Kimber Britner

Fueling the Flame

2010-07-18T00:13:00.002-04:00

In pregnancy you don’t actually know what you’re having until you deliver and still you don’t know the exact nature of your gift until it matures. Each of us has the seed of greatness resident within us. Some intentionally watch over their gift to see it birthed into its greatest purpose. This requires faithfulness and consistency, just as parenting takes deliberate, consistent attention to raise a child.

What are you doing to nurture the gift within you and see it come to maturity? What do you do to keep the gift within you ablaze?

Every flame needs a good dose of wind to keep it fueled. Your gift is connected to your passion. Wind upon a flame will ignite passion and cause it to burn brighter.

The best way to keep a flame ablaze is to fan it. One way to fan a flame is to engage in delight-led activities, rather than duty-led obligations. Duty-led activities can be spotted where ever there is a "should." “Shoulds” quickly douse vision and passion like a cup of cold water on a fire.

What are two things this week you will do to fan your flame? Remember this doesn't involve things you think you “should” do, but rather activities that are sure to ignite your passion, vision and creativity.

This week I plan to fuel my flame by giving myself time to work on a writing project. When I write I loose myself in time. Even when I spend a whole day writing, my flame is fueled, not starved. What will you do this week to fuel your flame?

Abundance Is An Inside Job

2010-07-11T13:34:00.005-04:00

Kim George the creator of Abundance Intelligence™ said, “Abundance is an inside job.” The Abundance Intelligence concept is built around the idea that abundance is measured by our ability to be who we truly are. In contrast the ultimate scarcity mentality is seen in resisting who we are, and being held back by the limitations surrounding who we THINK we are. This kind of scarcity in perceiving ourselves to be less than we truly are is shaped by life events that create our own story, or script about who we believe ourselves to be. The life we live is built around what we think and believe at the core, not just what we think we believe!

Many struggle to comprehend that we have the divine embedded within us, and instead choose to live from the place of past failures and insufficiency. Many times we choose to focus and give power to our own weaknesses and brokenness, rather than the greatness we posses, because of the divine signature resident within each of us.

In the famous words of Jesus we hear the exhortation given to the paralytic: “Rise and walk.” We can receive the same encouragement to rise into the greatness of who we were created to be, moving out of the places that have kept us stuck, and paralyzed and into our fullest capacity. If abundance is an inside job, what is holding you back in the way you think, and believe about yourself?

Misbehaving Hues

2010-07-05T12:21:00.004-04:00

Most people would probably say they don’t care for loose ends, but would rather maintain a world that’s free from sharp edges and smooth like a frosted cake. I for one love it when my desk is clean and all clutter has gone out with the trash. However, life and people are not so easily rounded off, or contained!

Have you noticed that no matter how hard you try, your heart can’t be made to keep up? You’re head may be able to line life up like a battalion of tin soldiers, yet your heart is the straggler teetering on the edge of resolution, when your head says move-on. Your heart is willing to be wrong, while your head demands perfection.

Once I made my daughter the most spectacular, yet exasperating, heart shaped, rose covered birthday cake, and then retired forever from cake decorating! The effort it took to decorate that cake did not come easily for me. I was never able to get the pink icing perfectly consistent and smooth. Instead it revealed slight imperfections and variations of hue. Yet I poured my heart into that cake, and made it with every ounce of love within me.

Life is much like that cake and so I try to soothe by head when it wants perfection. Now I don’t work as hard to smooth out the bumps and sharp edges of life; instead I try to accept the variations that pop up in every bite of life, as exotic hues and flavors. I would like to be one who welcomes those sometimes misbehaving hues, as much as I do a flavorful piece of cake. What new hues are you redefining and learning to accept in your life?

Posing on the High Dive Only to Land a Belly Flop

2010-06-18T11:50:00.005-04:00

Remember in school when we had to write papers entitled, "My Summer Vacation," or "My Greatest Achievement?" Well, today I rewrote a paper in my head entitled, "My Greatest Asset."

It occurred to me that my greatest asset might not be what Strength Finders totes as an activator. I realized that perhaps my greatest strength and possibly yours is being a fool!
Here is why: after recently feeling that I capsized an opportunity to impress, I found myself tickled by my over the top ability to strike a pose on the high dive and quickly descend into a belly flop.

You may think I’m being self deprecating, but really I am not. You see after a friend said she adored my childlike innocence, I decided to reframe my belly flop knack and call it a gift! Maybe her comment was really just a nice way of saying I’m a dingbat, I’m not sure? However, I do hold evidence of probably being one of the only waitresses who managed to break the cork off of wine bottles I was required to open table side at what was once Los Angeles’ trendy Mustache Café. Or ask my friends about the bowling party where I approached the lane, over stepped my landing and performed a perfect split!

You see, I am learning to use my blunders as opportunities! What better time is there to play it up big, laugh at myself and not take life so seriously? Really, I’m not competing for the Presidential office!

When recounting my assets, I’m definitely voting for my ability to perform ludicrous feats off the high dive at inappropriate times, but hey at least I’m diving! I see the mileage I can get out of this as I turn every faux pas, or awkward trip down the red carpet into an opportunity to mine for humor and fun.

A spoon full of humor makes like a heck of a lot easier to swallow! How is your humor threshold? Do you also display an unusual propensity for belly flops? How can you turn an uncanny knack for humiliation into an opportunity?

Living Like A Toddler

2010-06-16T14:22:00.004-04:00

New seasons are not only a time of exciting exploration, but a time of grasping for new footing around unfamiliar turf. We all know that toddlers move from infancy to master rolling over; pulling oneself up; and standing; yet still strive toward the greater advancement of walking; running; and ultimately leaping over new heights.

As adults what makes one person willing to engage the risks of life, while another runs from it? I believe the willingness to face risks is coupled with a toddler-like sense of adventure.

Many of us avoid risks because we have no lexicon for situations, or surroundings that are unfamiliar to us. However, expanding into new territory and adventure is laden with discomfort and risks. Quite simply we would never step outside our own back yard if there was not the exponential value of new possibilities awaiting us. New discoveries and risk coexist.

I remember the angst my daughter experienced eating lunch alone for weeks in her new school cafeteria. She had no lexicon to process the transition from the old into the new, which included the awkward experience of having a boy and his posse hit on her during her first eighth grade lunch period. In toddler like fashion she grew and discovered new things about herself and her ability to take risks and adjust to new environments and situations.

My world is currently full of new toddler challenges, and although there may be days that I choose to stay in the shallow end of the crib, one thing is certain, if I want to walk, run and ultimately leap in my new environment, I will be forced to pull up like a toddler and collide with risk.

Long Live Play Dates!

2010-06-14T14:37:00.001-04:00

When people gasp about our seemingly impractical move to Los Angeles, the following verses ring in my head.

“The spacious free life is from God, it is protected and safe.” Psalm 37:30 MSG

“An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny; an obedient God-willed life is spacious.” Proverbs 15:32 MSG

Reaching for a spacious life, rather than settling for status quo is what makes me come alive. This is the faith road that like Abraham, many have pioneered before me.

When we buy into an undisciplined, fear led life that has us scrambling for crumbs, we live anchored to the immediate, overlooking the possibilities that may be available beyond our sight. Faith absolutely requires discipline and intention to step out into the unknown, beyond what we can see. Fear does not.

Have you looked around and noticed that there is a whole lot of settling going on, producing puny life, not spacious life? Where have you settled for the familiarity, status quo, or comfortable living, rather than the spacious wide-opened-God-vamped life?

One ingredient that will keep us from stagnating into a comfy cul-de-sac mentality is the notion of living life as a play date! What better way to handle joy killers, naysayers, and even adversity than to find a sense of adventure hidden in the mix of every situation.

A person that looks for adventure in every circumstance is a person living a spacious life, and one who is enjoying the ride, no matter what the ride involves. Are you living life like a play date, or are you more comfortable with the puny life?

Where Is Your Hook Up?

2010-06-07T12:06:00.000-04:00

Living for two weeks in a world without Internet has caused me to focus my attention on another powerful communication connection. While Internet providers have the ability to charge for their in-demand services, the hook-up I’m speaking about is absolutely free. However, it is only available to those who avail themselves to an inside hook-up.

Some call it intuition, some call it providence. I call it a God-connect. However, without awareness and faith this connection is powerless. Yet, it is necessary to apply a further crucial step when it comes to bringing the information you receive through this powerful line from the invisible world into the material.

Here’s an example of what I am talking about. After working to move into our new digs here in Los Angeles, the family became quite parched, so I walked to a near by restaurant to purchase thirst quenching drinks. As I walked away from our place and turned the corner I read a bold proclamation that says, “Safe and Secure” high above the street on the side of a building.

Only a few hours earlier as my son Sam and I waited to apprehend the keys to our new place I noticed scads of activity coming and going down our street. I blurted out to Sam that I believed what I saw was a drug house. I blurted out a quick proclamation/prayer about the safety of our street. Later that afternoon when our family walked by this particular house on our way to dinner, we noticed that a crowd of policemen had gathered during a drug bust. Interestingly LA’s finest are not the only ones concerned about the welfare of the city. Even higher forces care about the city’s warfare. And we have the ability to get connected with that force and speak God’s highest intention into our environments.

I am not taking credit for the drug bust; however I am offering the idea that we can get on board and align ourselves and circumstances with divine purposes by speaking into being what is not as though it were.

Here is an illustration of an earlier situation that transpired a few days before that challenged me to be mindful of the words I speak. While enjoying the refreshing breeze at a beach side restaurant in a Santa Monica, I retold the story of my husband and son Josh’s previous restaurant nightmare, during their trek to Cali. While stopping to spend the night with my Dad, the famished men enjoyed dinning out until the waitress approached their table and dropped their meals on the floor in front of them.

As soon as the disastrous story escaped my lips, to my chagrin our Santa Monica waiter reenacted my very word as I watched my sisters egg brunch slather across the floor! Immediately I recognized the warning and covered my mouth in horror.

You may not think yourself so powerful, but have you considered that maybe you are more than a passive passenger on this ride called life? What if you actually had the invitation to be partners and co-laborer with God? What if you had the choice to speak words of life, rather than words that tear down? I challenge you to watch for the signs. You might discover an invitation to your own God-connect where you too can get hooked-up?

Laid Bare

2010-05-25T10:09:00.005-04:00

Fourteen years ago, as a young widow and mother of four, I watched as men avoided me like the plague, dodging, and running for their lives! Understandably an environment with such intense emotion, and oodles of children would send many men hiking.

However, there were a few brave soldiers that could stand the heat; amazingly Mark, the man who became my husband; a bold pastor friend; and one man whose impact on my life went unnoticed until I moved out of town and said my goodbyes.

This man was my doctor for fourteen years, during the season when male presence was definitively lacking in my life. Every year during my annual exam my doc attentively sat on his examining stool sincerely inquiring about the ins and outs of my life. As crazy as it sounds this phenomenon actually caused me to look forward to my annuals, not so I could place my feet in the cold metal stirrups while baring my body, but because his kindness made space for the baring of my soul.

When I told the doc my family and I would be moving across country, we both smiled and acknowledged the loss we would feel, like a teacher missing a student who graduates to the next grade. As with every teacher who finds one or two special students, bonding occurs when we witness life morphing before our eyes.

During my first office visit the conversation with the doc was about my single life, my deliberate choices, and my non-existent dating life! Over time the conversation shifted as I remarried and built a new life, while the doc worked on blending his children and girl friend’s children together.

It’s a beautiful thing to hold a space that allows a person to morph through their life. It’s worth the temporary humiliation of vulnerably laying oneself out in the open to receive the benefit of watchful care and under-girding. When we allow space for one another we too become caring physicians. Thanks doctor Solomon for your care and friendship over the years. You rock!

Change

2010-05-22T14:46:00.003-04:00

Fourteen years of living in Charlotte, NC; growing friendships; healing from the devastation of widowhood; watching the kids grow into adults; and moving forward into a fabulous new life with Mark and the kids; brings me to the point of packing up boxes and moving across country to Los Angeles.

Sometimes it isn’t until you leave a place that you really see the growth and impact you have made upon it, and it has made upon you. As I tearfully embrace precious friends who have been by our side for years, I am moved by heartfelt words; cheering; powerful proclamations over our lives; and the recounting of how my life has changed from the barrenness of widowhood into the lushness of full-out life.
Through this I am reminded that growth always involves change. A seed can’t become a tree without growing and changing many times over. Change provides opportunity at every turn if we will look for it, even when stretched beyond our comfort zone. Nevertheless, there are those who will not stretch along with us in our growth, but instead choose the comfort of the familiar, as they grip their earth more securely.

I thrive on change. I love adventure and I know that with every breath there are new things to be discovered. I choose the temporary discomfort of expanding my root system beyond the confines of what I have known in order to experience greater growth. You may have heart it said that you can't discover new oceans until you are willing to lose sight of the shore.

Even if you are not saying goodbye to friends, or wiping a tear stained cheek, what new opportunity do you choose to embrace, that will facilitate change and growth in your life?

To Value, or Not?

2010-05-16T20:21:00.002-04:00

Some of the work coaches do with clients involves helping clients identify and live into their personal values. When a person feels unfulfilled and dissatisfied in life, often they are dishonoring their own values in some area.

For instance fun is a legitimate value, but when fun is neglected, life is unsatisfying and unfulfilled for some people. Yet if you consider fun to be an invalid value compared to integrity, faith, or truth, you might be tempted to deny your need for it. Individuals, who aren’t honest about what they truly value, are often living into someone else’s values, while denying their own.

As a coach it is important to help clients determine if their choices in life are fear based, or authentically value based. Have you considered what values are important in your life? Are you living according to your personal values? I dare you to move beyond rote answers and really ponder what adds value to your life. Then make a list and evaluate if you are living a life that places value on the things you value the most.

Leap Into Color

2010-05-07T11:06:00.006-04:00

It wasn't until a few days after viewing the movie, Leap Year on my flight to Los Angeles that I considered the implications of the gigantic leap we were about to take as a family moving a cross the country to LA. Unsurprisingly, this year of leaps requires moxie, faith and a lot of color! One of the ways I connect to my inner reservoir of my faith and moxie is through color.

Those that know me well could easily confirm the role color plays in my life. As a visual processor, it stimulates my creativity, enlarges my perspective, and often ushers me into my God-connect. Close friends also know that the color orange in particular, invigorates me and instantly infuses a sense of possibility into my perspective. Combine orange and pink with a dash of turquoise, and I am soaring! So it seems quite providential that I found our new digs on Orange Street! The pink-splashed with turquoise stucco, Mediterranean home, burst with a large dose of my rev up colors! Finding our new spot follows in a long line of providential home-placement stories that leave me spell bound.

Have you ever checked your pulse to determine what color does for you? How do certain colors make you come alive, sing your own tune, and connect to your heart beat? Take time this week to bathe yourself in a healthy dose of inspiring color and see what gets rev'd up in you!

Moxie Goes California

2010-04-28T18:23:00.006-04:00

For those of you who know my story personally, or have perused the pages of my current website, (it’s in the process of a overhaul and name change) you know that I was once a Hollywood actress. Now after nearly a thirty year pilgrimage away from the creative peeps of my sister land, my family and I are heading back to the “state of Hollywood” with a family vision and mission.

We are ready to return after what’s seemed like years of being refugees in a foreign land. During the years of separation from the “Holly hood” along with mockingly being tagged “Miss Hollywood,” the detour of squashing my creative self, and learning to adapt to the culture and language of a different land, I have somehow managed to produce four off the charts creative kids.

One friend described the journey of these years as my own belly of the whale experience preempting a rebirth. Little did I imagine that my entire creative family would one day spit the salt from our mouths as we now look upon the land we were taught to shun as a fertile soil.

As we are about to be plopped upon the shores of California, our hearts see a grand vista waiting beyond the warmth of the womb that has nurtured us. Most people realize that without complete moxie and audacity it’s impossible to take the giant leap from womb to destiny. So as we jump please cheer us on as we venture into a world that desperately needs coaches that live from the heart, ooze creativity, and were in many ways made for this time and place. Stay tuned for the next installment about the vision and moxie laden adventure of Kimber and the moxie crew.

A Little Pollyanna Never Hurt Anyone

2010-04-21T17:56:00.001-04:00

At times when my kids were young and would blurt out ill, judgmental comments about a person, or an object, I would immediately challenge them to think of five good things to say about the person, or thing. All these years later the concept of looking for the good in every situation in my life has become even more of a reality. I’ve heard it said that life offers neither problems, nor challenges, but only opportunities.

The little exercise I used with my children is a great tool to try on ourselves, when we are tempted to see only the things in our lives that don’t work.

Try it out on yourself this week. Look for the opportunity in every challenge, and look for the good in every person and situation. Why not try on a little Pollyanna, and see if you can transform your world into Glad town.

Moxie Isn't For Sissies

2010-04-14T08:56:00.003-04:00

Early one morning this past week while Mark and I bonded over a cup of hot tea, he shared a story with me dating back to 1975. Sadly, during one of his junior high basketball games, Mark's friend and team mate Blair was injured. Suddenly the coach announced, “Britner, I’m sending you in because you've got moxie!”

Mark had never shared this story with me until a recent phone conversation with a school mate jogged his memory, even though he knew my book with "moxie" in the title was soon to be released.
While thinking “moxie” was decidedly a feminine term, apparently it’s appropriate for both sexes! Who knew? What is moxie you ask? Moxie is defined as having, “pep, energy, vigor, initiative, fortitude, determination, courage, know-how, expertise, and the ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.”

Are you living a life of moxie? I’d say that Nola Ochs, the world's oldest college student, who graduated from Kansas' Fort Hays State University in 2007, at the age of 95 demonstrates absolute moxie. Clearly she's not a sissy! Isn't it time to muster up your moxie and do what you've always wanted to do?

*Soon The Igniting Hearts Website and Blog will have a name change to: Moxie Me!

Surprised Again

2010-04-12T08:59:00.002-04:00

While Vivian secretly tucked herself away in the bathroom to floss her teeth in the movie, Pretty Women, Edward huffily followed assuming she was using drugs. Upon finding her flossing her teeth he commented that people rarely surprised him. With a sense of wide-eyed wonder Vivian retorted, “You’re lucky, people surprise the heck out of me!”

What still surprises you amidst your day? Are you able to see the world as an adventure waiting for your engagement, as a child embarking on a new experience?

Springtime summons childlike curiosity, as kids count down for hide-and-seek, assemble clover-chain-necklaces, and dart about fully engaged in the moment. Child’s play is embraced on the spot. It's never postponed for the future.

The challenge for adults is to recapture that childlike innocence that existed before the clutter and preoccupation of adulthood. Look around at your world, the people, and surroundings, and try out your curiosity once again. Look through the eyes of a child. What can you see as if for the first time that calls to be experienced in the moment? Recapture being fully engaged in the present.

Winners Play Full Out!

2010-03-27T12:40:00.002-04:00

“I thought he seemed like a Coke person,” the woman bantered, implying that liking the other brand was an immediate down grade.

Sitting perched in my coffee shop chair gave me ample room to sit and ponder her statement and the similar judgments that we all make regularly, as if judges on a game show. Have you noticed that as humans we grade everything; from a person’s taste in soda; body weight; car status; right on down to the breed a dog owner chooses.

Suddenly the Andy Rooney in me felt compelled to brooch the question: Why the need for judgment? Does judging instantaneously promote us to a god-like status in our own minds? Do we suddenly levitate several feet off the ground by the mere act of riffling off our weighty grade?
What if we were all on the same playing field, came into life naked and clumsy, and left pretty much the same way? What would it be like if instead of judging others, we acted as if we were on the same team, cheering instead of demeaning others?

Instead of yelling out an offensive quip the next time you’re cut off in traffic, how about offering a “you’re excused” pass, remembering all the while that you yourself have rudely barged in front of someone, or another, at some point in your life?

What would it feel like if we all confidently owned our own value, so that we didn’t need to break in and tamper with someone else’s? What if we not only owned our value, but at the same time didn’t need to lord our esteem over others. What if we perceived that others are just as valuable as we believe ourselves to be and joined all together as winners in the game?

I'm not talking about the idea that everyone on the team gets the same trophe. I am simply suggesting the idea that if you are fully engaged in life, you won't need to one-up somebody else. If you are playing full out in your own life, you won't find the need to competitively trump someone else.

I dare you to spend the week viewing the world as a win, win world, instead of believing that for you to win, others must lose.

Reap Don't Regret

2010-03-27T08:58:00.005-04:00

Here I go again with another “as I was driving along” story. It appears that I get more than I realized out of those mindless errands. And now life has revealed a sequel to one of these stories.
Flash back in time...several years ago when I was hastily driving through town on a frantic mission to somewhere, I found myself greatly delayed by a landscaping truck moving at a snails pace in front of me. Feeling frustrated and put-out by this road-hog, I suddenly noticed that the truck was so overloaded with lush green tree cuttings that it was hardly visible. Then as I zeroed in on the back of the truck I saw the oddest sight; standing like a tin soldier, pointed toward heaven was a ladder in the middle of the back of the truck.

In that moment I realized that in my flourishing and hurried state, I too was being trimmed back like those ample tree cuttings. I empathized with those lush boughs of green that were trimmed back for a greater purpose.

No one likes to be pruned back, but any gardener knows that in a short time pruning can produce a substantial increase in the amount of fruit that's yielded. Pruning in our own lives can also cause us to arrive at a higher place than where we were before we were cut back.

This week as I was driving along, again I found myself having to slow down because a landscaping truck was in front of me. However, this time the truck was not piled high with tree limbs, it carried only landscaping equipment. As it quickly veered off my route, it occurred to me that there are many who like those green boughs have previously been through seasons of pruning and are now entering into fruitfulness. This is a season of a great harvest. Its time to reap a bounty of fruit!

Let me ask you, have you been through an intense season where everything seems hacked and cut away from your life? Barely bandaged, broken and barren, you somehow have managed to embrace life with wobbly fingers. Pruning is for a season, but what follows is reaping, if you use the time wisely and look for opportunity amidst the obstacle.

I challenge you to look with new eyes at the ladder that may be standing right in front of you, leading to a higher place than you've been before. Cutting off the old is necessary so that something new can emerge. That means if you continue to operate at the level you did last season, you will find it no longer works, or serves your life. Staying stuck in regret over the past will keep you adhered to it, while embracing change will propel you forward into future growth and potential reaping.

Look around and observe. What are the new sights, new perspectives, and new growth standing before you? This could be your season of bounty!

Life Flight

2010-03-21T09:35:00.010-04:00

Yesterday as I was driving through town I came upon a car with a license plate that read LifeFlt. Quickly I recognized the value in the amusing quip. Truly, there is no better way to pass through life than to soar with extended wings.

But what about those days when rather than soaring you feel more like limping? To avoid the risk of you thinking that I am always a Pollyanna, let me acknowledge that I have spent plenty of days underneath the mountain, rather than above it. Yes, I’ve had my fair share of valley-romping-days, carrying my trials along the dusty trail, like a mule with a burdensome pack.

Nevertheless, here are 7 tips that have consistently taken me from the valley into flight again. Hoping you too will take flight!

Kimber’s 7 Life Flight Tips

1. Keep your gaze upward “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” Helen Keller
2. Be bold “Fear has its use but cowardice has none.” Gandhi Consistent daily action produces results that will eventually move you skyward.
3. Forgive If you’re bitten by a viper, do what ever you can to suck the poison out. If you let it settle in, it will kill you!
4. Let your thinking be abundant Through faith chose to believe in the impossible, and by living in a realm beyond what you can see, the impossible will manifest. Settling for scarcity in your thinking will keep you planted on the ground.
5. Engage in life “I never did a day's work in my life. It was all fun.” Thomas Edison Engage in life and make it child's play. Looking back, these will be the good ole days. Tap into your childlikeness and make life fun!
6. Live into your dreams “A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.” Antoine de Satint Exupery If you can't imagine the life you desire, chances are you won't live it.
7. Don’t settle for the low dwelling average; let your vision take flight!

Living at the Cause of Life Rather Than the Effect

2010-03-13T10:12:00.002-05:00

This week as I was driving along, a bright yellow swirl flashed before my eyes and immediately my heart was stirred with wonder. Suddenly it occurred to me that daffodils are spring’s Christmas presents.

Their first appearance causes my heart to leap with the similar anticipation as opening a shiny present on Christmas morning. It’s truly a wonder that amidst the grayness of winter, a burst of color can invade the world and pronounce the promise of spring. Try though you may, it’s impossible to frown when seeing springs’ first blossoms.

Spring flowers are just one picture of the possibilities close at hand that often lay dormant and unrecognizable, until like the daffodil, seize the opportunity to burst forth. Have you thought to take note of the many possibilities that fill your life, though unrecognizable at first glance?

Imagine being a daffodil, yet choosing to remain at the effect of life and not the cause. What if you laid beneath the earth in hopeless misery, perceiving that you needed to be pulled up through the hard soil, rather than responding proactively to the opportunity spring offers to live at the cause of your life?

I love this powerful metaphor pertaining to living a life of brilliance, seen through a frail daffodil. Now just for a moment ponder the possibilities in any human life. Why would we live at the effect of life and let ourselves remain dormant?

What a great time to follow suit with the daffodil and awaken to the many possibilities in life that up until now may have seemed out of sight. What are the first warm rays of spring inspiring in you? How will you position yourself, your sight, and perspective to see the obstacles around you as vast opportunities to move you forward?

What springtime present is waiting for YOU!

Mama Said There Would Be Days Like This

2010-03-03T19:44:00.005-05:00

Have you ever found yourself parked in front of the evening news taking in the common banter, when suddenly your countenance fades and you’re convinced the future is bleak? Rather than resigning yourself to feasting on someone else’s perspective, why not choose to envision the kind of future that you will work to create. Choose to live at the cause of your life and not the effect.

I don’t know about you, but when I get duped by a limited perspective, I automatically stall myself and am likely to attempt very little. I join the ranks of the hunkered down, figuring “why bother?” However, history shows that great things are accomplished in difficult times. Obstacles are always turned into opportunities by those with vision. I bet you can think of times in your own life that are proof of this very notion.

Instead of hunkering down and resigning ourselves to scarcity and lack, let’s see our obstacles as opportunities. Let’s create, become inventive, and use our ingenuity to transform our own corner of the world.

Mama said there would be days like this, but she never said to lie down and embrace them. It’s time to imagine the future we want and then decide what we will do to create it.

Take proactive steps, by signing up for my workshop: Take Back Your Time and Find Your Delight

We we’re all created with a unique greatness. Imagine what it would feel like if you got in tune with the music of your own heartbeat? What if you became activated and intentional about your unlimited potential?

If you are wondering how to do that, I'd like to invite you to the Take Back Your Time and Find Your Delight Workshop. Join us for a fun time of creating your own vision board, and hearing an interactive coaching segment entitled: Taking Back Your Time, by Professional Life Coach and Success Strategist Kimber Britner of Bright Life Coaching. Learn how you can prioritize your life, tap into your inner delight and experience great results. March 19th, 6:00 p.m. Charlotte, NC $35

Space limited register today at: kimber@brightlifecoaching.com

Who's Driving?

2010-02-25T13:42:00.005-05:00

If you were given a free ticket to go anywhere you wanted, would you jump on board the train and go to every wild and wonderful destination you could imagine, or would you trudge along through the doldrums of life with the ticket tucked in your pocket until it expired?

I imagine most people would say that they would grab the ticket and take off on indescribable destinations. Yet, often when I ask many clients what they want in their life, often I hear, “I don’t know.”

We all have been given the same free ticket to life. Not one of us did anything to get ourselves here. We had no part in our creation. Yet, too often we don’t recognize that we have the freewill to design the ride of our choice, and take ownership of the ride we choose.

If you could (and you can) choose to live an intentional life of your design, or a dutiful existence of catering only to everyone else' desires, what would you choose? I bet you would say that you want to be intentional about your life. So how will you get from where you are today, to where you desire to be tomorrow? Consistent, focused, daily action, will allow you to drive your life anywhere you want to take it. Are you the driver in your life? I hope so, because you are the only one who can take responsibility for your life. If so, where are you headed? Let's meet at the intersection of Focused and Intentional!

Are Your Hungry?

2010-02-22T13:33:00.003-05:00

Children love to play with their food. When my son Josh was a toddler, he had such little interest in his food that after flipping and stirring his concoctions’, he virtually nodded off to sleep in his plate.

When I was given to hunger on the other hand, I was known to do a Houdini and make my food disappear in seconds flat. Wouldn’t you prefer a good appetite for what you ingest, rather than consuming something in an obligatory fashion?

This same principal applies to life. Passion and desire are indispensible in sustaining a thriving life that will keep you from dozing off when facing the mundane. It could be said that you will never accomplish a dream without being hungry, or better said, without passion. Carl Sandburg said, “Nothing happens unless first a dream.” Dreams are born from a place of passion.
It’s not surprising that those around you will be able to sense the pulsing current of passion that resides with in you. They will be drawn into the stream. Contrarily, imagine the effect lukewarmness, indifference, and ambiguity has as it relates to the things we fill our lives with. Rather than drawing us into its intoxicating effect, they repel and send people away running.

What is the passion level in your life? Are people chasing you down, or running for dear life? On a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being high) how is your passion level related to how you spend the majority of your time? Is it low? If so you need to reconnect to what stirs your heart! If you scored high, how are you sustaining your passionate enthusiasm, so as not to let it wane?

Answer these questions below and follow the suggestions to engage your most passionate self.

1. When was the last time you felt metaphorically hungry, excited and engaged in life? Check in with your pulse frequently to access where your passion level lies.

2. What do you love to do for enjoyment and fun? If you discover where your enjoyment lies, you will discover keys to access your passion. Identify the keys that stir up your creativity, childlikeness and ultimately your passion and implement them into your life regularly.

3. If you could do anything what would you do? What stirs your heart with glee? If you can’t answer this you need to reconnect with fun. If you’ve forgotten how to have fun, I dare you to get out there and give yourself permission to explore. When you determine what you love to do, lean into it and brainstorm about a way to implement this into your life full time in some capacity, or another.

4, What would it look like to integrate this into your life? What would it feel like? Begin to design and write a plan that will let your passion be the central element in your life. Start to live your passion. Be tenacious about watching over it, and intentionally keeping it alive. Don’t be content to feed yourself any longer on something that does not satisfy, but leaves you wasting time and dozing off in your plate. Live with passion!

Pimp Your Ride

2010-02-08T10:29:00.004-05:00

The men in my family occasionally enjoy watching the TV show, Pimp My Ride. It occurred to me that I have a totally new pimped ride myself, and I’m not talking about the Nissan sitting in my drive way. I am talking about my life! You see, I have found incredible tools that have totally detailed my life from the inside out, and masterfully revamped my over all capacity for living full out in this life.

We all possess a unique greatness, and like Dorothy discovered after her trek to visit the Oz, our greatness isn’t found through someone else’ lens, but when we recognize what already resides within our being.

Coaching is a vehicle that can totally pimp your life too, as you work with a coach on intentionally detailing the design of your desire. Remember how Dorothy and her friends got pimped up in Emerald City, as they were buffed and polished until they gleamed?

Through the skill of an engaged coach you to can be led too unleash the tremendous power you possess; take ownership of your life; design the life you desire; move past potholes in the road; and live into your brilliance. You're life can shine like a newly pimped ride!

Have you noticed that many individuals who own valuable, classic, cars, tuck them away and rarely show them off? People possess much greater worth than the most valuable automobile, yet sadly when sitting idly on the sidelines make little use of the wealth they possess. Coaching will help you fully engage and wisely steward every valuable area of your life.

If you are reading this now and your heart is stirred, I encourage you to respond to what your gut is telling you. Take the first step to activate your life to the next level. Why put your dreams on hold any longer? Live your brightest life. Pimp your ride! Get empowered! Get activated!

A Curvaceous Life

2010-02-05T11:46:00.005-05:00

I love the word curvaceous. Doesn’t it have an engaging sound? Recently when I read the word in a magazine I knew I wanted to explore the feelings it conjured up in my gut, as if the window had just been opened letting in a fresh breeze.

What strikes me the most about the word, aside from the fact that the definition relates to a well-shaped woman with voluptuous curves, is that it sounds abundant, multi-faceted and not in the least bit linear.

I am the type of person that loves options. A perceptive person knows they will see me thrive if I am given choices. I don’t like to be locked into a box, but rather love to explore, create and imagine the possibilities.

I think the same is true of our friend curvaceous. There is nothing limiting about its sound. The connotation that spring off the melodious spray of the word gives the impression of wide open spaces, bustling life and abundance. You may think I am reading more into it than exists, but let me ask you, what kind of curvaceousness do you see in your life? Do you feel drawn and tired, or do you feel endowed with possibilities, ample space to breath, create and live?

If you are lacking certain curvaceousness in your life, (not implying the well-shaped female kind) what type of curvaceousness do you envision for yourself? What can you do to open the window of your soul and allow a fresh curvaceous breeze to open up new space, usher in new rhythm and a pulsing heartbeat for life?

Take a moment to jot down words that relay the positive feelings you get from the idea of a curvaceous life. Then define one way you can do something for yourself this week to expand that feeling of curvaceousness, as you begin to move toward greater liberty and possibility.

Are You a Flicker or a Flame?

2010-02-02T20:03:00.002-05:00

We each carry a flame that we either feed or let die out. When I find myself trudging through life as a whimpering gasping flicker, without a breeze fanning my embers and no wind beneath my wings, it's time for deliberate measures. That's when I make the heavenly 911 call for a little CPR that breaths life back into the dry places and leads me onto the path of joy and a passion filled heart.

I don’t know about you, but I want my heart to overflow with passion. I want to be someone who can’t contain themselves, but, joyfully runs out to share my joy where ever I go. However, some of our lives, become so routine and passionless, that we wearily go through the motions of our daily activities forgetting the power available resident within us. Is your life a testimony, a miserymony?

Joy keeps our flame alive. If we neglect to listen to the place of authentic joy within us we will wonder away from the path that leads to life and joy. When ever I’ve wondered off the joy filled path and I am seeking the road back, I first:

Evaluate whether I've gotten caught up taking care of everyone else’s desires and left mine out in the alley.
Secondly, I evaluate if I have given room in my life for my natural heart led, God given bent, the things that intrinsically flow from my life, and release joy.
Thirdly, I give myself a joy assignment. I sprinkle fun throughout my calendar; be it a walk in the park, an ice cream cone in February, a lunch with a windy friend, a much needed date with my husband, care for the needy, or smell-good-flowers on my table. These are just little things that stir my heart to joy and counter any stuffy pretensions that might be tripping me up.

Sometimes we need to stand back and get the big picture. Are we more productive, leading a life of excellence when we are depressed, oppressed and squeezed into a tight rigid box, or when we are joy filled and bright-eyed? My energy is boundless when my joy is released.

When we are truly on our path, joy won’t be an after thought. It will be what announces itself as we enter a room. So if you are wondering why your joy has disintegrated, check for telltale signs. When was the last time you made a date with joy, prioritizing your schedule to allow for fun? Are you making room for the things that make your heart sing?

We bring a lot more to the world when our hearts are aflame and we are walking in joy! If you truly want to be happy, no one can stop you. So let me ask you, are you a flicker or a flame?

Sun Drenched

2010-01-19T09:01:00.001-05:00

Do you ever wake up with a sense of dread, and a heart weighed down with lackluster muck?
Honestly, a few days ago I woke up with a nagging discouragement, despite the fact that my house wasn’t under a pile of rubble, my children weren’t missing, and my husband was close at hand. Nevertheless, my heart was lagging behind. What did I do? I picked up my Bible and began to read:

“God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, but their silence is spoken everywhere.

God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome! The morning sun’s new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, the day-breaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.

That’s how God’s word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.

The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God’s reputation is twenty-four carat gold, with lifetime guarantee…..

There’s more: God’s word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime and sin” Psalm 19:1-13 (MSG)

As I read the powerful words, I noticed the sun come up, bounce across my wall and drench me in its glory. I knew the sky-vaulting God was very present. All I had to do was look around and enter in to the dance.

If your heart is weighed down today, no matter the circumstances; whether it is an issue in your own life; or the devastation in the world around you, find your signpost of God, pointing out the right road, showing the way to enter into His presence. Let the lover of your soul leap across His honeymoon bed and embrace you. Be drenched in His love!

The Invitation to Badger

2010-01-17T13:03:00.001-05:00

As our hearts are turned toward the recent devastation in the nation of Haiti, many cannot help but turn their sadness into prayer. As I began to turn my concern for these beautiful people to the Lord, I was reminded of a woman I know who has a reputation for making demands and badgering people until she receives what she’s demanded. Through the years she has been known to administer badgering, as if she was pitching one fast flying ball after another for an athlete up to bat.

This technique has actually been effective for her. However, truthfully I am not so sure that these tactics have served her well. Most people have grown weary of her badgering, leaving her alone and friendless.

There is however a time that we are actually encouraged in this kind of persistence in a Bible story about a city judge who cared for no one. Yet, because a widow in the city consistently badgered and protested for her rights, the judge eventually relented and the woman received justice.

Although God is not a proponent of cunning, manipulative devices, He encourages us to ask Him and keep asking for the help we need. Read the words of Jesus, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, He will. He will not drag His feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when He comes?” (Luke 18:6-8 MSG)

It’s not always on our time table and that may be why Jesus instructed, “If you grasp and cling to life on your terms, you’ll lose it, but if you let that life go, you’ll get life on God’s terms.” (Luke 17:32 MSG)

God's terms at times may seem unpredictable, or even harsh, but that is because we can't see the full picture. Everything that God does is done in love. He causes all things to work for good for those who love Him.

Living life in pursuit of our own self-centered demands is a dead-end street. Yet, when we live life from an attitude of service and love we begin to comprehend life on God’s terms.
Despite what the motto touts, those that end with the most toys are not the winners; those who understand that life involves much more than an individual’s selfish demands have gotten in the race.

Those are the one’s who cry out for justice beyond their own backyard and jump in to give a hand to help others. God's ears are primed for our cries in response to the nation of Haiti’s pain. God is present, ready and available when we seek Him. In Jeremiah 33:3, God even gives us His phone number. “Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (NAS)

Beautiful

2010-01-05T10:08:00.002-05:00

“Does someone hear my cry? I'm dying for new life. I want to be beautiful. Make you stand in awe. Look inside my heart, and be amazed. I want to hear you say, who I am is quite enough. Just want to be worthy of love, and beautiful....Won't you help me back to glory?"

The sentiment in Bethany Dillon’s song "Beautiful" expresses what we all feel. Don't her words express the wide open place we struggle to apprehend on many days? Doesn't humanity cry out for this place? The place of abundance, acceptance and perfect love that lifts us up above our well tailored and boxed in restraint.

Isn’t this the place where even on dismal days, we cast off our shoes and feel the cool grass beneath our toes, the fresh breeze in our hair, and the sun upon our face? This is where we apprehend the abundance we possess, the beauty and greatness, instead of scarcity.

One man said, “The only reason men fail is broken focus.” The power of focus is amazing. Just close your eyes and apprehend that wide open space where you feel completely accepted, loved and beautiful. In this place yesterday’s failures are in the past, self doubt is banished, and accusation denied. Why not grab a hold of this abundant vision? Don’t let go for all it’s worth. Hold your focus of perfect love.

Does this seem frivolous? Would you rather live in the narrow, shallow place of resistance and self-sentencing? We need to be ruthless about our focus, beholding before us, that which we seek. How do we do that? As Compass Network, where I do my group coaching models, "See it! Own it! Live it! Be it!"

1. Identify all distraction that pulls your vision from you. Fine tune it, making it even clearer. See it!

2. Refuse to be derailed by detours. See what you want and own it!

3. Be a master at your work and study to perfect it. Do it and live it!

4. Be convinced of who you are at the core. Leave the naysayers behind in the dust and don’t glance back in the rearview mirror. Be it!

Read Dillon’s final refrain in her song,

“You make me beautiful. You make me stand in awe. You step inside my heart, and I am amazed. I love to hear you say, who I am is quite enough. You make me worthy of love and beautiful.”

Now believe it!

Do You Have A Compass, or Are You Blown By the Wind?

2010-01-01T11:40:00.003-05:00

Do you feel in control of your life and believe that you create your own reality? If not, then you have abdicated the responsibility for your life to someone, or something other than yourself.

We’ve been given the free will to wisely steward the fabulous life we have been given, and yet often I hear people complain that they don’t have enough time for the things they would choose in life. That is because they are living under the illusion that time is dictating their life, when in reality the absence of stewarding and directing ones life intentionally will cause us to feel victim to outside sources. Without directing our life, we will find it spent without much to show for it.

Are you shooting for mediocrity? If you are you will surely arrive there, because there is little to no competition in the arena of the mediocre. Why not live to your greatest potential, exuding the greatness that is resident within you?

To that end, what are you going to do differently in 2010 to bring about the change and results that you desire in your life? Make this the year you take your dreams and set them into a blueprint for action that will bring significant results and the fulfillment of your goals. I dare you to do 2010 differently!

Take the risk, invest in yourself and steward your life through intention and accountability. Hire a personal life coach to take you from where you are to where you want to be. If your excuse is that you can’t afford it, you can now! Through COMPASS, the Personal Development Network, you can receive group coaching and a MAP (Monthly Action Plan) that will change your life in as little as ten minutes a day. Why not take your spirituality and put it to work? Become intentional about stewarding the one life you have. Make 2010 the best year of your life. I intend to!

Play For All Your Life

2009-12-13T14:12:00.003-05:00

Last night as I drove through neighborhoods of brightly lit Christmas displays my insides leapt with excitement, as I took in the eye popping light displays. The Christmas season stirs my senses with smells, sights and tastes, like every child I’m taken into the magical world of play that the holidays so aptly invites.

In last week’s blog, I discussed Joy and the invitation before us; this week I want to go a step further and talk about Play!

Clinical Researcher, Medical Doctor, and Psychiatrist, Stuart Brown, has spent a career working with Fortune 500 companies on how to incorporate play into business. In his book, Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul, Brown tells us that years of academic and clinical research has taught us that the power of play, energizes, enlivens, eases burdens, renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities.

Being a person who thrives on creativity, enjoys the possibilities, and is all about investing in a play filled life, I am thrilled that the medical community concurs with my own findings! “Neuroscientists, developmental biologists, psychologists, social scientists, and researchers from every point of the scientific compass now know that play is a profound biological process…Play lies at the core of creativity and innovation.” Brown continues to explain that, “We are built to play and build through play.”

So let me ask you, how seriously do you take play? Are you as intentional about your play as you are your work? Do you look at your calendar every month and every week and make sure that you’ve scheduled time for play? If you don’t most likely your play ration is down. If you aren’t intentional about creatively planning time to play, you are robbing your life of an important element. You may have surrendered your youth way before it’s time.

I intend to play long and hard in this life, watch my energy and creativity fly off the charts, and whoop it up big, while enjoying a grand ole time. During this Christmas season, why not join the ranks of the highly intelligent researchers who advise us to play for all our life and reap the benefits of what play will do for you.

Always, remember: Follow your joy!

Joyfully, Joyfully

2009-12-07T10:13:00.003-05:00

Today as I was reflecting on the holiday season my favorite subject was brought to mind, JOY! As I sat imagining young Mary in a manger giving birth to her first born son, Jesus, I was reminded of the birth of my own first born son Gabriel, not in a manger, but in my bed at home. Remembering the influx of emotion I experienced that day as a new mother, takes me back to the indescribable, exceedingly, great joy the birth of my son brought to me.

My own sense of joy was just the beginning, as Gabriel’s first breath began a ripple effect moving outward that today continues to touch others who are privileged to be a part of his life.

It could be said that the wise follow their joy! In Psalm 16:11, King David reminds us, “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

At Christ’s birth an angel of the Lord appeared to a small band of shepherds who were in a nearby field watching their sheep. The angel said,

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10

Life and joy are meant to go hand and hand and yet how often do we stray for the simplicity of joy. St. Ignatius was known for the daily practice of contemplating what brought him joy during the day and what robbed him of joy.

From the first moment of life we are to breathe in the great joy that is for all the people and it should never stop! If you have wondered away from the joy in your life, stop right now and reflect on the great joy that you're invited to partake in, “a great joy for all the people.”

Beach Party Bingo

2009-11-29T07:32:00.002-05:00

Recently my husband Mark was telling me about a great analogy he gleaned from the classic 1963 movie Beach Party, with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon, the first of seven Beach Party films.

In the movie an Anthropologist professor, played by Robert Cummings was at work secretly observing the wild mating rituals of the Southern California teenagers that hung out on the beach and used odd surfing jargon. Wanting to fit in amongst them, he decided to scientifically teach himself to surf. In true intellectual style the professor worked to calculate the exact mathematical formula for surfing, rather than recognizing the holistic approach of the surf culture's heartfelt youth. Naturally his attempt failed, forcing him back to the drawing board to continue his effort to break into the relational interchange that existed amidst the surfers.

Mark and I were noting that surfing like many other things in life, is not something you can arrive at in your head. It is something that you must feel, as you connect your body with the movement of the waves. It’s something you must enter into, experience and even receive in the struggle to balance oneself.

How often do we struggle with this and try to bring our “intellectual stuff” to the table, when in actuality all we can do is open ourselves up to learn, experience and receive?

Paul explains this aspect of the life of faith, saying,

“…it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.” (MSG)

A relationship with the Son of God is not an intellectual pursuit based on anything we can bring Him. It is much more similar to a beach party where we throw ourselves into the waves, let our hearts feel the rhythm, and receive, receive all that He has done for us. Who wants a relationship built upon rote intellectualism, verses passionate interaction and love? I don’t! Do you? I believe we can accurately say, neither does He!

Inner Road Blocks

2009-11-23T09:17:00.004-05:00

How many of us have invisible barriers in our lives that hold us back from the very things we want to access, yet don’t recognize? Did you know that your limiting beliefs act as a roadblock that keeps you back and separates you from the life you want?

When I read the words of Bruce D Schneider in Energy Leadership, I experienced an immediate shift in my thinking, as I recognized how my beliefs have effected my perception. Schneider wrote,

“Stress isn’t something that happens to someone. Its something someone feels about what’s happening. Your capacity to deal with any outer circumstance is based on your inner perception.”

Wow, that means instead of saying, as I often have, “That stressed me out!” I am actually responsible for making chooses about how I react to situations, and the action I need to take to alter my beliefs, instead of surrendering my peace and becoming a victim to stress.

The Apostle Peter tells us. “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:13

If we have everything we need pertaining to life, why would we want to live shy of the whole piñata? Yet daily I discover areas where I am living way below the “everything” marker available to me.

I don’t know about you, but I have decided to adjust my limiting beliefs that keep me from the “everything” God intends for my life. Since I am the one responsible for the way I process my thinking, I no longer choose to be a victim to stress. Instead of processing life from lack, I choose to recognize that I have “everything pertaining to life!”

Take-off Aborted

2009-11-18T10:00:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago on a return flight home from New Jersey, as the plane was poised for take off; the engines rammed, reverberating with the sound of speed, the pilot slammed on the breaks just before lift off. Suddenly we were all jolted back in our seats and wondering what was going on. The pilot immediately spoke over the loud speaker informing us that one of the engines was not working correctly, so he had to abort the take off. He told us that he was apprehending a new aircraft that would take us safely to our destinations.

Have you ever experienced all of the momentum for take off, clear visibility, the horizon before you, until suddenly life throws a curve ball and aborts your destination? Thankfully I surely have, numerous times in fact. Why do I say “thankfully”?

The blueprint for our lives often seems clear before us, with highlighted route, and outlined strategy, yet we can’t see all the things up a head in the road before us. Sometimes through the wisdom of God we experience an adjustment that halts our take off and we remain temporarily stranded on what may seem to us the ground of impossibility.

About a week after our take off drama that left us briefly delayed in New Jersey before being issued a new aircraft and reengaging in a successful takeoff, I had an interesting dream. The Lord often speaks to me through my dreams and through life experiences. After the delayed take off I sensed that there was a life application lesson that the Lord was going to download and sure enough He did through my dream.

In my dream He spoke to me about a season in my life when I had been delayed from take off. In wisdom He stressed the reason for this being that the vehicle wasn’t equipped with what I needed to make a successful assent and ultimate arrival to my destination. If I had taken off with insufficient equipment on board there would have been significant problems, maybe even casualties, as the vehicle wasn’t sufficient to carry me once air bound.

In the moment delays are frustrating and inconvenient, yet they are often a gift in disguise. If our pilot had not wisely heeded the warning on the instrument panel we could have been in serious trouble. Upon arrival as we deplaned, I gratefully thanked the pilot for getting us to our destination safely. I wasn’t bothered by the delay, rather thankful for his wisdom that averted a premature taken off that could have been catastrophic.

The Lord reassured me in the dream that although I had been delayed, my vehicle was now equipped and takeoff was eminent. When we follow the pilot’s guidance we will arrive safely to our destination. Our pilot diligently looks out for our well being to make sure we are equipped for success. If you are being grounded while being equipped for success, rest in the ultimate wisdom of your pilot.

Vein of Gold

2009-11-11T09:45:00.002-05:00

A few nights ago the topic highlighted in my dream was the fact that:

“By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of His divine being...” Romans 1:20 MSGI

n my subconscious while sleeping I heard the phrase, “Vein of gold running throughout the earth.” As I slept the notion prospectors discovered long ago fueling California’s Gold Rush, was brought to my attention: there are pockets of gold layered throughout the earth.

However, the insight the Lord illuminated was the idea that from His vantage point, we are the vein of gold that runs throughout the earth.As I slept my spirit reverberated with excitement, as we shared several of the many metaphors woven into the creation of His incredible Universe. The very things that, "By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created" we can perceive great insight.

As I slept God and I reveled over the majesty of the moon, which He set in the sky amidst the backdrop of darkness, to radiate light. What an exacting picture of the glorious light we are called to radiate amidst a darkened world!

Stop and ponder the indescribable majesty tucked into pockets of your world. As you awake to start the day with frost on your windshield and you’re usually invisible breath bursting from your lips, take note that your life is screaming, “I am alive, because a majestic vein of gold runs through my being, making me a vein of glorious God-life in the earth.” Recognize the wonder and then decide how you will intentionally reflect this vein of glory that you carry.

Hidden Mysteries

2009-11-01T18:23:00.004-05:00

Do you remember playing hide-and-seek as a kid? I remember the thrill of searching out secret places to hide, or uncovering an opponent well hidden amongst familiar surroundings. Because I love the thrill of adventure and discovery, I’m ever looking past my familiar environment for things undiscovered, remaining hidden to my understanding. I just love mystery!

My husband Mark and I were recently discussing the importance of intentionally exposing oneself to new and unfamiliar experiences. We believe it’s important to regularly encounter different environments outside of our own comfort zone. For any of us there is a vast realm of things outside our own personal scope of exposure that could broaden our world as we know it.

The whole issue of looking for something that you know not of can be perplexing. Clearly there is a magnitude of knowledge and experience that is off the chart and would easily be in our personal realm of the “unknown." With that in mind if we aren’t deliberately looking for the unfamiliar we are most surely going to miss what could be right in front of our eyes.

Jesus said to His disciples, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.” (Luke 8:10)

We don’t want to miss this important point. We are those who have been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom! So how do we become a person who can see what is mysteriously hidden? Don’t worry the disciples weren’t to clear about this either.

And take a look at what Paul said,“This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities. And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along.” (Ephesians 3:7 MSG)

To become those that steward the mysteries of God I believe the best place to start is to ask.

Ask! -“…ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9)

And then Proclaim…Proclaim it out loud!-"It has been granted to me 'to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God' and 'My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along.” (Ephesians 3:9)

Now that’s good stuff! And that’s why I love a good adventure and the search for hidden mysteries!

Spirit Coach

2009-10-23T09:51:00.009-04:00

As a life coach and strategist I know the importance of intentional living. I didn’t always recognize the importance of stewarding my life. However, the day the light came on I became intentionally focused on identifying, and fulfilling the Lord’s purpose for my life.

The Scriptures say that the Lord jealousy desires the Spirit, or anointing that He placed in us. (James 4:5) He longs for the seeds of destiny deposited within us to produce a yield and bring into fruition His purpose for our lives.

The great thing about coaching others is that the Holy Spirit is the Master Coach that is already at work in each individual’s life. My job is to help them recognize His signature stamp.

Have you ever stopped to notice the Lord coming as Coach to prepare you for the great works He intends to manifest through your life? If you haven’t recognized His on going work, take note of the way He initiates through experiences, encounters, circumstances and works in your life. If you thought you suddenly came up with a great idea to pursue a course of action, study, or manner of prayer, you didn’t. The Holy Spirit was sent as a teacher, counselor, and a coach of sorts to lead us. He is behind the scenes jealously yearning, as is all creation that we would manifest as the glorious son’s of God. (Romans 8: 19)

I love what the Apostle Paul wrote about this process.

“God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does…Our lives get into step with God and all others by letting Him set the pace…God sets right all who welcome His action and enter into it.” (Romans 3:28, 30 MSG)

Remember Abraham's initiation when he was quite old and informed by God that he would have more offspring than the number of stars in the sky? You can imagine the perplexity of the situation, since he had not yet one child. What God initiates doesn’t always look concrete, or rational, and that is why the work of the Holy Spirit can’t be underplayed. He guides us into all truth, as He works to initiate His wisdom, truth and action in our lives, giving us signs like Abraham along the way.

“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.” (Psalm 51:6)

The Holy Spirit is at work as the Master Coach to make His Bride ready to walk in purity and to do, “greater works then these” as it is written. Have you checked in with the Master Coach lately to determine His plan for your life? Are you simply letting each day roll in and out lost in an ocean of time, or are you doing your part to steward this one life you’ve been given? Think about whether you need to work with a coach to navigate your path. The Lord jealousy desires the Spirit in you for a great purpose!

Vein of Gold

2009-10-20T09:47:00.009-04:00

Over the last year my dreams at night have morphed into what feels like a personal counseling session, or forum with heaven, as if I am hooked up to wires that feed me information.

It’s quite interesting to wake up knowing something that I didn’t know before I slept, or acquire insight on a situation that eluded me the day before. It’s magnificently helpful for a slow learner!

A few nights ago the topic highlighted in my dream was the fact that:

“By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of His divine being...” Romans 1:20 MSG

In my subconscious while sleeping I heard the phrase, “Vein of gold running throughout the earth.”

As I slept the notion prospectors discovered long ago fueling California’s Gold Rush, was brought to my attention: there are pockets of gold layered throughout the earth. However, the insight the Lord illuminated was the idea that from His vantage point, we are the vein of gold that runs throughout the earth.

As I slept my spirit reverberated with excitement, as we shared several of the many metaphors woven into the creation of His incredible Universe. The very things that, "By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created" we can perceive great insight.

As I slept God and I reveled over the majesty of the moon, which He set in the sky amidst the backdrop of darkness, to radiate light. What an exacting picture of the glorious light we are called to radiate amidst a darkened world!

Stop and ponder the indescribable majesty tucked into pockets of your world. As you awake to start the day with frost on your windshield and you’re usually invisible breath bursting from your lips, take note that your life is screaming, “I am alive, because a majestic vein of gold runs through my being, making me a vein of glorious God-life in the earth.”

Recognize the wonder and then decide how you will intentionally reflect this vein of glory that you carry.

Possessing Your Own Language

2009-10-13T08:24:00.007-04:00

In a dream I had recently I was teaching people a new language. It wasn’t any of the many languages I studied in school and still can’t speak: French, German, Spanish or Russian. The language I was teaching was the language of the heart, creativity and the Spirit!

If you were teaching a language what would it be? What is the language you we’re called to give a voice too? You can recognize your language, through the things that make you feel most in tune with life, most free and most fully alive. Within those things is your voice that brings definition to life through your own unique language.

I often joke, speaking of my highly creative family, that I don’t have the ability to raise accountants! It’s simply not my language. However, I am so grateful for accountants. One of my creative sons needs the wisdom of an accountant right now to manage the success he is experiencing. Accounting isn’t his language either, but we recognize our need for this magnificent ability to speak numbers that some posses.

When teaching children to speak for the first time they need to be exposed to the sounds, the feel and the expression of a given language. Anne Sullivan taught Helen Keller to recognize the word “water” as she felt it trickle through her fingers. For Helen Keller the connection to language ushered in volumes of light into her darkened world, as with any child words instantly become a passageway to communicate vital information.

I am so gratefully that we have been given a stupendously skillful teacher in the Holy Spirit. If we are responsive to the Spirit’s expressive movement in our lives, breathing and illuminating the unique language we’ve been given to communicate to the earth, we will become fluent spokesmen.

When I go for long periods of time without expressing my heart’s language, I find the world around me dull and darkened. Yet when I freely release and express my voice a torch of illumination alights and guides others to their own heart and voice. Our languages show others a portion of God and a slice of life. As our voices articulate their language, others find freedom to do the same.

What is your language? What is your voice? Give breath to that which is in you to speak, so your corner of the world can be illuminated with the flavor and color of God. What language have you been given to speak?

Sought Out

2009-10-06T12:50:00.004-04:00

Do you ever struggle with feeling forgotten by God? Are you wondering if He sees you struggling to stay afloat in this economy? While others are experiencing the favor of God, are you afraid that God looks at you like the forgotten step child?

While the Lord has a message very contrary to our old tapes, many of us struggle with old messages from the past lodged in our subconscious. Last week I had a dream where the Lord showed me an old message and instructed me to break all alliances with the lie. Right there as I slept amidst my dream, I denounced every agreement I made even as a small child with a lie that told me I was less that what God says about me.

In Isaiah 62, the Lord fervently spoke a message to His people through Isaiah the prophet that was far from indifference, and we can receive the same message for ourselves. He spoke passionate words saying that He couldn't contain Himself from speaking out, and wouldn’t keep silent about His beloved until her brightness went forth like a torch, her glory displayed before nations and kings. That hardly sounds like a forgotten step child, does it?

Still speaking of His beloved Bride, He said He calls her by a new name, not one from the old familiar shame that many tote around. "You will be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord... You shall no longer be termed forsaken, Nor...desolate. For the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married...You shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken." Isaiah 62: 3, 4, 12

When someone is chosen for marriage, they’re sought out, and held in high esteem, definitely not forsaken! Did you know that is God’s heart for you today?

When old familiar messages start ranting in our head, its time to break all agreement with the lies and stand firmly on the truth that sets us free. The truth is: God calls us His delight and we are a crown of beauty in His hand, Sought Out and not forsaken!

Are You Recognizable?

2009-10-04T18:22:00.014-04:00

Cognitive science has proven that the truth lies not so much in what we say we believe, but what actually rests in our unconsciousness, because 95 percent of thinking takes place in the unconscious mind. That is why sustainable change in a person’s life doesn’t transpire merely by new behavior, unless the core of what one believes is actually addressed and altered.

A trainer can teach a parrot to say anything he chooses whether or not the bird actually understands or believes what he speaks. Unfortunately many of us have been trained similarly, whether from our families of origin, or Christian environments. Often our mouth confesses one sentiment, while our heart and head are in disagreement.

Could that be the reason Jesus revealed in Matthew 7:22 that there would be many who would say they had prophesied, cast out demons and done miracles in His name, but whom He never even knew? Is Jesus saying that because many are living far from the truth of their hearts their pretense makes them unrecognizable?

Certainly Jesus didn’t miss count on those He created. He knows each of us by name, even the amount of hairs on our head; yet speaking of those who will enter the kingdom of heaven, He says He only knows those that do the will of His Father. Living in a way that disconnects us from our heart facilitates a life of pretense and falsehood, making us virtually unrecognizable, as if we were a color changing chameleon. Meaning that doing the will of the Father receives no merit when we are separated from our heart.

Until we grasp that we are loved and accepted uniquely for who we are, we will strive to mimic those we feel are on the “ins” with God, while we judge those we perceive to be on the “outs” with God. Sadly, this is prevalent in the world.

We all have a human need for acceptance, but as we recognize that we have been accepted by our heavenly Father, we will begin to openly share our heart with Him. Through that intimate fellowship we become known by the Creator of the Universe. Then there will be no mystery that conceals, or makes us unrecognizable. Our mouth and actions will begin to express what our heart believes, as the two come into alignment.

The key to moving away from pretense and falsehood is honestly getting acquainted with our heart. Being real about what we think, believe, like and dislike. We can only assess ourselves accurately when we are honest with what exists.

The next time you feel yourself comply with something you don't agree with, stop in your tracks, challenge your paradigm and take your need for acceptance to your Father in heaven who adores you.

Out of the Box Solutions

2009-09-26T11:14:00.007-04:00

We were created by an uncontainable God, whose works teeter on the edge of creative child’s play. Just look at the evidence; whales jumping so high you wonder if they are trying to fly, and plants that snap like turtles to ingest their prey. And what about the rainbow bee-eater bird colored with a paint splattered motif. Yes, I’d say God is child like in His expressive, multi-dimensional, creativity, all of which can’t be missed if we just look around.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is in Acts 16:25, when one night Paul and Silas were in prison singing. What happened next could only be described as a supernatural God at play. As Paul and Silas’s voices rang out in praise to God midst their dire circumstances, suddenly an earthquake shook the whole prison house, the doors immediately opened, chains broke loose and everyone was free! A child couldn’t have written a more imaginative story.

Or what about the time Jesus healed a blind man by spitting in his eyes! (Mark 8:23)
Or the time He spit on the ground, making the dirt good and muddy to use as a healing balm that restored sight. (John 9:6)

What does this mean to a world with rampant blindness, as if it were this season’s new black? 1 Cor. 1:25, tells us that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men.” God’s foolishness is just plain smart!

We have to remember that there is a God who still works creative miracles and no matter what we face, He will never stop creating, moving, or orchestrating in the lives of man. Even though the world seems to be running full speed ahead into captivity, like a runner in a 50 yard dash, this industrial sized God has made a way out! He is taking claim to what is His as He did with Paul and Silas. And He wants to release His creative power through the lives of regular people like you and me, to loosen shackles, open prison doors and heal blindness, as He takes possession of what is His and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lords! (Revelations 11:15)

Perception is the Doorway to True Sight

2009-09-14T10:41:00.009-04:00

Henry David Thoreau said, "It not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

Many months ago I had a dream where I had a conversation with a woman who had received treatment from an allergy clinic to overcome the things her body reacted to negatively. The treatment for this condition was a process to change the way she thought. I knew this dream carried an important message, because so much of what we receive in life hinges on what we actually think and believe.

Jesus reiterated this very thought in John 3:3, when He told us, "… unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." This actually means unless one is born a new, regenerated from above, he cannot experience, or perceive the kingdom of God.

This supernatural sight spoken of in John 3:3, is a choice and ongoing process. As we seek after God for greater understanding, actual transformation begins to occur that enables us to perceive the kingdom.

Sometimes this looks like the conversation I had with my son last night who asked me if he could switch out of his honors math class into a regular algebra 2 math class. My husband and I released him to make the choice he felt was right. However, as we talked and he shared how pressured and overwhelmed he felt, I told him that there was no pressure on him to be perfect. All he needed to do was his best. I prayed for God’s peace to fill him and by the end of the conversation he wadded up the release paper he’d asked me to sign, saying that he felt better about the situation.

All that had transpired within that twenty minute interval of talking was a shift in my son’s thinking. There had been no change or actual release of pressure, except what he had perceived as pressure in his own mind.

This experience confirmed to me that it is only as Christ brings revelation to lighten our world that we are able to see. As we navigate through our own perceptions and that of the worlds, we are destined for a Damascus Road encounter. Every single one of us needs the light of Christ to shine on the cobwebs of our entrenched mindsets and bring a heavenly perspective that changes the way we think.

I continually pray for fresh illumination, so that the things I have missed may become brilliantly evident, and I am able to see with renewed sight. Let’s pray along with the Apostle Paul who understood the meaning of transformation, by asking Jesus to give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, so that that the eyes of our understanding would be enlightened. (Ephesians 1:17-18)

Doing the Do!

2009-09-09T10:11:00.013-04:00

There are many people who spend years contemplating change in their lives, waiting for a sign to fall out of the sky, or for a miraculous intervention to hit them on the head before they will move forward. I myself have been guilty of over using the term, “waiting on the Lord.” Sometimes “waiting on the Lord” can be an excuse to procrastinate, or remain idle.

What would cause someone to procrastinate and waste a single minute of life?
Jesus said, “It is not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21 NJB)

That means in the end we won’t get credit for a great idea, or knowing God’s will and not acting on it, because definitively the Lord is only interested in action pertaining to His will. Maybe that is why were told that faith without works is dead (James 2:17), or dreaming without movement is useless.

Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:1, not to conform to this word, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. When a person struggles with procrastination it reflects a need for mind renewal.

The Message Translation says it this way,

“Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:1 MSG)

The Message Translation gives us the idea that maturity involves responding and acting quickly to what God wants for us. No procrastination evident here!

But how do we know what God wants?

Although we have been given free will to do and think as we please, in kingdom living we get to be involved in the transformation process by choosing to renew our minds-- militantly taking every thought captive in obedience to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5) As our minds are renewed we begin to take on the mind of Christ, just as a son takes on the characteristics of his dad and begins to comprehend his thoughts and will.

What action has the Lord been speaking to you about that you have been neglecting? If you are unsure, you need to lean into your father, become acquainted with His ways and transformed into His likeness. Begin by taking the thoughts captive that are keeping you from moving into maturity. Remember, being responsible with your life and taking deliberate action to do the will of God is true maturity.

Awakened Love

2009-09-05T10:21:00.007-04:00

As my friends discussed the ins and outs of the book verses the movie, images from the movie flashed before me, while I was gripped with the familiar sense off God’s presence. Suddenly I had a glimpse of why so many people, myself included, connected and even loved the film.

Mankind was created with a need that cannot be satisfied outside of relationship with its Creator. Man hungers for contact with supernatural elements, because relationship between God and man can only be entered into through the supernatural, linked through faith.

The movie Twilight links a supernatural love relationship between a supernatural being and a young girl named Bella. This relationship oozes what we long for, protection from harm, someone who knows our every move, pursues and watches over us, someone willing to fight for us, lay down their own desire, even their very life. This is the familiar story of God who came down to our level even though He was not of this world. In the film we see a supernatural being that chooses to deny himself his own pleasure, fighting to protect and watch over Bella whom he loves.

Within the heated attraction that resonates between Bella and Edward, I was reminded of the passion between the beauty and her beloved in the Bible Book, Song of Solomon. These lovers express their burning passion through these words,

“You have stolen my heart…you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes…(4:9) Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.”(8:6)

Is it not in this twilight of time, as deep calls to deep, the very yearning of God for His bride, mankind is being stirred and awakened to the greatest love we’ve ever known? Are we not longing for a flawless love that exceeds the realms and limits of this world, a love transcending any human kind, existing for all eternity? The movie Twilight, speaks to this very longing in the heart of man.

Love is being awakened!

Book Review-Forgotten God, By Francis Chan

2009-08-29T12:17:00.002-04:00

I was again asked by the publishers of Francis Chan’s new book, Forgotten God, to read it and blog on it. I absolutely loved his book Crazy Love, so I was excited to read his new book about the Holy Spirit.

Then as I read Chan's after thoughts to the book in his section titled, Afterword, my spirit leapt. “My hope for you, the reader, is that the church people don’t try to normalize you.”

He went on to write about his burden for the plight of the thousands of innocent girl’s sold into sex trafficking, a passion for justice I also carry. When friends suggested that he ease up on his conviction, he countered with the Holy Spirit's instructions, “Treat them as your own!”

Chan suggested that we in the church are often guilty of dumbing down the zeal of vibrant believers contradicting the biblical model we’re given. He went on to relay a story about a sixteen year old girl who sponsors fourteen needy children on her own. That is a lot of money for a high school kid to shell out from part time jobs.

As I closed the book I was newly inspired by a sixteen year old and Chan’s clarion call to the church at large. It is time we get out of our comfortable Western boxes and wake up to live lives that have eternal significance and that cannot be done apart from an intimate, unreserved, passionate relationship with the Forgotten God.

Awakened Love

2009-08-27T11:41:00.008-04:00

Recently two friends were discussing the hugely popular teen movie, Twilight. The movie is about a love relationship between a vampire and a girl. While one friend confessed that she didn’t understand what the buzz was all about, my other friend suggested that the movie captured the innocence and thrill of first love.

As my friends discussed the ins and outs of the book verses the movie, images from the movie flashed before me, while I was gripped with the familiar sense off God’s presence. Suddenly I had a glimpse of why so many people, myself included, connected and even loved the film.

Mankind was created with a need that cannot be satisfied outside of relationship with its Creator. Man hungers for contact with supernatural elements, because relationship between God and man can only be entered into through the supernatural, linked by faith.

The movie Twilight links a supernatural love relationship between a supernatural being and a young girl named Bella. This relationship oozes what we long for, protection from harm, someone who knows our every move, pursues and watches over us, someone willing to fight for us, lay down their own desire, even their very life. This is the familiar story of God who came down to our level even though He was not of this world. In the film, Edward, a supernatural being chooses to deny himself his own pleasure, fighting to protect and watch over Bella whom he loves.

Within the heated attraction that resonates between Bella and Edward, I was reminded of the passion between the beauty and her beloved in the Bible Book, Song of Solomon. These lovers express their burning passion through these words,

“You have stolen my heart…you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes…(4:9) Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.”(8:6)

Is it not in this twilight of time, as deep calls to deep, the very yearning of God for His bride, mankind is being stirred and awakened to the greatest love we’ve ever known? Are we not longing for a flawless love that exceeds the realms and limits of this world, a love transcending any human kind, existing for all eternity? The movie Twilight, speaks to this very longing in the heart of man.

Love is being awakened!

Righteous Reliance

2009-08-17T15:15:00.005-04:00

How many times do we try to fight battles in our own strength? We live in a world where we are conditioned to think that we have to make things happen on our own. We arm ourselves with the best human reasoning we can muster and launch out. Sometimes I plow ahead and don’t stop to confer with God about His plans. How about you?

That’s the same kind of thinking that got King Asa into trouble when he had been thriving for a period of thirty-five years without war. Then instead of trusting and honoring God he seemed to forget his source for peace and prosperity. Sound familiar?

That’s when he began to run into some enemy opposition. Yet instead of conferring with the Lord, he took things into his own hands and tried to negotiate his way out of his mess. Previously when he relied on the Lord he experienced favor, because Scripture says, “…the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” However in his faithlessness he received this rebuke, “You have acted foolishly…Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.” (2 Chron. 16:9)

Recently my son Gabriel moved to NYC to pursue his career even though he knew few people in the city. Immediately he got sick, which cost him several weeks delay in looking for work and finding an apartment. I quickly took Gabe’s needs to prayer, as did he. In the process I watched God do for him what he couldn’t possibly produce for himself.

He found an awesome brand new apartment for reasonable rent including utilities. The apartment building not only has a gym, huge windows that usher in magnificent light, but is close to the hub of the city. His roommate has a car, which he kindly allows Gabe to use and has completely furnished the apartment, including Gabe’s bedroom with a flat screen TV. As Gabe put it, “His collection of movies is bigger than Blockbusters!”

As I face new mountains and giants to overtake in my own life, I am reminded that I may not always do things perfectly, but that’s not what the Lord is after. He wants me to look to Him in all my ways as Proverbs says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Another way to say this is the Lord loves to bless those whose heart is completely His, who could never accomplish in their own strength what He can effortlessly accomplish. Lord, help us maintain a righteous reliance upon You!

Camp is Over

2009-08-16T16:12:00.011-04:00

After being a Christian for many years, I have seen my share of “camps” within this one body of Christ. As a new believer full of zeal, and a heart to please the Lord, I myself was apart of a very legalistic camp that encouraged separation from society and conformity to one particular mindset.

As I grew in my own relationship and intimacy with Christ I learned to think for myself, take my questions to God, and move past the “good guy,” “bad guy” syndrome that is fueled by self-righteousness and pride.

If you notice, Jesus didn’t have anything to do with the camp that considered themselves the elite. He totally bypassed their presumption and moved amongst the lowly, hungry, and desperate of spirit.

Eugene Peterson writes about this very thing in the Message Bible’s introduction to the book of Nehemiah.

“Separating life into distinct categories of “sacred” and “secular” damages, sometimes irreparably, any attempt to live a whole and satisfying life, a coherent life with meaning and purpose, a life lived to the glory of God. Nevertheless, the practice is widespread. But where did all these people come up with the habit of separating themselves and the world around them into these two camps? It surely wasn’t from the Bible. The Holy Scriptures, from beginning to end, strenuously resists such a separation.”

Paul had some thoughts about this as well in his words to the Corinthian church,“I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges.” (2 Corinthians 5:9-13)

When we decide to judge and separate ourselves from those we perceive to be“outside our camp” we run the risk of being the very ones God will oppose, even though we might think we are doing great things for God!

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Scripture tells us that the Lord will hear us, protect us and show forth light from our darkness, “If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, And if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” (Isaiah 58:9-11)

Frank Viola, speaking about Jesus says in his book From Eternity to Here, "His message is scandalously inclusive. It excludes no one, except for those who resist its radical inclusivity…a threat to the wealthy, to the powerful and mostly the religious.”

Instead of isolating ourselves and looking to hang with the elite camp, the smartest thing we can do is pour ourselves out for the contrite and the least of the least, following Christ’s example. That way we won’t run the risk of being those who ultimately put themselves on the outs with Christ.

Bood Review-Forgotten God, by Francis Chan

2009-08-12T11:33:00.011-04:00

Initially Chan's explanation of the Holy Spirit seemed restrained and I was confused by his linear view of an untamable God, and I was left wondering where the fervor was that sang through the pages of Crazy Love. However, as I continued through the book I saw glimpses of a freer exchange emerge. I loved his chapter endings with great stories about impassioned believer’s lives.

Then as I read Chan's after thoughts to the book in his section titled, Afterword, my spirit leapt. “My hope for you, the reader, is that the church people don’t try to normalize you.”

He went on to write about his burden for the plight of the thousands of innocent girl’s sold into sex trafficking, a passion for justice I also carry. When friends suggested that he ease up on his conviction, he countered with the Holy Spirit's instructions, “Treat them as your own!”

He suggested that we, in the church, are often guilty of dumbing down the zeal of vibrant believers contradicting the biblical model we we’re given. He went on to relay a story about a sixteen year old girl who sponsors fourteen needy children on her own. That is a lot of money for a high school kid to shell out from part time jobs.

The Power of Childlikeness

2009-08-05T14:50:00.025-04:00

As a girl I loved to line my dolls up on my bed for “fireside chats” where I would teach them about the world we live in. I prepared them for the day they might follow suit with Pinocchio and break free! Life hasn’t really changed that much, only now I share my life lessons with real living dolls that make up the beautiful woman after God’s own heart, His Bride.

In the same way I trained my dolls to overcome their situation in life; I have dug, scraped and battled my way out of my boxes of oppression that have threatened to keep me lifeless. Now it only seems natural that I help others stack the ammunition for their own arsenal of defense in their battles against the enemy, who is hell bent on stealing our destinies and keeping us imprisoned in a lifeless form.

Recently I was sharing with a client about a tremendous act of defiance in overcoming the enemy I once heard on Oprah. When Uma Thurman was being interviewed a fan gave her impassioned thanks for being a virtual life coach of sorts, in helping her survive the onslaught of cancer through the bold character she portrayed in the movie Kill Bill.

After seeing the 2003 Quentin Tarantino movie, Kill Bill the cancer victim assigned her plaguing illness the characteristics of the antagonist Bill, from the film. In identifying the evil of her enemy she chose to fight back with the tenacity of Uma’s character called the Bride. Somewhat fitting I would say!

The Bride was a member of a deadly Viper Assassination gang until, she found out that she was pregnant and carrying life inside her own. With that realization she decided to flea from the gang to marry and gain a new identity.

Bill, her boss and gang leader relentlessly pursued his defector, brutally killing everyone at the wedding and striking what he thought would be the last blow to the Bride, by putting a bullet in her head. After four years of being in a coma, the Bride awakened to realize her enemy would not relent in his pursuit to destroy her. Arming herself with a sword and all of her skill in battle, so strategically took up the fight. I am not recommending this graphically disturbing movie; however it does present a powerful picture for us of the battle over God’s glorious Bride, if we can get past the messenger.

Although our battle is not with flesh and blood, we do have a spiritual enemy. And surely this is no time to be powerless. As the glorious Bride we have divine spiritual weapons at our disposal and the powerful sword of the Spirit to wield. We must take responsibility to awaken from our own spiritual coma and steward the life we’ve been given. There is great fruit that will emerge as a result of contending for the voice, life and pulsing heart inside each of us that often gets snuffed out when we are careless and ignorant of the battle raging around us.

The illustration I shared about my dolls is a reminder that the only way we can make it in times like these is to possess the strength of a childlike heart. A childlike heart of faith is the greatest weapon of defense in our arsenal. It was with child like creativity and tenacity that the valiant cancer survivor took her stance against her enemy. It was with that same tenacity and childlike faith that David faced Goliath, while the grown ups cowered in fear. It is time to arm ourselves spiritually, move out in childlike-bold faith with the knowledge of who we are in Christ. Its time to shine like all Brides’ do!

Tell me what you are doing to awaken your childlike faith and arm yourself spiritually. Follow me on Facebook and message your reply!

Unfolding Wings

2009-07-30T10:09:00.009-04:00

I am a person who finds delight in action. When I am pressed up against a wall, I usually find relief in taking action, instead of nursing my predicament like worry beads. I am just wired that way.

When my precious husband Bill went home to be with the Lord, while many process through grief differently, I immediately needed to sort through his belongings to find closure. The brutal reality necessitated that I immediately faced life head on without him.

Shortly after when the Lord instructed me to move my little family to North Carolina, I didn’t hem and haw about it. I said “yes” and did it. However, now I find myself on the edge of a precipice needing to be reminded again how to take the first leap into air. Maybe some of you too have gotten comfortable in life and find that sky diving is the last thing on your mind.

As I move forward into the Lord’s new assignment for my family, I find myself holding my breath trying to imagine what it will feel like once my foot leaves the secure footing beneath it, questioning if we’ve really heard the invitation to fly. I imagine myself peering into the deep end of the unfamiliar where I am again invited to dive, tabulating how cold the first plunge will be upon my skin.

Recently when reading in the book of James I experienced the first blast of cold air.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:5-8 NKJ

As if that wasn’t direct enough James goes on,

“Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God--the free life!-even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.” James 1:22-25 MSG

Like many of you, I have clearly glimpsed the revealed counsel of God—the free life. I have tasted the freedom of extending my wings to fly. There is no comparison to wading in the lukewarm baby pool, or nestling in a comfortable cul-de-sac. I know I was born to fly!

Even if I need to close my eyes, praying while I jump, I know I willingly surrender the comfort of all I can't keep, for what I will never loose. I've decided to heed the words of Ray Bradbury, “Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall.”

Hunting for Bear

2009-07-23T11:42:00.017-04:00

When my oldest boys were young they loved to watch Daniel Boone and Davy Crocket reruns. They ran around our wooded ten acres with pretend toy rifles and coon skin hats in search of bear. Bear was a real occurrence in rural New Hampshire where we lived. However the bear never seemed to show up when the boys were hunting, rather unexpectantly, like the time a bear woke me in the middle of night banging against my window pane.

When young David killed his bear he was minding his own business tending sheep. And we too are usually tending to business when we face unwarranted attacks. Sometimes the enemy crosses over into our territory without recognition and suddenly we are attacked on our own turf. He works his wiles to bring unrest where ever he can, seeking an open door of vulnerability into our lives.

Like you, I have been a victim of the enemies’ ploys many times. Whether due to his lose of territory, vehemently lashing out in response to a perceived threat, or in sighting rumors spewed in jealousy, the enemy is on the prowl seeking whom he may destroy.

Peter gives us this warning, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever.”(1 Peter 5:8-11 NAS)

Not only does Peter warn us to be alert about the wiles of the enemy, he also reveals the benefit of the trials we suffer. He explains that the Lord uses trials, to perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish us in Christ. Every onslaught of the enemy in my life has truly brought a greater opportunity for growth and strengthening of my resolve in the Lord.

So the next time you stumble upon bear or Lion, remember Peter's admonition to resist the enemy firm in your faith. Another way to say this would be to stand in place, and not be moved. When the enemy strikes, grab your pots and pans like I did, let him know that you will not be intimidated, or surrender your territory. Stand firm allowing the Lord to strengthen you.

Camp is Over

2009-07-21T10:05:00.011-04:00

My greatest revelation came in recognizing my own need for Christ. And the awareness that the only reason I was walking with Him in the first place was His whole hearted pursuit of me and not my own smarts. I was no different from those considered the outsider, by one camp or another. If you notice, Jesus didn’t have anything to do with the camp that considered themselves the elite. He totally bypassed their presumption and moved amongst the lowly, hungry, and desperate of spirit.

Eugene Peterson writes about this very thing in the Message Bible’s introduction to the book of Nehemiah.

When we decide to judge and separate ourselves from those “outside our camp” that Christ passionately gave His life for, we run the risk of being the very ones God will oppose, even though we might think we are doing great things for God!

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Scripture tells us that the Lord will hear us, protect us and show forth light from our darkness, “If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, And if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. and the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” (Isaiah 58:9-11)

Stand, Watch and Pray

2009-07-20T11:06:00.012-04:00

A few nights ago I had a dream about being in Chinatown where a sinister Chinese woman began lashing out at me for no apparent reason, saying she wanted to kill me. I fled to my car to get away and ended up driving on top of buildings along hidden tracks above the city. Very few people knew about these tracks, however I did pass a few others traveling on them.

When I woke up I knew that the dream was about spiritual warfare and the hidden track of the spiritual realm the Lord has invited His people to travel on in the heavenly places. As believer’s we are called to move beyond the flesh and exercise the authority we have been given in the heavenly realm.

Paul tells us in Ephesians that we have been raised up with Christ, and seated with Him in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6)

He admonishes us that, “… our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

In the Gospels Jesus tells us clearly, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

When things are running smoothly its easy to become complacent and forget that our world consists of more than what our eyes see in the natural. There is a whole spiritual realm in motion that we are called to participate in as representatives of the kingdom. The Lord reminds us that we need to be vigilant as warriors, armed and ready at all times.

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36

A short time after awaking from my dream, I read an email that confirmed what I dreamt, speaking about an attack that had been released in the spiritual realm. This was a message to hasten believers to pray, recalling the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics, where at the onset of the games Chinese drummers beat their drums in war like fashion.

After sharing my dream with my son who lives in New York City, he recalled stumbling upon a demonized woman on the streets who swore and cursed at him in a foreign language. He realized what had transpired in the spiritual realm and why he had been battling sickness. We prayed together to break off the spoken curses and to usher in healing for his body.

It is necessary in these times that we become fluent in the language of the Spirit, though often and especially if unpracticed, seems like a foreign language. We need to familiarize ourselves with our position in Christ. The Apostle Paul explained that we are called to make know the wisdom of God to the rulers in the heavenly places. "...The manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 3:10)

Its time to stand, watch and pray!

From Eternity to Here

2009-07-14T17:17:00.005-04:00

Today I am blogging with a group of 45 bloggers who were invited to read Frank Viola’s book, From Eternity to Here and then share our thoughts.

As the reader is taken from Genesis to Revelation in From Eternity to Here, hearts can’t help but be stirred while reflecting on a pursing God in passionate pursuit of His bride. Viola’s book goes on to address the dissatisfaction that many believers experience with traditional church, pointing out that authentic relationship with Christ and each other, is the remedy rather than institutional Christianity.

From Eternity to Here challenges the body of Christ to move beyond the cultural expression of "church" that we've come to know, back to the relational organism of each member being rightly connected. This book is full of insight and challenging reflection.

The following bloggers are posting a review or Q & A with Frank Viola on his bestselling book FROM ETERNITY TO HERE today, Tuesday, July 21st. You may order the book at a discount at www.FromEternitytoHere.org – it’s also on audio book. Free discussion guide, sample chapters, interviews, and a free audio of the first chapter are available on that site also. Here are the bloggers who are participating:

Jay Becker - www.jaybecker.org
Mark D - http://deadmanstravelog.blogspot.com
Igniting Hearts - Kimber Britner - http://www.ignitinghearts.blogspot.com/ Karyn - http://tiger-kar.blogspot.com
Barefoot Preacher - http://thebarefootpreacher.blogspot.com
Every Day Angels - www.WeAreEverydayAngels.com
FaithEngineer - http://www.faithengineer.com
Kristen Schiffman - http://dancinginthemargins.typepad.com/
CrossPointe: The Church at Bevo - http://churchatbevo.blogspot.com/
Crazy Love for God - crazyloveforgod.blogspot.com
Amazima Ministries - oatsvallteam.blogspot.com
Down to Write Honest - http://downwritehonest.com
A Beautiful Mess - http://blnorth1105.blogspot.com/
The Blakes on a Mission - www.theblakesthailand.blogspot.com
Words by Jud Kossum - http://judkossum.blogspot.com
Eric Jaffe - http://www.ericjaffe.org
Reconnect with God – www.Reconnectwithgod.org
2nd Cup of Coffee - http://www.2nd-cup-of-coffee.blogspot.com
Nolan Bobbitt Website - www.nolanbobbitt.com
Klappyanne - www.xanga.com/klappyanne
Daveingland - http://www.daveingland.com
Randi Jo Rooks - http://seedsinmyheart.blogspot.com
Ephesians Five – http://ephesiansonefive.blogspot.com
Michael Bayne - http://www.michaelbayne.net
Encounter Church Helena Blog - encounterhelena.org
Thoughts B4 Conviction N2 Action - tsharrison.blogspot.com
Edevotion - http://www.e-devotion.blogspot.com
Seeking After - http://seekingafter.blogspot.com
Eric Powell - www.encounterhelena.org
Borrowed Light - http://fbcnewlondon.blogspot.com

New Wine Skins

2009-07-12T14:21:00.030-04:00

***I am posting next weeks blog early, because on Tuesday I will post a special entry in collaboration with 45 other bloggers.***

Recently while I was in Los Angeles, I was taken back as if seeing for the first time the amazing creativity every where my eyes glanced. I giggled at the riotous landscape covered with huge trumpeted flowers as if ready to burst into song. I smiled at the tree clusters with giant balls seated atop, all reminiscent of Dr. Seuss. The plethora of artistic expression flowed out of every corner, whether through actors, sidewalk artists, or nature itself.

As much as I was awestruck by the beauty, none of the things I witnessed were created by Dr. Seuss. There was a much greater childlike heart credited at the core of those masterpieces, God Himself! While I marveled at the outrageous creativity that is the hallmark of God, I also recognized that not everyone is open to God's creative methods. After all His creativity has not only involved releasing plagues in Egypt and parting seas, but also sending off the prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute, all to illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness.

Then when Jesus came on the scene He modeled creativity through the vivid pictures in His parables that only a few could perceive. Only those with open hearts were able to grasp His imagery, while the self-righteous leaders of His day totally missed His kingdom demonstrations. Sadly, it’s the same stanch mindsets that threaten to stifle the creativity released in every move of God.

In Matthew 9:17 Jesus gave us an illustration of the kind of container that is able to hold the inspiration of the Spirit. He illustrated this by using wine skins as a picture of our hearts, conveying that new wine can’t be put in old cracked and hardened wine skins, because it will leak out and be lost.

Just as there were hardened wine skins in Jesus day, there are today as well. It is only when a heart is changed by the Spirit of God that it becomes soft, pliable, and able to perceive the kingdom of God. However, this regeneration is an on going process. Look at the learning curve the disciples experienced as they were trained in the creativity of kingdom reality.

Even when Jesus was dead and buried in the tomb, He continued to stun His disciples as the creative breath of life blew and brought Him forth in a new form. After His resurrection His good friend Mary Magdalene didn’t even recognize Him at the tomb, because He was in a different form.

Have you noticed that births come ushering in a new form amidst the old, often a form that can only be perceived through the heart of a new wine skin? The preparation for Christ’s ministry was introduced in such a way, through John the Baptist.

John was born into a family of priest, which meant following the order of the priesthood. Prior to John’s birth, his father Zacharias and mother Elizabeth had no children, because Elizabeth was aged and barren. God wanted to break with the old powerless order, and usher in a new and better way. In doing so he sent an angel to tell Zacharias that Elizabeth was expecting a child to be named John. However, the angel also told him that he would remain silenced unto the fulfillment of his son’s birth, because of his unbelief. God had to silence Zacharias to bypass the old way that was lifeless and barren, while initiating a new and better way.

The same was true of Jesus, the Son of God, born of a virgin, in a lowly stable. The birth of Jesus bypassed the expectations of how the religious perceived that the Messiah would come. And there is always the danger that we too can become the old order opposing what God wants to do, if we stay trapped in our comfortable form of religion, missing the new manner of expression God would release amongst us today. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth.

I don't want to be blinded, because of pride and miss what God is birthing today, do you? Let our prayer be, Lord, make my heart a soft pliable container for your Spirit. Open the eyes of my heart with understanding to see. No matter how old I get let me be a new wineskin with a childlike heart that hungers to see You released in new creative ways. Let me be counted as able to perceive the new things you are doing in the earth by Your Spirit, despite my former patterns, mindsets and those in opposition to you. Help me humble myself and turn from any religious arrogance that I tote. Help me to see!

If You Haven't Experienced It, Don't Knock It!

2009-07-02T13:26:00.007-04:00

Recently I was watching a clip on Sid Roth’s, Its Supernatural and the phrase popped into my head, “If you haven’t experienced it, don’t knock it!”

To all of the naysayers, mockers and scorners, Jesus said in effect, “If you haven’t experienced it, don’t knock it!”

“Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb--preaching, of all things!-to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation.” (1 Corinthians 1:21 MSG)

“The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can't receive the gifts of God's Spirit. There's no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit--God's Spirit and our spirits in open communion.” (1 Corinthians 2:14 MSG)

In the last many years when I’ve encountered something that baffled and stretches my understanding, my prayer has been, “Lord, enlarge and enlighten my understanding.” That is what Paul instructed us to pray in Ephesians 1:18, that the eyes of our understanding would be enlightened. Because our understanding is darkened apart from the Holy Spirit, we cannot comprehend the things of God. That is why Paul prays that our understanding would be flooded with light.

The flood light came on for me one time when I saw a picture of the Lord rewiring my understanding, like a switchboard operator. He desires to rewire and renew our mind, so that we can have the enlightened mind of Christ in whose image we bear.

When you come across something that baffles your human understanding, invite God’s heavenly understanding to open your eyes to the way He sees and watch God expand your world exponentially. There is no way to grow in our understanding of who God is without experiencing increased measures of His love. Truly tasting the matchless love of God will absolutely blow your mind!

Read Paul's prayer for us concerning the love of Christ,

“I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit--not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength-that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights!” (Ephesians 3:16-18 MSG

Don't knock it until you've tried it!

Contending for Our Place

2009-07-02T12:33:00.014-04:00

While recently in LA, I had a couple of significant dreams. Scripture is filled with examples of the Lord speaking through dreams. Peter quoted Joel in the book of Acts, stating that God would pour out His Spirit on mankind and that many would prophesy, see visions and have dreams given by God. (Acts 2:17)

In one of my dreams I was in school with a bunch of teenage kids and there was a bully that continually attacked, throwing knives, shovels and anything he could use. The kids always subdued him, but he never let up on his vicious antics.

Then at 4:00 A.M., I woke up from my dream, because I heard noises outside our hotel room. I called the front desk and complained. The congenial lady at the front desk replied, "Mrs. Britner, I will send security to take care of it right away." I hung up the phone and immediately the noise ceased. I was reminded of David's response to the noise he heard amidst a battle. When he responded to the sound of the wind in the trees and took action, God went before him to subdue his enemy. (2 Samuel 5:24)

I fell back asleep and continued the dream. In the dream I learned that everyone was getting ready for graduation ceremonies, the END OF SEASON SPORTS CEREMONIES! I found out at the last minute about my particular teams ceremony. I would have missed it if I didn't get word.

Then even though I heard about the graduation, I found out that my name wasn't on the list for the ceremony. However, because my name was on the list in the dream I had the night before of those being released to speak, I knew that this graduation to a higher level must be contended for. Then I saw a boy that didn't know about any of the information concerning the graduation, because he didn't have a cell phone. I offered to lend him mine.

When I woke up from the dream, I was very aware that it was highlighting the continuous battle that rages around us and the need to go to straight to the front desk, or Head Quarters instead of battling in our own strength.

It is clear that we are at the end of a season, a season shift, and ca shift is occurring. For many that means a necessary wake up call, so not to miss what God is doing in their lives and their promotion to a higher place. It is necessary that we stay in the loop, attentively listening and watching for the coordinates, and contending for this new place the Lord is allowing us to graduate into.

There is also accountability for helping those on our team who are straggling behind, (the boy without the cell phone). We aren’t in this alone. The body of Christ is one entity. It is always necessary when on a team to play by the rules, God's rules, and when we do there will be advancement.

There is a clarion trumpet call. It is time that we as the body become contenders. We don’t want to be those who miss the graduation, because we are oblivious to what God is doing in the earth. We need to be alert and attentive to the sound of His movement and respond. He reveals His secrets to His friends, so let’s draw close to our friend, Jesus.

God's Heart Beats for Hollywood

2009-06-29T13:45:00.024-04:00

After last week’s loss of two Hollywood Icons, presently Hollywood is on the lips and minds of many. Hollywood has always had a global impact. What comes out of this city is far reaching. Yet for all intensive purposes the church has abandoned the responsibility to steward what is coming forth from Hollywood and we are all aware of its decay.

Last night I had a dream about God's heart for Hollywood, His coming visitation and plan to set free captives and influencers of this region. He showed me the time of release is now. There is a changing of guard coming!

Years ago when I lived in Hollywood God reached through the flames lapping in my life and rescued me, like the picture on the billboard I drove past frequently on Sunset Blvd announcing Bob Dylan's album, "Saved." I believe the billboard was a prophetic picture preempting the coming move of God.

Mark and I have been in LA this week and have spent a lot of time praying and walking around various areas of the city. Mark commented several times that LA is like a third world country in the sense that there is such poverty of spirit and soul. Shawn Bolz released an prevalent word later in the week stating the same sentiment.

Although the church has often taken the stance of rejecting what is polluted and void of righteousness, God is the initiator of invading darkness with light and reclaiming ground for Himself. Just look at you and me! His heart is that instead of running away, the church would follow suit and invade the darkness with the light of Christ.

"I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." John 12:26

"… you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness."Romans 2:19

"For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Cor. 4:6

God's heart beats for Hollywood and as His church we need to get behind what ever moves His heart. Prayer is the most obvious means to impact a move of God, but financial support is also necessary for those who are not called physically to a region. God cares for Hollywood and He is about to infiltrate the heart of man in this region with His glory.

Drenched By Love

2009-06-18T09:38:00.013-04:00

The Lord is initiating a shift for my family, and although there are still missing pieces in the puzzle yet to manifest before our eyes, I hold fast to the fact that “The eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Even in times of uncertainty, drought, suffering, oppression or persecution, Scripture tell us the Lord will continually guide us, and satisfy our desire in scorched places. He will give strength to our bones; and we will be like a well-watered garden, and spring whose waters do not fail. (Isaiah 58:11)

That’s good news, because to be well-watered actually means to be drenched, saturated, and drunken! Even in times when we are pressed in on every side we have everything available to us. We can be saturated with the presence of God!

If the Lord is looking throughout the earth for those whom He can bless, why would we settle to survive when we have everything we need to thrive? The Bible clearly states that "...only the rebellious dwell in a parched land." (Psalm 68:6)

I choose (and it is a choice) to pull up, press into and wrestle if necessary, to get into the Lord's presence. I seek to climb up into His lap, soaking up His heavenly goodness. With His available abundance, and invitation (Matthew 7:7), I proactively position myself to stand beneath the down pour of God's love and drink.

The Eyes to See

2009-06-07T11:19:00.018-04:00

Have you ever felt trapped against a precipice of impossibility with no visible way out? Doesn’t life sometimes present itself with limited possibilities? Maybe you are stuck in a dead-end job, a terrible recession and no possibilities for alternate employment. Maybe you can’t imagine where the money will come from for the mortgage, or the illusive answer to the insurmountable obstacle in your life. Ever been there?

A scene from the movie, The Last of the Mohicans speaks of this very thing. Cora and Hawkeye were hiding beneath a waterfall from the ensuing enemy, when Hawkeye informed Cora that he would have to leave her alone to be captured by her brutal enemy. Hawkeye knew there was no way out of the situation unless he went ahead of Cora. After one last glance and the strong admonition, "Stay alive! Whatever you do stay alive. Fight! I will find you. No matter what it takes, no matter how long, I will find you. Stay alive!" Hawkeye dove off the ledge into the water below and was gone, leaving Cora to face her worst fear.

I watched that movie for the first time when my life was also in a seemingly hopeless situation. I too faced my worst fear. After burying my husband I was left alone as a widow to raise four small children 9 to 2 years of age. The Lord spoke straight to my heart through Hawkeye’s words to Cora. There in the darkness, pressed up against the insurmountable precipice of loneliness and despair I could see no way out, yet I was being instructed to fight, to see beyond what I could see with natural eyes.

I have since come to learn that just because I can’t see the road in front of me, doesn't mean it's not there. When life seems vacant of possibility we need to remember the ability of the One who spoke the Universe into being from nothing. Nothing, is not a stumbling block for the Lord. Nothing, is matter for great substance in God’s economy. Nothing is the place of great beginnings and the realm where the rescue from all precipices exists.

Have you noticed that the Lord’s ability or supply is never the problem? All solutions exist within God, but we are challenged to see into the realm of heaven where no deficiency exists. To this end I pray that the eyes of my understanding would be opened (Ephesians 1:18) and enlarged to see God in the expanded version, wide screen-Technicolor- supernatural-perception. I want to see way past my natural vision into a heavenly realm of vast possibilities.

To get to a place we have never been before requires measures beyond what we have known. Oswald Chambers said, "Beware of going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something that you have never been."

I don’t want to be limited by my inability to see. I want to press in and acquire supernatural sight into God’s realm to be something I've never been. Don’t you?

The Fight for Liberty

2009-06-03T11:55:00.014-04:00

This week I entered into a battle zone and got hit from behind. I was minding my own business, attending to details for a family celebration when the attack came suddenly and unexpectedly.

I wasn't willing to surrender to the accusations attempting to control and derail my faith, yet it still took sometime to sort through the confusion from the blow. I searched my heart, laying it bear before the Lord in case I was guilty of offense. When the Lord identified a week area I had negligent to guard in my wall of defense, I began to fortify through prayer.

It didn’t take long to realize that the confusion and intangible muck whirling around all pointed back to an element that couldn’t be identified with the eye. There was an invisible enemy (fear and unbelief) who had entered through an opening in the wall. And because fear produces the feeling of being out of control it in sighted the need to grasp for control in the one being attacked.

Later that day when a friend called to share the same onslaught transpiring in her life, we knew that like Debra and Jael in the book of Judges, Chapter 4, God had given us a strategy and the weapon to overtake this enemy.

It was time to turn back the battle at the gate. After perceiving the enemy we proceeded like Jael to put a tent peg through the enemies temple, (a tent peg of prayer that is) to slay the lies attacking the victims in their mind.

We prayerfully battled to release faith where fear had illegally encroached. In place of the disparaging whirlwind, we prayed that the Holy Spirit would send a wind of liberty to loose the yokes of control. Soon the confusion and oppression began to lift and liberty was able to dance back in. Now we must be faithful to continue to man our post, so the spirit of fear has no entrance in ourselves or the lives of those we love.

When we unexpectedly get hit from behind we need to remember the words of Paul in Galatians 5:1, “Stand strong therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of slavery.”

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses." 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Irresistible

2009-05-26T08:31:00.003-04:00

Last Sunday at church we were relegated to sit in the very last row of seats along the isle. Usually it’s hard to enter into worship from the back row, as compared to sitting up close and personal, but on Sunday the presence of God was so strong that I was swept up instantly. Tears rolled down my face as I was well aware that my self-conscious teenage son was tenderly, singing and lifting his hands in worship right next to my husband and me. The presence of God was so tangible that the only word I can think of to describe it is, irresistible.

At the same time, to my amazement the ushers were loudly carrying on a conversation right next to our seats. Many of those sequestered in the back rows were turning to look in disbelief that they were so unaware of what was going on around them. Finally I got up and asked if they would move their conversation outside. Unfortunately after a few short minutes the conversation began to ensue once again.

Later during the week as I still considered the whole scenario, I began to think of the Parable of the ten virgins. From the Parable it appears that all of the ten virgins had access to the same things, yet some of the girls were quick to respond and some were reticent. I guess there will always be things to distract us. Even Jesus was tempted in the wilderness with something as simple as food, yet without sin.

We all have a choice everyday to carry on as if the day were the same as the next and miss the very available presence of God all around us. Or we can be those that are intentionally attuned to the presence of God, quick to apprehend and keep our vessels full, like the wise virgins. Even the wise virgins had to apprehend the oil that kept their lanterns burning brightly. The foolish virgins didn’t even consider that it was a necessity to stay alight.

I want to always burn brightly for the Lord and be a sponge for the presence of God. I want to be an umbrella turned upside down every time heavens showers fall. I want to consume every drop of God that I can take in and not be carelessly distracted and totally miss Him. I want to be a worshiper that pours out every last drop, like Mary who lavishly poured her bottle of perfume and love upon Jesus in a crowd of onlookers that missed the occasion, rather than entered into it.

Truly, the presence of God is so irresistible that a surrendered heart is undone by the slightest encounter. It is the only power to transform, apprehend and undo a teenage boy or an elderly son. The presence of God has the power to reduce the stoutest man to his knees in awe and wonder.

Embracing New Shifts

2009-05-22T10:57:00.018-04:00

I don’t know about you, but the Lord is challenging me to live at a new level. It seems whenever I get comfortable and am not experiencing some measure of stretching, the Lord comes along to turn up the heat. Have you ever noticed that in your own life? I could choose to plod along as is, but that would be against my nature and most definitely the Lords. Complacency just isn't in the Lord's vocabulary. Did we really think His plan is for us to get comfortable and settle down on the back 80?

The Lord doesn’t choose advancement for us to be mean. He does this because He is preparing us to rule and reign with Him. Therefore we have to learn to grow and move up the mountain into the ranks of authority that He has destined for His Bride.

At the same time I sense a shift coming, I am also aware that there is an amazing opportunity, a sort of opening in the heavenlies that is allowing greater revelation of the Kingdom realm. Yet, again, I can ignore this sense of “deep calling unto deep” burning within me, or by faith I can choose to walk out onto the plank and dive into the realm of the unknown.

As I have contemplated this new place the Lord is drawing many, I quickly understand that there will be new requirements. Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “New levels come with new devils.” It is impossible to advance to a new level and continue to live at the old one. It’s foolish to think that you can be promoted without more being required of you. Because the Lord wants us to succeed, He prepares us to take new ground. Yet what can we actively do to participate in preparation for a coming shift?

1. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all things will be added unto you.(Mt. 6:33)

2. Love the Lord your God with all…(MT 22:37)“He who love Me…I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21)

3. Tend to loose ends that keep you tethered down and let go of the baggage you can’t take with you into new territory. “I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. “ (Phil. 3:13) (Heb. 6:11-12)

4. Hunger and thirst for righteousness more than comfort and a familiar way of doing things (Mt. 5:6)

5. Be movable and teachable. “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

6. Be a person who seeks, expects and hungers for more, because of the intimacy shared with your Bridegroom. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Mt. 7:7)

7. Survey the condition of the new territory you will be called to overtake, like Joshua and Caleb. After identifying the enemy, Caleb said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13:30)

8. Battle in the opposing spirit of the things you know will come against you. For instance if you know you will be facing a pervasive attitude of greed and idolatry, intentionally set your heart to worship only God. Set your heart toward generosity. “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him.” Phil. 2:8-9 Use the Sword of the Spirit to battle. (Eph. 6:13-17)

9. Call on God. “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things that you do not know.” (Jer. 33:3) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil 4:6)

10. Let praise lead you! “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.” (Psalm 48:1)

Looking for Whom He May Bless

2009-05-22T10:55:00.005-04:00

Have you noticed lately everywhere you look there are people desperately trying to get what they can for themselves with little regard for the next guy? Mark regularly tells me stories about encounters with people who have abandoned integrity in an attempt to profit in business and the few he meets that have an honest and generous spirit. Unfortunately as the times escalate, fear and greed will increase.

It’s not always easy to be generous in times like these, unless you are sure about where your provision comes from. All of the security we think we control can be altered in an instant. Just look at the change in the world market. What once appeared unshakable now teeters on the brink of collapse. Our confidence can’t rest in temporal kingdoms.

In Matthew 24:10-12 Jesus warns in the last days that many will fall away and betray one another and because of an increase of wickedness most people's love will grow cold. Clearly we can see signs of this all around.

I have personally witnessed the heartbreak of love growing cold in families I know who sell one another out for personal gain. While people are panicking about the economy and acting from a spirit of fear and greed, how do we guard against being those who fall away and allow their love to die?

More than ever this is a time when we need to respond in the opposite spirit of fear and greed. Rather than precipitate the battle over turf and self preservation, hording and hunkering down, we need to walk in faith and generosity. This can be a time of great blessing and provision for those who walk in faith. Get ready this could be your time to reap the fruit of your reward.

2 Chronicles 16:6 says, “The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” Another way to say this is, to bless those who are completely His. He wants to support, display strength, sustain and encourage those who are in this with Him as lovers and co-laborers.

We don't have to allow this to be a time of panic and fear. We can move into a time of divine encounters and provision for those who lean their head on the chest of their beloved and walk in confidence with their God. This is not the time to focus on material things that draw our eyes away from our beloved and cause our hearts to grow lukewarm. It’s time to draw near to the embrace of our beloved, so we can continue to walk in peace and the spirit of generosity. Lets be those who the Lord wants to favor, in whom He sees the reflection of Himself.

The Game Strategy

2009-05-15T09:47:00.013-04:00

Recently the Lord has been speaking to me about strategy and preparation for the days ahead. One of the ways He reveals strategy is through dreams. A couple of years ago before we even knew we were moving back to Charlotte from the lake, the Lord gave me a dream about a U-turn heading south, back to Charlotte. He also gave me a dream of a map, laying out a specific location where we were looking to buy a house. It turned out to be the exact location where we ended up buying a house and where we now live.

The other night I had a dream about a football team when the Lord began to speak to me about strategy. In this dream the football team was very concerned with feeding their appetite for notoriety, temporal pleasures and things. Needless to say this careless life style made them totally ineffective on the field. Because they ignorantly mingled with their opponent in an attempt to elevate their status, they were also ineffective about guarding their plan of attack on the field.

When I awoke, the Lord began to clarify His strategy for His team. Instead of carelessly living in the moment for temporal pleasures and gain, our Coach has a clear strategy and expectation for His team. He hasn’t chosen a life of idleness, comfort and couch dwelling for His athletes. He expects intense preparation, seasons of training and willingness to travel and do what it takes to further the success of the team. Although He's giving instruction, He expects the team to co-labor in this effort. The Coach intentionally places His players in their positions, so with the authority He’s given them they can possess the playing field, take the championship and further His kingdom.

Here’s the game plan:

1. Listen for directions from The Coach (My sheep listen to My voice. John 10:27)

2. Get in shape! Pray knowing everything depends on God and work as if everything depends on you. (A workman...who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15) (Present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice...Romans 12:1)

3. Know your position and guard it (You are a chosen race, royal priesthood, a Holy Nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9)

4. Know who your opponent is (We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph. 6:12)

5. Keep your head in the game (We have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 2:16)

6. Play for eternal dividends, not momentary thrills (For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21)

7. Support and cover the backs of your teammates (Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another. James 5:16)

8. Keep your eye on the goal, know your mission and destination (He who overcomes I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne. Revelations 3:21)

Know Who Your Friends Are

2009-05-12T11:28:00.002-04:00

This past week I woke up from three dreams stating phrases that I believe are on the Lord’s heart. They were, “Know who your friends are,” “Be prepared for battle” and thirdly, “Have child like faith.”

Interestingly during the week I attended a friend’s family gathering where everything looked lovely on the outside, yet there had been terrible betrayal behind the scenes from many different parties. Everyone smiled as if all was fine, but below the surface were gaping wounds.

As I considered my dreams, I reflected on the phrase that suggested being aware of faithful relationships, contrary to the attributes resident at the gathering I attended. I reflected upon the Lord’s own betrayal, Jesus being the only one in existence who is truly a flawless friend in every way, yet He Himself was betrayed. If Jesus was not exempt from betrayal, (even with foreknowledge) it would be ridiculous to think that we could be without risk of being betrayed ourselves.

Since that was obviously not the point the Lord was making, I looked deeper at the characteristics of Jesus, the perfect friend, spotless lamb, who willingly laid down His life for slaughter, the One we can count on at all times. How would He prepare for battle? What exactly were His battle tactics?

Jesus greatest strategy in the battle over darkness was to act in the opposite spirit of those who attacked Him. Rather than taking up arms against His accusers, He laid down His life, displaying humility and forgiveness toward those that betrayed Him.

The third phrase in my dream, “Have child like faith” is key for possessing what it takes to walk this out amidst the pain we suffer in this life. If we are able to maintain a child like heart, rather than allowing bitterness to harden us, we will be like Joseph, who endured betrayal by the hands of his brothers and ultimately emerged as a free man having been tried and brought forth as gold. The childlike heart he demonstrated as a young dreamer was the seed that pierced through the hard soil of his circumstances and manifested in his reality. As a result Joseph’s perspective changed, making him able to say, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20)

The keys for overcoming betrayal begin through friendship with the perfect Lamb of God who is always just, and whose strategy for overcoming darkness was demonstrated in laying down His life. Childlike faith that believes in the unseen realm is necessary to be those who overcome the devastation of betrayal and come forth into newness of life, as Christ demonstrated. Through child like faith we are able to walk in His redemptive power.

I Want to Rock the Body

2009-04-29T10:57:00.023-04:00

Recently I was reminded of a song the Lord gave me years ago taken from the Song of Solomon that I sang at a wedding. The wedding was my sister's, the bride. The book, Song of Solomon in the Bible, tells the story of a romance between two lovers. In the story the bridegroom knocked on his beloved’s door, yet she had already gone to bed for the night. Slowly her heart was moved to respond, yet when she touched the bolt to open the door, all that was left was liquid myrrh dripping from the handle, exhibiting clear evidence of her lover’s presence. However, He had tired of waiting and was gone.

My song too retells the longing of the Bridegroom, “Oh, come away with Me, My Bride, My beautiful one, for winter is gone and the vines have ripened. Oh, don’t hide yourself from Me, but come out as a bride on her wedding day. Dance and sing with Me you are My lover, a bouquet of flowers, all glorious within. Run to Me and I will run to you. Cleave to Me and I will cleave to you.”

I believe the Lord is singing this same sentiment to His bride today, the body of Christ. If you can get past your preconceived notions, or religious parameters about how the Lord might choose to speak, I want to share with you how the Lord spoke to me through Justin Timberlake!

When I was working out one morning, the Lord slayed me with the words from a Justin Timberlake song, “Don’t be so quick to walk away, dance with me.” Immediately in the spirit I saw a dance floor where I knew the Lord was inviting me to dance with Him. As I peered into the dark room overflowing with people, I was aware of His presence singling me out, drawing and romancing me. Then I heard the words, “The air is thick…I’ve been watching you. I like the way you move, so go a head girl and do that thing you do. Let me rock your body, let me rock you till the break of day… It appears to me you like the way I move. I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do with you here to share My grove.”

The message the Lord was speaking to me, was the same message in Song of Solomon when the Bridegroom was expressing His longing for His bride. After the bride in the Song of Solomon saw that her lover had gone, she went in pursuit of him with her maidens. Timberlake’s song says, “So grab some girls and grab some more and meet me in the middle of the floor…pass to the left, sail to the right…I want to rock you!

Then the words intensified as a chorus between lovers shared intimate sentiments, like the lovers in Song of Solomon. The woman said, “Talk to me!” He said, “I can’t wait to have you in my arms...I’ll have you naked before the end of this song. Why did you come?” She said, “I came to dance with you…to romance with you.” He said, “I have been searching for love forever more.” She said, “Gotta take a chance if love is here on the floor.”

As I listened I realized that it is only through a naked and transparent relationship where oneness is shared, that we can truly connect with the Lord’s heart, and hear what He wants to reveal to ours. He is looking for those who will partner with Him in an intimate dance. He wants to ROCK HIS BODY, so we connect with Him, and feel His grove.

Amidst the backdrop of darkness, He wants to release His presence, like liquid myrrh, where the air is thick and we can be empowered to do what He’s called us to do. He wants to rock us until there is a break of day!I believe the Lord is asking us if we will take a chance, put ourselves out there, let love rouse us to get on the floor and let Him rock us? Will we turn away, or will we find Him in an intimate encounter? Will we grab others to be rocked by His radical, transforming love? The Lord wants to rock His body!

The Place In Between

2009-04-21T21:42:00.013-04:00

Back to Abraham…remember God told Abraham to hit the road and head out to a place he didn’t know? Have you ever felt like God was moving you out into the unknown? And after you’ve been trekking in faith for a while, kicking the desert sand in your face, God shows you an amazing vision of what is too come, like Abraham’s Starry Night display.

Believe it or not, that is the easy part, just the beginning. But then comes the whole gestation period of waiting to witness the vision manifest. The baby has to be birthed! And spiritual births encompass a whole different kind of labor.

The labor and transition is the toughest part, because you still can’t see the evidence of the baby, and you are way too far along to go back to barrenness. Although you are impregnated with a seed of something great, living, and growing inside, you won’t know what it looks like until it actually comes forth.

I’m in the in between place of a new vision God is birthing in the life of my family right now. He’s shown us the stars in the sky, like Abraham, and now He’s leading us on a mission to overcome the giants and take the land like Joshua. We're in the process of walking out this gestation period until it becomes a reality in our lives. However, honestly sometimes I feel like I am broken down in the desert wanting to call AAA to move me out of this place.

That’s when I have to stand on the word and call into being that which is not, as though it were. Even when I can’t see the physical evidence, I have to call into being the vision that God’s spoken over our lives and move a head as if it is right on the way. That’s when instead of AAA, I call God’s telephone number for my next coordinate, as Jeremiah was instructed to do, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

With any vision it is necessary to have spiritual discernment and eyes of childlike faith to behold what God is birthing. Before I ever got to see any of my natural children, I had the privilege of carrying the dream with God for nine months. And so with spiritual vision we also have to learn to guard the life God is giving us, and not let outside interference cause us to miscarry.

During the process of the growth of God's vision, He is also preparing us to nurture the new life that will be entrusted to us. And so we have to move forward from where we are into the future, to behold the promise and vision God is birthing. And that all begins with the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.

Glory Carriers

2009-04-15T08:56:00.003-04:00

Romans 1:20 tells us. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen.” Wouldn’t that mean that through living a life of faith we would be more highly in tune to encountering His invisible attributes, experiencing His eternal power, and divine nature? Since it is clear that the universe reveals the glory of God, “The whole earth is full of His glory”(Isaiah 6:3) shouldn’t we be experiencing it?

What is the glory of God? It is His character, nature, essence, splendor and presence. Just look around and you can witness the glory of God.

Recognizing the glory of God is a great place to start in attributing to God His due, but I want to go much further than that. I want to be like Moses who was actually changed, and transformed by the glory of God. When Moses encountered the glory of God on the mountain, he was altered forever.

At Pentecost, Peter had an encounter with the glory of God as the Holy Spirit filled the house with a sound like a violent rushing wind. The disciples were so altered that people thought they were drunk. Then Peter preached with power and 3,000 people were saved.

In the book of Acts there are many miraculous encounters with the glory of God. One such encounter was when Paul and Silas, singing and praying, while imprisoned for the Gospel, suddenly encountered an earthquake. It was so strong that it shook the foundations of the prison and immediately the chains fell off all of the prisoners.

That is exactly what happens when we encounter the presence and glory of God. The very foundations of our prison houses get shaken and we are released from our chains.

In Ephesians 1:18-19, Paul prayed that "the Father of glory" would give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him and that the eyes of our heart would be enlightened to know the hope of His calling and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the Saints and to understand what the surpassing greatness of His power toward those who believe.

That is my continual prayer, that the eyes of my heart would be enlightened to see more and more of God, to know the wealth of His glory given as my inheritance in the Saints, to comprehend and be transformed by the greatness of His power. I want to be a glory carrier to effect change in the world! How about you?

Eyes to See the Unseen

2009-04-15T08:47:00.004-04:00

Recently while away for Spring Break, I watched the movie Kate and Leopold. The movie illustrates a great picture of the unseen world of faith.

In the movie the character Leopold was transported into the future through a portal in time and after falling in love, Kate decided to follow Leopold back to the unseen world he was from and had already returned to. In the crux of time, while the portal was open, Kate crossed a girder or bridge into this unseen world of her future.

Kate made the choice to move into the unseen realm, which is the same choice offered to us everyday. We have the choice to live by faith and move into the invisible realm or stay comfortable in only what can be seen with our natural eyes. Kate would have forfeited her destiny and her love if she had not been brave enough to walk in faith.

Abraham was offered this kind of choice too, when God told him to leave all that he had known for a land he had never seen. God gave him the great promise of things to come, but only if he was willing to move out from what he had know into the realm of faith.

We all know that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) And “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

What girder is God asking you to cross? What are you facing right now that is in the unseen distance to you, but holds great promise?

Jesus made the comment, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26) after telling the disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

Often we clutch so tightly to the temporal elements of this world that we forfeit the weightier promise of that which is unseen. Maybe we need to be like Kate and Leopold, who looked into the unseen with eyes to see.

Primitive and Archaic or High Powered?

2009-03-26T12:12:00.008-04:00

Do you remember the early prototypes of airplanes that were simply a chair, with petals and wings that had to be man powered? They were archaic, couldn’t pick up much speed or fly very high, to say the least they were primitive.

Recently I had an encounter with the Lord where I was lifted above my own primitive human efforts to see His glory and power available to me if I was willing to surrender my human methods for heavenly ones. God was offering me an apparatus, so to speak, that would enable me to move at supernatural speed in exchange for my feeble archaic prototype.

Instantly my response was, “Yes Lord!” There was no resistance, because I am well aware of my human limitations. Who would not immediately receive the exchange with the offer of heavenly empowerment?

The thing is every one of us is offered the same deal. Those who have set their face upon God and decided not to look back can be carried by the same heavenly empowerment. Yet why is it that many of us continue trying to maintain our lives with man power?

There is a great wind blowing and if we set our sails to the wind we will be carried to new distances in God. When was the last time you evaluated the rickety apparatus you try to maintain?

The Holy Spirit is offering us a deal that can’t be beat. Even though things may have run well up until this point, they were limited. Now is the time to shift. What used to suffice will no longer be effective, or satisfy in the coming days. However, we can exchange our feeble, low impact effort for a high powered, long distant carrier. All we have to do is lay down our human reasoning, human effort and carnal ability and allow the Holy Spirit to supply us with His unmatched power. Sign me up I am in! I’ve had it with this archaic apparatus!

Who's Glory?

2009-03-21T13:05:00.005-04:00

I believe we are in a time of mercy and grace, a time when the Lord is calling those who will seek “His will on earth as it is in heaven.” Those who respond will begin to experience expedited transportation into a higher realm of His presence, by allowing Him to strip away all that stands in His way.

The Lord doesn’t demand, He woos with an invitation to come into His presence, but we can ignore the invitation like those in the Parable of Wedding Feast. Many didn’t respond, because they were consumed with comfortable living. But no bride, truly in love stands far off from her groom. When we respond to the invitation as His Bride, and come into His presence, He loves us into new places, new territory and into surrender.

Remember how the Lord led Abraham into new territory and into surrender? God promised Abraham a son. God manifested His promise and blessed Abraham with a son, but that wasn’t the end. He asked him to sacrifice his son on the altar, because He wanted to see if Abraham was able to move beyond the temporal into much more that God envisioned for him. His son was just the beginning of God’s plan.

How often do we want to camp out at the level we are at now, while God sees so much more for us? Yet, Abraham was willing to lay his son on the altar in obedience to God, to gain something far greater in God. To a parent that means laying down your very life.

God said to Abraham, “Because you have gone through with this, and have not refused to give me your son, your dear son, I’ll bless you-oh, how I’ll bless you! And I’ll make sure that your children flourish-like stars in the sky…and your descendants will defeat their enemies. All the nations of the earth will find themselves blessed through your descendants because you obeyed me.”(Genesis 22:15-17 MSG)

Abraham laid down his life by sacrificing his son on the altar. His son wasn’t an infant as many think. Scholars say he was in his twenties. God was asking him to sacrifice something that had been in his life for years. And like many of us God is asking us to sacrifice something we have grown to love and find comfort in, for something far greater.

After Abraham obeyed, God provided another sacrifice. Evidence of God’s promise and the fruit of Abraham’s obedience manifested, as his brother became a father of multiple children.

If we will give what we cannot keep, to gain what we cannot lose, by laying our lives on the altar, we will see the fruitfulness in our families and those we touch. The invitation is extended, but the question remains, are we willing to surrender what we hold valuable, for greater heavenly blessing and manifestation of the Lord’s glory demonstrated through our lives?

I Lay Me Down

2009-03-19T16:47:00.003-04:00

“For by their own sword they did not possess the land; and their own arm did not save them, but Thy right hand, and Thine arm, and the light of Thy presence, for Thou didst favor them.” (Psalm 44:3 NAS)

Why do we try to save ourselves in our own strength? Anyone would be a fool to do anything, but seek the light of the Lord’s presence. There is no competition between the Lord’s glory that touches a life, verses our feeble attempts to carry ourselves. Yet, until we get ourselves out of the way, we won’t be able to assess all that is available through God’s presence. How often we forget that He won’t share His glory with another.

I have seen the weakness of my own strength fail, and so I am desperate for the light of His countenance to shine in my life. I want heaven to invade my world. I want the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish in me what I can never accomplish myself. I want the Holy Spirit to transform me, so that He can love through me.

What is the key? Once coming face to face with my own frailty, and having tasted the glorious love of the Lord, I am wrecked for anything else. All we can say is, “I lay me down.”

Preparing for Rain

2009-03-09T11:04:00.001-04:00

“Noah and his family had a mission. “By faith, Noah when warned of things not yet seen in holy fear built an arc to save his family.” (Hebrew 11:7) Noah prepared for where he was going, even though it was not yet seen. He didn’t wait until the rain came to respond to what God said, because then it would have been too late. Noah and his family had never even seen rain, because remarkably it had never rained on the earth prior to the flood. We too have not seen where we have been called to walk in the days ahead, yet we must prepare.

Like Noah, the Lord told Abraham to leave his country and all he had known and head out into a land he didn’t know. God was preparing him to become a father of more descendants than the number of stars in the sky. This was when Abraham was old and had no children, yet he believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. He heard and obeyed in child like faith. He didn’t wait until he had proof. He prepared for what was to come.

Jesus also told a story about preparation in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, saying, “…the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to the ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.” (Mathew 25:1-4)

The virgins waited quite a while for the Bridegroom and because of the delay began to sleep. Then suddenly there was a shout announcing his arrival. As the virgins arose the foolish ones realized they were out of oil, and sought to get more from the wise virgins. However, they had only what would sustain themselves, so the foolish girls were out of luck and ran off to buy more. By the time they got back and tried to enter the wedding feast, the door was shut and the Bridegroom wouldn’t let them enter, because He didn't recognize them.

It is easy to look around at the way the world is progressing and think that our next big project is the most important thing going. It’s easy to lose sight of the day we will see the Lord face to face, but there is no better preparation than the investment of spending time in His presence, so that our lanterns will be full.

Waiting for things to grow darker and get more difficult is not a strategy for preparation. Did you notice that the word “pre” as before, is in preparation? It’s easy to call upon the Lord when we are up against the wall, but as we saw in the story of the virgins, if we do not invest the time to fill our internal lamps with oil now, we won’t have the presence and illumination of the Lord we need to get to where we are going. Nor will the Lord recognize those that never invest time now to truly know Him.

We must prepare like Noah and established an arc of safety to get us to where we are ultimately headed. We must establish within our families the presence of the Lord that will bring sustaining illumination. The greatest investment we can make now is not in our possessions, our business, or our status, but in what’s eternal and enduring.

Treasure Hunting in the Dark

2009-03-03T10:47:00.001-05:00

How often do we feel like we are groping in darkness searching for answers? I thank the Lord that He leads us into the light, and exposes our sin that keeps us separated and in darkness.

Scripture says, "Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me...because I have sinned against Him...He will bring me out to the light. And I will see His righteousness." (Micah 7:8,9)

Have you noticed that with human perspectives we often get tripped up by our human emotions, fear, unbelief, or better put, sin, that blocks the illumination, and clarity the Lord desires to bring to our lives.

In Revelations 3:19-20 we are told, "Those whom I love I reprove and discipline, be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me."

When we are in darkness, God doesn't intend that we set up camp. He's waiting for us to hear His voice and respond.

Isaiah 45:3 says, "And I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hidden wealth of secret places." In verse 11 we are told to ask the Lord for clarity and understanding of the things to come.

When we are lacking vision and feel we are groping in darkness there is a treasure to ascertain. isn't that good news? We can mine for treasure in the darkness by:

repenting for what stands in the way of the Lord (fear, unbelief, blindness), which then opens the door for the Lord into our hearts
searching for the hidden treasure in our midst
asking the Lord about what we do not see, or understand

Isn't it a sobering thought that we are in fact accountable for the dark and barren places where we often camp out? Psalm 68:6 reminds us that, "He leads out the prisoners into prosperity, only the rebellious dwell in a parched land."

He leads us out of prison! Isn't that good news? "The Lord hears the needy and does not despise His who are prisoners." (Psalm 69:33) Those who are hardened by pride and unbelief we will remain in a parched land, but we are those who choose to respond in faith!

The Heart of a Child

2009-03-02T11:36:00.007-05:00

“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." Luke 18:17

This morning feeling empty and weary, Mark encouraged me with a story about a man who tried on a pair of sunglasses that revealed a brand new world of wonder. The man was so ecstatic about what he discovered that he grabbed everyone he could find and brought them into the store to try on the glasses for themselves.

Mark was stirring up my faith in reminding me that I was like that man. The Lord has given me a child like heart that decided to believe instead of live in doubt, a heart that decided to dance over all the graves. And as weary as I have become in the battle, I am determined to hold onto that childlike heart of faith.

However, it’s not easy, because there are always chronic-adults trapped in unbelief, skeptics who feed on fear, refusing to let go of control, or lay themselves down, and leap into the arms of Freedom, Joy and Life.

Isn’t it obvious that as children who call God, Father, He reminds us of our childlike hearts? Every time we say Father, we should be reminded that we really aren’t self-sufficient adults. Maybe in fact we have simply abandoned our child like dependence on the Lord.

I don’t ever want to surrender my childlike heart to restraint, caution, or a subdued existence of unbelief. I want a vibrant, colorful, passionate heart that is always ready to enter in and fly! And as long as I can I want to be one who introduces others to those sunglasses that reveal this world of wonder. Thank you sweet Mark for reminding me!

Changing Paradigms

2009-02-26T09:01:00.002-05:00

Isn’t it amazing the onslaught that rises up to attack when we step out to do something different than what we’ve always done? Francis Chan described this very thing in his book Crazy Love, “Not being able to fully understand God is frustrating, but it is ridiculous for us to think we have the right to limit God to something we are capable of comprehending. What a stunted, insignificant god that would be!”

Things aren’t so different from Jesus’ day when the Pharisees stood back in pride to criticize, rather than enter in. We can see all through history how one move of God condemned the way God decided to move the next time.

Scripture tells us, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7), however, we forget that what we perceive is what we will receive. Another way to say it is, what got us to where we are now, won’t get us to where we are going. The kind of thinking that caused our problems will not solve them. We have to change our minds to move out of where we are and into what God has available for us. Change requires radical adjustments. To experience change, requires change!

I remember sitting in my own irrelevant word after years of being a Christian, until I decided to let God rewire my thinking and align it with His. And that didn’t mean what I thought I knew about Him. It meant throwing out what I knew and letting Him recalibrate my thinking.

The same principle applies when teaching one of my workshops. I have discovered the first thing that has to be dealt with is the issue of a pliable heart. I don’t want to waste time sowing valuable seed into hard soil. When we are unteachable we are unchangeable and the soil of our heart will not receive new life.

Sadly as in Jesus day, Pharisees will take on useless arguments about God, rather than enter into life changing relationship with Him, as described in John Ortberg’s words from, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, “If you don’t become changed from the inside out-if we don’t morph- we will be tempted to find external methods to satisfy our need to feel that we’re different from those outside the faith. If we cannot be transformed, we will settle for being informed or conformed.”

I for one want to humble myself. I want God to continually challenge my paradigms, so that I can change and receive more from Him. I want to feed the words, "...let God transform you by changing the way you think." (Romans 12:2 NLT)

Slavery is Alive and Well

2009-02-20T11:10:00.001-05:00

As I write these words, I am still astonished that there has never been a time in history when slavery has been a bigger issue than it is right now! Isn’t that unfathomable?

Did you know that human trafficking is the second largest money making industry in the world, just second to drug trafficking. And if you think that human trafficking exists merely in the poorest, remotest corners of the world, let me tell you that no country is immune.

There are over 200,000 U.S citizens trafficked within this country each year. The majority of these victims are forced into the commercial sex trade.

There are 600,000-800,000 people trafficked across international borders each year, 70 percent are female and 50 percent are children forced into prostitution.

Some become indentured slaves made to work in quarries and sweatshops, on farms, as child soldiers, and other forms of involuntary servitude, where victims are routinely tricked if not abducted and promised employment, education, marriage, or a better life.

Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” NLT

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke

To find information go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ncvrw/2005/pg5l.html

The Presence of God

2009-02-13T10:12:00.007-05:00

There is nothing like being in the presence of God, and experiencing His jaw dropping, spectacular love, which makes His presence worth any cost. Jacob received a revelation of this. Being a tenacious man, bent on experiencing and acquiring all that was available to Him, he wrestled God to apprehend something more in God than he already possessed.

The Bible says that this encounter changed Jacob’s life. God changed his name from Jacob, which means deceiver, to Israel, God wrestler. “You’ve wrestled with God and you’ve come through.” (Genesis 32:28 MSG)

Jacob received the blessing he was after and named the place Peniel, meaning God’s face. There is simply nothing like the presence of God, but often we settle for church attendance, good works, and knowledge about God, rather than intimate relationship that can’t help but transform our lives as we behold His face.

I want to be one who is hungry, desperate, intoxicated and awe struck by the power, and majesty of the Lord, so that settling for being in the outer courts, where I only hear about God is not an option. I want to be tenacious enough to press into the inner chambers of God's presence through extravagant worship, where I will be transformed in every encounter by His love. What is better than that?

Grace Driven

2009-02-07T10:28:00.002-05:00

The Kingdom of God dwells in the life of a believer (Luke 17:21), so I was convicted when it was brought to my attention that I spoke words that were not grace-driven, and injured a friend. Thankfully the Holy Spirit used this circumstance to remind me that I have the ability to speak life or death through my words. (Proverbs 18:21)

In Ephesians 4:29, we are told to speak words of edification, so that it will give grace to those who hear. And in Bill Johnson’s book, Face to Face with God, he says that grace is really divine favor. “It is as though He (God) is saying to whomever you show favor, I will show favor.”

I like the idea that every time I speak encouragement to someone, I am releasing God’s favor. I want my words to empower, not injure, to edify and not tear down. I want to be a grace-driven, grace-given edifier, don’t you?

Live Now

2009-02-05T10:50:00.002-05:00

While reading an anonymous quote in the book, Dance While You Can- Gentle Reminders to Help You Live Your Life to the Fullest, by Lance Wubbels, I was struck by the words.

“First I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to finish college and start working. And then I was dying to marry and have children. And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough so I could get back to my career. And then I was dying to retire. And now I am dying…and suddenly I realize that I forgot to live.”

Although the words describe a despairing end, we don’t have to go out that way. We can choose to live our lives fully and with focus. We can take the time to hold our children’s hands, paint pictures at the dining room table, and let those who matter the most know how much they mean to us. We can mine what has been uniquely deposited inside each of us, stretch beyond the status quo, choose life over vacuuming and picnics over fast food. We get to choose.

Wubbels’ book reminds us that Socrates learned to dance when he was seventy, because he felt he neglected an essential part of himself. Truly we are never too old to redirect our focus, be deliberate about our priorities and choose to make the most of this life. We can start now!

A California Heart

2009-01-30T11:40:00.004-05:00

Do you have a certain memory that has the ability to send waves of joy bounding in your heart? For me the thought of California has the ability to usher in a sense of springtime, youthful enthusiasm and exceeding joy in my heart. Simply put my love for California connects me to the place in my heart where I run free.

Do you have a certain heart connection that releases freedom, creativity and your God given wildness of heart? Yes, you were made with a living, beating, wild heart, so it’s important to tap into that lively girl and look at the world from her wide-eyed vantage point. That is the place where all possibility exists.

Sometimes that means setting aside, the sometimes overly responsible, bill paying, meal making and laundry schlepping task master that doesn’t allow time for a pulse check. Without a pulse check our creative selves get bottle necked. So instead of being controlled by our to-do list, we need to make a concerted effort to connect to the fun girl that lives inside our hearts.

Paul said in Romans 8:15-16, “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.” MSG

Why not take a moment today, to quiet yourself and reflect on what makes your heart come alive? What has God given you that hooks you up to His free flowing well of creativity, joy and life?

We all know there are plenty of things that work to damn up the Spirit of God flowing through our lives, so imagining the green cool grass beneath your feet, the wind blowing through your hair, the sun’s radiant heat on your face, or whatever it might be, could be the ticket to tap into a hidden well of joy. Let God’s Spirit touch your spirit, follow Him on an expectant adventure and experience the new heights you are invited to explore within your own wild heart.

For information about a Find Your Delight Workshop, contact me at: kimber@ignitinghearts.com

Chasing God

2009-01-27T13:27:00.001-05:00

Did you know that God’s heart is touched by full abandon, and explosive passion? What kind of lover would want anything less?

He shows up when a searching heart trudges across their own barren desert, searching for the scent of Living Water, unwilling to stop until they dive headlong into the river of His presence. God shows up when we recognize that He can't be reduced to a history lesson, the depth of His love is deeper and wider than the ocean He created, but cannot be contained by man made borders. God shows up when we thirst for more and more of Him.

God is on a mission. He’s forging rivers, and crossing dammed up streams in the hearts of man, recalibrating and staking out new territory, where He is welcomed to hoist high His banner. He’s looking for those with an insatiable hunger, intense persistence and defiant tenacity. He’s looking for those with a burning passion, unwilling to sit on the sidelines of mediocre Christianity. He’s looking for those who must have more of Him.

Astounding Power Resident in Humanity

2009-01-21T09:36:00.003-05:00

I read a quote today stating that deep within man dwells astonishing powers, so astonishing that we’ve never imagined the depths, but if awakened and put into action would revolutionize our lives.

Yet for must of us there certainly is the need for awakening. We’ve gotten comfortable and complacent in our own back yards. But what if for a moment we could look past our laundry, our to-do lists, our heartaches and raise our vision higher? What if we pulled our lenses out even further and grasped the expanse of humanity, those in need next door, down the street or across the globe?

What if we began to grasp an inking of the scale of Divinity? Maybe then God could truly arouse the greatness inside us. Then maybe our capacity would be enlarged and we’d be astounded by God-size power.

The One Time It's Good to Boast

2009-01-13T12:53:00.001-05:00

As humans we naturally have great strengths as well as utter weaknesses. Considering that weakness is inherent in our human make up, why is it that we work so hard to deny this fact?

Most of us spend a good deal of time consistently trying to convince ourselves that we aren’t weak, when it’s the very thing God is after. What if instead of working to cover over our weaknesses, we embraced them? Instead of working to deny our limitations we actually boasted in them?

That’s what Paul did, he boasted in his weakness! He said he would boast in his weakness, so that the power of Christ would be strong on his behalf. Scripture tells us that “power is perfected in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9)

In 2009 I plan on being a lot more boastful about my weaknesses, starting with my math skills. I want to witness the power of God in areas of my life that are way over my head!

Instead of relying on procedure and control to keep our weaknesses out, why not invite God in, to do what is beyond our natural ability? That’s what I am looking for in 2009. I want to get out of the boat and trust God to get me to the other side.

Some of you are in that place right now and you’re wishing you weren’t. But you have the great opportunity to witness God’s power on your behalf, as you watch Him part the waters that are way over your head. It’s time to let go of the shore line and let God’s power manifest in our lives. It's time to boast in our weakness.

Diving Headlong into the Adventure

2009-01-07T14:10:00.006-05:00

The word expectation is popping up all over the place, a new year-great expectations. I don't mean the kind we often impose on one another. I mean the kind that has an invitation built right in with ample room to spread beyond the borders.

That's how I am looking at 2009. I want to move outside of the last box I tried to set up house keeping in, and that means to move outside of my comfort zone. Isn't comfort where we hang our hat when we try to avoid risk?

But sometimes we simply get shoved right out of comfortable! We get laid off from our job, the house burns down, the kids get sick, or the marriage struggles. Did you ever think that those trials help us get familiar with the uncomfortable?

If we don't let go of our attachment to comfort, we could wind up really close to a great adventure, and still miss it. That is exactly what happened in the case of the Rich Young Ruler. This guy was doing it right. He had a heart of humility that Jesus loved. He even kept the law (a requirement in those days), but when Jesus told him he needed to give up everything, give to the poor and follow Him, his affinity for comfort began to seep out like a canister of biscuits in the heat. His heart revealed an unhealthy attachment that cost him greatly.

I don't imagine that anything significant transpires without risk. That's why risk and comfort just don't go together. I am praying that with this year's expectation we will man-up, move out of our comfort zones and dive head long into the adventure.

Love Counterfeits

2009-01-02T14:39:00.001-05:00

As I began to think about a brief message that I will soon be bringing to a group of women on the topic of love, I was reminded how foreign love really is to mankind. That’s the reason why man has been duped by so many counterfeits from the beginning of time.

In a world full of counterfeits, driven by our own sinful desires, we end up in ruin. Just look around. Children grow up homeless, fatherless and exploited all because the world has not known love. And still we are warned that as lawlessness increases things will get worse, as “most peoples love will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).

I have to say that I make a really good Hollandaise sauce and because it is so good, rarely is there a restaurant that can equal it. Because I have tasted the real thing, I won’t settle for anything less. However, when you haven’t tasted love you don’t know how much a counterfeit is lacking and that is why many people are content with imitations.

In Jeremiah’s day he dealt with the same issue of counterfeits. Israel was a select and royal people, but as strangers to God’s love they ended up a filthy mess.

“Isn’t Israel a valued servant born into a family with place and position? So how did she end up a piece of meat fought over by snarling and roaring lions? There’s nothing left of her, but a few bones, her towns trashed and deserted.” Jeremiah 2:14-15 MSG

Isn’t it mind boggling to consider that still today mankind is like savage dogs? It can’t be denied. Statistics tell us that the second highest grossing industry in the world today, just below drugs, is human sex trafficking?

Once you let out a sigh, clinch your fist and catch your breath, remember Paul prayed that the eyes of our heart would be enlightened, that Christ might dwell in our hearts through faith, so that we being rooted and grounded in love, would be able to comprehend the breadth, length, height and depth of the love of Christ. (Ephesians 1:18, 3:17-18) Apart from Christ we don’t know how to love.

When you’ve tasted the pure undefiled love of Christ you don’t want any imitation posing as real love. The only remedy for a love-lost world is the true love of God.

1 John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

God Sized Dreams

2008-12-30T12:22:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I celebrated a wonderful birthday and what made is so significant was God's sweet timing. I always end a year, by seeking God for vision for the next year and as providence would have it, Mark and I spent my birthday giving voice for the first time to the dreams the Holy Spirit has been birthing in our hearts.

My heart lept as we invisioned our future, having a home or facility that would minister to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of girls and women who have been victimized by human trafficking. We really don't know what this would look like, but if it's easy to imagine accomplishing a dream, than it's too small to include God. And I've been way too guilty of containing micro-sized dreams in relation to a macro-sized God. I choose, like Abraham, to live in the "risky faith embrace of God," following into unknown lands when God initiates. View Love 146 video above and you will get a glimmer of our vision.

When Re-Gifting Is Acceptable

2008-12-27T11:55:00.001-05:00

We all know that in many circles re-gifting is considered taboo and unacceptable. However, there is a time when re-gifting is actually desirable.

As Christ’s disciples we are called to represent Him. As representatives, we re-presest! We “have been given…exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these (we) may be partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:4, NKJV).

So when you are looking through your undesirable Christmas gifts this year, considering which ones you secretly wish you could discard, think instead about the valuable assets of His divine nature you’ve been given to intentionally re-gift, as you re-present Him.

JOY TO THE WORLD

2008-12-24T07:01:00.002-05:00

"JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME! LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING." MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Unity, Like No Other

2008-12-22T10:37:00.005-05:00

As we celebrate the birth of Christ this year, and deal with our own unique Griswald family Christmas, it’s a good time for reflection. Before you scream a long phrase of obscenities at uncle Stew who has had too much Christmas Ale and the twins who are fighting over their new baby doll, stop and think about the Godhead’s message.

From the beginning of time the Godhead worked in harmony, as God the Father created the heavens and the earth and the Spirit was “hovering over the surface of the waters (Genesis 1:2). The Son, “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature” (Hebrews 1:3), joined in speaking the world into existence, saying “Let us make man in Our own image, according to our likeness” (Genesis 1:26).

Now that’s a picture of unity. The three were in one accord.

Later, as Jesus was being baptized the Father pronounced, “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). In time Jesus went on to say, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him, who sent Me” (John 6:38) This whole scene was like watching a tennis match of preference, one to the other.

And because Jesus’ desire is to glorify His Father through the Son, He asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit, because He knows the Holy Spirit will testify about the Son He loves. 1 Corinthians 2:11 says that no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

The Father, Son and Spirit are in unity. Though each is distinct, they are one! They serve, love and honor each other in unity. The theme of unity runs throughout the Bible from beginning to end.

This magnificent picture is depicted through Christ and the church the Bride and the Bridegroom. That is why we become one flesh with our spouse in our natural marriages, and in the church, God’s cry is that we would be one like the Godhead is One.

So stop before you throw the pillow at your brother. Remember we were all made in God’s likeness. Sometimes we just demonstrate our distinctiveness very differently or better put a lot differently! All varying aspects of the Griswald family can be seen in our natural families as well as the body of Christ! :)

Tenaciously Chasing God

2008-12-19T09:10:00.008-05:00

Did you know that God’s heart is touched by full abandon, and explosive passion? What kind of lover would want anything less?

He shows up when a searching heart trudges across their own barren desert, searching for the scent of Living Water, unwilling to stop until they dive headlong into the river of His presence.
God shows up when we recognize that He can't be reduced to a history lesson, the depth of His love is deeper and wider than the ocean He created, but cannot be contained by man made borders. God shows up when we thirst for more and more of Him.

The Betrayal Trap

2008-12-17T09:10:00.011-05:00

I have experienced painful betrayals like just about everyone on the planet, so when I hear the word betrayal the hair on my arm stands up and my lip tightens at just the thought.

Although I haven't been divorced, just ask anyone who has been and they will testify to the pain they experienced through the betrayal of broken vows. As much as we cringe, gawk and indignantly oppose the injustice of betrayal, we never stop to think about the guilt of our own betrayal to the Lord.

Did you know that even God experienced betrayal and that God was divorced? The Bible says God divorced Israel do to her unfaithfulness. The Bible is full of history recording God’s unfaithful people. There are no two ways about it, we are unfaithful beings.

Yet as much as we accuse others and God Himself of betraying us, God is the One who forgave our unfaithfulness when He took the sin of the world upon His shoulders. Now wouldn't you think having received His forgiveness, we ought to love more.

Hearing about our own sinful hearts doesn’t necessarily make it easier to take when a business partner walks off with what is not his, a church slanders a member, or a wife or husband discover that their spouse has been cheating. However, it may help us look at our own heart and recount our own unfaithfulness.

When we are pointing out the plank in our brothers eye it’s a good time to take into account what John said in 1 John 1:8-10. “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

It may not be comfortable, but love is a choice. 1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. (AMP)

When I decided I wanted to move past the betrayals in my life, I had to make a choice. I had to acknowledge my own unfaithfulness. I had to follow the advice given in Colossians 3:14. “…put on love which is the perfect bond of unity.”

“Putting on love” takes practice and persistence, sort of like throwing dough into the air to make a pizza. The more we practice the better we're able to stretch and take on new shape.

God is Redecorating

2008-12-16T16:12:00.006-05:00

Have you ever tried to hold onto something when God continues to kick the feet out from under whatever is propping up your attachments? Well, I know the writing on the wall when God decides its time to redecorate. No amount of kicking or screaming will derail His plan.

In fact I am so familiar with His propensity for change in my life that I don’t even put up such a fight anymore. Why would I? Just imagine your head pressed into the palm of a massive 7 foot Goliath size wrestler as you little body flails and kicks in mid air. Now picture the same wrestling match with God who is a million times bigger.

When God wants something in my life, I discovered that it’s because it’s standing in His way of what He wants to give me, which is so much bigger than what I'm holding onto. I don’t mean bigger cars, houses or diamonds. I mean more of Him.

I know God is redecorating in my life and although He hasn’t shown me the blue prints, I know that nothing I could hold onto in this world will compare with what He has up His sleeves. Wow, that’s risky to even say, because God isn’t fond of crumbs. He wants the best. He doesn’t ask for dietetic portions either. He wants the whole enchilada.

When life looks like a construction zone; it’s important to remember that in time the bumpy ground will be smooth. When the trees are being felled, picture the view that will soon be expansive. When the ground is torn up, I need to remember the lushness of new life that emerges in the spring.

Don’t you feel much better about the whole scale of God’s project when you’re reminded about His ultimate vision? Who knows, maybe He plans to change the garden shed into a beautiful mountain retreat.

Justice

2008-12-13T09:51:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, to my delight I discovered an article on the web about a wonderful friend who I had lost contact with, but who greatly impacted my life as well as many others. She is a gorgeous woman with an even more beautiful heart.

You see when I was newly widowed I stumbled upon Marilyn and her ministry to widows. As a widow herself, she knew first had the Lord’s heart for my brokenness, which she demonstrated to me through her love.

Before I remarried, Marilyn opened up her home to Mark, our collective brood of kids and me, when we lost electricity during an ice storm one winter. So it was no real surprise when I read the amazing story of God’s goodness in my friend’s life.

The article told a fairytale like adventure of a couple falling in love, while serving the needs of those in Grenada after being devastated by hurricane Ivan. The most beautiful part of the story is that Marilyn and ken had positions working in Biloxi, Mississippi at different organizations that kept them away from their homes in the Carolinas. Since they had no particular church they were affiliated with to marry in, those who had also supported their relief efforts and witnessed the selfless acts of this couple, offered to throw them a wedding.

From the photographs this was not a humble potluck-church-wedding either. This was a fairy tale wedding on the Island of Topsail, where the couple was ferried by boat from the church to the reception, and a generous soirée of celebration that included a week honeymoon hideaway.

After reading this incredible story yesterday, I awoke this morning with the word justice on my tongue and a verse from Isaiah. Isaiah 58: 10 says, “And if you pour out that with which you sustain your own life for the hungry and satisfy the need of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in darkness, and your obscurity and gloom become like the noonday.” (AMP)

Webster defines justice as: the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, moral rightness in action or attitude, righteousness. To do justice is: to act or treat fairly.

What a beautiful picture of the Lord’s delight and blessing over Ken and Marilyn as they administer justice to a hurting world. In verse 8 it says, “And your righteousness will go before you.” The Lord took such pleasure in honoring this couple who administers justice to the needs of the afflicted. Truly their righteousness has gone before them. The Lord blessed them in regal style, because their heart is so in touch with what stirs His heart. Congratulations to my friend!

Go Ahead,Try to Exaggerate About God

2008-12-11T11:41:00.002-05:00

Have you ever considered that it is impossible to exaggerate about God? I had a glimpse of the tremendous vastness of God, when my focus was lifted far above my sore body from my strenuous son-led-workout at the gym, the current state of the economy or my life span. Instead my attention was lifted to the majesty and grandeur of God, who is enthroned in heaven with choruses of praise singing 24/7 “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

Imagine the kind of effect this revelation could have on our day to day lives, if we really got it. Imagine being so captivated with the Lord’s majesty that our focus wasn’t on the little injustices we harbor out of our own sense of entitlement, or our insatiable wanting of stuff. What if we got that it wasn’t about us, but about a life of worship that is preparing us for the day when we will never cease to proclaim, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.”

Are you like me? Do you forget sometimes that it’s not about you? I have to be reminded when I am drowning in my own sea of expectations and agendas that “…all things were created by Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16

I forget that I was created for God’s pleasure and not my own. Let’s be honest. While the earth was made to worship Him, sadly we’ve gotten side tracked by worshiping a host of other things. Most of us couldn’t walk away from our most prized possessions without some sort of tug of war, even though they will be worthless in eternity.

I’ve come face to face with the reality of my unhealthy attachment to the things of this earth that will do me no good in heaven and I’ve decided to make some adjustments. I don’t mean legalistically setting up dos and don’ts. That never works, because the very thing we don’t want to do, we end up doing.

I am talking about consciously making the main thing the main thing and not a side dish. I am talking about pursuing more of God and less of my own interests. I am talking about laying me down with everything in me and lifting Him up. I am talking about striving to know the expanse of God, while He laughs at my short sightedness and puny suggestions of His exaggerations, while He makes my limits on life His project for expansion.

No Lip Service Please

2008-12-09T08:34:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered why God said, “Jacob have I love, and Esau have I hated”, when Jacob was the deceitful one of the two twin brothers?”

Have you wondered why the Prodigal who wasted his inheritance on sinful living was welcomed back with open arms, while the dutiful brother who stayed at home working was rebuked? While none of this may make sense to us, it is good news.

Imagine if all those who were deceitful were immediately disqualified from the possibility of being in the inner circle of God’s attention and affection. Imagine what an empty place heaven would be if all wayward sons were forever eliminated on the spot. I for one am thankful that God wants more from me than perfection. I am thankful that God wants heart.

As needful as it is for God to deal with our rebellion and sin, He would much rather have a passionate heart that needs to be reigned in and cleaned up, than a “stiff” who gives lip service and plays at being perfection incarnate.

There were years when I tried being the “good girl” but God couldn’t have been more bored and less impressed. He never wanted my pretentious attempts at holiness. He wanted my whole heart. So when I came spilling over with shirt tail out, socks miss-matched and my life in a shamble, He affectionately lifted me up to where He was. And He still does!

It’s the same with my kids. When they give me lip-service and tell me everything they think I want to hear, it leaves me cold. But when the wildest of the bunch is brought to his knees and completely overhauled by God, I know what Salvation looks like.

He’s not a prissy God with hands neatly clasped in His lap shuttering at a curse word. This is the God who uses tirades of thunder to pronounce His presence, winds that tear through houses and a child’s birth to bring us to our knees.

If your life is in an upheaval, bring it on. He's daring you! This passionate God won't share. He deserves nothing less than our whole heart, not our lip service.

House of Mirrors

2008-12-08T11:14:00.000-05:00

Have you ever thought your heart could have tricked you? Maybe you’ve been carried away by something that appears to be satisfying, but isn’t? Maybe the enticement of a counterfeit attraction, be it a person or a thing you thought would satisfy you.

That’s what happened to Eve in the Garden of Eden. She lusted after and set her heart on something she believed would satisfy her. She was deceived into trading the intimacy she had with God in the Garden for something that she lusted after; power, knowledge, wealth any of these sound familiar?

Haven’t we done the same thing, as if we’ve been in a house of mirrors? We’ve viewed the world through our own distorted wants and lusts and in the end we’ll discover that we’ve traded in something real for what is not.

1 John 2:17 says, “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”

It’s obvious that we have trusted in a house of mirrors. Just look at the housing market in this country. We have been on an upward spiral of bigger and better for years, but now the bubble has burst and our lusts have been exposed.

James said, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” (James1:14-14)

It’s jarring to thing about. It’s not nice conversation, rather uncomfortable and unpleasant. Yet, the house of mirrors is being shattered, while we are being challenged to take into account the worthless idols we’ve clung to.

It seems that we forgotten that this was never about us or our stuff anyway? We are just here for a short time and our possessions are on lease. We certainly won’t be taking any of this stuff with us by U-Haul, so why do we cling to worthless idols in the first place? Because we’ve been deceived into thinking these things hold value when they don’t and because we have been more like whores than faithful Brides! Shocking isn’t it, but read the Bible its all in there!

I never thought I was too comfortable until the Lord began leading me out of my own house of mirrors asking me to give up some of my comfort. I was cool with it when He asked me to give a gift to the grocery store clerk, but when my son gave away his expensive computer my attachment to worthless idols began clamoring. And that was just the beginning as the Lord clearly revealed that He wanted it all!

Do we really want to give an account for the ridiculous accumulation of stuff we’ve collected, rather than what will endure eternally? I don’t! I say let the mirrors fall. As much as my flesh squeals, I know that, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot. I want the incomparable joy of basking in God’s presence and knowing Him now! There really is no contest. I choose God!