Tag Archives: passion

Vacation 2022: Renewed with Passion

Posted in Updates by

I’m so thankful for the many years God has blessed me with the opportunity to get together for a time of fun in sun with extended family. It’s easy to allow the busyness of life to overwhelm us and keep us from truly enjoying our life.

I don’t want to look back at the end of my life and regret not focusing on what really matters … my relationship with God and others. Even though I am semi-retired, I have a busy schedule between church, my part-time job, writing and ministry. I love my life! Even so, there are times I need to take a break and just chill.

The beach and the mountains are two of my favorite places to seek out for a time of refreshing and renewal. At home I am usually awake by 6:00 a.m. The past two weeks I’ve given myself permission to turn off the alarm clock and wake up when my body wants to. I missed a lot of beautiful sunrises over the beach, but thankfully friends and family captured what I missed.

My typical morning ritual is to wake up, fix my coffee and begin my day with time in worship, the Word and prayer. I have relished my time with God these past few weeks and to my delight God has blessed me with a renewed desire to press forward with many of the dreams He planted in my heart years ago. My intent in retirement was always to use it serving the Lord.

Last week, I got my website updated; something I have needed to do for a couple of years. Yesterday I scheduled a speaking engagement with Teen Challenge in November. While these might not sound like typical vacation activities, they are life giving to me. My heart is filled with joyful expectation.

Today is our last day. I had hoped to get my feet in the sand or relax in the pool; instead God treated us to a beautiful thunderstorm with a majestic view of a waterspout. I’ll take it! Perfect nap weather. See you soon friends.

Blessings🌻 Deb

God Leads by Example

Posted in Spiritual Growth by

IMG_1373“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” II Corinthians‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I am thankful God is a God of mercy and compassion, but what really stands out to me in this verse is how God leads by example. There is a lesson to be learned in everything He does. His leadership skills surpass all others.

I doubt God would approve of the old parental saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” God is not an abusive Father. He is not an authoritative tyrant. He is LOVE. Sometimes that’s difficult for people to understand in light of all the evil in the world. How many times have you heard someone ask, “Why does God allow bad things to happen?” The simple answer is free will. God created us to be His children. A good parent leads and directs their child but ultimately the child must choose to accept or reject the guidance they are given. Many times the suffering in the world is the consequence of someone’s bad choice. But, that’s a lesson for another blog. The point here is, God teaches and leads through action. He doesn’t ask us to do what He is unwilling to do Himself.

I have met many people who discovered their life passion through hardship. Instead of using their pain as an excuse they turned it into a purpose.

When God comforts us, He is teaching us to comfort others. Allow God to use the life lessons you have learned to help others in their time of need.

PRAY: Father, thank You for teaching me to be merciful and compassionate by showing me mercy and comfort. I am so thankful You lead by example. Teach me Your ways Oh, Lord. Help me to always model what I have learned through You.