Direction

When the answer comes, don’t run from the giants…

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A few days ago I was in my favorite spot and talking with God. As we chatted, I asked Him for a breakthrough on a certain thing that was very close to my heart. That very afternoon it came. Praise God! With this breakthrough, came lots and lots of things for me to do. As I was getting bogged down by the mountain, I thought about the Israelites. I always think of them when I pray for something to happen, it happens, and then inside my head I am tempted to complain for various reasons. It always sends a jolt through my body. Praying for a blessing, and then complaining when it gets here?! Crazy!

We have a dream. We pray for a new position at our jobs….with that position comes new responsibilities, and more work. We complain. We pray to open that business, and yet, we complain about the long hours. We pray for that relationship, and then complain about the work it takes. Aren’t we a bunch of fickle people? We think that just because we are blessed with something, it means we can shift into cruise control and do nothing. I mean, God gave it to us, doesn’t that mean it should be easy? This is the point when a lot of people quit and miss out on God’s best for them.

The Israelites dreamt of the promised land. I believe God gives each of us a dream. A dream especially tailored for our talents and purposes…..a dream we were destined to fulfill.

But just as they were promised a land flowing with milk and honey only if they had the faith to move ahead and take the promised land, so too does everyone with a dream face obstacles that would keep us from God’s best for us. Those giants they had to overcome struck fear in the hearts of those to whom the promise was given. Some drew back as a result. Discouragement, fatigue, impatience, and unbelief set in. All of these were common to those men and women who spent 40 years in the desert because they simply could not walk in faith toward the destiny God called them to.

You know in your heart that God has great things for you. But, with every advancing step, you meet obstacles. Yes, giants are in the promised land, but God is too. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. There are times in our lives when it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or in over our heads. When the Israelites had that sea in front of them, and Pharaoh’s army behind them, it was okay to feel overwhelmed. We just can’t let our circumstances circumvent seeing God move. Had they not moved forward with God, that sea would not have parted and they would have missed the miracle. And so would we.

God does huge things in our lives. Take the remnants of that into our next thing.

Focus on these truths:

  • God has a plan for you. They are good. Jeremiah 29:11
  • Emmanuel, God is with you
  • He will make a way
  • God is never surprised or caught off guard. There are no emergency meetings in Heaven. He’s got this
  • God is an expert at resurrections. He brings dreams to life

    • In a way only God can do, He will bring you through. Only then do you understand that that the real joy isn’t in the dream itself, but rather in the richer faith you’ve acquired along the way.

    “If He calls us to slay giants. He will make us into giant slayers.” -Christine Caine

    What We See As Only A Process, God Sees As The Goal Itself….

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    20130111-062843.jpgImmediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side…….(Matthew 14:22)


    We often think that if Jesus compels us to do something, and we are obedient, that He will bring great (and quick) success. We think everything God has us do is leading us to a specific end, but that’s not always the case. What we see only as a process of reaching a goal, God sees as the goal itself. God’s purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future.

    God’s purpose is for me to depend on Him. To have faith in Him. To depend on Him and His power now. We often say patience isn’t the ability to wait, it’s how you wait. The same concept applies here. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused in the storms of life, the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. His purpose is the process itself.

    What He desires for me is that I see Him walking on the water with no shore, no success, no goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see Him walking on the water. (see Matthew 14:22-33)

    It is the process that is glorifying God.

    God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future. God is in charge of what comes from our obedience, and we shouldn’t concern ourselves with it. He is running the show. What we call preparation, God sees as a goal itself. This is where we grow and change.

    God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life now. If I keep looking at the shore, I am not paying close enough attention to the present time and I miss the miracle of the walk. If I realize that the moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.

    Don’t miss the miracle of the walk.

    How To Be #1 At Being #2

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    Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28


    It was an extremely busy day. I was at an appointment at a huge facility and the valet parking to enter the building was jammed. Tight. I looked around as I was handing my keys over and noticed the grim, busy, hard, impatient faces of everyone. Including the workers. The negative vibe was heavy and thick. My attempt at kindness was noticed, but overlooked. It had no effect. I went in for my appointment but all those people were on my mind, and I prayed. A little time passed, and I stepped outside that same area to get my vehicle, and boy oh boy what a difference! The change? One man. There was one, positive, loud (in a good way), smiling, jumping around helping and serving everyone, man. I watched as slowly all the faces changed. The air grew lighter as he was hopping around, smiling and working for everyone, including the other workers…..who were now doing the same. Smiles were everywhere. The sweetness I overheard him give to everyone he came in contact with was beautiful. He was contagious. He was spreading like wildfire through the place. And, then, just before getting into my vehicle, I heard the question, “Who is that man?” My eyes stung as the worker explained that he was a boss in another part of the building who had come by and noticed that they needed help….this isn’t even his job. Another gentleman overheard this and said, “Well, I’d like to work for him!” the worker agreed that he did too.

    In 8 verses, Jesus explained what leading really is. It’s being a servant. It’s being a servant leader. You see, in serving, we lead. Want to be a leader? Be a servant. If we want to make a difference, we need to take the word of the Man who is the ultimate leader. The word “for” in our verse means, “in substitution”. Now, replace the word “many” for your name. Jesus didn’t come to be like the rulers of the world who dominate and lord their power over the people (verse 25). He came to serve and be the substitution for Christy, for you….for every person on the planet. He took our place. He did it for us. Our man of change that day at that office was indeed leading. It didn’t take long to notice that everyone around no longer went to the people who were the actual workers for direction. They went to the one serving the most. He saw there needed to be a change, and that change became him!

    Be the change you want to see

    That was a divine appointment for him that day. More difference was made than if he had walked by, noticed what was happening, and exercised his authority by having a stern talk with those workers. He led by serving. I’m sure, as a leader, he had a million other things to do that day but he chose his divine appointment instead. I’m grateful he did.

    God is calling leaders to be about the business of encouraging, equipping, and empowering His people. He’s doing a thing. He has divine appointments for all of us and I don’t want to be like the priest who walked by that wounded man. I don’t want to be an example for everyone of what not to do.

    We are never more like our Father than when we love and serve someone in His name


    Just as those workers imitated my happy buddy and everything changed…..let’s do that. Think. Act. Do. Serve as though God has moved into the neighborhood…..our office….our church….our group….our friendships……our marriage…..our family…..our home. Let’s live as though the mic is always on and allow Him to use us to make a change.

    Dear friends, if God loved us this way, we also must love one another. 1 John 4:11

    To be a true leader is to model after Jesus…..go to serve. In serving we lead. In serving, we become a great leader. In putting ourselves as #2, we become #1.

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    How To Tip: A Day In The Life of A Powerful, Focused Leader

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    Even when He is busy, high in demand and hyper-focused on His work, what does He do? What’s the secret to being a powerful, sought after leader with stamina? What can we learn and do in our own lives to be that person too? Let’s lean in and take a look in a day in the life…..

    Jesus’ ministry had just begun. He’s in Galilee, preaching the good news. As He walked along, He gathered Simon, Andrew, James and John and they went into the town of Capernaum. Right away Jesus preached a sermon that blew their minds, and then drove out a demon. As soon as they left church, He went to a friend’s house and collapsed on the couch exhausted and took a nap because He was done for the day. WRONG…..he healed Simon’s mother-in-law, who then, in turn, saw to their needs.

    That same evening, after the sun had gone down, the WHOLE TOWN came pouring in with their various sicknesses and demon possessed loved ones. Because He had already done His daily deed of preaching a knock-out sermon, gone the extra mile and drove out a demon AND healed that sick woman, He informed them of His office hours, prayed for them and said He would see them then. WRONG….He ministered, He healed their sick, and demon-possessed loved ones.

    Whoa…..pause! Can you imagine the exhaustion? I’m a crisis counselor, and I know when I’ve had a “big” day filled with a few heart broken, abused, and hurting people, I am worn out……and I don’t have the whole town at my door…..all in one evening (some days it feels that way). When I’m finished traveling and speaking somewhere, I’m ready to kick my shoes off, and hang loose for a while. And if it’s really late when I’m done, I look forward to sleep.

    Very early in the morning, while it was still dark (around 4AM), He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there. (Mark 1:35)


    The very next morning, He didn’t sleep in. He knew to energize wasn’t by sleeping in. He didn’t say, well, God knows I did all that fantastic, powerful, life changing stuff yesterday and will understand that I’m exhausted and sleeping in. He kept His focus. He knew that was the first step to complacency.

    You see, that time with the Father is what gives us what we need to do…what we are called to do….when we are called to do it

    It’s our power pack. Remember, His desire….ABOVE ALL ELSE….is to spend time with us.

    When Jesus was busy, in demand and focused on His work, what does He take time to do in this verse? It inspires me to focus on first things first…..powering up with the Giver of supernatural power. I don’t want to be complacent. I want to be on fire! I want to be a mover and shaker….a person who impacts and changes the lives of others. I don’t want to sit in the stands….I want to be right in there, leaning into all He has for me. I want to encourage, equip, and empower others to do the same. I want to make Kingdom differences. I want to walk in power with the King. I want to be like Jesus. May it be so for all of us reading this, Father, for Your glory!

    How does it impact you?

    Psalm 1: The two ways and the destiny that follows

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    In the first chapter of Psalms, we see in 6 verses, a clear description of two ways of life and the destiny they create. We see the behavior. We see the destiny. We see what is anticipated for those who follow the each way.

    What does a person look like that doesn’t follow the advice of the wicked, or do what the sinners around him are doing, mocking God and all He and His people stand for? Happy. And, blessed in all circumstances because God is with them, watching over their way. They know God and are delighted by learning more about Him, and what He wants our lives to be. They think on and apply this to their lives, their decisions, their relationships and are fruitful, blessed and wise. The more they delight in obeying God’s word, the more fruitful they are.

    When we apply God’s wisdom, the fruit…..the by-product….will be good. Just as a tree soaks up water and bears fruit, we also are to soak up God’s word, producing actions and attitudes that honor God. And, notice the tree is on a river bank….never thirsty, always filled.

    When we allow God to proceed into every area of our lives, we succeed at having the abundant life He plans for us and came to give us.

    How happy (blessed) is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the LORD’S instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgement, and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin. Psalms 1:1-6 {Emphasis mine}

    2012: A Year Filled With Attitude

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    20121231-064420.jpgHAPPY NEW YEAR!

    Can you believe that 2013 is here?! Wow! I have whiplash from 2012!

    As God woke me this morning and took me to our scripture, I smiled. I smiled because of all this brought me through in the last year.

    giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20)

    Does this mean my 2012 was entirely filled with all positive things as I skipped and twirled through my days? No. Absolutely no.

    And, yes. Always and in everything there is something to run to Daddy about. Keeping this practice keeps us communicating with Him….which is precisely where we should be.

    A person that is filled with the Spirit is mindful of and grateful to the Source of all things good. And, when things aren’t so good we can thank the Source of strength that got us through.

    Keeping my heart and mind in praise and thanksgiving keeps me on the right path….whatever the attitude I have that has me face to face with Him is ok. The point is the face to face part.

    New Year’s Eve 2012 was spent gathering in my home filled with friends old and new celebrating, thanking God in prayer and praise for all the victories won. All of them. Everything. All things good, and all things that were for our good. 2012 started out in a very painful neck surgery that blessed me with time to be still, learning and growing closer to Jesus. Lost loved ones….some through death….some through betrayal and choices of their own. A drawing closer, skin-to-skin with God. A calling. Another calling. Another calling. Another calling. A child. That blessed child! New relationships. All life changing. All woven while sitting, serving, speaking, loving with my Jesus.

    Whatever 2012 was for you…whatever 2013 will be for you….speak the name Jesus over it/ for it/ to it. There’s power in your words. Your tongue can have a Lazarus effect on your life.

    Give thanks always, and for everything because we serve a God who does not sit high on a hill and bid us to climb out of the valley. No. He bungees down and carries us out. He doesn’t build a bridge and command us to cross it. No. He crosses the bridge and shoulders us over. Grace. This is the gift that God gives. A grace that changes us and leads us to a life that is eternally altered. A life that gives thanks always and for everything in that sweet, Holy name: Jesus.

    What Are You Looking At?

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    Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

    I love the book of Hebrews, and I especially love this chapter, and the chapter before it. Their faithfulness is encouraging in Chapter 11. They are our cloud of witnesses. We don’t struggle alone and we are not the first to struggle with the problems we face. Others have run the race and won, and we can too! I picture them cheering us on, and then at times when that “thing” happens and we say, “can I get a witness?” they say, “uhhh-huhh”.

    What things hinder your race? Because it says, “let us throw off” that means we can. We have it within us as the children of God to throw off and lay dead those things that hinder us from winning with Christ and those things that endanger our relationship with Christ. Drop the dead weight that slows you down, entangles you, and causes you to stop altogether.

    Our race has been marked out for us. Why should that comfort you? It comforts me to know that I’m not out here in this marathon of life bumping along in the dark…..a plan marked out for me by Someone who continually tells me and confirms with me His awesome intentions to prosper me and bring me victory…..One who gave His life to make that happen!

    It is because of Jesus that we can have faith in a future, and our faith endures and gets better because of Jesus.

    Where should we fix our eyes as we persevere? On Jesus! Jesus set the example for us here. He knew the horror and shame of the cross and endured it anyway. Why? For you. For me. He kept His eye on the Prize. His finish line was ever before Him and it consisted of Him sitting at the right hand of the throne of God, and us there with Him! We’ll be in the very presence of God too! Hallelujah! This place isn’t our home either.

    We aren’t a body with a soul……

    …….We’re a soul with a body

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    In Matthew 14:22-23 we see Peter walking on water, and then sinking. We (including me) often talk about Peter’s lack of faith, but let’s look at the flip side. It took enormous faith for Peter to say, “Jesus, if it’s really you, tell me to come out there with you. I’d like to walk on the water too.”

    I wonder, would you have had enough faith to step out of the boat onto the water?

    Peter’s faith is strong as long as he focuses on Jesus. But when he gets out in the wind and waves, concentrating on Jesus is more difficult. Does your faith seem strong until trouble comes? Strong and fired up at the beginning, and then when struggles come….you dwindle? Perhaps you take your eyes off Jesus and start looking too intently at your situation too.

    The Same Jesus Of The Past Approaches You Now

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    Kids just love to twirl and spin. They giggle and twirl, and laugh so hard they can scarcely catch their breath.

    They begin twirling and go faster until they are so dizzy they fall down. What starts out in control, ends up out of control. The body gets dizzy as the world keeps spinning and our bodies soon take us to the ground without our say so.

    I used to get vertigo. That sudden spin and the nausea that came with it did not make me giggle.

    Ann Voskamp said something on twitter a while back that is so true:

    “If my life isn’t cross-centered, my life is off-centered….and the warping spin leaves me sick”

    Things start out fun, then quickly spin on, and before we catch our breath, there we are on the floor and our eyes continually try to grab site of something to make the spinning stop. We sit there until things seem settled, get up and do it again. Sitting there, knocked down, we are in the perfect position to pray.

    There is someone this message is for today. Peace be with you. Like the parent who sees the child has had enough and knowing that if she doesn’t intervene the child will continue, God’s hand of peace is extended to you. Enough. If you feel like you’re sinking, call out to Jesus and He will quickly take your hand and escort you out of the storm. Jesus is there. Although you’ve known and walked with Jesus before, and don’t recognize Him right away in your need, He is approaching your situation. The disciples did the same thing. They had just left Jesus as He miraculously fed the 5,000 but didn’t recognize Him right away in their storm.

    That same Jesus that has done so much in your life in the past is the same Jesus that approaches you now

    Step out in faith and you will walk on the water too. Keep your eyes on Him, not those circumstances, no matter how loud, out of control and spinning they are. Jesus can calm your storm

    When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I, don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it is you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Matthew 14:26-32 (emphasis mine)

    Stay Close to the Light

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    Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become children of the light.” When he has finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. (John 12:35-36)

    Stay close and the darkness won’t overtake you…..

    I remember that night so well. We could hear the tornado coming. The electricity was out and there we were in the dark.

    Suddenly the house we knew was unknown. We had one tiny flashlight that barely lit our path in front of us. Kids were scared, and I was doing a good job at faking my calm. The already dim flashlight began flickering….darn, I forgot to replace the batteries…..and I wondered how long the light would be with us.

    For a brief second, a child stepped away to grab something but quickly discovered that when he stepped away from Mom the darkness would overtake him. “Stay close and the darkness won’t overtake you”…..the child that was clinging tighter than my pj’s said: messaged received.

    Jesus was teaching that He is the light. His crucifixion was near, and He was urging them to believe in and walk closely with Him while there was still time…..stay close to the light and the darkness won’t overtake you.

    In our home we knew so well, we were constantly unsure of where we were as we inched along.

    When there is absolute absence of light, even the familiar is unknown

    When we believe and give our lives to Jesus as Savior and Lord, He (the Light) remains with us forever. Darkness will not overtake us. Like a light shining in a dark place, He points the way we should walk.

    As Christ followers, we are to be Christ’s light bearers, letting His light shine through us. How brightly is your light shining? Can others see Christ in your actions? Walking in the Light isn’t simply about living a moral life; it’s a matter of following Christ, Who is the Light.

    I’ve been to some pretty dark places in my life…..and in the lives of others. I’ve seen darkness overtake people: message received. I cling tightly to my Savior.

    Jesus’ return is near. He is urging you to believe in Him, and give Him your life while there is still time. Walk in the Light and the darkness won’t overtake you.

    For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light. (Ephesians 5:8)

    Directions For What Path To Go On, And The Steps To Take To Get There

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    Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. (Psalm 119:105,106)

    God’s word both directs us on which path to go on, and what steps to take to get there.

    I love thorough planning. I like to have a plan in place but then be very fluid within that plan; allowing for His divine appointments and His Spirit to move. When working with a team I like to be thorough and simple in my instructions….here’s what I want you to do, and here’s how I want you to do it.

    The light of His word exposes truth and righteousness…..sheds some light on the subject for seeing ahead to what’s coming down my path, and what I’m doing in the right now

    His word exposes the right direction, while keeping us sure footed, preventing us from stumbling or stepping into a trap…..or entangled in false values (sound familiar? Been there? Done that? Me too…and I didn’t like it and I’m not doing that again!). On such a path there is no danger but a heritage and joy. The guidance of the Lord’s instructions allow us to rightly divide right and wrong.

    God loves us. He’s safe and we can trust Him. Firmly vowing to follow His word and plan for our lives is definitely a step in the right direction. If we love Him, we will want to obey Him (John 14:15). We have a powerful tool to guide us in obedience–His word.

    Here it is:

    If we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll keep getting what we’re getting………..

    …………If we don’t like what we’ve been getting, then we need to stop doing what we’ve been doing


    There’s a new day dawning. Firmly…..I said, firmly this time……vow to trust God for a change and follow Him.