"T" is for TEACH-ABILITY

The Word of the Lord in Malachi 3:6 says, "I am the Lord, I do not change," or "I change not."  We, on the other hand, are NOT the Lord, and we will change A LOT, that is, IF we remain TEACHABLE.

TEACH-ABILITY is essential to our growth as productive human beings progressing on life's continuum towards our goals and dreams.  Have you ever known someone whom you couldn't give advice to, or wise counsel, or shared your wealth of experience to because they "knew it all?"  People like that are full of themselves who aren't (and won't) go anywhere fast.

You've all heard the cliche, "God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to let you stay that way."  That is so true!  From the moment we bend our knee and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our lives begin to change.  Day by day, as we sit in His presence by praying, worshiping, reading His Word, attending church, and fellowshiping with His people, our lives begin a transformation process until, one day, we realize we aren't who we used to be, and we aren't yet who we will become.  We're changed, and changing.  But that's only because we were TEACHABLE.

Who has the right to speak into our lives?  What about a friend who wants to bring constructive criticism?  Are we open to hear what he/she has to say?  Are we willing to be confronted about our behavior, speech, activities, the things we watch on tv, and the way we treat our spouse or our kids?  Are we open to being mentored by someone who has a little more experience in a certain area? 

See, we were born so that we might grow up to become all that God intended for us to be.  We can only do that with humility and the knowledge that we don't have it altogether all of the time.  We need our friends and loved ones to challenge us, and encourage us, and yes, even correct us at times.  When correction comes, we chew the meat and spit out the bones.  In other words, we let the truth of their words change us.

God will continue to pour into us so long as we remain TEACHABLE.  And that will always result in good growth which, by the way, keeps us moving towards our goals and dreams.  Let's remain humble and open to all that He has for us no matter what it is or who it comes through.  The only One Who truly has it altogether is Jesus Himself.  The rest of us have alot to learn!

"S" is for STRENGTH

STRENGTH isn't for sissies. 

STRENGTH, whether it be emotional, physical, or spiritual, doesn't happen upon us just because we want it.  We have to work for it (no pain, no gain), build it (keep working at it), carry it (in the face of trials, obstacles, and disappointments), and declare it (to the enemy of our souls when he taunts us about our mistakes and failures).  Building STRENGTH takes time, determination, and a conscious decision to keep moving forward even when we've faced setbacks.

Just like emotional STRENGTH builds when we decide to be a victor and not a vicitim, and physical STRENGTH builds when we spend time in the gym working out, and spiritual STRENGTH builds when we spend time in the study of God's Word and in prayer, the STRENGTH of our dreams becoming a reality is entirely dependent upon how badly we want them.  Do we want them bad enough to work for them, and toward them, even when we're tired and would rather do something else?  They're certainly not going to just land in our laps.  What happens when we try and fail?  Do we roll over and take that failure as the final word, or do we embrace a "Never Quit, Never Back Down" mentality, and then try again?  It's a matter of the heart that is reflected in our thinking which is always reflected in our actions.  What holds the gaze of our dream life?

Every step we take towards our goal builds STRENGTH in our core, especially if the step has been a particularly difficult one.  And that gives us faith and STRENGTH to take the next step, and then the next, and then the next.

STRENGTH is just one of the things needed for any journey; but, rest assured, God is in the "journey business," you are not a sissy, and He has equipped you with everything you need to be successful.

"R" is for REST, and REVIVAL!

REST is one of those things that eludes me most of the time because my "on switch" is normally fully engaged.  From the moment my feet hit the floor in the morning I go full tilt; slowing only when I've been at least somewhat satisfied with my day's accomplishments...or when I've once again over-extended myself and find that a brief sit on the couch takes me into immediate slumber.

Why do I run myself so ragged?  Why do I go from thing-to-thing over and again?  You would think that after all these years I would learn how to better pace myself, prioritize my To Do List, and be satisfied with what I managed to check off as being done.  But, as the enemy would have it ,too often he's kept me so busy and preoccupied that I haven't stopped to remember that I need to REST - with Jesus.  RESTing is more than sitting in a comfy chair with your feet up.  It's even more than laying out flat with your eyes closed, though both of those are good things.  RESTing is a calm abiding in the ONE Who created each of us for destiny and purpose.

I firmly believe that 2014 is going to be a banner year - filled with hope, promise, miracles, and wonder anew.  I also feel it's going to be a year marked by enemy attack.  God's people are going to struggle more than ever, with marriages and families being the hardest hit because they represent the true heart of God. 

None of us want failure in our lives. None of us want to suffer loss in any form, yet, we know it's going to happen with either someone we know, or even ourselves.  How can we best fortify our lives so that when tests and trials comes, we are able to stand secure?  I believe it starts with learning how to REST in His presence (no matter how busy we get) so that REVIVAL (fresh life) can come!

What do I mean?  Well, to start with, we need to remember that He's the Reason we have breath.  He created us for great things, the most important being to know Him and make Him known.  He knows that we lead busy lives; and He's with us every step of the way.  It is in His presence that we find strength, and wisdom, and direction for each day's tasks.  Along with His grace to leap tall buildings at a single bound comes true joy no matter if we only make the summit.  If we truly purpose to REST in Him, and be with Him, we will find satisfaction no matter how many things are left on our "lists" - and we'll not be so doggone tired at the end of the day either!  It's up to us to keep our spiritual walk fresh and exciting!  

So let's get to it!  Let's learn to REST (taking time for Him first and foremost), so that REVIVAL (fresh wind, fresh vision, fresh purpose, fresh life) can mark and guide our lives.  We can do it, oh, yes we can!

"Q" is for QUIETNESS

Okay.  I've been MIA for a year now. I know it.  You know it too if you followed my blog at all after my book was released.  Please, please forgive me.  I kind of got wrapped up in my super-busy life with my pastor/husband, 4 kids still living at home with all of their activities, my other kids coming and going, my job, my church and the departments I oversee, taking my chief editor ziplining to celebrate the completion of my book, weddings that I either attended or officiated at, birthday celebrations of people I love, family reunions, conferences, a cruise to the Western Caribbean with my beloved (a gift from our church family for 20 years of ministry), other trips to Florida, NJ and NYC, motorcycle adventures, school concerts, lunch dates with friends, Stampin Up workshops (I'm a demonstrator), two Christmas stamp camps at church (which I oversaw), and walking with my daughter through not one, but three hospitalizations, the last of which resulted in surgery. I also sat on the committee at our local school that interviewed 3 remaining candidates for the open administrator position, took the car in for service and oil changes several times, participated in a local festival where I hosted a booth to promote and sell my book, had my yearly mammogram and physical appointments and took my kids to their respective doctor and dental appointments, attended ISP and CSE meetings for two of my special needs kids, prepared our personal tax information for our accountant for tax day, took my dog for his haircuts, shopped for both clothing and food for my family, cleaned our house not nearly as much as it actually needed, mowed the lawn when I could fit it in, did laundry when it mutated into a spilling mess on the laundry room floor, took another daughter to piano lessons for several weeks, hosted visiting missionaries and other ministers when they came to visit, as well as varying family members, ... (need I go on?).  I think you get the picture.  

QUIETNESS.  What exactly does that mean?  QUIETNESS doesn't mean without noise. Heaven only knows the world we live in is full of noise.  QUIETNESS to me means "unmoving."  It means "calm."  It also means "still."

QUIETNESS is our strength because He is, and His Word is true.  When we have QUIET confidence in Him, we will also have peace, and nothing will cause us to stumble (Psalm 119:165), even if we've had one of those days, or as in my case, one of those years.

"P" is for PERSEVERANCE

I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to quit - to give up on my dreams - because the road was longer than I expected or the obstacles greater than I thought I could get around.  But quitting would have made me a quitter - and that's something I am NOT!  My only choice was to PERSEVERE through the paperwork and hoops we had to jump through, trusting that God would part the "red tape" and make  a way where there seemed to be no way.

I would never have any of my children if I gave up.

My special needs kids would not be where they are today if I gave up.

And most recently, my book would not be completed and published if I gave up.

It's especially important to PERSEVERE when you're tired and feel like you don't have anymore "oomph" for the process.  It's when I'm pushed to the very limits of my endurance  (and yes, patience) that I feel like throwing up my hands and screaming, "What's the use anyway!"  But I know that's what the devil wants me say because he doesn't want me stepping even an inch closer to God and His purposed intentions for my life.

Don't quit!  Never give up!  And never say, "Never!"  You can do it.  I promise.

"O" is for OPPORTUNITIES

Whether they're suitable occasions or times, or a favorable combination of circumstances, OPPORTUNITIES are just that - OPPORTUNITIES.  But they're only OPPORTUNITIES that will lead us one step closer to our dreams if we recognize them when they come and then act on them.

I remember when, in casual conversation with a person whom I barely knew, he mentioned the name of a ministry who ministered in the adoption arena.  This person didn't know much about me or my family, or the fact that we were interested in adopting more children.   After finishing our brief conversation I made note of the name of the ministry so I could follow up with them later, which I did.  That initial contact began a relationship with this organization that has spanned the years since.  And our last 4 children came to us through their ministry.

That was an OPPORTUNITY, or a "Divine Appointent," that I recognized and acted upon.  What if I had of just let that information go in one ear and out the other? 

OPPORTUNITIES come in all forms, and that's really not the point.  The point is this - we need to be looking for them because they're out there, just like our dreams.   Be proactive.  Gather information.  Talk to people who have "been there, done that."  Glean what you can from others and then act on the knowledge you have.  You just never know where the OPPORTUNITY will take you!  

"N" is for NAYSAYERS

You know who the NAYSAYERS are in your life.  They're the ones that tell you your dreams are too far out there, you shouldn't try to accomplish them, you'll never make it if you try, and worst of all - they're not behind you if you do.

I dare say - stay away from people like that!  They will discourage you to no end, rob you of your joy, and pour water on your passions that once burned bright! 

We need to surround our selves with people who may not understand our dreams, but because of their care and concern for us, they encourage us to press on and never give up! 

There are 3 types of people in the world:  those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who ask, "what happened?"

I like the first group, and I know you do too!