Easter – Victory – Love – Joy
Good Friday – Betrayed. Alone. For You.
Palm Sunday – Hosanna to the King
Let’s Greet the New Year With Enthusiasm
New Beginnings. Do you sometimes feel stuck and as though life is passing you by? Like there ought to be more than THIS??? Isn’t it time you did something that will help you move toward that dream/vision/ new beginning that you’ve just never followed through on…for whatever reason…and yet it still kinda haunts you? It just won’t “go away”. You know what I’m talking about. It’s that idea that is always lurking around in the background of your mind.
I first had a dream like that in 1978 and finally–in 2008–I hired a Christian Life Coach and asked him to teach me how to do what he did. It was a new beginning. He held that vision for me when it would get a bit weak and seemed far away. He held it and encouraged me until the dream is now a reality and I am now a Christian Life Coach, too. I am now my own boss. And I can choose my own hours and even better than that is the fact that I get to breathe life into the dreams of others, now. Just like my coach did for me! It just doesn’t get any better than that! Why not do what I did…and follow through on YOUR dream until it becomes a reality… With the help of a coach! That’s what we do.
I’d like to make it a bit easier for you to follow through on that dream toward a new beginning. If you commit to three months of coaching, then you can enjoy the fourth month FREE. If you don’t take advantage of it, it’s like you are just throwing away a gift toward your future joy as you pursue a new perspective. A new way of looking at your life. And that would be sad!
I look forward to hearing from you very soon. You can contact me through the website at loavesandfishescoaching.com and we can arrange a FREE inquiry phone call so I can answer your questions and you can decide if coaching is right for you.
I love helping people with new beginnings. And I love giving gifts. Let me bless you this way so you can begin your journey toward new beginnings, just like I did a few years ago! You don’t want to wait as long as I did to find your true fulfillment in walking in your strengths!
Discover Living From Your Strengths (LFYS) Life Changing Mentor Coaching.
Do you have questions? Through the Ministry Insights assessment, you will Discover your strengths. And then, through mentor coaching, you will learn how to daily Embrace and Live out your strengths. You can contact me by clicking on the blue button beside the signature line. Or leave me a private message on Facebook.
Awaiting His shout,
Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com
Fear Not! Rejoice! Christmas is Here!
God loves you. God loves me. Fear Not. Rejoice. THAT is the Christmas message God wants us to embrace!
David Jeremiah said that the opposite of fear is not courage. Rather, the opposite of fear is love. Fear is the opposite force of faith. Faith comes from meditating on the promises of God. His promises are all borne out of love for His creation. Fear entered the human race at the same time sin entered in the garden. God wants His people to be free of fear. But for that to happen, there must be a renewing of the mind. And that renewing takes time…WITH the Creator in prayer AND in His Word. And it also comes from purposefully observing Him in action all around you.
When you and I really, really realize how much God loves us and wants the best for us, we learn to trust Him; and fear is overcome by faith and the knowledge of His absolute love for you and me. And THAT is why we celebrate Christmas! We remember the loving sacrifice of our Creator. If you have ever seen a child suffer, you will have a small inkling of the pain it caused the Father to see His Son, Jesus, suffer on our behalf. For you and for me! That should cause us to pause a bit. Soak that into your heart. He did it out of love…to show us the way HOME.
(AND BTW, I am just reminding myself and you that we know that Christmas is not complete without Easter!)
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
I John 4:18 (NKJV)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
God still answers prayer.
Sometimes the answer is long in coming. And it may not be what we asked for, but it is undoubtedly what our Father knows we need.
Immanuel.
Father God. Lord of lords. Prince of Peace. King of kings. God with us. Always. Every moment You are WITH us. Thank you for hearing my prayer for my friends:
Lord, please keep us from a complaining spirit. Grow gratitude in us. Remind us to not take things personally. To NOT take offense. Cleanse us of everything not of you. Give us a hunger and determination to spend more time with you in 2023. Show us more of You this Christmas season and then, more and more each day. Thank You for Your patience with us. Thank You for your providing for our daily needs. You are more Glorious than diamonds, as the song goes. Thank you, dear Father, for Christmas! Thank you for Love. Thank You we can pray in Jesus’ Name and You hear our hearts’ desires. To God be the Glory!
Onward Christian soldiers! The battle rages on. However, our Commander-in-Chief is the Blessed Controller of all things.
God bless you bunches. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Discover Living From Your Strengths (LFYS) Life Changing Mentor Coaching.
Do you have questions? Through the Ministry Insights assessment, you will Discover your strengths. And then, through mentor coaching, you will learn how to daily Embrace and Live out your strengths. You can contact me by clicking on the blue button beside the signature line. Or leave me a private message on Facebook.
Awaiting His shout,
Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com
Guest Post: Christmas is Coming. A Christmas Healing.
With gratitude to my friend and Author, Heather Hart, for giving me the opportunity to share this guest post with you.
This is Chapter 11 from her wonderfully blessed book, Christmas is Coming. A Devotional For The Holiday Season. It is currently free on Kindle and audio; and is just a little over $6.00 in paperback. Don’t miss out on this great gift idea.
You can find it here on Amazon.com.
“If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”
Matthew 9:21
For the past twelve years the woman had been bleeding and that made her an outcast. Still, she heard the whispers…there was a man who could heal anything. Because of Him, paralytics walked, lepers were healed, the blind could see, and the dead were raised. She had heard the stories and she believed each and every one of them. He was the answer to the desire of her heart. He could make her well.
Yet she was an outcast. Who was she to approach the Messiah? Nobody; she was a nobody.
As the stories swirled around her, one day she heard that Jesus was coming. Christmas was coming. He was surrounded by a huge crowd, but that was fine with her. All she needed was to get close enough to touch Him. She knew that with as powerful as He was, that was all she needed. So, weaving through the crowd, that’s just what she did.
She made her way to Jesus, reached out, and touched the hem of His garment. And it worked. Instantly the woman was healed. She could feel it. And so could Jesus. But Jesus didn’t let her just walk away…
“Who touched me?” He asked, and the woman startled. She knew she wasn’t worthy, but it was done. What would He say when He found out that it just her? She had no right to even be there.
Jesus waited for her to come forward, but He already knew. That’s the thing about Jesus: He doesn’t heal those who deserve it, none of us do. But still He wants us to come.
Jesus may or may not heal our physical ailments, but He will always heal our hearts when we bring them to Him. When we trust Jesus with our problems, He can move mountains. He can heal our broken hearts and mend our wounds. He can miraculously heal us or give us peace and strength for whatever lies ahead. All we have to do is reach for Jesus.
And the woman who reached for Jesus isn’t alone. The pages of Scripture are filled with accounts of people who were running to Jesus when He came to town. They came running because Christmas was coming. They had faith that He had the power to help them, and He still has the power to help us today. We just have to have faith and bring our problems to Him.
The people in the Bible had so much faith that they tore through the roof of someone’s home, so they could get their friend to Jesus. I want to have that kind of faith. Not just for myself but for my friends and family. To know that Jesus is the answer no matter what the question is.
Christmas is coming, and I am bringing my heart back to Jesus. This season may not be picture perfect or storybook worthy, but those things don’t matter to Jesus. This Christmas and always Jesus wants our hearts. He wants us to have faith in Him, because it’s by our faith we are healed.
Taking it off the pages…
Whatever is weighing on your heart this Christmas, I encourage you to bring it to Jesus. Lay it at His feet and let Him heal your heart. Whenever you start to grow weary, pause for a moment and cast your cares on Jesus, because He cares for you. (I Pt 5:7)
“Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Luke 8:18
Discover Living From Your Strengths (LFYS) Life Changing Mentor Coaching.
Do you have questions? Through the Ministry Insights assessment, you will Discover your strengths. And then, through mentor coaching, you will learn how to daily Embrace and Live out your strengths. You can contact me by clicking on the blue button beside the signature line. Or leave me a private message on Facebook.
Awaiting His shout,
Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com
Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day?
Labor day is typically a day off work. And since it is on a Monday, it makes for a long weekend. A day for short road trips. A day to spend time with friends and family. Barbecues, picnics, parades, boating, playing games. It’s a day to rejuvenate and have fun. A day to honor workers. All that is great, but why was the official holiday necessary?
Adults and even very young children alike were treated harshly. The work day was horrendously long and tedious.
“Labor Day 2022 will occur on Monday, September 5. Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day weekend also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, street parades and athletic events.”
Yes, Labor Day is that, but so much more. I hope you will take the time to click on the link and learn more about this special holiday.
May we learn from our past and may we continually treat all laborers with respect and dignity and fair-ness.
For more, click the link: Labor Day 2022
Until next time…
Discover Living From Your Strengths (LFYS) Life Changing Mentor Coaching.
Do you have questions? Through the Ministry Insights assessment, you will Discover your strengths. And then, through mentor coaching, you will learn how to daily Embrace and Live out your strengths. You can contact me by clicking on the blue button beside the signature line. Or leave me a private message on Facebook.
Awaiting His shout,
Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com
Quick & Easy School Day Breakfast “Cookie” (Save: Recipe included)
School’s starting. Details. Details. YIKES!!
Is your head spinning, trying to remember all the details for everything you need to get accomplished for this new school year? There’s shopping, organizing, school physicals, car pool schedules, garage sales to make room for the new stuff you bought, and the need to get back into a good sleep routine.
And then, there is meal planning. Do I hear a SIGH?
Let’s talk about breakfast! You want your kids to start their school day (whether Traditional, Christian, or Homeschool) with a good & satisfying meal. Kids NEED breakfast!
I know you are so busy right now. I’m praying for you, Mama. We are on the same “team”. I want to help you with breakfast. Little successes lead to bigger successes as you walk out your daily routine in your career as Mama to your kids. And these successes help you begin to feel like the best mama ever! YAY!
Complete Meal in Cookie Form! YAY!
School Day Breakfast Cookie
(Preheat oven to 350 degrees)
Mix ingredients together with a large spoon, in a large bowl:
- 2 cups oats (I use quick oats)
- 1 mashed banana
- 1/3 cup or 1 small individual size applesauce (unsweetened)
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup or 1 individual size box raisins
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 t. vanilla
- 1 t. cinnamon
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/3 cup crushed walnuts (I crush them in a plastic bag with a hammer…to the consistency of flour.)
Baking time is: 15-20 minutes…depends on how big you make your cookies. The bigger the cookie, the longer it takes to cook! 🙂
Tips:
- If the mixture seems a bit too thick, I sometimes add a 1/2 cup or so of water to make it better consistency for mixing.
- Sometimes for variety, I add 1/3 cup or so of Cocoa Powder or 1/2 cup of peanut butter for more protein.
- Grease the cookie sheet.
- I drop the dough by the spoonful and flatten with the back of the spoon.
- I make my cookies as big as the ones at Starboard Market or Cookies, etc. or any other “Monster Cookie” shop, so that one cookie is a full meal.
- I freeze them, for times when I’m in a rush.
- Sometimes I add a glob of peanut butter on the top, for extra protein.
When running late in the morning…
- I take one out of the freezer and either let it sit while I get ready for the day, OR I can heat it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. YUM!!!
- The kids can take a breakfast cookie with them in the car. No sticky mess. What do you think?
Would you be so kind as to share on FB to help other Moms start the school/work day with a “cookie” 🙂
And, please…share in the comment section below, your own yummy and time saving school morning recipes. Thanks bunches!
Discover Living From Your Strengths (LFYS) Life Changing Mentor Coaching.
Do you have questions? Through the Ministry Insights assessment, you will Discover your strengths. And then, through mentor coaching, you will learn how to daily Embrace and Live out your strengths. You can contact me by clicking on the blue button beside the signature line. Or leave me a private message on Facebook.
Awaiting His shout,
Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com
Legendary Super Hero.
My Dad was a legendary super hero. He was also a single parent. That’s part of what makes him a super hero. Parenting is tough. Single parenting is tougher!
He used to say, “When my ship comes in, with my luck, I’ll be at the airport!” Then he always laughed! (My Mom’s medical bills had undoubtedly taken a toll on the bank account.) In my eyes, my Dad was a rich man. Not from wealth, position, or possessions. Rather, he was rich with integrity and steady resolve.
I knew I was loved. I knew what his values were. He lived his values. He was his values. He was deeply respected in his community.
I also knew things I could count on about him.
- He always straightened up the house before bed.
- He’d be there waiting for me when I got home from school.
- He showed up no matter where I was when I was with my friends. (I liked that.)
- He cared enough to be sure I was safe. (My friends were jealous.)
- He never forgot a holiday.
(Whether Valentines Day, birthday, or whatever holiday…there was always a card and a gift on the kitchen table waiting for me when I came down for breakfast.)
He wasn’t a hugger, and he didn’t speak his love much, but his actions spoke volumes. I felt safe, secure and loved.
I’ve been wondering something lately…
When we read and hear the dogma about what parents should be, should do, should not do, etc., do we lose something precious and important by not rather focusing on and appreciating what our Moms and Dads did well? Does our “idea” of the “ideal” bring us into a continual state of disappointment to the point of dis-honor/anger/ & distance?
What if we step back a bit and take an honest look. If this were someone else’s parent, would we be jealous…as my friends were of me because my Dad was so predictable, available, and “protective”?
“Knowing what we are called to do is a greater blessing than striking it rich.” (Turning Point devo. 8/16/12)
My Dad knew he was called to be a single Dad when my Mom died…and he did it really, really well!
Thanks, Dad! You will always be my super hero. I miss you terribly.
Honoring Memorial Day With Gratitude
It had been pouring rain. I thought our Memorial Day remembrance by the lake would not happen. (Oh me of little faith!)
But God cleared the sky for a short time so we could stop…to remember the sacrifices of our heroes and their families.
I was moved to tears as the High School band played the Star Spangled Banner. (Yes, our flag is still there. In spite of wars and rumors of wars.)
Tears were still in my eyes as the VFW honor guard stood at attention. Most in the crowd saluted or had their hands over their hearts throughout the remembrance time. (They honored the flag of our country. It’s not just a flag, but rather a symbol of the COST of freedom.) The raising of the flag by our local Boy Scouts (but only to half mast…to honor the fallen). Then, a prayer by the Chaplain of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). That prayer included honoring the Name of our Lord Jesus. Openly. Without hindrance. Another reason for tears of gratitude: for wonderful small town Iowa with its “old-fashioned values”!
And then the band played TAPS. More tears. More emotions of gratitude. More hands over the hearts. More salutes from veterans. I am thankful for those in Clear Lake, Iowa who organized the remembrance.
I’m glad I had stopped to remember. I wanted to share my thoughts of joy and gratitude with you.
Yes this is celebrated as a HOLIDAY in the United States, but there is a reason why we have a “holiday” to celebrate. Today, I am not taking that freedom for granted. It came with great price.
I am thankful to God for stopping the heavy rain long enough for us to draw together as a community and remember with gratitude those that suffered much so we could stand there together openly praying and remembering. To be FREE to do so. THANK YOU seems small for such a great gift!
Please share YOUR thoughts and remembrances about Memorial Day in the comment section below.
Discover Leading From Your Strengths (LFYS) Life Changing Mentor Coaching…
Do you have questions? Through the Ministry Insights assessment, you will Discover your strengths. And then, through mentor coaching, you will learn how to daily Embrace and Live out your strengths. You can contact me by clicking on the blue button below the signature line. Or leave me a PM on FB…
Until next time,
Personality and Jesus
Do you know who God created you to be? Have you ever stopped to think about how your personality affects the way you interact with others? Find out more in this new book by Pamela A. Taylor.
Awaiting His shout,
Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com