Help others. That one idea has been popping up around me for the last several months. I have spent so much time trying to figure out MY benefit for different tasks that sometimes I miss out on just being a blessing to others.
I agreed to host the Christian Carnival and have discovered that just when I think I understand why I do what I do, another reason comes to light. These last several days I have been blessed to discover a number of new and interesting websites that I might have continued to miss without stepping out to help others.
My tour started over at In a Clay Pot. Crystal shares My Joy and My Crown that reminds me of the importance of purpose and place.
The words that Crystal offered led into thoughts about how to live in the world.
Jose Anajero offered a great post about desiring fame. Becoming well known can be a huge benefit but does it conflict with God’s purpose in my life? Fame – Is it Wrong to Desire to be Famous gave me plenty of food for thought.
The world constantly pulls on us. Kaleb shares how the man that touched the world with the movie about the Passion fell so hard in recent years.
One of the oldest arguments stems around which came first and scientist have finally proven what most Christians already know – the chicken came first. Loswl over at Inspikes shares the whole story.
Understanding God’s Purpose for me starts with knowing that God exists. The NZ Atheist Campaign is discussed over at Mandm with some interesting points made by Matt.
The world will always have its opinions and Christians need to be prepared to deal with the arguments and accusations that might come along. Paul Manta brings to light to The Christian Delusion with The Infidel Delusion.
Christians may not be of this world, but we do still live in this world. Paul Gable brings up some interesting points in No Mosque at Ground Zero about the world, the U S Constitution and religions.
Thinking about people brings to mind the need to reach out and help others.
Barry Wallace talks about reaching out to the community through Vacation Bible School over at Who Am I.
Dealing with slavery seems like something for the history books. The reality of the slave trade is brought to light by Rodney Olsen in Not for Sale over at RodneyOlsen.net.
Missionaries spend their lives reaching out to help others, but may find lack in their own lives. Ridge Burns talks about the importance of a home church in the lives of missionaries in Home Church over at amfmissions.
Pursuing a life of service in full time ministry takes a dedication beyond anything most people can imagine. Philip Lopez gives some great tips about what it takes to make it in seminary.
A life of helping others only begins the process of making the changes in self that will lead to a life fulfilled.
Russ White starts us off with some of the changes in Salvation and Transformation over at Thinking in Christ. He shares the importance of fruit in a Christian’s life.
Jeremy helps find the balance between helping and hurting over at Parableman with a discussion on Welfare Alienation.
The economy had many people scrambling, but how should Christians deal with this part of life? Joe Plemon offers some pointers from the top financial experts in the Bible.
The Bible has all of the answers and Free Money Finance reveals how following the precepts in the Bible can help to make your career a success.
Building success and keeping that success are two complete different journeys. Facing death (or even a little turbulence) can bring to the forefront the importance of putting finances in order. Use the checklist from ChristianPF to get your affairs in order.
Surviving this world alone will not happen. We are called to life each other up and encourage one another in the journey. These posts and these websites can help you find a little guidance, understanding, joy or encouragement as you move through the day in this world.
I found a friend today. It would be more accurate to say that I refound him, since only the connection had been lost. Life came along, and we both went separate directions. Facebook brought us back together.
Just seeing the smile of my friend and remembering the support and encouragement he always sent my way was enough to make me want to take on the world this morning. That smile gave me the added oomph I needed to get moving again. There are some friends that can give you that special boost even when it is just a thought that crosses your mind.
Finding my friend might not have happened without the internet. I have seen him once, in passing, since we first parted ways. We exchanged numbers, but I have long since lost contact with him. The internet opened a door that might have otherwise remained closed.
Technology can be such a blessing. It allows me to work from home. Technology gives me the opportunity to do the thing that I love to do. And technology allows me to stay in touch with friends, even half-way around the world, at the touch of a few keys.
Technology can also be a curse. There will always be a television show that calls out to me, or a social media site demanding my attention. Technology can eat away at any time that it might save and then it starts in on the rest of my time as well.
Finding the balance of my life means making choices. I can choose to let the technology be a distraction, or I can choose to use technology to improve my life and make connections that might otherwise be missed.
What choices are you making that are blessing or cursing your life?
The door closed.
Everything seemed to be moving in the right direction. My attitude was changed. My choices were for action. And then the door just slammed shut in my face.
I stood there in shock. “What is this all about, God?” I knew that I was speaking my faith and then backing the words up with action. Closed doors were NOT supposed to come when I am doing what I am led to do.
It took a few minutes for me to relax a little and fall back on my trust. I know that when I am moving where God wants me to, that is the exact moment the enemy will move in to attack. The enemy does not stop at me – he will attack through my friends, my family and the organized religion. The enemy uses anything to distract me from continuing in that which God has led me to do.
I treated this morning just like I did yesterday morning – completely ignoring the fact that the door was still closed up tight. My trust reminded me that all I can do is all that I can do – God will be the one that makes the way.
When I least expected it, a new (and completed unrelated door) slammed wide open. It has me now wondering if the first door was not just a distraction for the enemy to keep him from trying to hinder this door. Either way, God is pouring out His blessing – and I am choosing to walk in the way that will keep me in His hands with each and every step.
What do you do when you have the door slammed in your face?
Tags: attacks, closed doors, opportunities, taking the right path
It starts with change. I know that and yesterday I was determined to commit to change for my life AGAIN. Things can only get better when I choose a different path from the one I am already on. God knew it was the perfect moment to shower me with His words of encouragement and affirmation. I was ready.
Celebrate Recovery gives me a boost of energy in the middle of my week. I love the smiles and worship. Last night I went to CR motivated and excited and ready to give some of that energy to everyone that I saw. God had different plans for my night. The things I received at that worship service left me overwhelmed and even more excited. I left CR walking on Sonshine!
Chris was not supposed to speak, but the scheduled speaker had surgery and was not able to attend. The change was not coincidence. The words that poured out from Chris’s heart touched mine and gave me the courage to step out. He reminded me that I am not called to walk alone, and although for me that means that God is with me, last night I also understood that Chris was with me, that the people around me were with me, and that it was time to share with them the journey I was about to take.
“Change!” That was the theme of his talk. It was the same thing I had told myself before walking out of the house to drive to CR. I am not where I want to be. To get to that place I have to be willing to put as much energy into my success as I have been putting into my comfort. I know HOW to get to where I want to be, but I still make the choices that keep me where I am.
Chris did not know my struggle. But Chris listened to God and God knows my struggles. The words he shared were for me, and only me, at that moment. I stepped out and took a blue chip (which signifies I am ready to begin my journey). I am choosing to change and make a life that is better. My blue chip will remind me each moment that every action I take starts with a choice.
What experiences have you had recently that revealed God’s affirmation for your walk?
God does not leave us alone. He does reveal His love to us all day long. Be on the lookout for God’s revelation and then let that revelation be the motivation that drives you to your purpose.
Tags: celebrate recovery, change, making choices
