Choosing To SHINE!

Grateful for His Abiding Presence

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 00:47:00 +0000

If you have visited my blog the last couple of years, you probably thought I must have fallen off the face of the earth...or, let's be straightforward...died??? Well, obviously not. But, you might be wondering "why the two year gap?" or "does she not have anything else to say or share?". The quick and superficial easy answer to your questions would be "Cancer" but the deeper and painfully difficult answer is "Healing".

God has been healing me in multiple areas of my life including cancer. I feel it is time to share some of the very deep and painful struggles I've been going through. I will attempt to be as authentic and honest as I can be as long as it brings hope, a deeper faith and a glimpse of God's truth into the readers lives. Most importantly, I "Choose to Shine" for Him and use my words in a way that will bring Him glory; therefore, as I write I may not always be perfectly candid in my story sharing, but you can be certain that I will write from authentic life experiences, only after pursuing God on my face as to what He would have me share, as opposed to simply regurgitating knowledge.

Today, I write in grateful celebration, and to remind whomever might be in a midst of their own deep struggles out there, that...

God is Faithful

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever,

Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim

that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe." Psalm 107: 1-2

I captured this picture on our way to life group. This rainbow was actually stretched right across our life group leaders' home. Even as we made the twists and turns through the neighborhood it remained there and was waiting for us upon our arrival. I had one of those profound moments where it felt as if God stepped out of the immense universe and stopped all that He was doing to personally speak to little ole me. He said to me, "This is my reminder that I am faithful and will be true to my promises to you. Though the journey through the storm may have seemed long, I was always with you. I never forsook you and I will see you through victoriously until the end. The downpour is over. Look who is by your side. Rejoice. I have rescued."

I took a deep breath and knew immediately that my life was indeed entering a new season. Yes, there is still alot of mud and muck left over by the downpour of troubles that I have experienced over the past decade. It can't be hidden away. The downpour eroded the old landscape of what I called my life. Praise God, I can honestly say today that I am glad. You see, God is faithful. He has redeemed me from the hand of the foe and He is in the process of giving my life an extraordinary makeover. I can hardly wait to see the design that He is going to be revealing for He is THE Master Architect!

You might be wondering about my "downpour of troubles" and what they might have been. In time I will be carefully unfolding the bigger picture only so that I can share some of truths that God has so graciously revealed to me. Today however, I just want to express my gratitude for the Lord's abiding presence in my life. His love is constant and He is always good. I am so thankful that through my faith in Christ, I can know Him personally and experience the deep love He has for me.

Perhaps you are going through some troubles of your own right now and you feel as if you are in the midst of a downpour and you can't see beyond the rain or through the darkness. Maybe you are about ready to give up and drop in defeat. Please let me encourage you by saying that He sees you and He loves you. You are not alone. He is right there in every breath, every tear, every moment of your life. If you cry out to Him, He will rescue but you must obey what He tells you to do in that moment even if it will not instantly relieve the pain that you are currently experiencing.

One of the most effective outcomes of any attack by the enemy is the shift of our focus from the eternal to the temporal. Once we begin focusing on the temporal our thoughts follow. If we allow these thoughts to continue, and forget to hold them captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), we soon become controlled by negative emotions which if not dealt with correctly lead to faulty decisions and then ungodly actions. However, if we will stop in that moment when our focus is being shifted, our attitudes are being corrupted and our faith is being weakened and instead purposely breath a prayer for help and refocus on the Lord and His will, we will be strengthened and encouraged to stay the course of faith in Christ.

Lately, I have been reminded that to remain strong and victorious against the enemies tactics, we need to replace those negative temporal thoughts with thankfulness and gratitude for all God has done, is doing and will do according to His promises for us! God deserves our gratitude and is actually angered when we choose continual grumbling instead of thanksgiving for all He has done for us.

There is another step you can take beyond expressing gratitude to God that will really help you become part of the solution to any trouble or attack that you or a loved one might be facing... you can turn that attack right back around on the enemy by taking those thoughts captive and turning them immediately into intercessory prayer.

So for today, will you join in with me? Will you choose to...

...Express gratitude to God for all He has done, is doing and will do according to His promises

...Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ

...Pray to the Lord for help instead of reacting negatively

...Proclaim that God has redeemed you from the hand of the enemy

...Give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His faithful love endures forever!

Together, let's ... Choose to Shine!

Love One Another as I Have Loved You

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:56:00 +0000

John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man (woman) remains in me and I in him (her), he (she) will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

This verse revolutionized my walk with Christ many years ago as the Holy Spirit revealed to me that God would help me walk out my faith, would help me accomplish everything He asked me to accomplish, and would help me serve Him even when I thought I didn't have what it took ...all by the power that flowed in me through the filling of His Spirit as I remained in close fellowship with Him. Knowing this...believing this...was the beginning of me uncovering the meaning of "life more abundant" ...that life that Jesus came and died to give to me, and to you; however, Jesus demands my all if I want to realize this abundant life. My portion in this equation is to remain in Him...to keep my will in sync with His will, to obey His Word, to worship Him with my life, especially in the face of adversity.

My heart always swells in agreement when I hear or read the following verses...

John 13

34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

1 Corinthians 13

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.

Those verses were beautifully illustrated on a framed poster that hung in my bathroom for many years. It was the first thing I read every morning, but almost every morning, although my heart was moved by these wonderful verses, I would also think...but God...how can I do that? But God...what about what ______ is doing to me? But God...how can I trust someone that has proved to be untrustworthy?!?! But God, that person is so ______! BUT GOD! BUT GOD!! BUT GOD!!!

Anyone ever talk to God like that?

I had done and could do some pretty awesome things with God's help...but I could not fathom how I could love the way I Corinthians 13 defined love.

Yes...God even heard David, the very same man referred to as the man after God's own heart, lament over what was being done to him by others. David asked God to even kill those that were trying to hurt him or destroy him...those that were trying to rob him of the future that God had told David he would have. But in the same Psalm, David's laments are often followed by prayers for mercy for the same enemies that he wanted killed only a few verses earlier. David almost always ends His laments with praise...but only after He focuses his eyes and his reliance back where they should stay...on his powerful and sovereign God!

It took God allowing me to come to the "end of myself" and to completely break me of all self-reliance before I realized it was disbelief that kept me from experiencing this God-sized love. The problem was my belief was focused on the wrong object. I needed to base ALL of my belief completely on my infallible God and His abilities...not on my ability to "love"...but on His ability to fill me up with His love so that it could flow through me to others...especially the unlovable. What I needed to do was to get out of God's way and to pray and ask Him to love others through me. When I did this, my prayers were answered almost instantly. This miracle of experiencing God's love flow through me to someone who does not deserve it is very close to the experience of my own salvation...when I knew and felt God's unconditional love fill my heart for the first time. If you have not known this type of love, I urge you to ask God for it. I must warn you; however, that it will become something your heart will "pant" after...more and more of Him and His love flowing through you to others...at the cost of constant death to self.

I did not choose the following scripture to discuss doctrine or to study its deeper spiritual meaning; I selected it because of the clear word picture it will hopefully paint in your mind and on your heart forever.

Ezekial 19

10 Your mother was like a vine
in your vineyard planted by the water;

it was fruitful and full of branches
because of abundant water.

11 Its branches were strong,
fit for a ruler's scepter.

It towered high above the thick foliage,

conspicuous for its height
and for its many branches.

12 But it was uprooted in fury
and thrown to the ground.

The east wind made it shrivel,
it was stripped of its fruit;

its strong branches withered
and fire consumed them.

13 Now it is planted in the desert,
in a dry and thirsty land.

14 Fire spread from one of its main branches
and consumed its fruit.

No strong branch is left
on it fit for a ruler's scepter.

When I look out from behind the keyboard on Sundays, I see forlorn faces of women who are hurting, women who have been blown about and stripped of their worth by the difficulties of life, women who have been "burned" by people that were supposed to love them and women living in lonely desert places who are thirsting to death for living water...and my heart breaks but also somehow simultaneously swells with love. To love on these women in the name of Jesus is why we have been called to women's ministry. Yes, it is a large order and as we answer this call, it will feel exhausting and exasperating at times but I urge you to press on and to stay close to the source of your strength, the very One that will not ask anything of you that He will not help you accomplish. Remain in Jesus Christ our Lord, and then love one another as He has loved you.

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

Embracing Change

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 May 2009 21:42:00 +0000

"Capture our hearts and our imaginations completely Lord. Challenge your people, who are your body, to let go of all we think we have to know and think is good so that You can bring about Your best! Change us for Your glory Lord!" ...Becky Carey

Check out this video!

To say that God has brought change into my life this past year is an understatement. Time has not been the main culprit at stopping me from writing, but the difficulty in articulating the multifaceted ways that God is reshaping not only me and my life, but my entire family's lives, has been. God has really had my full attention and been consuming my thoughts and imagination almost every waking moment.

When I watched the video that I posted above, I was so inspired and compelled that I just had to write and share it with you. As the primary color for autumn, which we know is a season of transition, ORANGE is a color that suggests CHANGE. God has been keeping me at peace, blessing me, stretching and empowering me as He chips away more of the "untruths" that have attached themselves to my soul. He continues to change me from the inside out. You could definitely color me orange. I am learning to embrace change as God walks me through my own season of transition. Now that so much time has passed and there is so much to share, I hardly know where to begin. To prevent myself or you, my readers, from becoming overwhelmed, I will break it down into separate entries that deal with individual topics. Yeah...that sounds like a good idea; however, I can't promise to keep any of them terribly brief. Short and pointed is not my style.

So let's start with the most obvious...how did I come by the ORANGE video? Well the answer is big change # 1...I am living in Tampa, Florida now and serving at a new church, Fishhawk Fellowship Church. The Children's Ministry Director of FFC, Donna Terrell, shared this video link in hopes that others would join her at the upcoming Orange Conference in Georgia.

I must digress and share with you why we moved to Tampa. Back in a previous blog, "Daring to Dream Again", I shared that my husband and I were transitioning into a new season of our lives.., empty nesters, pursuing new vocations, after our youngest graduated high school and headed off to college and the closing of our long time family owned business in Key West. More on those topics in a later blog.

By May of 2008, Brooks, my husband, was already off to New Jersey to work as the pitching coach for the Sussex Skyhawks, a baseball team in the Independent Professional Canadian American Baseball League. As I faced the daunting tasks, without the help of my husband, of moving our daughter, Jessica, to college in Orlando, moving myself to Tampa, all the while leaving our house cleaned out and "show ready" for our realtor, it hit me like a ton of bricks how profound the changes in my life were going to be. No children nearby, no husband nearby, new city, new culture, living with a new "roommate"...my mother-in-law...in her home, trying to find a new job while also praying for and pursuing music ministry opportunities, and to top it off without any tangible help from my long time friends and church family in Key West. Could I do this?

To say I prayed earnestly for weeks in preparation of this "big change/big move" is an understatement. With every wall I painted, piece of wall paper that I stripped, and closet, cabinet or drawer that I cleaned out came a flood of memories accompanied by a river of tears. What I thought was going to be my liberation...my moment of freedom and deliverance into the "real world" of opportunities suddenly became weighed down by the overwhelming reality of my human struggle with change.

Why do most of us struggle so much with change...even when we have been praying for it? It probably would have been much easier if my family was all ending up in the same place, together like we have been for 26 years, but that was not the case. We were and are still living individual lives ...Brooks on and off the road coaching baseball, Matt in Key West, Jessica in Orlando and me in Tampa. That is the part that was wrenching my heart. Suddenly I realized how being completely alone felt. It was really sad and scary.

Once again, my God in His comforting still small voice whispered into my heart..."Be still. You know that I am your God. You say you trust Me. You gave me your "everything"...remember? Didn't you mean what you said? I am with you always. Fear not. I am in the process of answering your prayers."

"Yes Lord", I prayed, "Be my covering. Keep me safe in the shadow of your wings. You know my needs and my desires. You love my children far more than I ever could. I trust You Lord with my loved ones, with my life, with all the uncertainties and changes we are going to face. Give me strength to do this. Give me the energy, courage and attitude to journey forward into the unknown."

The more I worked on the final remodeling efforts of our home, of course while listening to music blaring on the stereo, and talking to God...the more I cried. I accepted the tears as a rite of passage into this new season and new life. I was grieving and saying goodbye to everything familiar, everything that I had sowed my love, life, talents and energy into for 20 years. It was necessary to "let go" again...in more ways than I will probably ever be able to explain...of the good and the bad. In the midst of it all, I asked God for one thing for myself...and one thing only.

I prayed, "Lord, I need your help finding a new church. Brooks will not be back for months. Please cover me in this decision and help me know where you want me to worship and serve You in Tampa. You know how very much I love to lead worship and how very much I love being part of a worship team and band. That is my desire Lord. You know my heart for outreach, missions, and women's ministry and discipleship . I will accept whatever Your will is for me Lord. Please lead me to where you would have me use my gifts and talents in worship to You my God."

I decided to spend a long weekend in Tampa after moving Jessica into her summer term apartment in Orlando before returning to Key West to pack up and move myself. The practical side of the mother in me thought, Tampa is a lot closer than Key West...just in case we've forgotten to do something or my girl needs my help the first few days of college, which she didn't.

It wasn't that it was a far or difficult search to find FishHawk Fellowship Church that made what happened that weekend so amazing, it's what I found in the church's bulletin. Would you believe there were two advertisements asking for someone to serve ... 1) as a keyboardist with the praise team band and 2) as a facilitator for a ladies Bible study class? Those were the exact same two positions I had just stepped down from at my home church in Key West the week before. Thank you God for making my path straight.

It has been 9 months since I first began playing keys and singing with the worship team and choir at FFC. I have also been blessed to serve alongside some awesome new "sistah friends" in the women's ministry. Fishhawk is an "on fire" young church of over 900 attendees. It is growing rapidly under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Lots of exciting change and spiritual growth happening there too. I am blessed to be a part of a church with a huge vision and heart for the Lord, His loved ones, and the lost. I am not afraid of the changes that are happening as growth continues. I am excited for them. Me and my life fit right in there.

As I journey on in my new life, I'm learning more and more to embrace all of the many profound changes in my life. I am only able to do this because I have a constant in my life that NEVER changes...my Lord, my Savior, and Heavenly Father and Best Friend...Jesus Christ. My liberation and freedom continues as I continually strive to depend on Him alone for everything. I still have a lot of unanswered questions, but I am willing to lay them down at His feet and choose trust instead.

Is God calling you out and asking you to be willing to live a life worshiping Him in the shadow of His wings?

Will you allow God to capture your heart and imagination completely?

Have you given Him your "everything" ...yes, I said "everything"?

Are you willing to let go of all you think you have to know?

Would you be willing to release all the good things that you hold tightly to your heart into His hands?

Do you want His best for your life?

Then I say...Embrace change for His glory.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall cover thee with His feathers and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be they shield and buckler." ...Psalm 91:1,4

Daring to Dream Again

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:32:00 +0000

As you have probably experienced, birthdays make you think about your life. As I ponder life today, on this my birthday, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all that God has blessed me with. First and foremost, I am so grateful for the incredible mercy, grace and love that my best friend, Savior, and Heavenly Father covers me with every day! I am so grateful for my precious husband, Brooks. Our steadfast love for one another is definitely a gift from God! I have two wonderful children, Matthew and Jessica. Being their Mom is one of the biggest joys of my life. I have a huge extended family and many remarkable friends that love and support me and truly enrich my life. I am so blessed!

This past year was a monumental year for me personally as I enjoyed the completion of a lifelong dream of producing a professional CD. The first half of the year was exhilaratingly exhausting as I climbed the steepest portion of my mountaintop experience and landed on the peak. As I soaked in the view, I found myself emotionally overwhelmed at God's creation. Unwilling or unable, I am not sure which, but it took me a long time to move from that spot. I rested and soaked in the moment that I had been pursuing and dreaming of for so long. Slowly, I became re-energized enough to begin the descend to level ground. That is where I am today...back on level ground. Now it is time to live out the purpose of my "dream come true". To be completely honest, I still find myself questioning God's timing on this. He tells me in my heart that I need to stop looking at and comparing my journey to the picture presented in the media of young female artists and instead keep my focus on Him. God reminds me that His ways are definitely not our ways. He reminds me of the many mature women in the Bible that He mightily used. As I consider the following equation:

God’s Supernatural Power

+ Surrendered Individual Gifted by God

= Supernaturally Empowered Surrendered Gifted Individual

I am reminded, that with God, all things are possible. Looking forward to the year ahead, God is in the process of transitioning our family into a new season that will include unfamiliar and uncharted territories. My biggest struggle is letting go of my preconceived notions of what my life should look like so my mind and heart can dare to dream again. Here we are, soon to be empty nesters with nothing really preventing us from pursuing our lifelong career goals. We are stepping out of the boat and trusting God to keep us from sinking. My husband is pursuing his lifelong dream of working as a professional baseball coach and I am pursuing my lifelong dream of working in full time music ministry. How are the two dreams going to work together? Well, only God knows the answers to that. To me, it looks like God is providing a very creative way to move my music ministry into larger territories plus I do love to sing the National Anthem and God Bless America! Should be fun!

God is telling me to get ready to get busy so that is what I'm doing. Anybody want to buy a house in the Florida Keys...furnished or unfurnished? I'm serious! A lot of hard work is ahead. I must let loose of the good so that God can bring about His best! I'm trying hard to trust and to cast down the fear that naturally comes when you face so many unknown details. I do know though, that God will direct my steps and provide whatever is needed to help this dreamer successfully live a life for His purpose.

Thanks for reading what is on my heart these days. I would truly appreciate your prayers. But before I close, let me ask you...

What are you daring to dream lately?

Have you let a God given dream fall asleep, for whatever reason...sacrifice, dying to self or disbelief? Take heart! Be of good courage. It was not your imagination if He has called you and given you His dream for your life. You are never too young or too old to pursue a God given dream. Just...

"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this."

...Psalm 37:3-5 (New International Version)

Remember...

God's Supernatural Power

+ Surrendered Individual Gifted by God

= Supernaturally Empowered Gifted Surrendered Individual Dreaming to make a difference for Christ!

Is that you also? Then I hope you are getting ready too!
Come on...join me and ...
..."Choose to Shine"

Keep your chin up and your eyes on Christ!
Love and blessings to you and yours,
Becky

Will I Be Ruled By My Emotions?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:35:00 +0000

Will I be ruled by my emotions? Will I give my life over to whatever I want to do…according to my feelings? No...I have determined in my life to align my desires and decisions with God’s Will and Word. I hope to have the courage to live what I believe.

“Help me stay true to what I believe Lord!”

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

…Luke 10:19

Now by sharing this, I am not saying I totally understand the above scripture. Bad things do happen to Godly people; BUT, I do know that the purpose of EMOTIONAL hurt is to rob you of the blessings of God…to injure you enough in your feelings or emotions to move you away from the Word and purposes He has for you in your life. I write concerning the soul or the inner man. This is where I hope someone will be encouraged and perhaps glimpse a truth that they have not yet realized.

Remember Luke 10:19 and say to yourself…“I am emotionally invincible and I will not be ruled by emotional hurt. I have authority over my emotions.” Complaining and murmuring show that we are being ruled by our emotions and that we have not taken authority over them. Anyone ever do that? Whoo!

“Lord, help me stay true to what I believe!”

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

…Prov. 12:18

Don't give place to the enemy! Walk in love! Walk in the blessing that is on you as a believer! Claim it. The enemy is trying to rob us of everything God has promised and already given us! Are we allowing ourselves to be dragged by emotional hurt out of the position we need to be in to receive His full blessings on our lives?

Perhaps we have tolerated emotional hurt because we have been taught that it is ok to keep it. How has that worked out for you in the past or even in the present? For me, emotional hurt has at times been like a poison…making me sick and even paralyzing me through depression.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

…Gal. 5:1

Say it again... “I am emotionally invincible and I will not be ruled by emotional hurt. I have authority over my emotions.”

The enemy’s strongest weapon is suggestion…that hissy little lying voice that can so quickly sway us. We must learn to recognize His tactics and take heed…rebuke Him! If you have indeed been bought with the blood of Christ, you are empowered from on High! Remain on the offensive. Do not let yourself become entangled in a battle that is already won!

"Jesus said, if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

…John 8:31-32

Emotional pain can be so intense that it can bring about actual manifestations in our lives…bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, sickness, disease, and death. Avoid the tendency to place yourself on the defensive. This is where we too often empower the enemy. Ask these questions: What is hurt trying to get me to do? Who will it affect? What will be the outcome?

"Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them."

…Psalm 119:165

Yes…we must deal with hurt. We must not stuff it down and try to deny that it is there. Confess it to God. Lament to Him.

If you are not sure where the real source of the problem is, ask God to reveal it to you.

Forgive...those who knowingly or unknowingly hurt you. Do not wait for their apology. It may never come but you do not have to be subject to the power of their actions.

Examine yourself. Ask God for His mercy and forgiveness if you were partly responsible for the problem. If need be, by all means, forgive yourself and when necessary and possible, ask the other person(s) involved for their forgiveness.

Move forward in grace! Pray for the other person involved and ask God to give you His heart for them.

Take and use the power, healing and authority applied to our lives through the blood of Jesus by our adoption through salvation by the grace of God given to us…His beloved…His children.

“Help me stay true to what I believe Lord!”

We can’t build new foundations or move forward into our purpose and destiny if emotions rule our lives.

Will I be ruled by my emotions? Will you?

Keep your eyes on Christ and remember…

You Are Loved!

Becky

My Drive or Driven?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 21:26:00 +0000

My passion, my compulsion, is to share the love of Jesus Christ with others and that is driven by the love of Christ...John 3:16. I love because He first loved me...so, my drive is initiated there.

My inspiration is the Master Artist, the one and only God, Creator of all. My artistic medium is music and my instrument, a voice...only because that is how He designed, created and gifted me to be. I take no credit in His creation for I am just a vessel, a tool in the Master's hand.

My ambition is to remain obedient and in His will as I live out the call on my life to tell others about Jesus...the great commission.

My hope is in the Lord...in His power and control. I trust in Him alone. He is the driver and fuel source for my journey...Thank the Lord! Believe me, He is a much better driver than I am!

My goal...first, pleasing God...second, a by-product of the first, to tell others of His amazing love for them, that He has a plan and a purpose for their life, and to encourage them to trust and love the Lord with all their hearts, minds and souls.

Success...worldly success vs. Godly success...hmm? We must be careful not to be fooled by the outside view we see. Only God knows and sees the whole picture. For me, success is in being faithful, even in the little things, and in keeping my heart and will in sync with His. I am constantly learning, constantly seeking, constantly stepping(one step at a time), into the territories and opportunities that He is in charge of opening and leading me into.

My daily prayer is to glorify God with all of my life and to be filled with His love so powerfully that I will be a blessing to whomever He allows me to minister to...whether it be one more person or thousands more. I now realize the journey towards my God given dreams is as important, perhaps even more so, than my final destination.

By learning to "Let go and let God" be in control of the big picture, I am set free to really live life "in the moment", instead of letting important moments pass me by while I wish for things that have not yet come to be. This, I believe, gives me the peace I need to remain patient, content, and balanced in my day to day life, which is a challenge at times for us driven creative types. Perhaps it is the secret to true happiness.

Is your "drive" robbing you of this? It used to rob me of mine until I came to realize this truth.

Love and blessings to you and remember...keep your eyes on Christ!
Becky