Make Friends With God

Life is Hard but God is Good

2011-10-11T12:55:00.000-04:00

Not my Will

2009-11-16T16:16:00.004-05:00

Many of you have grown up in less than perfect circumstances. We have all been influenced and shaped by the people who surrounded us during our formative years. I was raised in an alcoholic home where no mention of God existed except as a swear word. I have learned that people who grow up in an alcoholic home have control issues. We seek to control because our home lives are so chaotic.  The child of the alcoholic seeks to bring order and stability (control) to their own lives. I am no exception.

As a teenager, bedtime, for me, was not an opportunity to wind down and drift off to sleep. No, for me bedtime was a series of little trips sneaking out to the living room to check on Dad. You see my father would go to sleep each night in a drunken stuper. I was always afraid that he would burn the house down by dropping a ciggarrette on the floor as he dosed off. Many nights I would find a ciggarrette still burning on the carpet beside him.  After my Dad was in a deep sleep I would take his wheel chair to him (a story for another day) lift him into it and put him in bed. Only then could I sleep.

My life and future seemed hopeless to me. When I was 15 I heard the story of a God in Heaven who loved me so much that He gave His only Son to die for me. When I accepted God's gift of eternal life my whole world changed.  I had purpose now and I knew God had great plans and a wonderful future for my life. For the first time I finally felt loved, protected and accepted.  I wasn’t alone anymore.

God directed my steps to Cornerstone College after high school where I met a wonderful strong man who would become my husband three years later.  We entered the ministry together with a heartful of hopes and dreams. I believed that if I did everything right and controlled the circumstances around me, my family would be protected from harm and our home would always be filled with happiness and joy.  This unrealistic, idealistic belief almost ruined me.

My oldest child entered into full blown rebellion at the age of 13. I was blown away. I could not process the concept of having a problem like this with one of my children. I raised my children in a safe home where they could be free to express themselves. I was there to fill their love cups when they headed toward empty. I connected with each of them and developed a deep bond of trust.  Although I am not perfect our home was a pretty good picture of stability - how could this happen?

In my desparity I pooled together all of my resources and tried to control the situation, thinking, "I can fix this!" I was intellegent, resourceful, had many connections and I thought I had a bit of my own wisdom to draw upon. But NOTHING helped - absolutely NOTHING! My son just kept spiraling out of control. He was wrecklessly speeding down, down a slippery slope where danger and destruction lurked.  I feared for his life, I grieved and cried every single day. My heart was broken and the pain was unbearable but I kept moving forward doing everything in my power to fix him.

It took many years before I finally collapsed and cried out to God "Help me - please reach and rescue my son, my only son, the son that I love more than life itself. I have no other place to turn. I can't do it anymore."

I had finally come to the end of myself and that is when God stepped in.  When I gave up on me God took one finger at a time and released my white knuckled grip on my son. It was definately a God thing because I could not do it. As God helped me release my son to His care and as I took my hands off - I saw miracles begin to take place in his life.

Recently I said to a friend of ours, "It seems God keeps bringing me back to the place where I can't control situations." Brian lovingly said, "Susie, what do you think that means?"   HELLO ... with that simple question the realization dawned. I haven't totally learned to trust and release. I read a prayer in a book called Stepping out of Denial into God's Grace by John Baker and have customized it a bit to pray over myself daily:

Dear God, I have tried to do it all by myself, on my own power, and I have failed. Today, I want to turn my life over to You. I want you to be my Lord. I ask that you help me start to think less about me and my will. I want to daily turn my will over to You, to daily seek your direction and wisdom for my life. Please continue to help me overcome my hurts and control issues that I might be healthy and whole and pleasing in your sight.

With a heart filled with incredible joy, I can tell you that today my son loves God with a Passion. He has a very tender heart of compassion for people in pain. He is wise beyond His years. I see God's hand at work in His life and I stand in Awe. "My God shall supply All your needs." In order to release His Power into life I must surrender my will and inclination to control. The process of learning to trust God completely continues to be a journey away from self-will as I move toward His will.

Potter & The Clay

2009-11-11T17:09:00.001-05:00

God tells us that He is the Potter, and we are the clay. As I visualize the potter at the potter's wheel I see the strong hands forming and shaping the clay into a vessel that is beautiful and useful. I have to admit this analogy really stretches me as I think about what God wants from me. Clay does absolutely nothing but be clay. It does not resist the Potter and it yeilds totally to the Potter's hands. The Potter is in FULL control of the clay and the potters will determines what becomes of the clay.

Throughout my lifetime God has been patiently prodding me to let go of my white knuckled grip on situations and the people I love. How many times have I used my own resources, knack for networking and intellegence to try and solve issues or problems that I needed to go to God for? I'd be embarassed to tell you how many. In so many of my life situations I have come to the end of my resources and myself and guess what? There I find Him, my Lord and my God. He was there all the time waiting for me to take my hands off and allow His miracles to take over.

I thank God that he is faithful and patient. He continues to bring me back to square one and to remind me that He is in control and I am not.

My Encounter with God - Who is God?

2009-09-14T11:39:00.012-04:00

It has been said that a person's opinions and views about God are closely associated with their relationship to and experience with their earthly father. If you were raised in a home where your Dad had a relationship with God, you were most certainly blessed to see God's attributes being lived out daily in your fathers life. But for those of us raised by earthly fathers who had no use or time for God; our picture of God may be warped by an internal impression shaped by how our Dad lived out his life. In God's word, the Psalmist gives us a snapshot picture of the LORD God, the one who loves us beyond our wildest dreams, hopes and expectations.

"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:8-14)

When I heard the incredible news of a Father in Heaven who really cared about me I was only 15 years old. I had always believed, in my core, that someone had to have created me and the complex universe I observed around me. As a teenager I was perplexed and disappointed with life and the seeming purposelessness of it all. Without EVER hearing anything about who God was or the plans He had for my life I sought to communicate with him the only way I knew how. I bowed, face down, and cried out to this God I had heard about. I prayed, "God, if you are real, I just can't believe you would have created me and then plopped me down here on this earthplace and then said, now fend for yourself. My heart longs to know you but I don't know how to find you? Will you please reveal yourself to me?"

Little did I know that soon my best friends father would reveal God to me. One night my girlfriend Debbie asked me over to their home because she knew I had been really down and troubled. After her Dad put the kids to bed that night he said he had something very important to share with me. He opened God's word and spoke words of life to me. He told me that God created me and that He loved me (tears welled in my eyes and the deepest longings to know God squeezed at my heart). Dad Haworth explained that the Lord God is a Holy God who cannot tolerate sin in His heaven. He then showed me, using God's very words, that because God so loved me, He gave His only son to die for my sins (in my place) so that I could live eternally with Him. He told me many, many truths I will treasure forever! That very night I asked God to forgive me for my sins and thanked Him for sending Jesus to take my place on the cross. I then invited Him to be the Lord of my life.

My prayer was answered, my soul came to rest and I was fully at peace. I finally knew that the creator God loved me, pursued me and had a plan for my life here on Earth.

Oh how I love Him who first loved me. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 "How Great is the Father's love that we should be called the children of God" I John 3:1

Taddie Bee Knitting: God's Little Princess Devotional Bible by Sheila Walsh

2009-07-12T15:43:00.000-04:00

Taddie Bee Knitting: God's Little Princess Devotional Bible by Sheila Walsh

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Having Faith in Today's World

2009-06-23T19:41:00.021-04:00

In the uncertainty of these times we need Faith more than ever before. Webster’s dictionary defines faith as “belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust.

Many find it hard to have a belief in something which has no tactical or visual proof. But faith brings purpose to many whom, having not seen, still believe in God. The Bible says in I Peter 1:8 "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." True faith really does fill your heart with a joy you cannot communicate in any language.

Back in Bible times believing in God would mean you would be executed, yet Jesus’ true followers would not deny Him. They had seen the Messiah and knew that He held the power of life and death in His own hands.

People that have Faith do not believe in coincidences. They believe that God works all things together for the good of those that love Him. What do people who have no faith do when disasters happen and their hearts get broken? Without faith it would be easy to feel like a victim of circumstances and to concede with King Solomon as he viewed life, apart from God, saying Meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless.

Faith in a God you cannot see may be a concept hard to grasp. But that doesn't mean it is not very real. It’s like believing in the air you breathe in and are are surrounded by. Although you cannot see faith or the air you breathe, you still believe because you see the manifestations. The manifestations of an extrodinarily intellegent creator, like the air, are all around us and creation sings of His glorious presence.

Belief in God and in an afterlife gives people hope and motivates them to live life on purpose with a purpose.

Go to God

2009-06-17T11:29:00.007-04:00

Life sometimes hits us hard. Circumstances beyond our control can leave us weak and fainthearted. The creator of the world and of you and me knows that our lives here on earth are temporary and our days filled with trials. He left us His word, the Bible, which imparts his strength to carry on and push through. He tells us in Isaiah "But they that wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings as eagles; they will run, and not be weary; and will walk, and not faint."

If you trust in God and you believe His word is truth, you will want to go to His word when you feel weak or discouraged. God's word is full of promises to strengthen you. Have you ever felt lost? When you are in the middle of a difficulty it can feel as though you are lost and that there is no way out. But you are not lost to God. He tells us in Hebrews 13:5-6 “I will never leave you or forsake you” and in Prov 18:24 He tells us that He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. As God's child you can gain strength knowing you are never alone and that God is always with you.

God promises to give us direction when we trust him and acknowledge him in everything. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.”

In Psalms 27:1 we read "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid." As we consider God's word and implement faith we realize there is nothing to be afraid of. God is our strength.

God's word is truth. It is his love letter to you and to me. When we read it we find direction, peace and strength to live the days of our lives.

The Power Words

2009-06-13T11:35:00.012-04:00

Words contain immense influence and have the power to bestow blessings or condemnation. Our mind is the central processor of words. We can choose to fill our minds with words of healing and life or misery and death.

Studies have shown the physical connection between our mind and body. The studies have shown that all the cells of your body are affected by your thoughts. Many people who have struggled with negative, self degrading feelings have changed their lives by changing their thoughts. The book of Proverbs tells us that as a man thinks in his heart – so is he.

It has been said that almost 90% of all sickness is the result of negative thinking. When our minds are filled with fear, worry and stress our body reacts with a multitude of symptoms. When we fill our minds with words that are pure, true, commendable, honorable and wholesome it breathes life into our very being. It also changes the way we view others and think about ourselves.

The Bible is the source book for Christian Themed Texts and in it we find words of life and healing. In Exodus God says “I am the Lord that heals you.”

The Bible will teach you the true meaning of love. Most people have ambiguous ideas about the definition of love. What is love and how can I find love? The secret to finding love is to stop looking for it outside of yourself. Cultivate the attributes of love within and your heart and you will have eyes of discernment to see the same attributes in others and attract a person with the ability to love you back.

God tells us in I Corinthians exactly what love looks like. Some of the verbs he uses are Love is patient, it is kind, love is not selfish, it does not seek to exalt itself, it does not hold grudges, love always protects and never gives up, love never ever fails.

If we want to change our lives we must confront the way we think. Identify all thoughts that are negative, self condemning, judgemental and non productive and then begin to replace those thoughts with words of life which are found in the Bible which is given to us by the author of life, God Himself.

Why Pray

2009-06-08T23:11:00.005-04:00

Praying is the way we communicate with the Creator God. When we pray we are transported from the physical realm into a world that is invisible and eternal. Prayer is where relief, hope, belief and miracles live. Prayer will lift us from the depths of despair into the glorious presence of a God who hears cares and answers.
The Bible is the resource book on prayer. Many passages exhort us to pray. In Phil. 4:6-7 Paul tells us not to worry about anything but to pray and ask God for what we need. God explains that when we do this His peace will fill our hearts and minds. This idea of releasing worry to God and receiving the peace of God is beyond our human comprehension. It is a spiritual happening. It is a God thing! Prayer equips us with the weapons we need for survival during the hard times in life.

It is amazing to note that the instructions to pray come from one who was in the midst of torturous and dangerous days. The Apostle Paul was facing death in Prison and yet he did not give in to despair but looked to God in prayer. As we read this account we catch a glimpse of Paul’s unshakable valor. His circumstances would make the bravest champion loose heart. Yet Paul, in this very circumstance, encourages believers to go to God because "He will fill your hearts and mind with peace."

God exhorts us to rejoice, be gentle and pray. His presence is closer to you than any other. He knows you through and through and yet he loves you and stands by you and will never abandon you.

No Worries

2009-06-03T11:36:00.007-04:00

"Guard ClearThinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive.You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip. You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; He'll keep you safe and sound." Proverbs 3:21-26 The Message

As I read these verses from Proverbs I am struck with the realization of how far I have grown in the Lord. In years gone by I spent so many useless hours worrying about things I could not control. Yes, I panicked and was alarmed frequently, which was not good for me. God knows us through and through and so He exhorts us here in this psalm to Hang on to Clear Thinking and Common Sense. Also -as I read this Proverb today I am reminded that I still have a ways to go. One of the most precious commodities that I value is my reputation. I strive to be a pure and holy representative of the Lord Jesus and I also value my husbands years of dedicated service to Him.

Recently both of our reputations were threatened. A very dangerous and slanted version of a story was spread with only one person coming back to question it. Oh how I suffered and panicked and went to the place of alarm over this. But as He has in the past Jesus once again reminded me of the persecution He faced, of the lies spread about Him and how he told us that all who live godly WILL suffer persecution. Now I am not claiming to be Holy as He is Holy - and we are NOT perfect as He is perfect but He told us we would partake in His suffering. Little did I know, back in my early niave Chrstian days, that it could also mean that 'Christian' people would also believe rumors without hearing the other side.

Years ago Dr. Wilbert Welch told our student Body at Cornerstone College that when you hear a story (as proverbs also teaches) you will be convinced it is true - BUT never, ever make a judgement or conclusion until you hear the other side. Thank God for Dr. Welch as Gary and I have been in many situations, in the Ministry, where we were convinced something was true UNTIL we heard the other side.

I will guard clear thinking and common sense all the days of my life as God enables me by His Holy Spirit. I will also trust my reputation and that of my dear Gary to the Lord who has the final word.

BLESS GOD

2008-04-01T12:43:00.002-04:00

Psalm 103
A David Psalm
1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name! O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing! 3-5 He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence. 6-18 God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet. He showed Moses how he went about his work, opened up his plans to all Israel. God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud. Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here.

God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said. 19-22 God has set his throne in heaven; he rules over us all. He's the King! So bless God, you angels, ready and able to fly at his bidding, quick to hear and do what he says. Bless God, all you armies of angels, alert to respond to whatever he wills. Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—everything and everyone made by God.
And you, O my soul, bless God!

Three Things

2008-03-14T11:13:00.003-04:00

Three Things will change your Spirit Walk

Mitchell challenged each of us to do the following 3 things, out of obedience. Don’t do these things in order to pressure God, there is no making deals here – the idea here is to walk in obedience – God desires obedience more than sacrifice. God says: Is not obedience better than sacrifice. Do what He says!

MATTHEW 6:1-18 – The Scriptures are written at the bottom of this document. They are the basis for this challenge.

1) GIVING ALMS: When you give – Mitchell points out that the scripture doesn’t say ‘if’ but when – assuming that you will – this is a command. It’s not about not about tipping God. The word Alms here means that you look for someone that has a greater need than you do. Those of us that love God need to minister to those in need. There is somebody you know who has a genuine significant need - when you minister to that person it is called almsgiving. We are encouraged to do it secretly – it is best if the person never knew that you did it. Walk in almsgiving. Be ready to Reach out to a needy person in secret and bless them. Become the answer to someone’s prayers.

2)PRAYING – When you pray once again the word is when not ‘if.’ If you are a person that prays on the run or prays very little – this week commit yourself to 15 minutes a day for one week. Whenever you pray talk to God about the things that are pressing on your mind, the things that perplex you. God touches us in our circumstances – remember He is the one who parts the red sea. Whatever your need he will minister. Don’t be like the hypocrite, go into the closet and close the door – the father who sees in secret will reward you publicly.

3) FASTING – When you fast, finally it is assumed that you do fast – this is not radical – it is commanded. If you have never fasted, consciously give up one meal a day for a week. That would be a step toward obedience. Drink water – be obedient. God will honor that behavior of obedience. It’s there in scripture, it’s clear.

If you do this you will break a stronghold in your life. Some provision that you’ve not been able to obtain will be provided for you.

It’s Simply obeying God. These 3 things seem foolish to the world… don’t question His instruction…..just do it!

The message above is based on the following Scriptures:
Matt 6:1-18

Teaching about Giving to the Needy
6 "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Teaching about Prayer and Fasting
5 "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth,as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need,* 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 14 "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
16 "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation

Valentines Day

2008-02-14T10:27:00.003-05:00

Our Story

This blog entry is a recollection of the beginning of a great love story. The story of Gary and Susie Ream.

Gary and I met at Grand Rapids Baptist College. I was pre-engaged to a young man back home and Gary was checking out the prospects. Although I was pre-engaged, I wasn’t blind. After weeks of getting to know people on campus, I had singled him out with great admiration. From a distance I observed that he was very handsome, he was intelligent, he had leadership skills and was firmly grounded in his faith.

During the course of establishing myself, I chose a local Church I could call home away from my home Church. Gary was the song and choir leader at this Church— I was in his choir. The more I saw of this guy, the more I respected him. He had integrity and was kind—he was also a girl magnet. In my opinion this was a guy who would go far in life and although I held him in high regard—I never spoke to him.

As I became more immersed in College life, I began to question the validity of my relationship with my guy from back home. No one knew this—I didn’t even want to admit it. I thought I loved this guy but with distance between us, I began to see some weaknesses that I hadn’t seen before.

One Sunday night at Church I found that, because of an event being held on campus, there were no other College students there. I took a seat, by myself, and waited for the service to begin. A young man came up from behind me and asked if he could sit by me. It was Gary—I was so nervous I didn’t know what to say. I managed to utter a little o.k. When he sat down I didn’t think to move over. Then because I was so nervous—I couldn’t think what to do. I thought— ‘if I move over he’ll think I don’t want him to sit here” but if I don’t move over he’ll think I’m too close.’ As I was frantically trying to decide which course to take, Gary is thinking, ‘what is wrong with this girl? Why doesn’t she move over?’ Just then he looked at my face, which was glowing red, and got the picture. He realized I was in a predicament and didn’t know what to do. To my great pleasure a couple of students rescued me by coming up behind us to talk. I casually ‘moved’ and turned to talk to them.

As we were sitting there Gary pointed to my ring and boldly asked “what does that ring mean?” I had to honestly tell him, “I don’t know right now.” Much later he told me that, weeks before during prayer time, while I was praying, he felt like he was listening to a personal conversation between a girl and her God. He was struck by my honesty and love for God, and so he peeked! After that experience, he decided that he was going to get to know me.

That night, after walking me back to the dorm, Gary sought out his Resident Advisor (RA). He said, Terry I have to talk to you right now. Terry listened as Gary told him that he had met the girl he was going to marry. He told Terry that there was only one problem; I was pre-engaged. He continued, “we need to pray that she will break up with this guy!” It is hard for me to believe that he convinced Terry, but the two of them did pray that night that I would break up with my high school sweetheart. After praying Gary continued to tell Terry that he would give me a pre-engagement ring in 2 years, a diamond in 2 1/2 years and that he would marry me after 3 years.

Amazingly, it happened just as he said. I got the man of my dreams and although life has not been easy, we have had the security of knowing that we have each other, for better or for worse. He is my Valentine and I thank God for his unconditional love for me!
I wish you all a very Happy Valentines Day! My wish for you all is that you know God as the supreme example of the Best Valentine Ever—He layed down His life for YOU—He is the lover and the pursuer of your soul.

For those of you who read this—thanks for indulging me!
Susie

The Game of Life - Part 1

2008-02-06T11:26:00.000-05:00

Laws of Baseball
Presented by Kelly Davis

To be truly blessed with God’s favor – There is a pattern that needs to take place. There is a Pattern of this world and there is a Godly pattern (God’s Standard -where favor falls). This presentation is based on two illustrations. The first is BASEBALL. There is a Pattern to the game and the order of the bases matter. The way we run the bases reflects our spiritual league of play.
Laws of Baseball
The bases stay the same – league of play changes
You must cover all bases in order to score
If you miss a base – you are out!
The game is full of outs/at bats – full of 2nd chances
The pattern or order in which the game is played is applicable for baseball and for your spiritual life. Our maturity is based on how we run the bases. Kelly had us draw a field - I tried to copy it, but the site does not allow, so you'll have to visualize this.
Running to 1st Base
TRUTH - Winning Within
Authenticity
Character
Honest with yourself
Running to 2nd Base
TRUST - Winning with Others
People Skills
Trustworthy
Person of your word
Running to 3rd Base
TRAIN - Winning with Community
Training
Competence
On your way HOME
TARGET - Winning with Results
Target
On Purpose
A Plan
HOME BASE DEPENDANCE (WHERE IT ALL STARTS AND ENDS)
Physical Life: In the beginning of our physical lives, as babies, we are completely dependant and it takes a whole life of growing to mature. Spiritual life: maturity occurs with Dependance on God
In the analogy of baseball imagine what it takes, in your journey through life, to get to 1st base? TRUTH You will find truth is Gods word. Character comes from learning the truth about what God has to say and applying it to your life. You will also need to be truthful with yourself. You need to learn authenticity which comes from character. Are you willing to be accountable and have someone speak into your life – do you have people who can tell you NO and you would listen to their counsel? Find 4 people who are in your life, (people with expertise or experience in the areas where you are weak) to make you accountable in those areas.
Now we are heading toward 2nd base. Once you have built that character – what is it that gets you to good relationships? TRUST – if there is any problem in a relationship there is a breakdown in trust. Do you do what you say you are going to do? If you tell someone you are going to do something and you don’t do it, they learn that they can’t trust you. You develop relationships and community by trust, competence and by being a person of your word.
We’re now running toward 3rd base. It’s time to TRAIN. To get to the results you need to train which develops competence. You don’t get competence by praying – it’s by training. Don’t try it – train to it – gaining confidence is not an overnight process.
From 3rd to home. You can have all the competence, activity and character in the world but you have to cover all bases and in order to score you have to get home. Home is your TARGET. To get to home plate you must get there ‘on purpose.’ Following the pattern – there is a plan for all you are doing.

You can diagnose any problem you are having by going around the bases and seeing what you are missing.
Ask these Questions:
1. What’s your purpose (this is what I want to do)
2. Are you competent to perform this?
3. What do you need (skills necessary to perform that task).
4. How are you going to train for this?
5. Where are your people skills? How much trust do people have in you? If you are trying to lead and no one is following, you are just on a walk!
6. Where is your Character?
When you run according to God’s pattern He will grant favor once you have passed those three bases. In the game of baseball, if you miss a base you are OUT! As in baseball, is you miss a base in life - you need to go back and make sure you don’t miss it next time.
The World’s Pattern goes for results, skipping 1st and 2nd base and going from 3rd to home and back and forth. You cannot skip a base without cheating. The world thinks, “I’m measured by my results.” Sometimes this worldly approach will include 2nd base, but totally skip 1st. To run every base is not only designed to make you successful; but godly.
Example: Politicians often go from 2nd base to home and back and forth they go. Churches often run from 1st to 2nd and back again never gaining competence or results. Then they try to run home. In order to score you need to run all of the bases.
You may begin your business totally focused on what God wants with a clear purpose in mind, willing to run the bases in the right order. Then when God pours out his blessings by giving you trips, cars, public recognition, etc., there may be a pull, a shifting toward results, it is so subtle!

When that occurs your work will become a burden and you’ll say, “all this effort and nothing seems to be happening.” Suddenly this freedom of working from home feels like a regular job with all the pressure. We must keep our Focus on God and living out our lives according to His pattern.

Ask, “God what do you want me to do, to be and to have? When your focus is back on God, you will be doing the same activities; from the outside it looks exactly the same but inside you are totally focused on God working with excellence because you want to please Him.

When we focus on the results – we cheat ourselves. We are not as good at keeping our word, we excuse ourselves, judging others by their actions and myself by intentions.

When you focus on God it totally changes everything. Are you down and discouraged? God may be breaking you down. He may be putting you in a place where you are doing a lot of bowing. In the story of Joseph, even when he was second in line, even though he was leading the country and was over all of his family, he was still bowing to Pharaoh every day. It is an ongoing process. God will strip you of everything that you think is good about you. You may feel like you want to give up. It’s ok, give it up and learn to depend on God. Complete dependence is where He wants you. John 15:5 “Without me you can do nothing.” Most of us don’t believe that – come on, you mean nothing? Our conscious minds need to get in line with that so we will be willing to run the bases according to his pattern.

Here is another layer on this same diamond. There are 3 speeds in Life and you need to be good at all 3 speeds in order to realize your dream. Most people are really good at one or two of these. One is usually more difficult. You have to get good at all three speeds to accomplish your purpose. It takes effort and discipline to do the area that’s not easy for you. Here are the 3 speeds:

SIT - Read, learn and soak it in. You must sit first; it gives you what you need to walk and run. Do God’s purposes for your life. You can’t do God’s purposes with your power. Sitting will build your character. First thing in the morning is best. When you do this first, He gives you the desire to do it His way – everything goes a whole lot better.
WALK - Learning through Community. You need to be great at getting in somebody else’s shoes. RUN - Getting results. Learn to do activities you are uncomfortable with. When you skip the first 2 steps your work is an effort; like a rat on treadmill.

ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES

2008-01-31T22:08:00.000-05:00

ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES

We are pressed on every hand with too much to do and far too little time to do it. We all feel overwhelmed. Today’s topic is designed to bring order and purpose to your business and to your life.

The Bible tells us that a double minded man is unstable in all of his ways. What does it mean to be double minded? It means to be easily shifted; easily changed. It is the person who has a difficult time deciding whether to do this or that. It is the one who starts many things but never finishes.

The opposite of the double minded man is the one who is committed to the process and following it to completion. To begin the process, you must first determine your highest priorities and concentrate on them single-mindedly. You must also identify those things you must do first, last and not do at all. Our ability to say “no” is just as important as our ability to say “yes”.

Develop the habit of setting priorities; if you do, you can accomplish anything you want. How do I begin? Make a short list of the things that matter most. No one else can do this for you. This requires that you get alone with your brain; something that most are unwilling to do. Once you have identified your priorities, ask yourself, “How do I go about that?” If the number one priority of your life is God, how do you bring value to that relationship? How do you make sure that this relationship remains preeminent? What activities do I need to incorporate into my life to insure He remains number one? Ask these questions in relationship to your spouse and to your business…

Consider this question; what exactly are you paid to do? Why does your employer give you a check? Is it because you are lucky or because you know someone important in the organization? Is it because you have so much knowledge? No! You do not get rewarded for any of those things. Your reward is not based on what you know; rather, what you DO with what you know. It is based on the activities you do that add value to the company. In our business, there are two things that will get you that reward.

Spreading the word to new prospects and recruits.
Selling product.

Activities alone are not profitable. You can keep yourself busy by alphabetizing your address book, organizing your office, getting the best equipment or dreaming about how to spend the money, but these activities will not bring you success. Jim Rowan has said that every activity should be quantifiable. Chart your progress by creating a small box in your daily calendar with your measurable goals. For instance, “I will tell 10 people about my business opportunity.” At the end of the day - mark your results in the box. The law of the harvest tells us that we must sew in order to reap. By marking your goal and recording the results, you will have a measurable, visual picture of how this comes to pass. You will see that your success is based on your sowing. If there is no seed - there can be no harvest.

Most people are trapped into letting someone else set their priorities. Do you want to be independently wealthy; successful? You must take responsibility for setting the priorities that will lead you to success and wealth.

Once you have identified and are concentrating, single mindedly, on your priorities, ask yourself, “What can I alone do, if done well, that will make a real difference and get me the results that I desire. There are many tasks in life that you might enjoy doing but that could keep you from reaching your goals. You may like to work in the garden or manicure your lawn, but the time that you take to do those things could be used to reach more important priorities in life. If someone else can do it, as good or nearly as good as you can, let them do it.

How do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be remembered as the man with the nicest yard or as the man who loved his wife and was the best dad and grandpa in town? Determine your priorities then you will be able to make deliberate, calculated choices & plans that will take you to your goal.

What can I do to add value to my priorities? Could I read; study; learn something new; follow-up on leads? Ask yourself, “Is this the most valuable use of my time right now?” if not, stop! Go back to those activities based on your priorities for yourself and your family.

Choose one task at a time. Discipline yourself to do that, and do that alone, until it is 100 percent complete. Your ability to stick to a job until it is complete can change your whole life. Great success is not easy but it’s not complicated.

The information Mitchell shared today was inspired by a chapter in a book that he encouraged us to read. He said this book is full of powerful principles and can be used as a reference guide. That book: 21 Secrets of Self Made Millionaires By Brian Tracey

Permission to Persist

2008-01-21T22:19:00.000-05:00

It's been a week since I posted. I had another opportunity to listen in to a presentation by Mitchelle Tolle. I was struck, once again, with the simplicity and truth of what he had to say. I hope you too will benefit from his words.

As Mitchell introduced his talk today with the title, Permission to Persist, my first thought was, ‘why would we need permission to persist? Isn’t persistence a virtue, something we should go after, a mark of true character?’ Although it surely is a virtue, everything in our fast paced society goes against it. If option A doesn’t work right away; let’s jump to option B. As a person commits to one endeavor there’s a multitude of other opportunities whizzing past him. It is good to hear – you have permission to commit, to settle in, and then to persist in order to achieve success.

Mitchell explained that persistence is a quality that separates those that succeed from those who do not.

Calvin Coolidge said that nothing can take the place of persistence – not talent, not genius, nor education. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent (not above God but in the things that direct the activities of men.)

The most common barrier to persistence is fear. The single greatest obstacle to success, in the adult life, is the fear of failure. There is a fear that is legitimate. A child is equipped with some legitimate basic fears; the fear of fire and of falling. Most other fears are taught to them by adults. Fear carried to extreme is an incredible obstacle which can paralyze us.

The fear of failure is not unique to you. Everyone fears failure. We all are afraid of setbacks, making mistakes, loosing it all and falling into poverty. Fear can keep us from success, even when it is deserved and within the range of possibility. Failure is NOT the obstacle; it is the ‘fear of failure’ that stops you. If you allow failure to be your teacher it will make you resilient.

It is interesting to note that those that have nothing, those who are most desperate are often those that find success. Why?, because they have nothing to loose. If you have little to loose it is easier to push past fear and go about the process of finding success.

Thomas Watson, founder of IBM said “Double your rate of failure. That’s where you’ll find success.” Success lies just on the other side of failure.

To overcome your fears you need to identify the things that are shaking their fists at your success. Face your fear of failure. Once you’ve identified the fear, attack it head on, walk straight into it absolutely determined not to give up.

Walt Emerson said to make a habit of doing the things you fear most. If you do the things you fear; the death of fear will occur.

Strive to be acknowledged or identified as an individual of persistence. Nothing can take the place of your commitment to keep on keeping on.

Know in advance that you will experience trouble and adversity. Jesus said, in this world you will have trouble. Someone has said “One inevitability in life is reoccurring crisis.” You will have a hard time in this economy. The folks that ultimately become successful are those that know trouble is coming and they bear down and push on through. Persistence is one quality, more than any other thing, that will guarantee your success.

What you need in order to persist and find success is:
An unwavering belief (the evidence that you believe is that you are pesistent)
Desire – desire success more than ease and comfort
Vision – believe it is reality; picture it as though it has already happened.

If you don’t believe in your endeavor you can be sure it is being manifested in your day to day behavior. You cannot hide it. If you feel you are beginning to waver; you need support, put yourself in touch with fellow believers.

Trouble is common. Anyone that is going to succeed has to overcome obstacles. We are responsible for ourselves; failure is not an option. No matter what the world does we must push through fear and persist. God is not surprised when trouble comes. He knows what we are able to handle, he knows we are but dust. Before trouble came knocking at your door, it first crossed the desk of a sovereign God. Now, stay put until the trouble is over and learn what you need to learn; get every lesson this experience affords. Do not run away when things get tough. When the vision is clear and undeniable – you have an opportunity to overcome.

Become known as a person that persists; one who doesn’t give up. Every day is a challenge, look for new exciting ways to persist. Surround yourself with people that believe you will achieve; people who can persist and hang with you. In order to attract people of belief you have to be a person that believes. Like attracts like.

Storms are a part of life
You may be in the midst of your own personal storm - may we find you rowing.

Orthopraxis

2008-01-13T14:15:00.001-05:00

This is not the direction I had planned on taking with this blog. But, it is where I am at personally, being challenged by God and the Holy Spirit to give my all to Him. Of late, I have been challenged specifically by recent messages and talks I have had the privilege of hearing and benefitting from. So I am journaling and learning and sharing. This blog is the result of today's message by Pastor Duane - He is a man of God and an AWESOME Bible teacher.

Orthopraxis - Luke 4:31-34
Orthopraxy is a term derived from Greek (ὀρθοπραξις) meaning "correct practice"

Jesus is the smartest man that ever lived. When He talked people were astonished at His teaching. He spoke with such authority. When He spoke, He didn’t give a consensus. He spoke with wisdom and authority that no one else had. He sometimes contradicted the wisdom of the day – He lifted the Bar. Example: Matt. 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Jesus said don’t even let your thoughts go there. He took a teaching that they had accepted and he lifted the bar.

In the New Testament the people called him teacher, master; meaning almost like a professor. When Jesus taught he really didn’t teach on the subjects of religion, history, biology etc., He taught about LIFE – your life. Every one of us is building a life. When He taught He did not compartmentalize your life. Jesus does not recognize that you have ‘many parts’ in your life. He does not see you as having have a religious part, normal part, business part etc.

He sees you as having ONE life. Knowing something about the creator, and Doing something with what you know, is what He wants from you. If all you do is ‘know’ the facts or the truth; you have failed the test because there is no benefit in you knowing unless you do what he says. Knowing the right answer doesn’t matter to God. It is not like college or high school where you just need to know what is taught to pass the test. Heb 5:9 once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him NIV. If you know and don’t do what He says – He is not the author of eternal salvation to you.

In Luke 6:46 Jesus asks: "So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say? 47 I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house; it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins." NLT

In the preceding verses we see an example of a person who hears and obeys – he dug deep and layed a foundation on the rock. When the floodwaters rose they could not shake that house. He who heard and did nothing is like the person who builds on the sand. To build on sand is easy, comfortable and just kind of falls into place. When the floods beats against this house it collapses. To hear and obey is not easy. It is like building on a rock - it is hard – it is not comfortable – it does not conform. You conform to the rock - the rock does not conform to you. Jesus said you need to conform to the rock because storms are coming - it’s a part of life. As you build your life you are building your house. So what is this ‘rock’? The rock is hearing and doing, it is unconditional obedience.

The culture of the 60’s with the Beatles and drug culture still influence us today whether we are aware of it or not. It has slipped, somewhat, into the Church. Some people have made Jesus the drug of choice. They have an experience in worship or an experience of prayer. They reduce Christianity to a feeling or a high as in the drug culture. Christianity is not about a high or a feeling. It’s about doing what Jesus taught and its about Jesus being the Lord of your life and obeying what He says. He says forgive; you forgive; he says, have compassion for the poor, the single mother, the widow etc. and you do what Jesus says.

In Jeremiah 25: the Lord has a controversy with the nations. The nations want to rule themselves, to do it their way; that is the condition that will ultimately lead to Armageddon. If, as an individual, you know the word but you are not doing it, God has a controversy with you. Christianity is about the King and the Kingdom.

Luke 6:46 Jesus says, do not call me Lord, Lord and not do the things which I say. Many of us base our faith on the verses we know; we even have them underlined and memorized. We have this collection of verses and when trouble shows up; we just start throwing all our verses at the trouble. We have our Bible and think it is like a lucky charm or rabbits foot and when we use it in this way and it doesn’t work; we are shocked when nothing happens. The truth is, we know the verses but we are not really living by the words Jesus taught. The real Christian life is not knowing a couple of verses and throwing them at trouble. It is unconditional obedience to Jesus.

The way of the transgressor is hard – you can learn that in 2 ways – transgress and get bit. Or you can listen to Jesus and say I believe that and I’ll live that.

God wants a relationship with you. He wants you to listen to what He says and not be worried about others. Example: Luke 12:13 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." This man made the classic mistake – listening to Jesus for somebody else. This is the origin for the ugly Amen which has to do with either tone or timing. Example: When the preacher says, 'if you don’t shape up you are gonna end up in Hell' and someone shouts AMEN - you're gonna burn brother! Now that is UGLY. Do not sit in Church and look around for so and so, thinking 'oh boy – he needs to hear this!' Jesus does not want to talk to you about your brother, he want you to listen and obey what He says to you.

Jesus seldom says what you think he is going to say. In the conversation with the man in Luke 12, instead of talking to his brother – Jesus begins to talk to him. He says, I really want to talk to you about your greed, your pride, your self righteousness and lack of self control etc. He admonishes him telling him that money is not the goal of life for the Christian. The promises of prosperity for the believer are true – but you can have a bank full of money and not have an abundant life -Why? Because your life does not consist of the abundance of things. Jesus says the abundant life is to listen and to do.

Christianity is absolute surrender to Jesus in every area of your life. When you draw near to God He will draw near to you. Knowing and believing is the first step John 1:12 says ‘As many as receive him (to receive him is not in part - it is receiving All of who He is and what He came to teach you and do for you) to them he gives the right to become the sons of God.’ Obedience is the evidence of a new life in Christ.

Responsibility of Life

2008-01-07T18:43:00.000-05:00

Today as I listened to a call by Mitchell Tolle (great american artist/author and inspirational speaker) I saw crystal clear how our lives are a series of choices or lack of them leading to success or defeat. Mitchell said that everyone has a choice in life. We can make it happen or let it happen.

He used the Gardener to illustrate focus, discipline, diligence and responsibility. In order to have a beautiful garden it will take all of these charecteristics. A gardener’s focus is always on the flowers and he will be vigilant every day to rid and to yank out any weed that creeps in as an intruder. If the gardener were to let the garden go for a month he would have an arduous task ahead to free the garden of the weeds. Nobody wants to face that much weeding. It is the same with life and with business – you face it a weed at a time never letting the intruders accumulate or grow under your feet. As soon as one weed pops up – you get rid of it and yank it out. This is time management at its simplest at its very best. The greatest success will come when we take responsibility for the minutes in our lives. Whatever success means for you and your business, ultimately it is up to you to make it happen.

Make it Happen – These are the Victors – These are those who live life on purpose with an intentional plan. To make it happen you need to segment your life into manageable chunks of time. We need a step by step plan and then to take responsibility for executing that plan. The real truth to success is done moment by moment doing 100 seemingly insignificant things day after day – being faithful. Eventually successful minutes become successful hours which become successful days which adds up to a successful life. The truth of success is what you will do in the next 15 minutes. 15 minutes is a manageable chunk of time which will allow you to go from thoughts to execution to follow through.

Let it Happen – These are the Victims – These are those who are in the ‘pre-launch’ place in life. They may have lots of dreams but they have no plan and no follow through. These are the people who are always looking for the ‘great opportunity’ the ‘magic bullet’ the ‘secret to success.’ They always have people and situations to blame for their lack of success. Procrastination is the great enemy of success. We are inclined to neglect what we can do in this15 minutes – and this 15 minutes then becomes an hour which becomes a day which eventually becomes a life style.

The disciples ask – ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’ Jesus taught them to say, ‘give us this day our daily bread.’ You can’t handle a week or a year at a time – only this day.) Mitchell exhorted us to pray early before the day begins. Ask God to help you and as you pray begin each day saying, ‘Lord, TODAY, give me the wisdom, energy and blessings that I need to live my life on purpose, making it happen.’

Fasting

2008-01-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

Gary and I have experienced an awakening in our spirits as a result of a sermon by Pastor Duane last Sunday morning. Pastor Duane presented a new term (to us) at Church on Sunday morning (orthopractix - spelling?) meaning that it is not enough to believe - your belief must lead you to do the right thing. Christianity is a kingdom being lived out through your life.

He used orthopractice to lead us to consider the practice of fasting in the scripture pointing out that it is a practice in the Old and New Testaments.

Gary and I had to admit that fasting was a practice we read about and knew about; but had never made a regular practice in our lives.

As you study the scriptures you will see that fasting is usually connected to and preceeding some type of break through. Pastor Duane used Mark 9 and the story of the demoniac that came to be healed. The disciples asked why they couldn't heal him - Jesus answered 'this type can only come out by prayer and fasting.'

Fasting is a discipline - a denying of the flesh to connect with your creator. In I Cor. 9:27a Paul explains it this way, 'I (the real you that lives inside the body) discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. ' NLT Your body will try to dominate your life and when you give in you are living by the flesh not the spirit. Duane explained that the body wants to be satisfied and pampered and that the soul wants to be entertained and amused. When you fast you must bring your body and your soul into subjection. They must not have control. The real you chooses to discipline itself. Fasting allows your spirit to become strong. Duane stated that the only way strong addictions or perversions can be overcome is by fasting. As you say NO to your body - the body with SCREAM - 'I'm gonna die - feed me,' as you say NO the spirit rises up.

Isa. 58:7 states that when you fast you are to take pity on the poor. We are not to hide ourselves from anyone or announce that we are on a fast - it is between God and you. It is a time to search your soul and get rid of bitterness and to forgive.

4 reasons for fasting:
1) God puts it on your heart
2) You want to draw near to God and see breakthroughs in your life
3) When it is called for by political leaders
4) When it is called for by spiritual leaders

Seed for thought - words for discussion - feel free to chime in.

The Need to Connect

2007-12-26T14:36:00.000-05:00

As I grow 'older' I recognize the value of friendships and connecting with family and friends. With our busy lives I don't always reach out and share. I have so many (more than I deserve) valued friendships. Many of my friends know each other and many of my family know my friends. So, I came up with the idea of bringing you all together to have a place where each can share and blog your thoughts whenever you feel like it. As I understand the set-up of a blog, others can join too - making more friends.

Our Christmas was awesome our 3 children and families were here as well as Gary's 94 year old mother. My grown 'boys' did the cooking for our brunch. It was fun to take pictures and enjoy the playful banter knowing that this is an occasion to build memories. At one point one of the boys said - hey 'how come Gary's getting out of this.' I replied - 'you don't want Gary cooking' he does most everything else - he is gifted with multiple talents - but cooking is not one of them. Gary spoke up and said - 'I'll do the clean up,' and he did! The girls all helped with clean up and they also helped with the evening meal.

Our younger grandchildren tried to put on a Christmas Pagent for us (so funny as the oldest of the group is only 8). It was a riot! I finally asked Mekenzie (8) Renee & David's Daughter (one of the twins) if she would tell the Christmas Story. I was amazed at her vocabulary and her accuracy as she shared the Christmas Story with everyone.

My favorite memory was of our grandson Brandon (2 years old) using a saw, from one of his new presents (a tool box), to practice sawing on Uncle Dan. Daniel,using tons of exaggerated emotions, pretended to be frantic as he was attacked by the saw. Brandon started belly laughing and was so animated and covered with unforgettable smiles that his joy spread to everyone in the room, young and old, so that we all joined in a heart happy burst of belly laughter.

I trust you all had a blessed Christmas and have built some memories of your own. Please feel free to blog and keep up with us and each other! Love, Susie