May 2024

It’s Impossible…

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Until it’s possible. Until we do it or someone else does. What are you telling yourself that you can’t do, but have the consistent nagging in your heart to do? You feel like you are being called, but fear of the unknown, of failure, of being laughed at keeps getting in your way.

This week’s challenge comes from a chapter in Bob Goff’s book “Everybody, Always.” If you haven’t read this book I highly recommend it. It will make you laugh and have you feeling all the feels that make you want to take action.

The chapter “Land the Plane” goes into a story about how Bob and his son were flying a plane and they really wanted to land in this spot that seemed near impossible to land. Finally Bob took the challenge and landed what seemed to be impossible. He was terrified and thrilled all at the same time. Then he had his son do the same thing. His son knew it could be done so it didn’t seem so impossible to him. He put himself out of his comfort zone and did the same thing with his son. It wasn’t easy for either of them. There was probably lots of holding their breath and tight buttchecks..lol. Bob just kept thinking, “ Land. The. Plane. The whole time.

We change the impossible to possible by getting out of our comfort zone.

That’s what this week’s challenge is about – Landing your own plane. Whatever that “plane” is in your life. God doesn’t always lead us to the safest route forward, but the one where we’ll grow the most. God trusts us to do the things he puts on our hearts. His biggest priority isn’t removing failure as an option, but reminding us that He loves us as we try.

God doesn’t just value the big endeavors we try, but all the attempts we do to try to do His good work.

Most of us don’t need more instruction to start, we just have to start. We will learn, fail, and grow as we go. It’s never failing if you learn from it and keep moving. Failing is when you stop because it’s too hard and you are scared. Success means pulling up those “big girl panties” and marching forward like it’s possible.

“He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭18‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Remember you are not alone. Remember you cannot do it alone. God is there forever and always by your side. Do what he is putting on your heart for His Glory. There is so much more satisfaction is something that is bigger than yourself.

But I don’t know enough…..

Leave a Comment / Growing in Faith / By

That’s the lie I told myself when I thought about sharing God’s word with someone who isn’t a Christian. It’s a scary thing sometimes. What if they ask you a question you can’t answer? What if they say something that makes you question your own faith? Those were excuses for me not to get out of my comfort zone.

Jesus’s last words on Earth before he ascended to heaven were recorded in the Acts of the Apostles where we are to be his witnesses telling everyone about Him. Someone’s last words are usually the most important and memorable.

“He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s not about forcing your beliefs on someone. It’s about planting a seed in their heart. That seed may be quick to grow or it may take a couple seasons. Think of planting a flower bulb in the fall and having to wait through winter and part of spring for it to finally pop out of ground. It’s not about what we do, it’s about God continuously working in their heart with the seeds we planted. God makes the seed grow. We have a shared mission from Jesus that gives us purpose. We are to be God’s workers planting seeds wherever we go. It doesn’t have to big conversations or gestures. It is the small gestures of love and small chats. It’s showing God’s love with how we act. Showing what Jesus is all about instead of just talking about it.

That’s what Paul is telling the Corinthians.

“I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul states it better than I ever could:

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God takes ordinary people to do his good work. Stop thinking that you are not good enough or you don’t know enough.

You know the Good News: God sent his only son Jesus to die on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice. The only way to heaven is through the belief and faith in Jesus and only Jesus. It’s doesn’t matter what you did in the past. It’s not about all the good deeds. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light. Our God is always present and ready to listen to you. You don’t have to go through someone else to get to him now. Jesus is your guy. Jesus is our savior.

Wants you truly believe that your life changes. You have a higher purpose now. Your mission is to go out and tell others. Your mission to share this good news so others may be saved.

#112 – Be the Domino

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The challenge this week is inspired by my Uncle Jim who passed away this past week. His life of service and commitment to family is just an inspiration. The impact one person can have on so many lives can be seen by a church full of people saying goodbye. That’s the thing about this life – we really don’t know the impact we can make on someone’s life.

All it takes is one person to impact another person. Then the domino effect happens. You don’t have to be some famous person or have a huge following. You can make a difference in someone’s life today. The simple act of caring about someone even when it doesn’t benefit you or fit into your already busy day.

Think about the last time you truly felt loved? What did that person do? I bet it wasn’t some big extravagant thing. It’s the simple things that make the difference. Those small simple things add up quickly in a person’s heart.

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Take the first step today and touch someone’s life by doing something small.

Here are some examples: smile at them, give them a compliment, actually listen when they talk, thank them, send a card, give them a hug, bring them a coffee, call, text, or just show up at their door, do something that isn’t expected of you. The list can go on and on

Now here’s the second part. We have the challenge to start the effect. Now I’m adding on to be the stopper if you see something not right going on. Then you can start the positive impact with your domino. This is definitely not the easiest, but something we can do out of love.

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Grace and Discipline

Leave a Comment / Changing Your Life / By

You know when you set these good intentions of doing something, but then you just….don’t. Well gang, that’s where I have been with this Simply 75 challenge. If you have been killing it – KEEP GOING!! For those who have been half-assing it like me…it’s time to reflect on why and start again.

That’s what today’s topic is all about. Giving yourself the grace to say “it’s okay” and the discipline to figure out what wasn’t working and then try something new. That’s what life is all about. This is how we continue to grow.

Grace means that all of your mistakes now serve a purpose instead of serving shame.

This is my second retry at this challenge. I’ve been killing it with my workouts because that’s almost a sub-conscious habit I have where it’s not even a choice in my head. I have been hit and miss on the reading and tracking food because I honestly just didn’t feel like it. And you know what…that’s okay! That’s where you have to give yourself grace, but you also have to do the hard work of reflection.

Questions to ask:

  • Do you have a set time that you do the activity?
  • Do you have a plan on what you are going to that day?
  • Do you have a way to track the activity?
  • What is making you not want to do that activity?
  • Why did you want to this challenge in the first place?
  • What are you hoping to accomplish with this challenge?

Some of those questions are easy to answer. Others may not be so easy.

This challenge WILL improve your life IF you are willing to do the work. Now get reflecting and start again!

“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” Jesse Owens