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Week One: A Christmas Prayer.

An Advent Mini-Minute with Pam

Week One: A Christmas Prayer.

Merry Christmas with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
As we celebrate the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray the focus this year will in all ways be on the “reason for the season”. Jesus. And that the light of His love brings you hope, salvation, peace, wisdom, and joy!

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow…”

Philippians 2:9-10

Dictionary Definition of Advent

A period of getting ready for the coming of something or someone that is important or worthy of note. The period begins four Sundays before Christmas. It is observed by some with a period of prayer and fasting. Synonyms of Advent are: appear, coming, arrival. incoming.

C S Lewis

“Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.”

Christmas Rush vs. Christmas Hush

Many of us enter this season after a time of celebrating Thanksgiving to God for all we already have. We have tasks to accomplish, but the main emphasis is on people. Being together. Enjoying one another. Sharing a table together. And then the very next day is BLACK FRIDAY and we turn into TASK mode. Many rush to the stores or online to buy more things—the very next day after we thanked God for all we have. But it’s a sale, so we must go and buy and rush around and begin the season of frazzle. I am reminded of the Veggie Tales movie “Stuff Mart”. If you haven’t seen it, you might want to add that to your list of Family Video Night choices.

What if this year could be different?

We always say this year will be different, but then we fall into old habits. Let’s plan to CHOOSE to be different this year. Let’s start now, with week One of Advent.

Week One. Prophesy. Hope.

“For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful. Counselor. The Mighty God. The Everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

John Piper

“I am prone to be dull, spiritually drowsy, halfhearted, lukewarm. That is the way human beings are, including Christians, even about great things. Peter knows it and is writing to awaken or to stir up his readers so that they don’t just know but also feel the wonder of the truth.” POWERFUL!

Let’s get “stirred up” this year.

Let’s be radical for Jesus. Where is our HOPE? In stuff and gifts and parties and running ourselves ragged? Let’s wake from our slumber. Spiritual drowsiness, BE GONE!!! The apostle Paul’s aim was to remind us and then to stir us up. Waking us from our slumber. He says…

“I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder.”

2 Peter: 1:13

“I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder.”

2 Peter 3:1

Let’s DO this! Because the alternative is sad.

A Christmas Prayer

Hope arrived on that day. Pray with me…

Father, thank you for this opportunity to re-calibrate each year. To remember that Christmas is celebrating PROPHESY fulfilled with the arrival of HOPE. Will we allow our emotions and affections for the Savior to be stirred up as we are awaiting Christmas Day, remembering the greatest wonder of all? With your help and sweet reminders, Father God, we will make this year different. Better. We choose to anticipate the reminder of the arrival of the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior, to this world.

Will you choose Christmas Rush or Christmas Hush this year? Will you post the reminder on your refrigerator? If this encourages you, please share.

This week’s verse

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus.

Do you need encouragement in your walk with God?

I offer one-on-one coaching and would love to come alongside you to help you become the woman God created you to be.

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Holidays,Mini-Minute with Pam — Tags: , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 6:00 am

What If God Has A Love Language?

A Mini-Minute with Pam: What If God Has a Love Language?

Woman reading Bible by window
Gary Chapman made the Love Languages a “thing” a few years ago. It was a big deal for awhile–to learn our own love language.

I have been thinking about what a great world it would be if we each were OTHER centered—by discovering what brings out the best in each other– so we can love them with THEIR love language.

And only after that, THEN learning how to share with others what OUR love language is. Wouldn’t that be great? Living our lives desiring to bless rather than be blessed? Do you remember what your love language is? To refresh your memory, here are the options:

The Five Love Languages

  • Quality Time
  • Acts of Service
  • Words of Affirmation
  • Gifts
  • Physical Touch

I’ve recently been thinking that God’s primary love language must be QUALITY TIME. He craves time with us. He wants us to enjoy just BEING with Him. No agenda. No requests. No complaints. Just BEING together.

Gary Chapman believes that “God speaks all 5 love languages fluently” to us. So, when we sense God speaking our primary love language, we are more prone to be attracted to Him. To want to be WITH Him and speak to Him and learn more about Him. That’s what He desires above all—that His creation longs for and seeks time with Him. Getting to know Him deeply.

Think about Adam and Eve. God spent lots of quality time with them in the Garden.

Abraham was called the Friend of God. God frequently spoke personally with him. They even spent quality time in personal conversation together about the destruction of evil Sodom, where sadly, Lot–Abraham’s nephew–lived.

David was a man after God’s own heart. They spoke frankly together and knew each other intimately. They spent quality time together.

Jesus spent over three years with the disciples. Jesus desired focused attention and quality time with them. They traveled, ate, slept and talked together.

He spent quality time with Mary and Martha and Lazarus in Bethany. He spontaneously stopped by for meals. They enjoyed each other’s company. Mary’s love language was quality time. Martha’s was acts of service.

All of the above-mentioned Bible people had authentic love toward God. It flowed from a heart genuinely seeking to honor Him. And to BE with Him.

Missionary George Mueller wrote: “These last 3 days, I have had very little real communion with God, and have therefore been very weak spiritually and have several times felt irritability of temper.” Quality time with God was the center of his life. Without the quality time, he felt a sense of distance between God and Himself. Time with God was not a ritual for him, but rather deep and personal. Quality time was the very center of His relationship with God.

For George Mueller, that quality time with God was more important than even his call to care for the poor. His life was characterized by Acts of Service, but his energy and vision were built on the Love Language of Quality Time with God –the foundation that gave him the ability to serve with grace and joy.

So, now we know God’s love language is Quality Time, because all else is BUILT UPON that. The flip side of that is that God knows the love language of each person He created. That’s you and me. And when He wants to motivate us, He speaks to us in our own personal love language. Watch for it…learn to recognize how He does that. He is the Master of Love Language.

Let me know you are reading my posts. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is reading what I write.

I can’t NOT write, but I wonder…does it make any difference in anyone’s life?

Do you need encouragement in your walk with God?

I offer one-on-one coaching and would love to come alongside you to help you become the woman God created you to be.

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Mini-Minute with Pam,Strengths Mentor Coach — Tags: , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 6:00 am

My Prayer For You This Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from Loaves and Fishes Coaching

 

My prayer for you this THANKSGIVING:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

I am reminded of one of the first sermons I actually HEARD. The pastor said “If all we receive is our salvation, it should be enough.” Amen? Amen!

So, this Thanksgiving, as we remember all that the Lord has blessed us with, may we begin with gratitude for our salvation. All else is OVERFLOW.

And, as with the cornucopia, may your overflow flow over to all you meet each and every day from now until you see Jesus face-to-face.

In Jesus’ Name!

Be blessed to be a blessing!

Thank you for all you do.

My Father: Experiencing God's Love A-Z

Pamela Taylor invites you to join her in this interactive acrostic devotional journal designed to draw you into the extremely personal and abundant love God has waiting for you. Experience the "Just ask..." of His love for you!

My Father: Experiencing God's Love from A-Z by Pamela A. Taylor

Let's Connect!Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Spiritual Life,Strengths Mentor Coach — Tags: , , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

1 Bible Verse For Thanksgiving That Can Bring You Joy

One Bible Verse For Thanksgiving

Do you need a Bible verse for Thanksgiving?

A Mini-Minute with Pam: What If You Decide to Have Joy For Thanksgiving?

Family carving turkey

Holidays. Gotta love ’em. They “stretch” you.

They present you with opportunities for God to show Himself strong in your life.

Just to name a few…

Expecting company for Thanksgiving?

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” (Phil. 2:14 NAS)

Haven’t even made your grocery list?

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

Alone for Thanksgiving?

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

Long trip in a car FULL of family?

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

Haven’t started cleaning the house yet?

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

YOUR turn to cook the turkey?

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

Relative brings their HUGE dog along? You are allergic!

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

It snowed. It’s icy. Trip cancelled?

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

“…for it is God at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
(Phil. 3:13 NAS)

REJOICE!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Click here to read my prayer for you this Thanksgiving.

Do you need encouragement in your walk with God?

I offer one-on-one coaching and would love to come alongside you to help you become the woman God created you to be.

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Holidays,Mini-Minute with Pam — Tags: , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

What If It’s Time to RSVP?

A Mini-Minute with Pam: What if it’s time to RSVP to your bridegroom?

Bride sitting at window

Headline: Jesus is getting married!

It is true that the courtship has been bumpy and long. There have been dangers of a broken engagement along the way. But any day now, the wedding will be a reality!

You are invited.

The wedding has been officially announced and the invitations have been sent. Have you responded to your invitation? It is not too late…yet…

Don’t delay.

This will be a marriage that will never drift into the mundane. You will never be bored. You will never be separated by divorce or death.

Take some time to read His Love Letter to you

The Bible — the Word of God was prepared especially for His followers. Get to know the Bridegroom. Start with making a list of His Greatness…His attributes. Note how He relates to His created ones. Pay close attention. Ask Him for understanding. Begin to make a list of what is most meaningful to you as you read. I suggest that you start toward the back of the book…in the New Testament.

Try this for starters:

Make the next four Sundays special. Each Sunday read one of the New Testament Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) so you can get to know the Bridegroom. The 4 Gospels. And it’s where you will read of His invitation to you to join Him forever. The more your read, the more you will understand the depth of His love for you!

Say yes to His invitation to you!

And begin the journey toward maturity as His someday soon Heavenly Bride. Little by little, growing, maturing, and understanding what it means to be a “follower” devoted to the Bridegroom, Jesus. As He already is devoted to you. He longs to have you say yes! He’s done His part…now it’s your turn to respond.

Related Post: Wedding Plans and Alpha Moms

Parking Spaces

It seems when we begin our walk with God, He seems to even give us every parking space we pray about. And then, one day, we realize we pray for an up-front-parking-space and He says no. All the spaces are full. We have to walk a few blocks. And we are tempted to complain. We ask WHY? And He replies something like: “I love you so much, my love, but you need the exercise!” THAT is TRUE love. Concerned for the other one. And that is the difference between what we want as a baby Christian and what we need as a more mature Christian.

R.S.V.P. But that is only the beginning.

The rest of your life and on into eternity will be spent walking together with Him…side-by-side. Never looking back. There is no one you can trust more than the Heavenly Bridegroom. Jesus, the Christ. The Lord.

Let me know if I can help you toward that journey of becoming all you were created to be. Don’t settle for less than that…

When you are ready…

Do you need encouragement in your walk with God?

I offer one-on-one coaching and would love to come alongside you to help you become the woman God created you to be.

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Mini-Minute with Pam — Tags: , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 5:00 am

What If You Finish What You Start?

A Mini-Minute with Pam: What If You Finish What You Start?

Done is better than perfect,

Know your strengths

It’s important to know your personality strengths so you understand why you do what you do. God made you unique. You are like no other. So on the most basic level of understanding: A Lion personality is driven by an active will and the need to get results. An Otter personality is driven by emotion and the need to influence. A Beaver personality is driven by logic and need to do things right. A Golden Retriever personality is driven by a passive will and the need to help.

Know each other’s strengths

You can see how different we are from each other. And why conflict is possible and probable in our relationships. When that happens, if we take a step back a bit, we can probably find just the right approach when we have something we hope to accomplish together.

Personalities and Decluttering

I mentioned in another post that I recently spent a week under the mentorship of an amazing Decluttering Coach. It was called a “Decluttering Challenge” by Sarah Mueller. Now, think of each of the personalities and how they each might respond to the challenge. Have you figured out which personality you might have?

(If you’d like to know for sure, perhaps you’d like to click over to the Ministry Insight website and take a 15 minute survey to find out for sure.)

Sarah understood how to appeal to each of us in the Challenge, in order to bring out the best in each of us.

Books Available

If you’re curious and would like to know more about how to live out your strengths to the glory of God, I’ve written three books about Personality Differences. You can find them on Amazon and also on my website.

Starters and Finishers

As a Living Your Strengths Mentor Coach, I have been reflecting on the what and why of clutter and decluttering. I remembered that the Lion and the Otter personalities start things easily and that the Beaver and the Golden Retriever personalities are more apt to finish what they start even if they have to stay up all night to do it. So, you can see how valuable it is to know about that when you are choosing a team. We need both starters and finishers.

Finish What You Start

So, ever since the Decluttering Challenge, I started to realize how often I now have been actually working on a project and be tempted to lay it aside, and hear myself saying: “FINISH”. Hmmmm…

That is one of the key words that Sarah taught. FINISH. It is an action word. And it is powerful.

I won’t give away her secrets here about exactly all that the FINISH word entails. It is so much more than just a word. You will have to take her course to find out more. But as a Beaver personality, FINISH is a COMFORTABLE word for me personally. Beavers like to finish what they start.

What If You Finish What You Start?

Spiritually speaking, what is God calling you to finish? We are spiritual beings. Whatever we do, affects your relationship with God. Maybe that promise to yourself to have a daily exercise routine, lose weight, eat healthy, stop gossiping, get your anger under control, finish a project you started, or perhaps…

Did you start reading through the Bible in January with the intention to read all the way through and somehow you got out of the habit? If that is you, I encourage you to begin again today. There are tons of reading plans out there. Keep trying until you find one that actually works for you. Equip yourself for these challenging days ahead. Get your “Sword of the Spirit” (which is the word of God) sharpened and ready for what’s ahead. Figure out the best time of day that works for you. You don’t have to do what anyone else is doing. When you arise, before you turn out your light at night, over your lunch break, while on the treadmill. Whatever works. Just DO it! Finish what you started. Or if you haven’t started, then there is no better time than TODAY. Start, so you can Finish!

Until next time,

Do you need encouragement in your walk with God?

I offer one-on-one coaching and would love to come alongside you to help you become the woman God created you to be.

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Mini-Minute with Pam,Personality Strengths and Weaknesses — Tags: , , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

What If It’s God and Not Coincidence?

A Mini-Minute with Pam: What If It’s God and Not Coincidence?

Man and son walking on path - coincidence

When crises arise…

20/20 Hindsight teaches me that God uses those times to get my attention, so He can bless me with an awareness of His involvement in my life. He walks alongside me and you, through it all, hand-in-hand. He reminds me that I am NOT on my own. He is always at my side, guiding, directing, loving, disciplining when needed. All because of His deep abiding love. I forget that sometimes.

Pushing through vs. stopping and seeking

I’m thinking of the times I have pushed through—rather than stopping to worship—while I try to figure out what God might want me to do. Are you like me? I can get into a “zone”. So busy working out the details in my own mind, blocking out everything! Even God!

He sees. He hears. He knows what we need.

GRATEFULLY, He always manages to get my attention and remind me that there is a God and it is not me. Here’s an example of how deeply He is involved with the details of our lives.

This one day, as I waited for a landline call that never came

I’d been stuck and unable to write a letter I needed to write. Suddenly – in that time of waiting – I created the perfect piece for the need. Then my cell phone rang. That friend informed me that my landline wasn’t working. Coincidence? God? You decide.

And then there are the times when

I am on my way out and something delays me. I might even be frustrated that I am delayed. But then, GOD happens. When I do leave to go out, I run into someone that desperately needs a word of encouragement. Or maybe they just need to know someone cares enough to listen. And sometimes I hear about a need I can meet. Coincidence? God? You decide.

Sometimes life is a painful uphill battle

In 2 Chronicles 10, the people were asking the king for mercy. Their burden was difficult. The king consulted with the elders that had advised his father, and the elders advice was: (v. 7) “If you will be kind to this people, and please them and speak good words to them then they will be your servants forever.”

But the king didn’t value the counsel of the elders which they had given him. He then consulted with the strong men who grew up with him and served him.

The young men’s counsel was to be harsher than his father had been with the people. To be tough. And the new young king took his young friends’ advice.

Was that a coincidence? God?

The thing is that all of this, as odd as it seems, was all part of God’s plan: “So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events from God that the LORD might establish His word, which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam, the son of Nebat.” – 2 Chronicles 10:15

Related Post: What If Suffering Has A Purpose

Who was in control?

The king thought he and his young friends were in control. But God is the Blessed Controller of all things. The people rebelled.

The stories of the Kings

I don’t know about you, but all the stories of all the kings in the Old Testament can be very confusing for me. The part of the story I want to bring out is that EVERYONE in the story had a choice to make. Who to believe. Who to follow. What to do and when to do it. It is the same for you and me.

The best place to go

When your sinful nature threatens to drain the life out of you, look to the source of your salvation, Jesus, and be strengthened by the power of His Spirit.

Our Daily Bread (6/19/19)

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness” and “intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

Romans 8:26-27

God’s design

The funny thing is that we are all created different by God’s design. And some things might be difficult for you but not for someone else…like waiting, or asking advice, or trusting someone else (or God), or wanting the approval of friends, or wanting to grab the bull by the horns and just get ‘er done.

It’s a tough truth, but sometimes friends just don’t “get” us. Or maybe they just don’t want things to change.

Learning to trust God’s gentle nudgings.

This OBEYING GOD THING…and surrendering to Him as the Commander in the battle of life can be a challenge when you don’t know and embrace how the Creator designed you to be. It’s easy to condemn ourselves because of our immediate thoughts and feelings. Try to remember that God CONVICTS us but He does NOT CONDEMN us. He loves us and has our best in mind.

It can be difficult to walk through the “battle” without support.

What if it’s God and Not Coincidence? What if we grasp that God’s “got” us covered? We learn a wonderful lesson—that He has a plan and it is always GOOD! Then, we can know in our knower that it is actually possible to walk through life joyfully, fulfilled, & at peace—inside–where it counts! To God be the glory!

Until next time…

Do you need encouragement in your walk with God?

I offer one-on-one coaching and would love to come alongside you to help you become the woman God created you to be.

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Mini-Minute with Pam — Tags: , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

What If You Let Go Of It?

A Mini-Minute with Pam: Decluttering -What If You Let Go Of It?

Cluttered room
What popped into your mind when you read the title? What “it” can you let go of? HOLD that thought.

Maybe your first thought was that you need to let go of a grudge. Maybe it’s a toxic relationship. Maybe it’s a job. Maybe it’s an heirloom locked away unseen in the attic.

Is it time to purge?

In this post, I am going to focus in on physical STUFF that seems to end up as clutter in our homes. It seems like everyone I talk to wants to be better organized. What if lack of organization isn’t the root of the problem? Why do we hold on to stuff we are not even using? For years! Maybe we don’t need to organize it. Maybe we need to declutter instead.

I am guilty

I moved from a 3 bedroom apartment into this one bedroom apartment more than a dozen years ago. The move was a rush and so things were just dumped wherever my friends could find a spot. And, unfortunately, many of the things have remained unused in that same spot for all this more than 12 years. There are even boxes and storage bins unopened in the storage space. Or hiding under the bed or behind closed closet doors. I wanted to deal with it and let it go, but I just couldn’t seem to get motivated. And the “memories” connected with the “stuff” held me back. I want you to know, God has now shown me how to let go of it.

The Great Decluttering Challenge

Yup! That’s what I have been doing this week Decluttering. Sarah Mueller is an amazing woman. She is leading the the way. My place is pretty organized but my problem is hanging onto things for “sentimental reasons” or I might need it “some day”. Sarah suggests just focus on small areas tat a time to declutter, rather than tackling a whole room. She empowers and nurtures us in this challenge group. And it has been great!

My first challenge

My wedding dress. It had hung wrapped in a plastic zippered bag in my closets for over 50 years. Neither of my kids wanted it, so it hung there, taking up space; and it was a constant reminder of a failed marriage. Yesterday, it went to the resale store. I feel like celebrating a major victory. I was finally able to let it go! And Now someone else will feel beautiful in it on her wedding day. And I am moving on…

Language

Instead of saying, “I’m too sentimental”; (An excuse. Or is it really that we refuse to let things go?) It’s a choice. We can change our feelings when we change your language to something like this: “I can let things go, even though it is hard.” God is so clear in His word how very important our language is.

What else?

My next project was: I’d had numerous pairs of shoes I’ve not worn for many years, gathering dust in the bottom of that same closet. I had felt I couldn’t get rid of them because “what if I need them later?” and “But they were expensive.” Rather, I thought, “I can let them go. ”

My unused shoes went downstairs to the “share” area of my building and right away, one of my dear neighbors was delighted to find two pairs that fit her and she loves them. How about that? I got to witness someone being blessed by my decluttering.

Decluttering Decisions

Sarah reminds us how important it is to choose to make decisions, and how to start and then keep going, in addition to remembering how important it is to control our language.

Over-cluttered homes

They drain our energy. And, just like anything else, we can choose NOT to be victims of our over-cluttered homes. We can decide to CHOOSE how we want to THINK about decluttering. You know, God warns us that : as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. So we KNOW our thoughts are important.
What if we choose to change the way we think about stuff?

Are you ready to take up the challenge? Pick your target and zoom in. And Finish! You can do that if you don’t make it a BIG target. Don’t tackle a whole room. Rather, it can be just clearing the bathroom counter. Or the kitchen table. Or decluttering the pots and pans cabinet in your kitchen. Or it can be decluttering the floor of your closet.

It is important to be sure to FINISH.  So, toss out the trash, wipe down the counter, put away the stuff you decided to keep. That feeling of completion, no matter how small the project, is amazing! Get it on your calendar and just do it! You will be glad you did.

There is so much more that I will be learning. That is only the first couple days training. It feels so great, I just wanted to share it with you.

So…what if you just DECIDE to let go of it. If I can do this, so can you! Let me know what will be your first decluttering choice? Leave a comment so I can celebrate with you!

Ready? Set…GO!!!

God bless you bunches!

Until next time…

Do you need encouragement in your walk with God?

I offer one-on-one coaching and would love to come alongside you to help you become the woman God created you to be.

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Mini-Minute with Pam,Strengths Mentor Coach — Tags: , , , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

What if Suffering Has a Purpose.

A Mini-Minute with Pam: What if Suffering Has a Purpose.

Sad Woman with Bible
As humans, we naturally try to avoid any pain or suffering. We try to protect ourselves in numerous ways. We don’t walk on hot pavements with bare feet, We wear our seat belts. Since we don’t want the pain of disobeying the law and getting a ticket, we practice safe driving. We don’t go the wrong way down one way streets. We stop on red lights and go on green lights. We take care of our bodies. We stay hydrated in hot weather. We take our vitamins and try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Those are all things we can do to try to avoid pain.

But what if suffering and pain has a purpose?

What a strange thought. We try everything we can to avoid it, rather than look for purpose when it arrives at our front door uninvited. What if our Father God has a purpose in mind and what if Jesus modeled the way? Let’s meet an amazing lady…

Joni Earekson Tada

Author, painter, public speaker, and a quadriplegic. Her story is well known, but what she has to say to us, may be a bit difficult to hear. Joni is not a stranger to the world of suffering. She has learned obedience through what she has suffered. She gains her strength to endure through her other-worldly mindset.

Joni exhorts us to follow her lead, And to begin each day “needing God desperately”. Joni goes on to say that the “really handicapped people are those who don’t really know of their desperate need for God.”
Amazing! What a statement from one confined to a wheelchair, needing someone to assist her with everything she does!

Stop and think on that for a moment.

Absorb what Joni is saying. We go about our daily routines barely thinking of God. What if we consciously stopped to realize the gift that Joni is giving us by calling that to our attention. We DO need God for EVERYTHING WE DO, just like Joni. The only difference is that SHE realizes it and I fear that you, like me, go about our day without giving it a thought.
Hebrews teaches us that Jesus learned obedience through the path of suffering. Joni has learned that, too. What about you? What about me?

While he lived on earth, anticipating death, Jesus cried out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to God. Because he honored God, God answered him. Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do. Then, having arrived at the full stature of his maturity and having been announced by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey him.

Hebrews 5:7-10 (The Message Bible)

Is there more? Yes!

Through Jesus’ reverent submission…”He became the Source of eternal salvation…” Jesus’ suffering made it possible for Joni, and for you, and for me, to endure suffering with a purpose, until we meet Him face-to-face. Amazing love. Love that gives us wisdom to understand the concept of the necessity to grasp the idea that we are truly beginning each day “needing God desperately”. It is in accepting that fact, that we are empowered to follow wherever He leads.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12 (NIV)

He’s coming again.  How is your relationship with Him? Are you ready?
Leave a comment below…

God bless you bunches!

Do you need encouragement in your walk with God?

I offer one-on-one coaching and would love to come alongside you to help you become the woman God created you to be.

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Mini-Minute with Pam — Tags: , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

What If There’s a Cure?

A Mini-Minute with Pam: Do Not Dwell in the Past

Woman with headache
I was unhappy. Nothing pleased me. People got on my nerves. I felt down on myself. I’d made so many bad choices and I was paying the price for it all. I was miserable. I EXPECTED to be treated poorly be others and they did not disappoint.

Would I ever be happy?

As my Dad would have said, “I felt lower than a snake’s belly” and it wasn’t getting any better. I knew the principle that: We become like whatever we focus on and I was focusing on how bad my life was and what a miserable wretch I was. Would I EVER be a mature Christian? Would I ever be happy? It seemed impossible with the circumstances I was enduring.

Then…

I had a kinda mindset shift. I simply could not make myself be better. A “light” went on in my spirit.

Only God…

I remember the day I prayed: “Lord, keep me from a complaining spirit.” And it has become a daily prayer. I am still becoming like whatever I mediate on, but my meditation has shifted to the wonders of God rather than the awfulness of Pam.

Do Not Dwell in the Past

Often grumbling is the by-product of something in the past. That was the case for me, anyway. So many betrayals and so much heartache. But…God has something to say about all of that. He has expectations for His children. He expects obedience. It’s a choice, but for God’s “kids”, it’s not optional. He expects obedience because He knows what is best for us. He makes it very clear. He  tells us to not dwell in the past, rather, He says in His word to use His cure…

God’s cure

“Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past. See, I am doing a new thing.”

Isaiah 43:18-19

Making excuses

We might think it is no big deal. But an Anchor devotional got me thinking with this statement: “Grumbling seems like a small sin compared to many. Why should it matter if I complain a little as long as I do the right thing? But like a child who stomps her feet on the way to make her bed, a grumble says NO, even though actions say Yes.”

God’s cure

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Philippians 4:6

But, everybody does it

Even though everybody does it, there are consequences. God has some things to say about following the example of the grumbler crowd.

Jesus said, “Do not grumble among yourselves.”

John 6:43

“…Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.”

1 Corinthians 10:10

“Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the judge is standing right at the door.”

James 5:9

Stating the obvious

It is not a small thing. God is blessed by an attitude of gratitude. I want to make my Heavenly Father happy. Don’t you? Scripture makes it clear that we are to do everything in the joy of the Lord, rather than with a grumbly spirit. And we do that by choosing obedience with a smile. Why? Because attitude matters to God AND to others. God looks at the heart attitude over the outward actions.

Viruses

Discontent and complaining are like spiritual viruses, infecting others. Complaining against God’s provision is complaining against God Himself.

I think God’s LOVE LANGUAGE is OBEDIENCE. He tells us if we love Him we will obey Him. Let’s make a pact to consciously decide to use God’s cure for the virus of complaining. Join me? Do not dwell in the past, instead, let’s CHOOSE JOY! And walk in it daily!

Let me know how you are doing. Leave me a note in the comments box. Let me know how I can pray for you. To God be the Glory!

God bless you bunches!

Do you need encouragement in your walk with God?

I offer one-on-one coaching and would love to come alongside you to help you become the woman God created you to be.

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Mini-Minute with Pam,Spiritual Life — Tags: , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am
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