You Are A Winner!

I follow alot of craft blogs and spend hours looking for projects. Occassionally, I enter giveaways online, but since I am NOT a lucky person, I never expect to hear from anyone. To my surprise I saw my name listed in a post of Chica and Jo. Their craft blog can be found at www.chicaandjo.com. Since I was out of state, I had to wait until I was back in town to see the surprise package that I won. All I can say is Wow! There is a wonderful assortment of craft items. There was cardstock, embellishments, glitter, material, a journal,decorative bowls, a ruler, and a silver bling bangle. I can't wait to begin some projects and of course there are lots of Christmas gift ideas online. Thank you Chica and Jo for the great selection of craft items and for your tutorials and ideas. I am inspired often by your projects and have many bookmarked for future gifts.

There is a Season

To everything, turn, turn, turn. There is a season, turn, turn, turn. And a time for every purpose under heaven. So I begin a new season. A move back to Texas and my journey begins As time rolls on I will tell you about this new adventure. Remember me as my first steps begin!

Lenten Ashes

Ash Wednesday ushered in the beginning of Lent. A time to remind us that we came from dust and to dust we will return. Pastor Rob spoke today about how we are to live with the attention, joy and purpose that God has given us. Even though we are going through uncertain times, God meets us with hope if we keep our faith in Him. Am I living the purpose that God has for me? Do I live each day with intention as well as attention? I try to live with joy in the simple things. I laughed out loud the day that it snowed. Huge flakes drifted down and all I could do was laugh. The beauty of nature, the sighting of a cardinal, the blooming of the daffodils bring joy into my life.
Am I just passing through life or am I making the most of life? I saw the movie, The Bucket List last night. It is a story about two men who find that they have a limited number of days to live and they make a list of things to do before they die. They decide to live their last days intentionally, to experience things and live their last days to their fullest. We are given opportunities each day to live life to its fullest and to make a difference in the life of others. One line in the movie especially spoke to me. The character, Carter Chambers says, "Even now I cannot understand the measure of a life, but I can tell you this. I know that when he died, his eyes were closed and his heart was open. And I'm pretty sure he was happy with his final resting place, because he was buried on the mountain. And that was against the law." Do we live with our hearts open, making a difference in other's lives? What joy do we bring to the lives of others? I pray that during the 40 days of Lent that I live my life to show that I made some difference to others before I return to dust and that the Lord will find me a faithful servant.

The Blessing

For months I have struggled over completing a prayer shawl that was started in January. It was not that I had stopped praying for my friend, but more that I felt that my small gesture would not be enough for her. I did not want to think about what she was suffering through and unable to help in a tangible way since I live so far away. The shawl would call to me from my knitting bag, but all I would do is pray a short prayer for my friend and choose to follow other paths.
In the last two months, conversations began about an interest in a prayer shawl ministry at the church. It kept coming up and I knew that it was a reminder that I had a wealth of prayers sitting in the corner that were not being used as God intended them to be used. I picked up the shawl and began knitting on it last week. The stitches flew off the needles and it felt good to be back in that rhythm of prayer and motion. Before long I had finished the shawl and was adding the fringe.
A small group of ladies met on Thursday to learn to knit and to find out about the prayer shawl ministry. I brought my shawl and told them about the recipient and we took turns praying over it. This shawl has been blessed by a sweet, loving bunch of ladies and I am ready to send it on it's way. Listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying has been a blessing as well.

Remembrances

We Will Not Forget. The anniversary remembrance. A dark day in history of a nation. A day after we lost my father in law. We were grieving his loss and preparing for his funeral when we saw the events unfold on the tv screen. Our minds numb from grief, it was difficult to comprehend what was happening that day. Loss, pain, hurt, peace, love, many emotions came forth. Overwhelming love. "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" Chuck we will miss you. We love you.

Grace

I found this jewel today and what an awsome video! A prayer for today!
Credit goes to: http://coreymann.blogspot.com/ Innovative Corey Mann

Are we Hirelings or Sheep Owners?

Last week I was privileged to attend a Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill. live simulcast seminar. About 250 local leaders gathered at First Baptist Church, Shreveport. We had 10 folks from our church staff attending. The theme of the summit was "A Vision to Die For". Bill Hybels led the opening session, Followed by Carly Fiorina (former CEO of HP), Rev. Floyd Flake and Marcus Buckingham.

Bill Hybels taught that a vision must be "owned" or it will never succeed. In John 10- are we just "hired hands or owners of the sheep"? He spoke about developing the vision and establishing ownership among your team. He warned us that vision "leaks". *Your followers will only take their ownership cue from you. MLK and Jesus would die for their dream and mission. Is your vision to die for? Give people a vision that is more compelling than their fears. A leader must have passion and dis-passion to see the truth and make changes as necessary.

Marcus Buckingham (Author of motivational research books) was a humorous speaker. He asked what would help you be more successful? Building on strengths or fixing our weakness? In America we tend to focus on our weaknesses and try to change rather than continue building on our strengths. We can grow the most in our areas of strength. He urged us to take a strengths assessment. Start a list of what we do in a week. Sort it on a sheet of paper labeled- I Loath It/I Love It. Find your 3 top strengths. You may even be good at things that you hate to do!

4 Signs of a Strength:

S- Success

I- Instinct- Things you look forward to

G- Growth (Time flies when you do something you like)

N- Needs - Fulfilling things you like to do

How do certain activities make you feel? What appetites drive your abilities? I feel strong when.... Fill out a Strength Statement Card.

On Friday Colin Powell gave an inspiring talk about Leading at the Highest Level. He talked about surrounding himself with leaders who were more qualified than himself and allowing them to challenge and argue ideas with him. Reward your best performers and Check your ego at the door. He stressed the need to have fun in your command. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. Trust the element of Instinct. His concluding statement, "All of us have a debt of service that we will never be able to repay".

John Ortberg, of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church spoke Friday afternoon about the greatest fears of leaders. A Shadow Mission- something that is about 10 degrees off from our gifts. A chronic sense of non-goal satisfaction. For Soloman it was lust; Pilot abdicated judgement, Adam and Eve had the apple. He spoke of the story of Queen Esther and Mordecai. Who loves you enough to call you out of your shadow mission? We need not fear because God's hand is in all that goes on. Don't be afraid to speak God's truth.

Jimmy Carter was the speaker on Saturday morning. Carter spoke on Psalm 34:4. Seek peace and preserve it. He spoke of his humble childhood and the lessons that he learned that continue to guide him. He was such a gentle, humble speaker.

Bill Hybels finished out the summit speaking on the Power of Inspiration. He said that motivation urges you to "Take it up a notch!" You and others can accomplish so much more when you are motivated. It is our job to keep ourselves personally motivated. We are not to rely on others to motivate us. Surround yourself with motivating people. Get rid of demotivating people. Find other areas for them to work. Be clear about your calling from God. Don't give up until God brings clarity. Participate in physical disciplines. Practice inspiring recreation outside of your work. What re-creates life-spirit inside you? Practice daily spiritual disciplines.

Live a motivated life before others to inspire others around you. It's a "force motivator" and it will be the greatest gift for your team.

1. Connect everyone on your team to a compelling cause/grander vision. 2. Learn the inspiration language of all on your team and then speak it.

3. Identify and reduce any demotivating items in your life and job envionment. The strength of motivated employees can be undermined if the work environment is not good.

4. Celebrate every sign of progress of your team's goals.

What would a church look like if all were inspired? Look at Acts 2.

What a team of motivating leadership speakers!!!!

Now to apply it to our ministry areas. What a motivating vision!

How does that help a non-disciplined knitter-blogger-Child of God?

Well, it is up to me to keep myself motivated and surround myself with motivating folks and environments. Time to "take it up a notch". I do not want to be just a hireling in life!