CAN YOU SEE CLEARLY?

A friend of mine read my post about getting my eyes checked and related to having glasses that haven't worked for years. She decided to have her eyes checked and found her glasses were totally wrong for her eyes.

It turned out, she got contact lenses and one eye alone now sees 75% better than before! Can you believe that? When she looked in the mirror, she saw herself for the first time in years. The funny thing is she had to remove some make-up because, with her blurred vision, she had been wearing too much!

This made me think about vision. Where do I suffer from blurred vision? How many of us are looking at life with blurred vision?

Many things cause blurred vision...

-Distractions pull our focus away from what is important.
-Busy schedules can slowly change our focus from vision to what is urgent or demanded of us.
-Spiritual dehydration: not getting a daily dose of the Word can cause vision drift.
-Success can cause us to let up on reaching for the vision.
-Not having priorities in place

"Where there is no vision, the people perish; but happy is he who keeps the law."(Proverbs 29:18) Without a clear vision, we will die inside. Our energy will be be zapped and our spiritual fervor will wane. I know, when I lose focus on the vision, I begin to work and work just to work. I start to treat life like a big to-do list and not the purposeful, God-given blessing it is.

When I began working out in the gym, I cut pictures from a magazine so I had a realistic vision of where I wanted to be. Now, I am training for a triathlon. It's a goal I can clearly see. I know when I have achieved it and what my daily routine needs to be for success.

When we read God's word and ask Him to bring the vision for our lives into focus, He does just that. He begins to show us glimpses of a strengthened marriage, a fulfilled life, obedient children and so on. The key is to make the time to seek Him, daily.  He'll continue to show us the next step and equip us as we journey.

Begin to gain God's priorities (God, spouse, family, ministry and work). If you find yourself running around like a chicken with your head cut off or the tail is wagging the dog, begin to take control of your schedule. Don't allow your schedule control you.

When we do this, we thrive.  Our passion is stirred, our purpose secure and our vision is clear.

REST A WHILE

Mark 6:31, “And He said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while’." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.”

In an era where “hyper-tasking” is normal, it is easy to overlook the value of rest. Part of honoring God with your body is getting the appropriate rest. In this scripture, Christ recognized that the focus of His disciples had been serving and helping. He instructed them to find a quiet place to rest.
How do you find time to rest in the middle of a busy schedule? Find a place and make the time. Go to your big chair, your couch, your porch or stop by the river and sit near the bank, and just relax.

IF I SWALLOW A SEED, WILL A PLANT GROW?

Did your mom ever tell you, "Don't swallow the seeds or a plant will grow in your stomach and start coming out of your ears?"

My mom did and when she did, she was usually talking about a watermelon seed.

I am sitting at my counter eating cherries and yep, I swallowed a seed. As ridiculous as the whole plant growing in your stomach thing sounds, it was the first thought that came to my head.

Were you ever told funny stories like that?

OUR PLACE

Isn't this cool? I think someone actually stayed in it this weekend.

Jeff and I took a road trip, a few weeks ago.  We took the time to drive through our old "stompin' grounds..."

During our four year stint in Ellensburg, we lived mainly in college housing. We were privileged to live on a 1,700 acre ranch for two of the four years. Here is a picture of the mobile home we lived. It was a great time! Jeff fed cows in the snow and I worked in a tanning salon. He was hot at night and I was cold!

Our home overlooked the mares with their babies. At night, there were no street or city lights shining. We looked at open skies full of stars. I remember having the youth over to our place and having fun on the ranch.

Thanking God for that season.

PROPELLED BY DESIRE

I was out on the lake the other day and saw several ski boats and jet skis. Kids were screaming with joy, men were blowing off steam and all were enjoying the sun and speed. Just like a ski boat is propelled, our lives can be propelled. Propelled by desire. The opposite is true, as well. They can be paralyzed...paralyzed by fear.

2 Tim 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power (strength, abundance) and of love (affection) and of a sound mind (self-control, discipline).”
Hebrews 13:6, “So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Fear paralyzes us into holding back on desire. For example, the fear of success. What will people say about my lifestyle change? What will I do with the attention? Will I be able to uphold this? God has created you for success and to fulfill the desires of your heart. You are equipped with the tools to handle everything that comes your way.

Fear of failure paralyzes, as well. The verse in 2 Timothy speaks clearly to this fear. It is not of God. When taken head on, God gives a great grace to overcome it.

As you go about your day, allow your desire to propel you.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to all our amazing mothers!

FIT BITS

The body has an amazing ability to adapt. When living an active lifestyle, I am sure you are like me and want to get the maximum benefits for the work you do. The Overload Principle is a key component to take into consideration with any exercise regime.

The Overload Principle is the application of demand or resistance that is greater than those encountered in normal life. Simply stated, it means that the body will adapt to the stress placed upon it. The more you do, the more you are capable of doing. In order to continue to see results, the body must have a gradual increase of demand or resistance.

This is how training works. The concept works both in cardiovascular and weight training. Cardiovascularly (aerobically), you must push your body to do more than it is used to. When this happens, the body will adapt by increasing its endurance in the heart, lungs and cardiovascular muscles. Thus, seeing increased capacity as well as efficiency. When training for a cardiovascular event, a gradual overload must be placed on the body.

In weight training, muscles adapt and grow when they are forced to overcome resistance they are not used to.

Here are some additional ways to “overload” the body:
-Increased resistance to stair climber, bicycle or other cardio machine
-Increase weight, time, incline or accelerated speed in running, bicycling or other cardio machine
-When weight training: increase weight, force, sets and repetitions

This increased overload can occur weekly or as determined by your trainer.

Remember, it is always important to warm up, use proper technique and cool down when exercising. Consult a physician prior to beginning any exercise program.

Thanks, Katy for requesting fitness nuggets. I'll do my best to keep them coming!

CHERRY TALLY

Are they here yet???  I'm so ready to eat cherries.

11 THINGS I KNOW, NOW

Last year on our anniversary, I received two dozen roses from Jeff. I remember when we first got married, we only afford for 1 rose for several years. Jeff used to say, "One day, you are going to get one rose for every year." What a sweetheart! This year I was blessed with two dozen!

Even though twenty-two years is a seemingly short amount of time compared to the very rare silver and gold anniversary couples, I want to share a few things I know, now.

1. I know when clothes are on the floor, their dirty and when their on the bed, their clean. I grew up a neat freak. After years of frustration with clothes spread about the house, Jeff and I came up with this system. It works great!

2. I know when things don't go my way, I go over Jeff's head. I must be a praying woman. Ephesians 6 tells us that this life is a spiritual battle, not a flesh and blood battle. I can give my opinion or perspective to Jeff but then I don't nag...I take it to God. If it is His will, He will surely cause Jeff to see the truth. But we all know our husbands are rarely wrong.

3.  Jeremiah 9:20 says to let the women teach their daughters to wale or pray. I need to be passing on the legacy of prayer.

4. I know to speak to the king in my husband. Whatever man I speak to is the one who will grow.

5. I know the beauty on the inside is more important than the beauty on the outside. 1 Peter 3:1-7, we are daughters of Sarah. My husband must be able to trust my character. I cannot be easily angered with him. Why? Because the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. A woman with strong character is not weak but powerful enough to hold back her strength. For those has not yet found Christ...1 Peter 3:1 tells us that even if my husband does not serve Christ, my actions will be a witness to him. (Okay, that was totally free!)

6. I know I cannot deny the outward beauty. Paint the barn! It needs to be taken care of.

7. I know God is my source, not my husband. Emotionally, there is no one stable enough to fulfill my every need, dry every tear and mend every hurt. That is the job of a supernatural God Who wants to be that person for me.

8. I know I am my husband's only legitimate source for intimacy. 1 Corinthians 7: 3-5...read it! I must meet his intimate needs. I am the only person in the world who can meet those needs. If I am not meeting his needs, I am responsible for his temptation...Wow, that's a doozy!

9. I know my tongue is Jeff's source of encouragement. I don't need to tell him what he does wrong. I am not my husband's judge, God is. There is enough in life to deflate him. If I tear down my husband, I am tearing down what I want. I cannot affirm him enough. Even as I type, I am eating off of his blue plate. Why is it blue? Because he is my champion and I am his biggest fan!

10. I know we have different gifts but we are equal in person.

11. I know I am not subject to PMS and neither is he subject to its effects!

LOVE, ACCEPTED...ADOPTED

I am reading my friend Kaia's story about a Russian adoption, she and her husband are in the middle of. I pray great grace and faith for them.

After 11 years of praying, believing and waiting each month to see if I was pregnant and having two adoptions fall through, I am so overwhelmed to think of our blessed daughter, Seven and all God brought us through.

I remember walking into the nursery, meeting this baby who didn't have a home and looking into those baby blue eyes. The agony, feeling as if we were on the 24th mile of a marathon, waiting to see if the birth-mother would change her mind. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

Today. I am thinking of the decision God made when He sent us His only son. Did He know He would be beaten and bruised for me? Even if I rejected Him? Yes. Did He know I would need a home, to be accepted, loved...adopted (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:4-7)? Yes. He has been waiting. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Waiting for you and I. Loving, deeply moved with the though that we would become His child. Adopted. Wow!

I am so thankful.

I NEED MORE...

"I need more toys and playgrounds in my life." That's what my friend told me yesterday. I love it! It is so easy to lose the laughter and the pursuit of fun. What part of Life says boring? Our experience? The news? The thought of math class? (Sorry, Mr. Baker.)

Jeff went river rafting awhile back. He is such a great example of determining your atmosphere. When He is playing, it's BIG play.  He can be in the darkest circumstance yet always draws on God, the source of his joy.  The source of his strength.  Jeff is serious about life, God and people but every room is still his playground!

What one thing can you do today that will effect your atmosphere?  Is it music, speaking positive, something creative?  Do it.  Determine your atmosphere.

Find your fun today.

DON'T MESS WITH MY STUFF! part three

Why don't we pray (cont.)?

As I mentioned earlier, this study on prayer comes from many different studies, books and wonderful men and women of God. These questions about prayer were asked by my pastor, Pastor Gini.

5. We do not see instant results or the results we want.
(Isa. 55:8-9), Romans 11:33-36, Ps. 37:3-8)

The Bible says if we want to be a disciple of Christ that we must take up our cross daily and follow Him. Saying no to ourselves and saying yes to Him daily. This is called spiritual maturity. His will becomes our will and as a result we become less and less demanding, asking for fewer things outside His will and more and more prayers get answered.

6. We have greater confidence in our ability to work things out on our own.
(1 Cor 10:12, Prov. 12:15, Romans 6:21, Eph. 5:6-10, James 1:22-25)

we are trained from a young age to make things happen, to figure things out and make a life for ourselves, on our own. In contrast, as we grow in God, the more we realize, the less we can do in ourselves. We can't do anything of eternal value apart from Him. Everyday we make an exchange, our weaknesses for His strength. His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. This should take place in our daily prayers. Truly, we cannot do anything without Him.

7. We do not understand the significance of our investment in prayer.
(Ps. 133:1-3, Matt 18-16-20, Lev 26:7-8)

There is significance and value in our prayers. When we pray, we make an investment in eternity. However feeble, you will reap interest in your investment. It is not our efforts that create life. it is God's anointing and grace on those prayers. many times we feel inadequate, devalued, or the inability to speak the right words, but we will still reap interest from our prayers. We are a vehicle of the Holy Spirit. You are a vessel through which the prayer flows.

Proverbs 15:8, "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight."

Matt. 21:22, "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Even in your unbelief, ask God to help you and you will see the doubt dissipate.

Your prayers are necessary for God to move on the earth, your prayers are vital to your spiritual maturity your prayers are powerful for healing the sick and your prayers are effective in winning the pre-christian.

GOSSIP HIDES IN THE SHADOWS

I heard Rory say, "Gossip hides in the shadows." Wow. That is so true. I believe when we confront it in love, it can no longer hide.

The key is "in love." Confrontation shouldn't be done to expose one person as wrong and another as light but to humbly reveal truth and give opportunity for change. Then, move on with forgiveness.

Really, the reason we gossip is because of insecurity. We feel (sometimes unknowingly) if we can expose someone else or cloud their identity, it will make us look better or give a common cause that binds us with someone.

DON'T MESS WITH MY STUFF! part two

It is time to begin our journey through victorious living and overcoming the enemy.
Check out Part One if you haven't read it already.

One of the ways we overcome the enemy, protect our stuff (I mean our life) and gain revalation and grace is through prayer. God has given us power in our prayer. God hears our prayer, He answers our prayer, He admonishes us to pray daily and He taught us how to pray.

If so then why don't we pray?

1. We do not feel worthy to ask God for anything.
(1 Timothy 2:1-3, 1 Peter 2:5, Ephesians 1:3-7)

It is not by our works that we are made worthy. Apart from Jesus, none of us are worthy. The Bible says "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." God sees us as spotless through the blood of His son, Jesus. Stand up and pray!

2. We are not sure that God really hears us when we pray.
(Ps. 10:17, Ps. 34:15, Ps. 145:18-10, Prov. 15:29)

The Lord hears us when we pray. As times, when it seems we cannot break through with our prayers or have few answers to our prayers. It could be the consequences of asking amiss. The Bible says, "you have not, because you ask not, then when you ask you ask amiss." When we pray, we must pray the will of God. How do we know His will? We read His word. it is His will. God hears our prayers, every one. He answers every one with either: yes, no, go or slow.

3. We do not know how to pray or feel we have anything to say to God.

(Jer. 33:3, Ps. 142:1-2, Matt 6:9-13)
This scripture in Matt is what we could call a "blueprint" to prayer. It is not a magical phrase but a model Jesus taught for daily prayer. As we get more proficient with this model, the less we need it. Daily prayer is self-centered. Praying for ourselves initially sounds selfish but the truth is, we need to pray more for ourselves, not less. As we pray about our attitudes, circumstances, thoughts, relationship, etc. we are changed and our heart is aligned with the will of God and our mind is renewed. We are free of personal burdens and wins so we can pray successfully pray for others. Unless we petition daily, we cannot be proficient in intercession for others. Unforgiveness and sin serve as blockages to our prayers. With unforgiveness and sin, God cannot hear us or answer prayer.

4. We fear we might become obligated to God not to sin.

(Eph 2:8-10, Heb. 12:28, Rom. 5:19-6:2)
We think that we must produce to be loved or accepted, therefore, if we pray and ask God for anything we are obligated to repay the debt or favor with religious activity. God doesn't want religious activity, He wants our whole life. God gave wholly to us when He gave His only Son. We didn't earn it. The same way, we ask by grace and He answers by grace. Grace is the ability and the desire to do the will of God. We define grace as God's enabling power but it is more than that. The definition implies God changing our heart so we want to do His will. That's the miracle!

SEEK WISE COUNSEL

Proverbs 18:1, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment."
Psalm 1:1, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful..."

It's often difficult it is for us to seek counsel or feedback from others. Why is that? Is it because maybe we'll hear that someone doesn't like something about us? Maybe we don't want to hear we need to work on an area. I know there are many reasons.

Whether it's parenting, career, relationship, spiritual or natural areas, we can learn from others' perspectives and experiences. The Bible tells us that we are blessed not when we walk with the ungodly but when we seek counsel from the wise. Blessed, not cursed. It also admonishes us to not isolate ourselves.

As a pastor and life coach, I am here to listen and give a Biblical perspective. God has called and anointed me to do this. It seems so simple but have you heard the line, "You can't see the forest while standing in the trees?" Sometimes we just need an outside perspective.

I have made the decision that instead of trying to work things out on my own, I am going to seek wisdom from my pastors, life coach and wise counsel around me. After all, we are doing life together aren't we?

DON'T MESS WITH MY STUFF! part one

God has been asking me to write this series of posts and I am finally saying..."UNCLE, I'll write!"

I absolutely love it when God asks me to do something but let me tell you what I hate. I hate it when the devil messes with people's stuff (when I say stuff I mean life). I hate it when a person doesn't know how to stop the devil from messing with their stuff and when a person doesn't know how to prevent the devil from messing with their stuff. I hate it when a person says the devil is messing in their stuff but it is really because of disobedience on their part. Get the drift (as my mom would say)?

I have heard several stories of people feeling the devil has messed with their stuff, family or friends in the past month. Too many. My blood doesn't boil when my things get messed with but when it comes to those I care about...that gets me fired up! Enough is enough! I am going to begin a series on the power of prayer and the authority given to us by Jesus Christ. We are going to talk about the stuff the keeps the devil from rootin' around where he doesn't belong.

We are going to walk through...
-Why People Don't Pray
-How to Pray
-The Authority Given to us
-Types of prayer
-Other benefits of prayer
-Plus further insights I have to share

Listen, I cannot begin to scratch the surface nor do I profess to know everything there is to know about prayer. I am just going to highlight some key areas and lead us both down a journey in gaining wisdom, refreshing our knowledge and/or just plain stomping on the enemy's head!

We're going to tell the devil, "DON'T MESS WITH MY STUFF!" Not only that, we are going to release God to work in our lives in a powerful way. Because, I don't want to spend my time giving recognition to the devil; rather, I want to talk about all God has done for us and the amazing power and keys He has provided us in order to live the John 10:10 abundant life which is our inheritance!

Prayer is hope in God, not optimism. There are many optimistic people without a prayer life. You are not putting hope in spirituality or chants but in the Almighty, the Abba Father, the Mighty God.

It is not about our faith in our prayer but our faith in God.

The will of God is always done in Heaven. When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He said, "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." Prayer becomes the umbilical cord to God's will. You can experience in your house what's going on in Heaven.

Psalm 115:16, "The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's, but the earth He has given (assigned) to the children of men."

God has given dominion of the earth to us. He did it and He won't take it back. He has chosen to work through man, not independent of man. Your prayers are important and crucial to the hand of God moving on the earth.

Pastors, in my life have taught me a lot on prayer. I LOVE to pray. Everything I do and everything that happens at The Rock is birthed and sustained through prayer. It is through prayer, we received grace.

Here are some scriptures to get us started...
Proverbs 15:8, "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight."

Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seek finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

Matthew 21:22, "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Luke 18:1, "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart."

1 John 3:22, "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."

On overload yet? Good! We haven't even started! Let God overwhelm you with His goodness, hope, faith, joy and so much more. Just this once, let go of what you THINK you're gonna experience and Let God surprise and surpass it all. He's just that kind of God.

I pray that through our journey, God reveals to you the power and importance you hold in His kingdom.

I'll see you in part two...