How are you spending your days? Are you still looking at the clock, calendar and schedule to determine the right time to realize your life dream? What is stopping you from launching the business, pursuing the degree or establishing the ministry? Threescore and ten is equivalent to the sum total of seventy. The scripture tells us, the length of our days is seventy years, 25,500 days - or eighty years if we have strength, yet their span is trouble and sorrow for they quickly pass and we fly away. (Psalm 90:10). This eye opening equation became life to me as I examined the course of the 18,980 days I've spent on this earth and what I've accomplished thus far. Seventy years or 25,550 days suddenly seemed very short considering I've already spent the vast majority making my way around obstacles and still trying to figure things out. Or so I thought.......
In an instant, this equation took precedence over every preconceived idea I've had about love, life and service. No longer a notion, this became a revelation and full fledged observation of my stewardship of life, prompting assessment and introspection to see the fruitfulness of my own; evaluating and re-evaluating events and situations, recalling the evidence of God's surpassing power and the cultivating work of His Spirit within me. Where many would argue whether leaders are born or made, I found truth in both theories. By looking back to time I thought was lost, I became certain that every experience and circumstance was to my gain and engulfed by God's grace. Every situation, (the good, the bad and the ugly) has been utilized by Him for my instruction and further preparation for the work to which I've been called.
No more wondering about when to launch out, waiting for the right time to birth ministry or begin the project. All that has been learned must be applied in the areas of our experience. Suddenly I began see the world as my pulpit and the desk where I sit at work or at home as sacred desks upon which I would receive the written oracles afforded me to better serve God's people. I realize I've been born and throughout my threescore and ten, I am still being made into a living epistle being read of men, bearing the example of Christ.
Power Play:
How is God using your threescore and ten (25,500 days)? How have you used your threescore and ten? Use this equation to decide: 365 multiplied by your age (years); Deduct your answer from 25,500, conduct your own introspective work and prepare to launch out. There is no better time than the present. Your presence in this era suggests you were called for a time such as this!
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven; and God makes everything beautiful in it's time." Ecclessiastes 3:1a, 11a
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Dare to Dream
"Every great achievement starts with the imagination of man. Again Jesus said, "All things are possible to him that believeth". Did you know that everything starts with a thought, dream, vision, imagination, image of something hoped for? Every improvement in the world, for example was the result of someone imagining something better. Prophetic imagination provides unlimited potential to you. It is the igniter of tremendous ideas that can be built upon, expanded and brought to fruition. If necessity is the mother of invention, then imagination is the father. There are new inventions waiting for someone to see as possible and unknown worlds to be conquered by those who dare to dream. The world is waiting for you to unlock the creative ability of imagination". Jonas Clark
Each of us has been given the wonderful gift of imagination. In world filled with strife and confusion, imagination can lift us up out of the realm of the mundane and routine into a dimension of possibility and extraordinary observation. It is in this plain that we can transcend all limitations to view that which we have thought impossible, but only if we dare to dream. Yet no sooner than we escape to this plain, we must return just as quickly to our existence in day-to-day reality. However our imaginary images never really escape us and can always be found lingering somewhere in the subconscious mind, waiting to command our attention by offering a brief but sweet retreat from daily routine. But what if? What would your life look like if those imaginations could become your reality?
You are the keeper of your God inspired thoughts, dreams and imaginations, given to you that you would maintain your hope, to spur your internal motivation allowing you to move beyond that which appears as your reality. How can one rise above a norm or status quo unless there were not first a dream, vision and unction to compel them forward? The only limits in question are those that are self-imposed; your excuses, your fears, worries and agitations. You must decide what is needed to transcend your limitations, alleviate those fears, fire up your faith, renew your confidence and calm your spirit. We are co-creators with God therefore attend to those imaginations, continue to write the vision, set your goals, prophesy to your future and remember, "Again Jesus said all things are possible to them that believeth" (Mark 9:23).
Each of us has been given the wonderful gift of imagination. In world filled with strife and confusion, imagination can lift us up out of the realm of the mundane and routine into a dimension of possibility and extraordinary observation. It is in this plain that we can transcend all limitations to view that which we have thought impossible, but only if we dare to dream. Yet no sooner than we escape to this plain, we must return just as quickly to our existence in day-to-day reality. However our imaginary images never really escape us and can always be found lingering somewhere in the subconscious mind, waiting to command our attention by offering a brief but sweet retreat from daily routine. But what if? What would your life look like if those imaginations could become your reality?
You are the keeper of your God inspired thoughts, dreams and imaginations, given to you that you would maintain your hope, to spur your internal motivation allowing you to move beyond that which appears as your reality. How can one rise above a norm or status quo unless there were not first a dream, vision and unction to compel them forward? The only limits in question are those that are self-imposed; your excuses, your fears, worries and agitations. You must decide what is needed to transcend your limitations, alleviate those fears, fire up your faith, renew your confidence and calm your spirit. We are co-creators with God therefore attend to those imaginations, continue to write the vision, set your goals, prophesy to your future and remember, "Again Jesus said all things are possible to them that believeth" (Mark 9:23).
Thursday, January 10, 2008
I Begin.....Again
Happy New Year!
As we begin our with our theme for 2008: "Transformed Inside Out", an avid listener of my Word-for-the-Week recently posed the following question:
Coach Kaye, I listen to the 92.7 fm station in Charlottesville, Va and I am always inspired when I hear your segment and the advice that you give. What advice can you give me regarding staying focused and accomplishing my goals and dreams? I do know that taking better care of myself will allow me to be able to take care of my family, but its hard to find to workout, pamper myself and some of the other things that it takes to take care of myself.
Thank Ashley for posing this very important question. It sounds like your are a very busy lady. And yes, when we are tied to the roles of motherhood, life partner, employee etc., it is definitely challenging to find time to care for yourself. However, it is a necessity!
One of the most important things we can do while trying to work on accomplishing our goals, care for ourselves and others is to create boundaries, or parameters that dictate how we use our time and teach people how to treat us. Simply put, a boundary defined means: letting others know where they end and I begin. We simply cannot allow others to monopolize all of our time and all of our resources. If we don't put a stop to it, we find ourselves all used up!
It's time for you to deliberately create your safe guards and begin again! Empower yourself to make a fresh start by scheduling a small increment of time, maybe 30 minutes at first, letting others know this is your uninterrupted time. Next, dedicate the space where you will retreat to. Sit down in your space and create your do not disturb sign. Then use it as a teaching moment by explaining to others about your need for improved self care and boundaries to protect your time. Then hang your do not disturb sign on your closed door. Stand firm in making this commitment to yourself. Do not answer the phone or other any requests during your time of retreat (unless of course it is a real emergency).
These are small steps you can take to begin to change behaviors including your own. Over time, you should increase the allotted intervals of time you wish to dedicate to your self care. Remember, planning and writing down your goals for change will accomplish nothing unless you change the behavior first. You must become the change you want to see. In the meantime, prepare for your daily retreat by strategically redeeming the time before you waste a single moment!
As we begin our with our theme for 2008: "Transformed Inside Out", an avid listener of my Word-for-the-Week recently posed the following question:
Coach Kaye, I listen to the 92.7 fm station in Charlottesville, Va and I am always inspired when I hear your segment and the advice that you give. What advice can you give me regarding staying focused and accomplishing my goals and dreams? I do know that taking better care of myself will allow me to be able to take care of my family, but its hard to find to workout, pamper myself and some of the other things that it takes to take care of myself.
Thank Ashley for posing this very important question. It sounds like your are a very busy lady. And yes, when we are tied to the roles of motherhood, life partner, employee etc., it is definitely challenging to find time to care for yourself. However, it is a necessity!
One of the most important things we can do while trying to work on accomplishing our goals, care for ourselves and others is to create boundaries, or parameters that dictate how we use our time and teach people how to treat us. Simply put, a boundary defined means: letting others know where they end and I begin. We simply cannot allow others to monopolize all of our time and all of our resources. If we don't put a stop to it, we find ourselves all used up!
It's time for you to deliberately create your safe guards and begin again! Empower yourself to make a fresh start by scheduling a small increment of time, maybe 30 minutes at first, letting others know this is your uninterrupted time. Next, dedicate the space where you will retreat to. Sit down in your space and create your do not disturb sign. Then use it as a teaching moment by explaining to others about your need for improved self care and boundaries to protect your time. Then hang your do not disturb sign on your closed door. Stand firm in making this commitment to yourself. Do not answer the phone or other any requests during your time of retreat (unless of course it is a real emergency).
These are small steps you can take to begin to change behaviors including your own. Over time, you should increase the allotted intervals of time you wish to dedicate to your self care. Remember, planning and writing down your goals for change will accomplish nothing unless you change the behavior first. You must become the change you want to see. In the meantime, prepare for your daily retreat by strategically redeeming the time before you waste a single moment!
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