decisions – GREENLiGHT

Dad’s Fervent Prayer

Tonight I heard him coughing and went to give him cough drops candy.

When I went over to him, he was busy praying quietly but through loud whispers. You could hear the genuine prayer. Eyes closed tightly oblivious to me even being there. He always told me that he prays but I never believed the fervency.

I went and sat on on the bench in the room until his voice finally faded into amen.

Inaudible, I Couldn’t hear what he was saying but I was taken aback by his earnest prayer for us, as family and children.

This moment brought me to reflective tears. A time of truth. A time of emotion.

Trust God. Praise Him for unplanned enlightening experiences because there are no coincidences.

Blessings overflow.

6 Tips For A Spiritual Solo Retreat…

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:2

Retreat means to withdraw. To take a step back. Jesus did this many times. He would disappear to spend time in the presence of his Father. He wanted to quiet his heart to gain the strength needed for the next steps on his earthly sojourn. If he needed strength, how much more we? Shouldn’t we follow the example that He set?

Larissa Marks, HuffPost contributor provided 6 practical steps to do a spiritual retreat. Here I share while giving a few of my own commentary.

Create the time and find a place. Any place quiet will do. It may be in your home. It may be away. It may be at a monastery or in nature. For me I skipped home to get away from the distractions. After two decades of receiving a prod to go, I finally gave in. Just me. Solo.
Set your intentions. What is the purpose? What is it you would like to achieve from this time with him? Is it a calling? Is it a life decision that you need to make? For me it was discernment and to follow his leading for the next phase of my life
Settle into God’s presence. Do something that quiets your heart and eases you into his presence. For me it’s walking in nature or sitting quietly breathing–welcoming and experiencing his presence. Ask him what he wants you to receive at this time. Listen and follow his lead.
Reflect. Do some quiet reflection. What have you experienced in the last few weeks, months or even years? What has been draining you? What has brought you satisfaction?
Connect with God. Read scripture. Notice any desire(s) that emerge. For me in his presence there’s always fullness of joy. Even in the midst of life’s storms I find that I can experience his quiet peace.
Receive and return. Think about what you received during this time away. What do you want to stop doing or start doing? Remember, it’s not about you, it’s about the Lord and accomplishing his will and purpose for your life.

Hope these tips will help provide guidance as you make important life decisions or seek discernment for the next phase of your life. If you have done solo retreats, what did you walk away with? What stood out most about this experience? Do share. We would love to hear.

A Piece Of Peace

Peace… Freedom from disturbance; tranquility

May we experience Peace 

Peace in the midst of chaos
Peace in the midst of struggle 
Peace when things get out of hand
Peace during mayhem
Peace during lack
Peace in courage
Peace in times of Fear
Peace in times of confusion
Peace in sickness
Peace in health 
Peace in quiet time
Peace in ease

May we always experience peace. A peace that only our Lord can provide. He is my peace. Hope he’s yours too.

Blessings overflow.

Write What You See…

When God Says Go, obey Even when it doesn’t make sense. Often as he did with Abraham, he doesn’t tell us how, when and where. He just provides the GreenLight and the nudge. If we are in tune, we will recognize his leading.

Years ago I felt his quiet guidance to write what I see (Habakkuk). I obeyed and have been writing His words of encouragement to Quiet the hearts of those discouraged, sick, needing reassurance and just prayers for guidance.

Furthermore he has led aspiring authors who need help to me for my assistance to help them to do the same. Indeed I am humbled and will hold firmly onto him.

Today, I encourage you to follow his lead even when you’re afraid to step out as I was. But one thing I’ve always encouraged is for you to do it afraid. Don’t trust your fear… it will only hold you back.

Indeed he is My Safe Place.

Run like Joseph…

Run like Joseph! That was the retort from my young adult daughter during a conversation with a youth group. They were discussing the temptations that exist in our society. Her retort was based on Joseph’s actions when confronted by Bathsheba’s seduction.

Pray Like David

Personally when life starts with its craziness, discouragement, sadness, tragedies and more, my retort is to “Pray like David”. In making decisions I found that David consistently consulted with the Lord before he acted. He never did anything without first asking the Lord. He beseeched the Lord for his guidance on whether he should pursue his enemy, make certain moves, fight or flight.

David then listened for the Lord’s leading and as he obeyed, he consistently enjoyed the fruits of success. Today I encourage you that whatever situation you’re in, be it decision-making, entrepreneurship venture, relationship, financial or mental hardship, take it to the Lord in prayer. Then wait patiently as you listen for his answer. As you obey his guidance and direction, be sure that you will enjoy success.

Be encouraged, the Lord may be long but he’s never late. So pray like David did.

Blessings overflow.

Waiting On God…

You never waste time waiting on God. ~Charles Stanley

On Becoming You…

Sometimes it looks like you’re going nowhere or that you’re headed in the wrong direction. I’m learning that the decision itself is rarely the point. The point is becoming more fully ourselves in the presence of God, connecting with Him and with each other, and living our lives as though we believe He is good and beautiful. The point is being honest about where you are and what you need and then looking around in your own community for people to walk with you and with whom you can walk. I spent years wishing people would support me only to later realize I was waiting around for something to come to me when I was perfectly capable of going out and getting it. I’m convinced God is less interested in where we end up then He is in who we are becoming. Whether we’re employed or unemployed, encouraged or discouraged, filled with vision or fumbling in the fog. More than anything, our Father just wants to be with us. The most common way He shows His “withness” to us is in the actual, physical presence of other people.

Emily P. Freeman,

5 Reasons God Closes Doors…

Closed doors offer lots to learn. Though disappointed with delays, may we follow his lead. Charles Stanley’s In Touch With Him posited that God can use our desires to teach us his ways.

Here I share his teachings as a personal reminder to always trust him as we seek his guidance.

To mold us into his image
To prevent mistakes
To redirect our walk with him
To test our faith and build perseverance
To buy us time

Our impatience causes us not to learn. Later, we find we are not ready for the opportunity. God’s ways are not our ways but he knows best.

Where Will It Lead?

Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make, makes you. ~John Maxwell

The choices we make we should first consider where they will lead. Is it Marriage, love, children, new job, college, new contract, new house? Always contemplate the future. Where will your choice lead you?

It’s Simple

Pray. Consider carefully. Have faith and then make your decision based on the spirit’s leading.

Blessings overflow

Letter To God…

Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to.

Ever thought of writing a letter to God? Many have. Some have actually mailed it. Our Daily Bread shared reports of thousands of letters being mailed to Jerusalem by individuals who seek the lord’s help. They ask for health, wealth, child, and more. If only they knew.

If Only They Knew

If only they knew that the very act of writing a letter to God is actually praying to him. The very act of writing is seeking his intervention. The very act of writing is exactly what’s needed for our Lord, the problem-solver to work in our lives. The very act of writing is spending time in his presence that helps us find the comfort needed for trying times.

Today don’t hesitate to spend time in his presence. Talk. Write. Sing. Do whatever works for you. He will intervene, comfort and answer your prayer.

Blessings overflow.