CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

We all have heard the comment about a son being a “chip off the old block”; meaning he is just like his father.  This comment is made when a child has the attributes of, mannerisms of, or even the looks of their parent. 

That can be said about Jesus.  I think that’s what he meant when he told the Philip: “The person who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9 ISV).  He came to reveal the Father to mankind. He was the express image of the Father (Heb1:3 KJV) and ultimately that is what God wants for us – to look like Him.

Regardless to how rough you look today, if you are a believer, you are being transformed right now.  Transformation is part of the package. Jesus died to pay the penalty or wages for our sin – death.  But did you know that we are destined to be conformed to the image of His Son? (Rom 8:29 KJV)  Jesus is the firstborn among many brothers.

Transformation makes me think of some examples in nature like the metamorphosis of the ugly crawling caterpillar into the beautiful butterfly, freely flitting from flower the flower.  Or the helpless water bound little tadpole’s change into a strong frog that breathes the air and leaps to where he wants to go. 

And so are we being changed from one glory to another from the inside out. The Amplified version bible says “and we share His inward likeness” (Rom 8:9b).  When I feel like a failure and know that I haven’t represented the Christian lifestyle well, I am comforted in knowing that He is changing me – I am not changing myself.

It is His intent that I become a chip off the old - THE GREAT - block and all my life experiences and every "life interruption" are working together for my good. (Rom 8:28)   When we partner with God by saying yes to His word and yes to His way; when we respond to Him in obedience,  He will produce that supernatural transformation within us. 

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. (2 Cor 3:18 ASV)

ARE YOU IN CONTROL?

I created a worksheet while trying to figure out how we can maintain our strength or regain our personal power. 

Click here for video discussion of the Tip 1 control worksheet.

For a summary of my conclusions, see below.

✅ Control what you can control - clear your mind

I decided to write some stuff down instead of having a whole lot of thoughts swirling around my head.

I wanted to get them out of the back of my mind onto paper where I could see them more accurately; not hiding in shadowy fear, confusion and worry. 

We need to distinguish the things we can do something about, verses what we should simply release to God (1 Peter 5:7) - because we can’t control it anyway.

 ✅ Make changes by taking action on "control-able" things

Identifying what is "control-able" helps to clarify where I should put my efforts and made me feel more centered and in control of some circumstances. As a result, I  created the worksheet that I want to share with you - bit.ly/controlworksheet You can download it by just clicking the link or type it into the internet browser.

It has four sections to help you organize your concerns and choose actions to make changes. 

I talked about it in a video above. I explain the simple worksheet which is my gift to you. 

I also discuss what you CAN do. If you are anything like me, you want to DO something! 😊 You can release!

✅ RELEASE the rest to God

If you, like so many others, feel somewhat drained by personal situations or the prolonged season that we have  experienced, download the control worksheet for Tip1 "Control What You Can control" (no email required). 

We are encouraged to trust God for those nagging uncontrollables that drain, distract or cause anxiety. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

When you release control, it will clear the path forward. Don't you want the freedom and energy to move toward the good things in your future? Let go of what you can't control❗💚

If you would like to have all 17 Tips to Regain Your Power, get them at bit.ly/17powertips. You can download it by just clicking the link or type it into the internet browser.

Please share in the comments about your experience controlling or releasing control. 

ARE YOU CURIOUS?

Are you CURIOUS? 
image by Ezequiel Garrido (Unsplash)

There are three types of curiosity I have observed lately. So, I wanted to talk about it with you. I wonder, are you curious? Do any of these kinds of curiosity resonate with you?

• The first type I call, curiosity that killed the cat.

This is the curiosity that doesn’t have discernment. This curiosity rushes into things that can hurt you. The old adage says "Fools rush in where wise men fear to tread." They don’t have discernment.

Discernment is the ability to judge well. And if we don’t have the natural ability, God is generous to give us spiritual discernment and cause us to perceive what is what; what is good and what is evil; through knowing His Word, asking for wisdom (James 1:5.) Also through gifts like the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8.)

But what’s worse than the curiosity without discernment, is being SO curious that you ignore what you perceive - the hints, the cautions, the warnings that speak “DANGER AHEAD!” Ask me how I know! If the shoe fits ….

• The second type of curiosity is that which is cut off too soon.

This type of curiosity will cause you to think you already know “I KNOW!” I call this unteachable! If your cup is full – there is no more room to fill it! This short-sighted curiosity stunts your growth because you are not getting input to grow your skills or improve what you already know! IT WILL KEEP YOU IN A BOX!

It will also cause you to be judgmental and cut off what others have to offer you. It puts people in categories without knowing their story. Everybody has a story! Other people’s input and sharing of their journey can expand your horizons. Learn about what you don’t know – be adventurous, enjoy and discover people! Particularly people outside of your usual circle.

• The third type of curiosity, I love! The "what if" curiosity

It is the kind of curiosity that says, “what if!” What if you developed your potential. What if you use the gift that you have and take it to the next level? What if you decide I'm going on to finish that degree or get that certification? What if you decide "I'm going to write that book?" There's so much to you, and I know it. There is so much! That's the little army saying that excites me! There is so much more to you than anybody knows; so be all you can be.

So what if you decided to be more than you are as well? I wrote the book: There's More: You're Not Done Yet, because there is more to us. Even Myles Munroe said years ago, that there are books in the graveyard. I know there are solutions in the graveyard because people don't ask what if. What if you were not afraid what people think about you.

Or you could be afraid. But, the flip side of afraid is courage. Afraid is worried and terrified of many things. But courage sees the many things, feels the fear, but pushes beyond that, to activate the thing anyway! To do what's in your heart, to push on past your comfort zone.

What if you chose to go outside of your comfort zone? What if you decided to start that business? What if you decided to go on and follow your love and concern for others and do that ministry? What if you decided to run for political office because it's in you to do it? What if you do develop the thing that's in you?

So, I just wanted to bring that to your attention because I've been thinking about it lately. Are you curious? Is your curiosity one that will kill the cat? Will you get hurt by pursuing, following, listening to something that is not wise? Or have you detected that it may not be right for you... "but I'm going on anyway." I'm here to say Danger Ahead! 

Or do you have that curiosity that's going to cause you to reach new vistas, to impact people, to do the thing that God has put inside of you? Get past your comfort zone. Go on and develop and manifest what you know is inside of you. What you have been thinking about and dreaming about what you've put on the shelf? What if ...

 BE CURIOUS -- in a good way ;-) to Bring OUT the best IN you!

I invite you to share your thoughts or experience with curiosity in the comments. I'm curious... 

Blessings

ADULT PEER PRESSURE

GO FOR IT!

When I think of peer pressure, I think of those awkward days of adolescence. Pimples and emotional growing pains when it was normal to seek your identity by looking like everybody else.  The days of yearning to be accepted and included in a group so that you’d know that you were “okay”. When please accept me was the cry of your heart.

A basic definition; “Peer pressure is when you feel you 'have to' do something that you might not usually choose to do. It is when you choose to do this to fit in with your peers.” Women’s and Children’s Health Network 3/17/15

Thank God you’re all grown up now and don’t desperately need the acceptance of your peers. You follow your own heart and vision.

Or do you still walk in step with what others think instead of doing what your heart tells you to do?  Are you afraid to step out and expand your dream because others might not agree with your moves?

You have to listen to your inner voice, your heart.  You have to know yourself to be able to withstand the pressure of your peers or society. There can be an opposing pressure to conform to their image of who you should be or what you should do.  But others can’t see your heart or know your path.

It’s important to find your own way with the wisdom and counsel from others you trust, of course, but God has put a GPS in us that will guide us to our destiny.  Through prayer and relationship with God in Jesus Christ, we move toward our purpose and destiny.

I had been working at an insurance company as a data entry person just before I was widowed. At that time of change I was faced with a decision. I had the opportunity to explore my potential or go back to the safety of a low paying limited growth job.  Not many of my peers understood why I wanted to go back to school at my age. Conventional wisdom of society would tell me that I was too old to start something new and difficult.

A counselor friend told me that I shouldn’t reach for more but be content where I was. I felt the pressure pulling me to keep the status quo and return to my old job. That was the feedback coming to me from various directions including my “sensible self”. But I also felt the pressure from inside of me to go after something more.  The push was to see the next thing for my life, to grow beyond the known into a future that would enlarge me.

I made a break for it and ran after more. No, I didn’t become some rich and famous person but I did progress and more than that I learned two powerful principles.

1. You don't have to get permission to pursue your purpose
2. It's not too late to become who God created you to be 

Even as the angel declared to Mary when he told her that her cousin Elizabeth would have a baby in her old age – “with God nothing shall be impossible” Luke 1:36-37.

It takes a some courage to leave the warm blanket of “fitting in" but I say – follow your heart, Go for it!  With the help of the Holy Spirit, it will bring out the best in you.

Is there something you want to do or something you have already done that you gave yourself permission to do?

Please feel free to share in the comments below.

FREEDOM IN DEPENDENCE

There is Freedom In Dependence -You need a team

I love being independent! I like calling my own shots and not having to wait on others (to help or approve) in order to execute my plans. 

But sometimes when you call your own shots, you also make your own mess! We don’t always make the right decisions. There is safety in counselors. There is a freedom in dependence on God. 

I’m not saying that everything will be perfect but I am saying things tend to go better if you have a partner and I love partnering with God. He will provide you with good people and good instructions if you let Him.

That’s where I get wisdom. Academic knowledge is good. Mother wit will serve you but there is no greater wisdom than what you will receive by reading His book, quieting yourself and asking God - then expecting answers as you “do life” and attempt to achieve your dreams.

Don’t be so independent and self-sufficient that you can’t receive counsel, or be ashamed to ask for help. Sometimes we need a coach, to help us get through the blind spots. To keep us from making time consuming mistakes; to help us to see the path to create our dreams.

Whether you need help with:

• A business you want to start
• A ministry you feel compelled to do
• A community that you want to build 
• A dream inside of you that you want to give birth to
• Any kind of endeavor

Trying to go it alone without a helper, coach, or mentor can be a long, lonely road. One of the characters in a book I wrote, “There is More: You’re Not Done Yet,” tried to go it alone and made a mess of things. He had purpose and passion in his heart - which is a good thing - but he took matters in his own hands and almost wrecked his future.

He was young and impetuous, doing what he thought was necessary because he wanted to protect and defend his people. But he ended up committing the unthinkable. He murdered someone! The person I'm referring to is a character in bible.

Can you guess who it is?

He needed wisdom to fulfill his destiny but he didn’t depend on counsel… or he did not have it … or he had it and did not listen to the people who could help guide him into his destiny.

Did anybody guess who this bible character is? Moses – yep. To get a free copy of this chapter from the book, “There is More: You’re Not Done Yet”, click this link bit.ly/chaptergiveaway. This book is basically about manifesting your dreams at any age.

His destiny was delayed but he eventually learned to depend on God. God got Moses’ attention one day in the desert with a burning bush that would not burn up. He gave Moses instructions – told him how (instructions) to set God’s people free – and this time he listened. He then became the great man God used as a leader and deliverer. Moses' fame is known throughout the ages. Many religions acknowledge him today.

What’s my point? Like Moses - when you try to fulfill your dreams and live out your purpose without the help of others you could find yourself limited. Learn to depend on God and He will send others in your path to help. The call and purpose is yours but there is freedom in dependence; You need a team. We need one another.

God gave Moses his brother, Aaron, to come along side and help him because Moses understood that he couldn’t do this great assignment by myself. Aaron assisted Moses in the areas of his weakness. And as Moses' responsibilities grew, his father-in-law advised him to delegate more; so that he could receive the help he obviously needed.  The lesson in this is - you can’t do it all and you don’t know it all. And that’s okay. 😊

What has been your experience with going it alone? We would love for you to share in the comments below on the blog site.

EMOTION VERSES ACTION: THE WINNER IS ACTION

Emotions will wrestle with you but Actions will cause you to win! It’s Not how you FEEL, it’s what you DO that determines success.

Have you ever been afraid or angry or sad?  In moments of strong emotions, we tend to think this is our reality but emotions are temporary.

Emotions or feelings can make you do and say things you may regret or they can paralyze you and keep you from doing anything at all.

When do emotions flare up?

Emotions are at their strongest when events happen or when situations develop that are out of our control.  It could be a lost loved one, a lost dream, a lost career or lost self-esteem, a failed relationship, a friend’s betrayal, or just a time of frustration when things are not working as expected.

Our emotions are powerful. They are like the waves of the sea; they roll upon you like a tidal wave.  They scare you into feeling that you will be overwhelmed - but if you don’t panic, they recede back into the great water where they belong and eventually calmness will prevail. 

Why are emotions important?

We cannot and should not try to avoid our feelings.  Some emotions do us good. It’s with emotions we sense love and joy and - healthy fear.  Life without feelings is like food with no seasoning.  We can even worship with emotion. I enjoy dancing before the Lord in praise.

What should we do with unruly feelings?

When feelings are trying to dominate, encourage yourself with the truth. Emotions are noisy and loud in our thinking but we are to rule them, not let our feelings rule us.

Better to be patient than a warrior and better to have self-control than to capture a city (Proverbs 16:32 CEB).   These words indicate the you are better than a powerful warrior that conquers a city when you can rule your own spirit.

Choose truth over feelings.

Recognize that your feelings are not YOU.  They can’t determine your destiny. You don’t have to feel good - to do good or do what is best for you and your future. Find out what God says in His word and apply that truth to your feelings.

No matter how you feel, it’s WHAT YOU DO that matters. Do you feel like praying? Do you feel like praising, do you feel like forgiving? Do you feel like going to fellowship with other believers? Do you feel like writing that blog post (I have to smile at that).

Here in lies success: when we override our feelings with His truth, we create the success He has already designed for us. When you forsake negative feelings, then you can embrace and walk in the authority of truth.

Is there some emotion that you have been battling with that is/was keeping you stuck?

We appreciate any tips and will pray for your victory in any battle - remember we win!

Please share in the comments below.