving advice or offering a quick, cosmetic help; sympathy is entering in and sharing the pain of others." (Warren, 141)

"You can't have fellowship without forgiveness...Remember, you will never be asked to forgive someone else more than God has already forgiven you." (Warren, 142-3)

"Forgiveness must be immediate, whether or not a person asks for it. Trust must be rebuilt over time. Trust requires a track record. If someone hurts you repeatedly, you are commanded by God to forgive them instantly, but you are not expected to trust them immediately, and you are not expected to continue allowing them to hurt you. They must prove that they have changed over time. The best place to restore trust is within the supportive context of a small group that offers both encouragement and accountability." (Warren, 143)

Day 17: A Place to Belong

2009-05-27T09:03:00.002-04:00

I Am Called to Belong, Not Just Believe

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Romans 12:5 (KJV)

In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5 (NIV)

Question to Consider:
Does my level of involvement in my local church demonstrate that I love and am committed to God's family?
Averagely speaking, yes my involvement demonstrates my commitment - I've attended church when it rained; when it snowed; and on sunny days when everyone else was out enjoying it. I've attended the morning and afternoon services on Sundays, taught youth Bible classes on Tuesdays, attended Adult Bible study on Wednesdays, showed up at meetings on Saturday - but there are often times when my consistency wavers. I get into a mode where I don't want to go - I get tired and I wonder what has happened to my zeal. I desire to be committed, but at the last minute I'll give in to some random excuse and end up staying home. There is just too much to be done for me to keep doing this. I struggle with maintaining a balance between taking care of my family at home and my family at church. Every member of my family is not a committed believer and so I often feel like I'm deserting them when I have to leave them to go to church. I wonder if I'm setting the right example when I give time I could be spending with them to my church.

To God, the simple solution would be: "Put me first, and let me handle the rest." Then I need to remind myself that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me - especially when I am tired and seemingly unmotivated. The key is to continuously pray that God will help me to stay focused and listen to what he tells me, especially when the voices of others are so loud. When I get off track, I need to recognize it, ask for forgiveness, then get back to work as soon as possible.

Important Quotes:
"We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, and formed for a family, and none of us can fulfill God's purposes by ourselves." (Warren, 130)

"For the organs of your body to fulfill their purposes, they must be connected to your body. The same is true for you as a part of Christ's Body. You were created for a specific roles, but you will miss this second purpose of your life if you're not attached to a living, local church...If an organ is somehow servered from its body, it will shrivel and die. If cannot exist on its own, and neither can you. Disconnected and cut off from the lifeblood of a local body, your spiritual life will wither and eventually cease to exist." (Warren, 131)

"You will never grow to spiritual maturity just be attending worship services and being a passive spectator. Only participation in the full life of a local church builds spiritual muscles." (Warren, 134)

"None of us are immune to temptation. Given the right situation, you and I are capable of any sin. God knows this, so he has assigned us as individuals the responsibility of keeping each other on track...If you know someone who is wavering spiritually right now, it is your responsibility to go after them and bring them back into the fellowship." (Warren, 135)

"...God designed the church specifically to help you meet your five deepest needs: a purpose to live for, people to live with, principles to live by, a profession to live out, and power to live on." (Warren, 136)

"The difference between being a church attender and a church member is commitment. Attenders are spectators from the sidelines; members get involved in the ministry. Attenders are consumers; members are contributors. Attenders want the benefits of a church without sharing the responsibility." (Warren, 136)

"God wants you to love real people, not ideal people. You can spend a lifetime searching for the perfect church, but you will never find it." (Warren, 137)

Day 16: What Matters Most

2009-05-26T08:46:00.003-04:00

Life is All About Love

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Galatians 5:14 (KJV)

The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Galatians 5:14 (NIV)

Question to Consider:
Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?
Honestly speaking, as a student I am guilty of not spending enough time with my family and friends. To look at my life, I've spent so much of my time in school. If I had done things right, finished school first, then got married, then had children, I wouldn't have had to do it this way. But I did things out of order and now everything is out of whack because of it.

As of May 10th, I'm done now so I want to get my priorities straight. I don't know how long I'll be without a job, but while I'm home, I'm going to do my best to spend time with the people I care about. The task seems overwhelming because there are so many people, but I'll do my best. Those I can't see in person, I can call, those I can call, I can write and whenever I can, I'll try to round them all up (like on yesterday) and have a family cookout.

To keep my focus - I'll remind myself that time is an expression of my love - without spending time with loved ones, how will they know I love them?

Important Quotes:
"Jesus said our love for each other - not our doctrinal beliefs - is our greatest witness to the world."

"After learning to love God (worship), learning to love others is the second purpose of your life." (Warren, 125)

"Busyness is a great enemy of relationships. We become preoccupied with making a living, doing our work, paying bills, and accomplishing goals as if these tasks are the point of life. They are not...Life minus love equals zero." (Warren, 125)

"The best expression of love is time: The importance of things can be measured by how much time we are willing to invest in them...If you want to know a person's priorities, just look at how they use their time...the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E." (Warren, 127)

"Whenever you give your time, you are making a sacrifice, and sacrifice is the essence of love." (Warren, 127)

"The best time to love is now." (Warren, 128)

Day 15: Formed for God's Family

2009-05-25T08:25:00.002-04:00

PURPOSE #2: You Were Formed for God's Family

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Ephesians 1:5 (KJV)

His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:5a (NLT)

How can I start treating other believers like members of my own family?
Being a naturally shy person, socializing with other Christians was often an awkward task for me, until I realized everyone needs to be reminded of God's love. When we treat each other kindly and lovingly, it allows people to see God in us - in doing so, it reminds them of God's love. It's so important that we strengthen each other in love. Understanding this, I try to make sure I hug and speak to other Christians that I've gradually come to know. I'm not going to say I'm totally over my shyness, sometimes I have to pray through it, but I do so much better when I think about God's love. It's so good I can't help but want to share it with others.

Sometimes, when we share God's love, we never know how much we've uplifted another person - maybe they are feeling down or depressed and that one hug let's them know - just like Miss Celie's kindness let Sophia know - that there is a God!

Important Quotes:
"Because God is love, he treasures relationships." (Warren, 117)

"Baptism is not an optional ritual, to be delayed or postponed. It signifies your inclusion in God's family. It publically announces to the world, 'I am not ashamed ot be a part of God's family.'...Your baptism declares your faith, shares Christ's burial and resurrection, sybolizes your death to your old life, and announces your new life in Christ...It is an initiation, not something you put off until you are spirtiually mature." (Warren, 120-21)

Day 14: When God Seems Distant

2009-05-24T09:06:00.003-04:00

God is Real, No Matter How I Feel

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)

For God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never abandon you." Hebrews 13:5 (TEV)

Question to Consider: How can I stay focused on God's presence, especially when he feels distant?
This chapter has really encouraged my spirit. I have asked so many times, what's wrong with me? I realize sin pushes us away from God and that there's always something that I've done that has made God turn away from me. But often, it seems that I allow myself to be condemned and I focus on that so much that I forget that God's power to forgive is always ample. Yet, I waste time kicking myself instead of asking for forgiveness and then moving on and away from it.

Instead of focusing on my sin and how far I've pushed God away - I need to be praying and focusing on all he has already done for me. I need to focus on his promises and live my life as if my prayers have already been favorably answered. When I feel that nagging emptiness and loneliness - I need to remind myself that the devil is a liar - I'm not empty or lonely because God is always there to watch over me and I'm filled by him. Condemnation is just a trick to make us think we don't have the love of Jesus in our hearts. If I can just remember the very first song I ever learned: Yes, Jesus Loves Me! I will be alright. Hallelujah!

Important Quotes:
"The deepest level or worship is praising God in spite of pain, thanking God during a trial, trusting him when tempted, surrending while suffering, and loving him when he seems distant." (Warren, 107)

"To mature you friendship, God will test it with periods of seeming separation - times when it feels as if he has abandoned or forgotten you." (Warren, 108)

"The most common mistake Christians make in worship today is seeking an experience rather than seeking God." (Warren, 109)

"God is always present, even when you are unaware of him, and his presence is too profound to be measured by mere emotion. Yes, he wants you to sense his presence, but he's more concerned that you trust him than that you feel him. Faith, not feelings, pleases God." (Warren, 110)

"Remind yourself what you know to be eternally true about God: He is good, he loves me, he is with me, he knows what I'm going through, he cares, and he has a good plan for my life." (Warren, 111)

"During times of spiritual dryness you must patiently rely on the promises of God, not your emotions, and realize that he is taking you to a deeper level of maturity." (Warren, 111)

"Jesus gave up everything so you could have everything. He died so you could live forever. That alone is worthy of your continual thanks and praise. Never again should you wonder what you have to be thankful for." (Warren, 113)

Day 13: Worship That Pleases God

2009-05-23T10:26:00.002-04:00

God Wants All of Me

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30 (KJV)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 (NIV)

Question to Consider:
Which is more pleasing to God right now - my public worship or my private worship? What will I do about this?
Because I'm such a private person and I'm kind of shy, that would most likely make my private worship most pleasing to God, because when I'm alone I sing and hum and I thank him out loud. However, if worship is everything we do to bring pleasure to God, then that means that when I help others when I'm tired and go to church anyway when I don't feel like it - this is public worship that is also pleasing to God. When we think of worship as more than just singing, giving thanks, and clapping in church - perhaps we'll realize that there are so many other possibilties for worship and pleasing God.

Important Quotes:
"Worship must be based on the truth of Scripture, not our opinions about God." (Warren, 101)

"Heartless praise is not praise at all! It is worthless, an insult to God." (Warren, 101)

"God-pleasing worship is deeply emotional and deeply doctrinal. We use both our hearts and our heads." (Warren, 102)

"The best style of worship is the one that most authentically represents your love for God, based on the background and personality God gave you." (Warren, 102)

"There is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to worship and friendship wiht God." (Warren, 103)

"If worship is mindless, it is meaningless. You must engage your mind."

"When you praise God even when you don't feel like it, when you get out of bed to worship when you're tired, or when you help others when you are worn out, you are offering a sacrifice of worship to God. That pleases God." (Warren, 106)

Day 12: Developing Your Friendship With God

2009-05-22T08:36:00.002-04:00

I'm As Close to God as I Choose to Be

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8 (KJV)

Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. James 4:8a (NLT)

Question to Consider:
What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to God?

Understanding that I am as close as I choose to be allows me to put things into perspective. It is not God who leaves us, but we are the ones who drift away from him. We don't do it intentionally, it is in the choices we make. When we choose not to do what he asks of us - when we know we should have volunteered to help someone, when we know we have been failing to assemble ourselves at church, or when we know we haven't been fulfilling our ministry at church - these are all choices we make that distance us from God.

I want to grow closer to God, and I even know how - but I get in my own way and I don't practice the things I know. So I will borrow the prayer from the book and pray it regularly throughout the day: "Dear Jesus, more than anything else, I want to get to know you intimately."

Important Quotes:
"If you want a deeper, more intimate connection with God you must learn to honestly share you feelings with him, trust him when he asks you to do something, learn to care about what he cares about, and desire his friendship more than anything else." (Warren, 92)

"God listens to the passionate words of his friends; he is bored with predictable, pious cliches. To be God's friend, you must be honest wiht God, sharing your true feeling, not what you think you ought to feel or say." (Warren, 94)

"Bitterness is the greatest barrier to friendship wiht God..." (Warren, 94)

"Expressing doubt is sometimes the first step toward the next level of intimacy with God." (Warren, 95)

"Unbelievers often think Christians obey out of obligation or guilt or fear of punishment, but the opposite is true. Because we have been forgiven and set free, we obey out of love - and our obedience brings great joy!" (Warren, 95)

"The truth is - you are as close to God as you choose to be. Intimate friendship with God is a choice, not an accident. You must intentionally seek it." Warren, 98)

Day 11: Becoming Best Friends with God

2009-05-21T08:14:00.002-04:00

The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Psalm 25:14 (KJV)

Friendship wih God is reserved for those who reverence him. Psalm 25:14a (LB)

Question to Consider:
What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?

Today's lesson is a reminder of the exact reason why I read this book over and over again - I'm starting to think that maybe I need to start reading it every six months - because I've forgotten this most important lesson: To constantly talk to God - to practice his presence.

Yes, I thank and praise God throughout my day and when I listen to Christian music, I think of him, but somewhere along the way, I stopped having those open-ended conversations with him.

To remind myself, any time I find myself worrying about something - I'll stop and talk to God. Anytime I find myself, feeling a negative mood - frustrated... lonely... confused... tired... bitter... resentful - I'll stop and talk to God. Anytime I feel like no one is listening or cares about what I have to say - I'll talk to God.

Important Quotes:
"When [Jesus] paid for our sins on the cross, the veil in the temple that symbolized our separation from God was split from top to bottom, indicating that direct access to God was once again available." (Warren, 86)

"God deep desires that we know him intimately." (Warren, 86)

"Friendship with God is built by sharing all your lfe experiences with him...You can carry on a continuous, open-ended conversation with him throughout your day, talking with him about whatever you are doing or thinking at that moment." (Warren, 87)

"The key to friendship with God is not changing what you do, but changing your attitude toward what you do." (Warren, 88)

"Because God is with you all the time, no place is any closwer to God than the place where you are right now." (Warren, 88)

"If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate! You just need to switch your attention from your problems to Bible verses." (Warren, 90)

Day 10: The Heart of Worship

2009-05-20T08:27:00.002-04:00

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:13 (KJV)

Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes. Romans 6:13b (TEV)

Question to Consider:
What area of my life am I holding back from God?

The answer to this question is so hard to articulate because, often we don't even realize exactly what it is that holds us back from completely surrendering our lives. I often fail the trials and tests that are sent my way by hesitating to do what others ask of me. My initial feeling is to say "no" to a request, but when I can't figure out why I'm saying "no" I realize, there is no reason - they need my help so I must do what is needed. I do this a lot and I am reminded of the saying that delayed obedience is really disobedience. Yet, it happens to me daily, I reluctantly answer my phone - knowing that there is a request for my services on the other end.

After some reflection, I begin to realize that maybe it is my time that I am holding back from God - which is crazy because it's not my time anyway, but His. He can take it all away from whenever He gets ready. I must remember that each day is not mine, but His, and I should be ready for whatever it is that He has planned for me. I'm going to need continual prayer for this one - but God's grace is sufficient and He is able to work out a much needed change in my spirit.

Important Quotes:
"True worship - bringing pleasure to God - happens when you give yourself completely to God...Offering yourself to God is what worship is all about." (Warren, 78)

"If you want to know how much you matter to God, look at Christ with his arms outstretched on the cross, saying, 'I love you this much! I'd rather die than live without you.'" (Warren, 79)

"Surrendered people obey God's word, even if it doesn't make sense." (Warren, 80)

"You know you're surrended to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation." (Warren 80)

"You were designed to worship God - and if you fail to worship him, you will create other things (idols) to give your life to. You are free to choose what you surrender to, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice." (Warren, 82)

"Put Jesus Christ in the driver's seat of your life and take your hands off the steering wheel. Don't be afraid; nothing under his control can ever be out of control." (Warren, 83)

"Regardless, surrendering is never just a one-time event...There is a moment of surrender, and there is the practice of surrender, which is moment-by-moment and lifelong. The problem with a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar, so you may have to resurrender your life fifty times a day. You must make it a daily habit." (Warren, 83-84)

"When you decide to live a totally surrendered life, that decision will be tested. Sometimes it will mean doing inconvenient, unpopular, costly, or seemingly impossible tasks. It will often mean doing the opposite of what you feel like doing." (Warren, 84)

Day 9: What Makes God Smile?

2009-05-19T08:18:00.002-04:00

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. Psalm 147:11 (KJV)

The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love. Psalm 147:11 (CEV)

Question to Consider:
Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?

When it comes to finances, it really is hard to part with my money especially when it comes to purchasing things for others and paying those extra assessments at church. When I don't know where or when more money is coming from, I want to hold on to every cent. It seems redundant though, because God has done some amazing things for me - it literally seemed like there were times when He actually did open up a window in heaven and poured me out a huge blessing. He has made a way out of no way for me countless times. Yet whenever I get to a point when my money gets low, I start to shrivel. But I must trust him more - he does know what's best for me - and sometimes, if what's best for me is not to have any money, then I'll just have to accept God's wisdom and keep moving.

Important Quotes:
"God smiles when we love him supremely." (Warren, 70)

"What God wants most fom you is a relationship." (Warren, 70)

"God smiles when we trust him completely...Trusting is an act of worship." (Warren, 70-71)

"God smiles when we obey him wholeheartedly." (Warren, 71)

"God smiles when we praise and thank him continually...When we give God enjoyment, our own hearts are filled with joy! ...Worship works both ways...We enjoy what God has done for us, and when we express that enjoyment to God, it brings him joy - but it also increases our joy." (Warren, 73-74)

"God smiles when we use our abilities." (Warren, 74)

"Every human activity, except sin, can be done for God's pleasure if you do it with an attitude of praise. You can wash dishes, repair a machine, sell a product, write a commputer program, grow a crop, and raise a family for the glory of God." (Warren, 74)

"You don't bring glory or pleasure to God by hiding your abilities or by trying to be someone else. You only bring him enjoyment by being you. Anytime you reject any part of yourself, you are rejecting God's wisdom and sovereignty in creating you." (Warren, 75)

"...God doesn't wait for you to reach maturity before he starts liking you. He loves and enjoys you at every stage of your spiritual development." (Warren, 76)

Day 8: Planned for God's Pleasure

2009-05-18T08:26:00.002-04:00

Purpose #1: You Were Planned for God's Pleasure

For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Psalm 149:4 (KJV)

The LORD takes pleasure in his people. Psalm 149:4a (TEV)

Question to Consider:
What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?

If I started cooking as if I were doing it directly for Jesus, it would probably be a more enjoyable activity for me. I have never really looked forward to cooking for my family. It just seems like such a time and energy consuming activity that I often have do at a time when I'm the most tired and with little time left.

If I started cooking as if for Jesus, it would probably also change the things I cook and how I cook them. I wouldn't rush through, just trying to get the food done so my family could eat. I would probably take my time and make sure everything tasted perfect and looked perfect. I wouldn't settle for just throwing it together. I wouldn't settle for the cheapest ingredients, but quality. Maybe I've been missing the point in cooking all this time, if I view it as an expression of love toward Jesus and my family perhaps it wouldn't seem like such a tedious task anymore.

Important Quotes:
"You exist for his benefit, his glory, his purpose, and his delight." (Warren, 63)

"Bringing pleasure to God is called worship...Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship." (Warren, 64)

"Worship is a lifestyle...Every part of a church service is an act of worship: praying, Scripture reading, singing, confession, silence, being still, listening to a sermon, taking notes, giving an offering, baptism, communion, signing a commitment card, and even greeting other worshippers." (Warren, 65)

"There is no such thing as "Christian" music; there are only Christian lyrics. It is the words tha tmake a song sacred, not the tune. There are no spiritual tunes." (Warren, 66)

"Every activity can be transformed into an act of worship when you do it for the praise, glory, and pleasure of God...real worhip is all about - falling in love with Jesus." (Warren, 67)

Question for Further Discussion:
How is "living your whole life for God's pleasure" different from the way most people understand "worship"?

Day 7: The Reason for Everything

2009-05-17T09:04:00.002-04:00

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Romans 11:36 (KJV)

For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory. Romans 11:36 (LB)

Question to Consider:
Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory?
When my kids get home from school with all of their boisterousness from hours of bottled up energy they are usually ready to eat, ready to play - not ready to do homework or chores and I often end up yelling at them to get them going. Usually after things settle down, I find myself tired and zapped of strength, but dinner still needs to be done, laundry still needs to be processed, so many other things to do when all I want to do is crawl into bed and rest...

That is the time when I can become more aware of God's glory. Instead of yelling, I can think of the goodness of God and find a more gentler way to persuade them. Instead of getting frustrated, throwing my hands up and calling for pizza, I can think on the goodness of God and remember that he designed our bodies for much healthier foods. When I want to give up, I can think of the goodness of Jesus and ask myself: What if he had given up?

When I stop to ask myelf the question: Does the way I do things bring glory to God? I often find myself motivated to do things alot differently.

Important Quotes:
"It's all for him." (Warren, 53)

"What is the glory of God?...It is the essence of his nature, the weight of his importance, the radiance of his splendor, the demonstration of his power, and the atmosphere of his presence. God's glory is the expression of his goodness and all his other instrinsic, eternal qualities." (Warren, 53)

"Jesus came to earth so we could fully understand God's glory...we are commanded to recognize his glory, honor his glory, declare his glory, praise his glory, reflect his glory, and live for his glory" (Warren, 54)

"None of us have given God the full glory he deserves from our lives. This is the worst sin and the biggest mistake we can make. On the other hand, living for God's glory is the greatest achievement we can accomplish with our lives...When anything in creation fulfills its purpose, it brings glory to God." (Warren, 55)

"We bring glory to God by worshipping him...by loving other believers...by becoming like Christ...by serving others with our gifts...by telling others about him." (55-57)

Day 6: Life is a Temporary Assignment

2009-05-16T08:34:00.003-04:00

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. II Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:18 (KJV)

Question to Consider:
How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?
Understanding that life on earth is just a temporary assignment has helped to calm the disconcerted and discouraged feeling I get when I see good people suffer continuously and never really get what they've been praying for. When I see them go through struggle after struggle and nothing ever seems to get better - I often find myself wondering why hasn't God answered their prayers?

I've always believed that if you just kept on eventually you would come to a point where you would be rewarded. I got the reward part right, but the rest of that statement needs to include "in heaven." We are so afraid that if we don't get our rewards here on earth, we'll never get them. This only reveals our doubt in God's promises - we must ask to be delivered from our doubts.

This chapter really helped put things into perspective for me.

Important Quotes:
"To make the best use of your life, you must never forget two truths: First, compared with eternity, life is extremely brief. Second, earth is only a temporary residence." (Warren, 47)

"God warns us not to get too attached to what's around us because it is temporary." (Warren, 49)

"In order to keep us from becoming to attached to earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life - longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity." (Warren, 50)

"The abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a career or even in ministry. Never focus on temporary crowns." ( Warren, 50)

"At death you won't leave home - you'll go home." (Warren, 51)

Day 5: Seeing Life From God's View

2009-05-15T08:00:00.002-04:00

Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won'tbe faithful in large ones. Luke 16:10a (NLT)

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. Luke 16:10 (KJV)

Question to Consider:
What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?

Recently, I have been feeling extremely tired and exhausted. Generally, when I'm tired I am easily frustrated and grumpy to be around. Usually I am energetic, positive, and motivated - in other words, I didn't mind spending 3, 4, or even 5 of my days doing something at church; I didn't mind driving people around or helping them. But lately, I just haven't felt like any of it. The breaking point came when a friend of mind consistently called me everyday for two weeks asking me to do some task for her. I got so tired and frustrated by this - I began to feel used and my cheerful goodwill began to dissipate somehow. I just didn't feel like doing anything. I started missing some of those days at church and I just didn't understand what had happened to me.

I've come to realize that it was a test - God wanted to see if I would keep my commitments and stay faithful no matter how I felt. Honestly, some days I failed the test. But others, when I went to church in spite of my exhaustion or when I helped someone in spite of how I felt, God renewed my strength enough to get the task done. Soon after a peace would come over me that let me know - just keep at it... He wanted to see if I could keep my grumpy temper under wraps even when people asked for way more than their share of my help. He wanted to see if I would lash out at them - tell them to stop calling me - or greet them with a smile when I came to their aid.

I realized that because God had entrusted so much in me - that He expected me to share it with others. Because He has supplied my every need, He expects me to do the same for others. He has entrusted my children to me, and He expects me to set a good example for them.

Important Quotes:
"How you define life determines your destiny. Your perspective will influence how you invest your time, spend your money, use your talents, and value your friendships...You may be basing your life on a faulty metaphor." (Warren, 41-2)

"The Bible offers three metaphors that teach us God's view of life: Life is a test, life is a trust, and life is a temporary assignment." (Warren, 42)

"You are always being tested. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment, and even the weather!" (Warren, 43)

"...nothing is insignificant in your life. Even the smallest incident has significance for your character development." (Warren, 43)

"The good news is that God wants you to pass the tests of lif, so he never allows the test you face to be greater than the grace he gives you to handle them." (Warren, 44)

"Our time on earth and our energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships, and resources are all gifts from God that he has entrusted to our care and management." (Warren, 44)

Questions for Further Discussion:
Is the way you manage your money preventing God from doing more in your life? Can you be trusted with spiritual riches?

Day 4: Made to Last Forever

2009-05-14T08:26:00.002-04:00

There is more to life than just the here and now

"This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever." 1 John 2:17 (NLT)

"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:17 (KJV)

Question to Consider:
Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?

Procrastination is seriously the one thing I need to stop doing. It's like I get caught in a time snare of doing nothing. I don't even like 90% of TV shows that come on, but I find myself in front of the television. If not the TV, it's the computer, surfing the net aimlessly. At the time, things like email seem so pressing, then I find myself jumping from site to site. All the while nothing is really getting done. I've got to stop procrastinating and start doing more to help others. There's an endless stream of people who need help, it doesn't stop with my family. If I spent my time trying to make a difference, I won't have time for the TV or the computer.

Important Quotes:

"The reason we feel we should live forever is that God wired our brains with that desire!...Your earthly body is just a temporary residence for your spirit." (Warren, 37)

"God has a purpose for your life on earth, but it doesn't end here. His plan involves far more than the few decades you will spend on this planet." (Warren, 39)

"If you have relationship with God through Jesus, you don't need to fear death. It is the door to eternity." (Warren, 40)

Questions for Further Discussion:
What do you spend my of your time - a nonrenewable resource - doing? What should you be doing?

Day 3: What Drives Your Life?

2009-05-13T08:15:00.002-04:00

"You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you." Isaiah 26:3 (TEV)

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

Question to Consider:
What would my family and friends say is the driving force in my life? What do I want it to be?
My family would probably say that work and school are the driving forces in my life. To some that might sound like a good thing, but my family would probably say that I've put them second to it - and in some ways I have. But what I would want them to say is that she was driven by the desire to help others, to make life a little easier for someone else, to inspire and touch hearts; driven by love. I would want them to say that she was always slow to anger but quick to reconcile and forgive. I'd want them to say I was driven by the desire to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Important Quotes:
"We are products of our past, but we don't have to be prisoners of it. God's purpose is not limited by your past." (Warren, 28)

"Those who have hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold on to the pain through resentment." (Warren, 28)

"Fear is a self-imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be." (Warren, 29)

"When life has meaning you can bear almost anything; without it, nothing is bearable...The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose." (Warren, 30)

"Without a clear purpose, you will keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, churches, or other externals - hoping each change will settle the confusion or fill the emptiness in your heart." (Warren, 32)

Question for Further Discussion:
What do you feel most people's lives are driven by? What has been the driving force in your life?

Day 2: You Are Not An Accident

2009-05-12T08:59:00.002-04:00

"I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born." Isaiah 44:2 (CEV)

"Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen." Isaiah 44:2 (KJV)

Question to Consider: I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?

Despite the fact that I know God fearfully and wonderfully made me, I still struggle with my inability to tell some people "No." They are people who take my kindness for weakness and will use every resource I have until its gone if I let them. I eventually get the the frustrated point where I finally present an excuse to stop them from completely walking over me, but it is usually very painful for me. I understand that there really are no limits to how much you can help someone, however, when someone is greedy, rather than truly needy, they will end up taking from me what I need to give to those who really need it. I see them as sponges who refuse to grow and mature and have no problem taking more than their share.
I know God made me this way because he means for me to do all I can to help those, but I've learned to listen to my heart for cues that tell me where I need to give more or pull back. It's often a difficult task, but with God's help I have come to better understand that He made no mistake when He made me this way. And despite it all, I am grateful.

Important Quotes:
"Your parents may not have planned you, but God did." (Warren, 22)

"God's purpose took into account human error, and even sin." (Warren, 23)

"This poem by Russell Kelfer sums it up:
You are who you are for a reason.
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!" (Warren, 25-26)

Question for Further Discussion:
Up to this point, what image or metaphor has best described your life? A race, a circus, something else?

Day 1: It All Starts With God

2009-05-11T09:43:00.004-04:00

For the next 40 days, I will be revisiting Pastor Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. I will begin each posting with a verse that he encourages us to memorize, then I will respond to the "question to consider" at the end of each chapter, and highlight quotes from the book that either deepened my understanding or simply touched my heart. I encourage you to do the same. If you aren't reading the book, I encourage you to get one and dig in. However, whether you chose to read with me or not, you are still welcome, so feel free to comment on and respond the the "Question to Consider" or any other discussion questions or whatever else moves you. My hope is that you will read something that so fills your spirit that you will have to share it with someone else.
May God bless your day!

"Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." Colossians 1:16b (Msg)
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him" Colossians 1:16 (KJV)

Question to Consider:
In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

It is easy to forget that life is not meant to be controlled by us. It is not for us to do whatever we want with it, but instead to do what God wants us to do with each day. We are often so busy planning our day and assuming we'll have the next day, that we take it for granted so easily. Despite the fact that on any given day, most things often do go our way - whether we realize it or not - we must always remember that things really aren't within our control.

We can forget all we want, but stark reminders often come with the weather - one day it can be so beautiful, sunny, cloudless, and the next no matter how packed we are for a picnic, a storm can rush through and demolish hundreds of homes, destroy property and lives, making our ruined picnic plans seem as trivial as a drama queen's hang nail.

We must remember that despite what we think we want and need - we really don't know as well as God knows what is best for us. We really only figure this out when our elaborate plans for our lives fail - failure in our terms not God's - and we realize that had we not failed, we wouldn't have discovered something better.

Important Quotes:
"It not about you...focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose." (Warren, 17)

"You were made by God and for God - and until you understand that, life will never make sense...life is about letting God use you for his purposes, not your using him for your own purpose." (Warren, 18)

"The easiest way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the creator of it. The same is true for discovering your life's purpose: Ask God...To discover your purpose in life you must turn to God's Word, not the world's wisdom." (Warren, 20)

Question for further discussion:
What do people get attached to on earth that keeps them from living for God's purposes?

7 Days until 5th Annual 40 Days of Purpose Series

2009-05-04T10:35:00.003-04:00

Next Monday you are invited to join me as I begin my "40 Days of Purpose Blog Series". Each day I will be posting my response (and those who have already decided to join me) to the questions posed at the each of chapter. It doesn't matter if you've already read the book or if this will be your first, there is always something new discover.
Every time I read this book, God always reveals something new to me; something I missed last time, or something that I can now better understand since I've continued to grow in Christ. Every year my responses are different, every year my perspective changes. Every year this book refreshes my spirit. Just as my responses differ from year to year, everyone's interpretations will differ from person to person. So I invite you to join me by reading the intro and first chapter with me starting on next Monday, May 11, 2009. We will continue to read a chapter everyday until we complete the book.
I invite you to share you responses with me at the end of each day or week or however often your spirit leads you. Please, join me - don't miss this uplifting fellowship experience. If you don't know where to find a book - there's a link in book slideshow widget located at right of this blog.

The Legs We Take For Granted

2009-04-15T11:32:00.000-04:00

This morning on my way to class, I observed a woman who walked with an abnormal gait. As I walked behind her, I began to pity her. But then I realized, despite her labored shifting from leg to leg, I could barely keep up with her.

I began to take notice of her other attributes: other than her awkward walk she was quite beautiful - she actually had a nice figure, along with thick curly dark hair - but most importantly - she could walk...and fast! This woman was not to be pitied - I was beginning to realize; she was blessed. She could move independently (and did I say quickly?) without the aid of a cane. Although I do realize the difficulties she must have faced as a child and still faces now, I admire her for not giving in during what must have been many hours of physical therapy. I admire her for overcoming what doctors probably told her mother when she was a baby. I admire her for making me realize how much I take for granted everyday. I admire her strength.

Don't Let Your Fears Talk You Out of Success

2009-04-10T10:58:00.000-04:00

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7 - NKJV)
One day I found myself searching through the want ads of the newspaper. I came across a job that I thought would be perfect for me, but I realized I didn't have all of the qualifications, so I decided not to apply. I was afraid that if I was called for an interview, I'd humiliate myself when I had to explain that I really wasn't qualified. So I just said forget it. A while later, I had an opportunity to to present an article to a group of scholars, I new the article needed revision, but I felt that even if I had the time to revise, the article still wouldn't be up to standard. I was afraid the scholars would think I was ignorant and would wonder how I managed to creep in through the cracks. So I left the article to collect dust on my hard drive. I let yet another opportunity pass me by.
I didn't learn my lesson though, I continued to pass up countless chances - I failed to enter a contest because I thought - What are the odds of my winning? I just kept allowing my fear of being unsuccessful talk me out of any chance of ever being successful. It's ironic, but people do it everyday. We are afraid to fail - so we don't try - which is a worse failure because eventally a day comes when we realize we could have made it: I discovered that a less qualified colleague got the job I wanted and everyone who presented their article to the group of scholars received a monetary and scholastic award. Although I don't know what happened with the contest, I realize now that my odds were just as good as anyone else's. I should have tried.
The other day while driving passed a church, a sign shouted these words at me: "You are not a faiure until you quit trying..." Don't let your fears talk you out of your chance at success.

Reading to Stay Positive

2009-04-02T21:05:00.000-04:00

Books that nourish my spirit and strengthen my faith rarely leave my memory. They leave such an impression that I find myself referring to them long after I've turned the last page. Elizabeth George's "Loving God With All Your Mind" is such a book. The remedy for depression and worry are enclosed within its pages. Throughout the book George insists on memorizing and analyzing various scriptures; to refer to them whenever discouragement and doubt began lurk. As a former worrier I came to rely on the scripture she opens with: Philippians 4:8. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things." (NIV)

It's been a few years since I first read this book, but I tell you, whenever I find my mind bogged down with negative thoughts, with worry, or anxiety, I remember this scripture and I am forced to ask myself: Is what I'm worrying about even true? In other words, has it happened yet? If not, then I need to stop going down What If Lane and focus on what is real. Rather than worrying about what I don't have I need to consider and be thankful for what I do have. The point is to focus on what is positive and what is good rather than on negativities. When I find myself drifting into a downward spiral of hopelessness, I start counting my blessings - What would life be like if I didn't even have the blessings I actually do have? I suddenly realize I'm far more fortunate than I thought.

Fifth Annual - 40 Days of Purpose - Join Me!

2009-03-27T20:23:00.000-04:00

Every spring, for the past five years, I reread Pastor Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life: 40 Days of Purpose. Every time I re-read this wonderful book, I discover something new and rejuvenating. I will begin this year's re-reading on May 11, 2009 and I've decided to post my daily responses to this blog.
I really would love to have some company. We could discuss and compare our responses daily and get some authentic fellowship going. If you would be interested in joining me, leave me a comment (or email: ms.keasley@yahoo.com) I promise not to post any comments you would want to keep private. I really would love to have someone join me. Everyone who has read this book knows that this book is awesome! It doesn't matter if it's your first or fiftieth time reading it - I promise you will get what you need from it.

Check out the official website: Purpose Driven Life

Creative Therapy: Relieving Stress Through Art

2009-03-21T20:00:00.001-04:00

The fulfillment that comes from using my hands and creating something beautiful is priceless. Whenever I’m feeling like I don’t know what to do with myself I soon realize, I’m in dire need of a creative project. In order to relieve that nagging void… I need to make something; paint something; sew something; decorate or change…something.

Most people recognize the therapeutic quality of arts & crafts. It’s what nursing homes and mental health institutions call “occupational therapy” – its just a fancy-shmancy term for “arts & crafts.” It truly has the power to take your mind off your problems. There is certainly something soothing about painting…whether it be decorative, artistic, on paper, canvas, wood, or a wall. What a lot of people don’t realize is that in the right mode, arts & crafts can even be a creative form of praise.

You can create beautiful items that can later function as gorgeous reminders of God’s love. You can make scriptures the focus of your piece or you can simply use comforting images that make you smile. I love fruit, butterflies, and flowers, because they remind me of the promises of spring and summer; they are just so calming to me. So I took one of my favorites: the butterfly, paired it with one of my favorite scriptures, and came up with this “Fabric Painted T-Shirt” arts & crafts project.
(Psalm 150:6)
I want to share this project with you because, really, anybody can do it – there are so many options. If you can’t draw, use stencils. Painting really only requires that you be able to dip the paintbrush into some paint and then brush it on the fabric. It’s really that simple. I’ve worked with people who have never done any arts & crafts or painted anything in their life, not even a wall. Yet, with stencils they were able to create a beautiful T-Shirt. Whenever she wears it people are surprised to find out that she painted the design herself.

This is a very inexpensive project. The cost of this project really depends on your personal taste. I didn’t feel the need to have a brand spanking new T-Shirt, so I went to the Goodwill and picked our several $.75 to $1.00 T-Shirts. Surprisingly, these T-Shirts had never been worn, so I got ‘brand-new” quality at “second-hand” prices. Fabric Paint and paint brushes a few bucks a piece.

These are the supplies you’ll need:

Clean, plain T-shirt (color of your choice)
Fabric Paint
Puffy Dimensional Fabric paints
Paint Brushes of various sizes
Cardboard to go inside the T-shirt (should be large enough to stretch the shirt)
2” thick clear tape

Check this site for good deals on arts & crafts supplies:
MisterArt.com Discount Art & Craft Supplies--Up to 75% off!

OR click here to go directly to their Fabric Paints:

Jacquard Neopaque Colors yellow
Duncan Tulip Puffy Dimensional Fabric Paint red
(Be sure to choose whatever colors you wish!)

Instructions:

1. Make sure your shirt is free of wrinkles. Iron if necessary.

2. Place a board inside your T-shirt to keep it from sticking together. Tape your shirt down to keep it in place. This also will give you a firm surface to paint on.

3. You may draw a picture onto your shirt with some chalk or pencil (don't use a marker because it may bleed through the paint). Or you can paint directly onto the shirt or you can choose a stencil. (Stencil: Use tape to keep the stencil from shifting)

4. Use white as a base paint. Fill in your drawing or stencil with white paint.

5. Allow the white to dry a little before adding color on top. (Use hair dryer to speed up the process.)

6. Add color to your drawing or stencil with a paint or sponge brush.

7. Allow paint to dry before adding new colors on top.

8. Once you’ve finished painting your design, use the liner paints to create a “finished” look. Add names, words, or scriptures to personalize your shirt. You may accent your shirt with bright colors or glitter – be creative and remember to enjoy yourself!

9. Allow the paint to set (use hair dryer to speed up the process) before removing the board from your T-Shirt. Be aware that the paint is not completely dry, so do not fold up your shirt or you may ruin your paint. Place it on a hanger or hang over a chair for 8-10 hours before attempting to wear the shirt.

Trade Your Mope for Hope

2009-03-20T21:55:00.000-04:00

I can’t even imagine where I’d be if it weren’t for God’s grace and mercy. Like most of us, before I recognized the beauty and the bounty in God’s will and timing, I often found myself feeling like my mental anguish and suffering would never end. I felt like I was destined to remain in agony – because of course, I had done some awful things in my life, so I was convinced I deserved it. So I often moped and I cried, and moped some more.

When I woke up one cloudy morning in the same place; in the same state of mind, my eyes would burn and fill yet again with tears. I was stuck in a muddy rut and everyday felt the same. I soon began to accept the conditions of my life – I just existed. If I made it out of bed, I only went so far as the couch. Although I was eating and breathing, I wasn’t living. I watched other people live around me and on television. I tried to distract myself from my pain by watching TV show after show, movie after movie, but when the show went off, my pain was still there greeting me, “Thought you could hide, eh?” Reality came crashing down one brick at a time until the full ton was upon me. My troubles taunted me, saying, “You’re doomed ‘cause we’re here to stay!” My broken heart moaned, “You deserve this…” And so went my day, moping along.

Then one sunny day, I took a break from the couch to go get some groceries. A gentle breeze whisked through the trees and its sweet freshness caught me by surprise. I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath. It felt so comforting, I smiled. Moments later I went into the store, happily filled my cart only to discover that my ATM card was declined. Embarrassed and hurt, I left behind the much needed groceries, returned to my car empty-handed. Holding back heavy tears, I drove home as the sun hid behind a cloud. For just a moment I had experienced a pleasant moment, only to have it ripped away by disappointment. I returned to my couch and moped.

Far too much time passed this way, somehow I grew tired of moping. I got tired of listening to my troubles and my woes. I started spending more time off the couch. I started tackling the problems that had been driving me into my corner. I actually took the time to call about my ATM card only to discover that the money had been there all along; the newly hired cashier had pressed the wrong button. I had allowed that one disappointment ruin so many days. I could have kicked myself – my family had gone hungry all because I was too discouraged to fight and too ready to accept my doom. I had allowed my trials to weigh me down and had lost the will to grow. I let my tribulations trick me into believing that things wouldn’t get better - I had stopped hoping.

As I strolled down the aisle and refilled my grocery cart, something hit me. After all the worrying and stressing and crying I had done - all I really had to do was make one phone call and I found out the truth – the money had been there all along and had still been waiting for me even after a week of woe-is-me’s. I simply gave in too quickly, I was a weak and saggy beam that bowed under the slightest pressure. But it was there all along! I kept telling myself as I grabbed an extra bag of Oreos from the shelf – all along! All I had to do was call.

I began to think about the many other times I had found myself in need and hadn’t called out to Jesus. Through all of my troubles, he had been right there, waiting for me to call out to Him. He had been there all along waiting to comfort me; waiting for me to realize that at the end of each day he had provided all that I needed. He had been trying to get my attention that beautiful sunny day, to show me his light and his love, but I was too busy listening to my troubles. He was trying to get me to stop listening to those old tired lies, I was not alone. Even on a cloudy day, the sun is still there. No matter what mood our day may bring – God is still there.

I'm so grateful to authors like Rick Warren and T.D. Jakes who have written inspirational books that can change people's life. The Purpose Driven Life certainly changed mine - I'll never be the same. Thank God!

Music for the Soul

2009-03-16T20:15:00.000-04:00

Young people really do have so many options these days when it comes to Christian music. No longer can we complain that Gospel or spiritual music sounds “old.” While our grandparents’ and parents’ music definitely still is an important and respected influence in our lives, we can no longer give that as an excuse for not listening to positive, soul nourishing Christian music. The music we listen to has a greater influence on our lives than we realize. If we listen to negative or sad music, next thing we know, we start having negative or sad thoughts, when we listen to music that expresses violence and anger, guess what, we too can become angry. If we listen to music that promotes sex, drugs, or other sinful behavior…I think you know where I’m going here. If you are trying to change your life for the better, you have to surround yourself with positive music. You can’t listen to positive music and stay sad…you can’t listen to music that worships and praises God and keep a negative mood.

But let’s be honest, a lot of people don’t listen to gospel music because they think they have to listen to the same music their grandmother listens to, but today, thanks to brave people like Kirk Franklin (who decided to mix R&B music with Christian lyrics) there are now so many positive options for young people.

If you’re not in the mood to listen to music by groups like the Jackson Southenaires or various Mass Choirs, turn on some Mary Mary, Marvin Sapp, Yolanda Adams, or Martha Munizzi just to name a few. They bring us worship and praise songs with a new flavor. They show us that any kind of music can bring glory to God. These artists combine powerful Christian lyrics with music that makes you want to kick off our shoes, snap your fingers, praise dance, jump and shout. If you haven’t heard “Love Him Like I Do” ( Deitrick Haddon, Reuben Studdard, and Mary Mary) or “It’s Raining” from Deitrick Haddon’s Revealed, then you are missing out on some truly creative and radical praise. If you can sit still while listening to “Higher” on The Shekinah Glory Ministries Live CD then you need to check your pulse because you might be dead!

The internet has opened up an unlimited amount of choices. Itunes alone has a long list of Christian music in general, some are what I call “old school gospel”, but there are so many contemporary Christian stations as well. The next time you are on Itunes, try checking out their internet radio stations like “Ensound Radio”, “1.FM – Urban Gospel”, or “The Word 1100”. These stations play Gospel, Contemporary Christian, and even Christian Rap music. You don’t have to own an Ipod to download Itunes and the best part is that it is free! So go ahead and start your day out right with prayer and positive music – you’ll be surprised how much better your day will go.