Developing a Friendship with GOD

WE have the FREEDOM to fly safely to & from the PALM of HIS HAND

Welcome to this glorious day!  It is a beautiful Spring day in New England…a little overcast but I will take it.

Today’s topic continues on our friendship with GOD.  The main point to think about is that we are as close to GOD as we choose to be.  I never really gave that much thought until now, yet it makes perfect sense.  

We must work at developing friendships and any relationship that thrives needs:

• DESIRE…a yearning to get to know that person, to nourish and enable the relationship to grow.  We MUST desire friendship with GOD above all else. We MUST intentionally seek it.
• TIME…by spending time together.  We MUST establish habits & skills to make the most of our time with GOD, however…it MUST be out of LOVE ad NOT DUTY.
• ENERGY…having a proactive status in the relationship, moving forward to reach out and communicate with that person OFTEN, using energy to spend with that person, having one on one time as well as thinking about them throughout the day.

God wants us to TELL everything to HIM, to be HONEST with HIM. HE KNOWS what we are thinking and what we have done…many times by saying what we are feeling helps us heal & grow.  Jesus is the “friend of sinners”  He chose us long before we chose Him.

God wants us to TRUST everything to HIM.  There are sad and bad times in life and I agree that it really stinks!  Rick Warren says that “Bitterness is the greatest barrier to friendship with GOD.”  When things don’t turn out the way WE planned, we have a pity party. Sometimes people stay in the pity party for a lifetime…missing out on all GOD has for them.  Instead of allowing the trials to shape them into what GOD has uniquely PLANNED for them …they become BITTER.

GOD wants us to CHOOSE to obey HIM in FAITH.  JESUS says in John 15:14, “You are my friends if you do what I command you,”  We obey because we love HIM and know HE has our best interest at heart. When we obey, the Bible  says, “YES, Your JOY will overflow!” John 15:11

GOD wants us to value what HE values…like with any relationship.  It is important to care about what is important to our friends.

And I think HE wants us to have FUN with HIM!  Like the times with my earthly Dad…we would just spend time together and laugh.

I can remember when I first met my husband, Michael…we would spend hours together just talking and laughing.  I do admit it was easier in the beginning when everything was new, however the relationship still has magic BECAUSE we DESIRE to spend TIME and ENERGY in keeping it a PRIORITY!

That is all GOD wants.  He wants us to want HIM.  To DESIRE to spend TIME and ENERGY on HIM! We are as close to HIM as we choose to be.  We don’t need to be perfect.  All it takes is desire, time and energy.

DAY TWELVE: THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSE  (Taken directly from the “The Purpose Driven Life” by Pastor Rick Warren, page 99)

“TODAY’S FOCUS:  Developing Your Friendship with GOD

POINT TO PONDER:  I’m as close to GOD as I choose to be.

BIBLE VERSE:  ”Draw close to GOD and HE will draw close to you.”  James 4:8a (NLT)

QUESTION TO PONDER:  What practical choices WILL I MAKE TODAY in order to grow closer to GOD?”

LORD, I pray for a desire to want to know you more—more intimately, more passionately, to be more joyfully seeking YOU.  To be FULLY ENGAGED in YOU,  I CHOOSE to be closer to You.  Teach me YOUR WAYS.  Amen

Reference: ”The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, 2002 Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, pages 92-99

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Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself

HE WILL make something BEAUTIFUL of MY LIFE!

I have made many mistakes in my life. I have done things that I should not have done, said things that I should not have said, and I have remained silent when I should have spoken. All of these things haunt me.

My finite mind tends to look backward, longing to undue some decisions I have come to regret…like not being involved in a church when my children were younger, like not making them come to church with me when I went to church, like letting what others have said to me in error stop me from following the path God has laid out for me. It makes me feel as if I am a complete failure. It sometimes blinds me to all I have done right and freezes me to do what God has called me to do.

I have come to know that this is a complete waste of time and energy and it only leads to frustration.

So instead of wallowing in my pity party of mistakes, Jesus tells me to release all my mistakes to Him. I wish to look to Him, to Trust in Him…to know and look with anticipation at what His infinite creativity can weave… a beautiful tapestry using both my good and bad choices.

Because I am human, I will continue to make mistakes. My failures can be a source of blessing, humbling me and giving me empathy for other people who struggle…maybe a tiny reflection of our Shining Savior.

Failures can also highlight my dependence on Him…JESUS, HE WHO LOVES US MOST. He is ABLE to make beauty out of my messes. I am WATCHING with anticipation and TRUSTING HIM to see what He will DO…HE WILL MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL WITH MY LIFE…AND YOURS TOO!

My inspiration & Reference: Jesus Calling Inspirational Calendar by Sarah Young, May 9

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What Makes God Smile?

Traveling Together, sometimes along a winter road…

Welcome! As I sit here typing, I am basked in sunlight. It feels so warm against my back. We have just endured another New England winter storm with about 6 inches of new snow. I watch the birds in the feeder and it makes me smile.

Remember what is it like to make someone smile? A parent, spouse, child, friend or even a stranger…it is so satisfying to make someone smile. Most times it doesn’t take much..just a desire to please another above all else.

Have you ever wondered what makes God smile? AND would you believe it is YOU who makes Him smile?! I know, it sounds crazy that the Creator of the Universe would take the time to focus on you & I and that we can make Him smile. So what does it take??

Let’s find out as we continue to journey together to find our purpose in life according to what our Creator says.

Here is Day NINE of “The Purpose Driven Life” by Pastor Rick Warren

DAY NINE: THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSE  (Taken directly from the book, page 76)

“TODAY’S FOCUS:  What Makes God Smile?

POINT TO PONDER:  God Smiles when I Trust Him.

BIBLE VERSE:  ”The Lord is pleased with those who worship Him and trust His love” Psalm 147:11 (CEV)

QUESTION TO PONDER:  Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust Him most?” I need to Trust God with the direction of my life, to go where He sends me…knowing He has equipped me abundantly to do His Will.

Here are the treasures I found from DAY NINE:

God smiles when we LOVE Him supremely.
God made me so He could love me…He wants me to love Him back.
God smiles when we TRUST Him completely.
Trust Him knowing He knows what is best for my life.
God smiles when we OBEY Him wholeheartedly.
Do whatever He asks without questions, objections or reservations. What God looks at is the attitude of my heart. Do I want to please Him most of all?
God smiles when we PRAISE & THANK Him continually.
Thank Him with heartfelt praise & appreciation for Who He Is.
God smiles when we USE our ABILITIES.
He wants me to use my abilities & talents.

“There are NO unspiritual abilities, just misused ones” Rick Warren page 75

“I have no right to argue with my Creator. I am merely a clay pot (and a cracked one, at that!)shaped by my Potter. The clay pot doesn’t ask, “Why did you make me like this?” Isaiah 45:9 (personalized by me) Yet, I ask and I sometimes compare my gifts to those of others. It makes My father sad to think I am unhappy with what He gave me. Anytime I reject a part of myself or long to be something else, I am rejecting God’s Wisdom & Sovereignty in creating me…

Every human activity, EXCEPT SIN, can be done to make God smile, if it is done with an attitude of praise.

Using MY gifts & abilities with a happy heart makes my Daddy smile 🙂 You CAN make Him smile too…

Reference: ”The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, 2002 Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, pages 69-76
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Seeing Life from God’s View

What is your life? James 4:14b (NIV)

Welcome to DAY FIVE fellow traveler!  

This journey is about finding our purpose in life according to what God says. DAY FOUR I was reminded that there is more to life than the here and now…Heaven awaits those who believe and trust in JESUS. Day FIVE was a tough one for me to sort out…so it took me a few days. You see, I have made a life of running ahead of God. Only half listening to Him and running with a project, then wondering why it didn’t work out. I was seeing life from my point of view…looking through a peep hole while God sees the BIG picture.

Here is Day FIVE of “The Purpose Driven Life” by Pastor Rick Warren

DAY FIVE: THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSE  (Taken directly from the book, page 46)

“TODAY’S FOCUS:  Seeing Life from God’s View

POINT TO PONDER:  Life is a Test and a Trust

BIBLE VERSE:  ”Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones”  Luke 16:10a (NLT)

QUESTION TO PONDER:  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?”

Here are the treasures I found from  DAY FIVE:

The way we see our life shapes our life. Do we view our life as a gift? Are we making the most of every day, every opportuity to share good will? Are we wisely investing our time, treasure and talents?

According to the book, Rick Warren says, “Life on earth is a test” So I wonder…am I being a positive influence on those around me? Especially when things are NOT going my way…
Rick Warren goes on to say, “Life on earth is a trust” Do I trust God when I don’t understand what is happening? When big heartaches are dragging me under and when I feel I can barely breathe and I want to scream about unfairness…

So what about a test in my life?
One of my recent tests came in the form of something I had been hoping for for a long time. To recapture something I had given up. I thought it was so perfect. I was being pulled back into a world I could no longer conform to.

Romans 12:2 (TEV) says, “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of the world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God.”

I could feel the pull, oh so innocently and at the same time I was presented with things in my path that made me realize I am no longer the person I was. That perfect opportunity was not as it seemed. My choice was to get out of that situation and as I walked away…I felt a sense of perfect peace…now I know why.

The greatest matters that God has entrusted to me are my children. They are my greatest blessings and I love them unconditionally. I know I have made mistakes. However…God is faithful and I trust Him to help my husband and I to raise them to also Trust in God and pass lifes tests with Kingdom colors flying.

What has God entrusted to you? Have you had any tests lately?

Reference:  ”The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, 2002  Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, pages 41-46

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To coach is to serve, to serve is to succeed—TRUST

#1 Principle

The foundation of Principle-Centered Coaching is built on five core principles that present an image of the kind of coach I want to be. 

By following these five principles found in “Build it Big” by Direct Selling Women’s Alliance, I strive to cultivate a supportive, safe environment in which my team will flourish.  This is principle number one.

The Principle of TRUST: An environment of trust is defined by faith, confidence and belief in your team—and to KEEP a confidence.  Trust is the basis of meaningful, healthy relationships and MUST be present to create openness, learning, and growth.

Building trust takes time.  Spending time with and really getting to know your team is crucial.   This CANNOT be faked.  Anything that is of value takes time to nurture and that is especially true with relationships. Be a trustworthy friend and mentor.

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Reference: “Build it Big” by Direct Selling Women’s Alliance, Dearborn Trade Publishing, page 140