greenlight – GREENLiGHT

5 Reasons To Keep A Journal

‘Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book.
Jeremiah 30:2

My mind flashed back to Dr. Charles Stanley’s words in my book RedLight: When God Says No.

The visiting pastor John Bonner talked about goals. If it’s a goal that requires a financial investment, clarity, direction or other, we should begin with prayer – present our requests to the lord.

He encouraged the congregants to journal. I listened carefully capturing each point. Afterall, I pondered whether his points differed from Charles Stanley’s.

Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding. – Jen Williamson

Journaling provides many benefits. Among the reasons are 5 keys listed below.

Journaling Benefits

1. Journaling measures your growth

Journaling is a Faith filler to see how God worked in your life.

2. Journaling Records God’s faithfulness

3. Worship God when you receive answered prayer

4. Journaling provides a Legacy for prosperity

What to Include in a Journal

We can write ad hoc things that are on our mind. Emptying our mind of cares and worries is traditional but the pastor went deeper. He opined that we should include:

Insights on God’s promises
Prayers requests – things we desire of the lord. We ask specifically for what we want. Sometimes it’s not clearly articulated or known to us but we voice our confusions as we seek clarity and his direction
We should include our Bible study notes. These are Whatever became clear as we do our daily devotions, attend church, listen to the word, worship and prayed
We should include acquaintances and special events. Whats gleaned that sparks words of comfort, praise or curiosity. The song by Elevation Music titled in the mighty name of Jesus is an example for me. It came at the right time. Another was Travis Greene’s You Made a Way

What Not to include in Journaling

It was surprising to me that he discouraged us from including sins and failures in our journal. Afterall the lord forgave us of our (confessed) sins. Recording them only brings back memories that we need to walk away from and focus on those great things he has done or have in store for us.

In summary, as Jen Williamson encouraged, journaling is not only life changing but life expanding. A tool that encourages transformation. So journal with God.

Not journaling? Start today. If you have been journaling, what benefits have you gleaned? Do share, we would love to hear.

RESOURCES

HUDSON Taylor – read how lord used his published journal

You Are Beautiful

You’re beautiful
You’re kind

You are loved abundantly

You bring laughter
You bring cheer

You bring things beyond compare

You were made for a special purpose
Your future is God ordained

You must believe that all things are possible with God

You can do all things through Christ
You will have peace that even you won’t understand

You are the faith you keep

You are my child

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.

7 Assurances For Those Bad Days…

All things work together for Good

Woke up feeling agitated. Nothing worked. Traveled internationally for a Book Signing event. Computer would not connect to the work system. Important personal items missing. Important book signing items missing. Every where I looked something was missing. Totally confused.

To a meticulous planner, it’s like the end of the world. What’s happening? Why? Why do airlines require you to leave things or charge you to bring the ‘world’ with you? No pun intended. Is it for safety, precaution, to make money? Why?

All Things Work Together For Good

As I searched, I took a deep breath and started thinking. Maybe the way I planned it was not the way the Lord meant it to be. Responses from prayer partners came with reassurances:

7 Assurances Of God’s Leading

God works All Things together for our Good
He’s intentional
Be anxious for nothing
In humility ask and accept what he’s doing through others
Wait, obey as He leads
Oh what Peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear when we do not carry everything to God in Prayer
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

The irony of it all is that I was writing the final in my GreenLight book series titled RedLight: When God Says No. As my frustration weaned, I began reflecting and reached for the morning’s devotional which …as I read the topic, I laughed out loud. I looked up, and shook my head in wonder. Here’s what stood out for me:

Life is challenging, so we can easily get distracted and allow circumstances to dictate our emotions. But if we operate that way, then when life is good, we’re happy; when times are tough, we’re frustrated; and when hardship pours in, we’re miserable. On the other hand, unwavering commitment to the Lord is a cornerstone of faith. When we are situated on that foundation, we can focus solely upon God.
In Touch With Him Devotional

I Surrendered

I surrendered with the realization that everything worked the way the Lord wanted it to. I was never able to connect to the system, so no work could be done. My colleague took me shopping for a few needed items as a birthday gift (yes, it was my birthday). Practical learning as I write about when God says no or stop. Indeed the Lord gets the well deserved glory as I sit back quietly with soft smiles gasping at his wonder. Indeed He worked all things out for His own good.

I resolved to follow His lead and hope you will too.

Blessings overflow.

Pray. Just Pray.

Pray. Just Pray
GreenLight

Find a place to Pray

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying. (Ephesians 6:18)
Ephesians 6:18

A Place to Pray can be anywhere. But a Quiet space for few minutes once or twice daily can work wonders to quiet your heart, your mind your soul.

A place free of distractions.
It’s your solace and can boost your mental health.

Pray. Just Pray

Blessings overflow

Stay Connected…

By my computer I’m working feverishly. Being the responsible person that I am, I plugged in my cellphone to remain fully charged for when I’m not connected.

An hour later I checked to see the progress only to realize that though the cord was inserted in the phone, the plug itself was lying by the desk unit unplugged. I gasped.

The Great Connector

I pondered about my relationship with the Lord. Am I really connected? Or is my relationship lying unplugged? The incident reminded me to look internally. To examine the fruit of the spirit that I exhibit to others. To examine my faith. My habits and relationships.

I walked away with another learning gleaned from the Holy Spirit. He provides the Green Light and is my source of strength, guide, leader and my connector.

May this experience provide the tug to examine your own relationship with the Lord this Easter and always.

Blessings overflow.

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.

God Doesn’t Keep A Clock…

I wish God kept a clock with my timing as priority. But He doesn’t. It’s in the waiting that we Grow.
Dr Shelly C

I could write a whole book on Max Lucado’s Quote that God doesn’t keep a clock. Personally, I wish God kept a clock with my timing as priority. But when I pray and ask his intervention, I have learnt to trust his timing.

Waiting Is Hard

I remember publishing my Research. After it was accepted by the JAABC, I was told it would be published in the Winter of the following year. Though it was long, I actually had a publishing date to look forward to. Contrast that with the birth of a child. A mom waits in the final weeks because the baby could arrive at any time. No specific date is given even when the doctor gives a ‘proposed’ date. The baby can still wait.

That said, life experiences prove that waiting is hard. It comes with the associated worry, fear, and riveting anticipation. We become impatient. But I have learnt to trust God’s timing. When we become weak and heavily burdened, we turn to the source of all things new. Our refuge and strength. Yes indeed, he is a present help in times of trouble. Let’s turn to him. Pray. Seek his guidance while we wait. One thing is for sure, he will come through for you and me. But only in his time.

Walk in the assurance that God’s timing is always right…and by the way… Pray while you wait.

Blessings overflow.

A Little Prayer For You…

A little prayer for you
May the lord wrap his loving arms around you.
May he take away your pain and discomfort.
May he provide joy deep within
May he grant you more good days than bad
May he grant you quiet solace.
May he always bless and keep you.

May He always Bless you in overflow

Blackout’s Impact On The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year…

At 6am I awoke startled wondering who had turned on the light. Sleep disturbed. Weeks later a repeat after a night of power outage. A Blackout fired the most beautifully decorated Christmas lights. But joy came in the morning as sunrise burst through.

Hmm cause to reflect….

Jesus is the light of the world. There’s no light that shines brighter than his. We too are encouraged to let our light (life) shine. Surprise someone with your light of love today. There’s no better time than during the most wonderful time of the year.

Blessings overflow.