stuck – 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

Journey Of Discovery…

When we step out in obedience, we can bask in the confidence that God’s got our back. He is in control. There are no surprises with Him. The surprises are for us.
-Dr Shelly Cameron, GreenLight

Journey of Discovery. Discovering the Lord’s will. Discovering new places – just wandering the unknown. Discovering his purpose for the rest of my life

For over two decades the Lord laid on my heart to visit Italy. Go figure. I have consistently misread thinking I’ll go at some point.

Then five years ago my eldest surprised me with a birthday trip to Paris. As I landed, I retorted … omgee it’s not Paris but Italy I am to go!

Last year, I decided to start a few things after I received news from the doctor that my cholesterol was a little high. Figured I had to do something to not be added to a growing list of medications Soooo … I started ballroom dancing. Yep. Loved it! But it didn’t let me lose too many pounds fast enough, so I ‘accepted’ a 6-week challenge from a gym I had ignored when I moved to the new area. The challenge was to lose 20lbs. At the end of the challenge, I had lost over 13lbs – a little shy of my goal but boy was I encouraged to continue.

Italian Itch

Afresh, there was a very strong urge again to go to Italy. I know the best time to go is April or October since it’s cold at year-end and not the best time. But the strongest urge was there to not let the new year go by without being obedient to his leading. So, I made plans to go end December which was pushed forward to January. I didn’t have a clue where I was going. But when he said go, I finally got moving.

I followed the lord’s leading. I was going alone. Yep, alone. Yikes! It was a solo retreat with me and him only. Asked the Lord to pave the way for flights, accommodation and everything else. Maybe I would finish up the book RedLight when God says No. Hmmm I really didn’t know.

I didn’t tell anyone except hinting to my girls who are strong supporters of their mom and understand her ‘madness’.

I began thinking deeply of the possibility in the fall. A few weeks later my hotel association colleague offered me to stay at her apartment in Milan. Only problem, its night life is ‘amazing’ so not much sleep or a place to write I was told.

Points Considered

It would be cold
Don’t know where I’m going
Need for adequate funds
Obedience to his leading

I shared with two prayer partners to keep me in prayers as I journeyed. Partial funds came through a project I had been working on which coincidentally ended immediately before I was scheduled to leave. Godwink? Like Mary Magdalene I kept all these things in my heart.

The solo retreat touched hearts with inspiration even before it began. Before it was even paid for or properly planned.

I was going on a one-way ticket initially without a rush while asking the lord to route my way. I was following his lead for flights, accommodation, location of where to stay, what food to eat (I’m not a foodie) and when to return. Crazy going so far without a plan. To a planner, it was a quiet nightmare. I said, “really Lord?” People will think I’m crazy.

Vatican Trek

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.

Plugged in?

I was doing some house work which included some rearrangements. When I was done I plugged back in the computer, laptop and devices. Noting worked. I figured that the electrical surge protector had gone bad. So I went to get another. As I plugged it in, I realized that the previous electrical equipment was simply not plugged in. I gasped, rolled my eyes and connected it to the wall plug and voila! It worked!

Caused me to reflect on our relationship with the Lord. We may lead groups, build relationships and do all manner of things but if we are not plugged into Christ the source, then it makes no sense.

Today, I encourage you to check your spiritual connection. Are you plugged in? Are you reading the word, doing daily devotion? Praying? All these contribute to our spiritual development. Without them we are just going through the motion with no effect.

Stop and check your battery life . Don’t miss his GreenLight Plug back in and experience the divine power from above.

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

A Late January Evening By The Seashore…

Success Strategies

By the sea I couldn’t wait to be. To sit causally on the sand. Me, towel, book and birds all in one as the mighty waves thundered and splashed against the seashore. The weather forecasted it would be the coldest day of the season. Disappointment soared at the spoilt prospect yet still I was determined to chill (literally).

I sat still gazing in the distance. Cold yet relaxed. It was as if there was not a care in the world. I watched the little bird hunt its food fighting against the rushing waves as it eroded the shore. “Give up,” I shouted. But it didn’t as it tried again and again to grab another peck, and another peck. It’s little body was no match for the cold windy weather, but it was yet to give up.

That Smile

That smile… my smile, as usual with it’s pleasantries drew in passersby…

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Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus…

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth 
will go strangely dim
In the light of his glory and Grace

I looked up as I heard the familiar chorus playing. Then I began to ponder the words. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. But the part that got me … then the things of earth will go strangely dim.

Peace Eludes

How often we allow the cares of the world including our finances, on-the-job issues, unemployment, relationship deterioration etc to cause us to go astray. We pity ourselves, become sad and depressed because we are limited in our way of handling our issues. It’s hard. Let’s face it, we can’t do it alone.

The Quest For Success

Even Success sometimes deter our relationship with the lord. I’ve often said that we pray for the achievement of our goals and aspirations, then when the lord answers our prayers, we forget to give him thanks. Then we continue our quest to maintain the ‘success’ often on our own. And yes to our detriment. Alas, the sleepless nights ensue.

As I reflected, I was drawn to another familiar song which in part says “Oh what peace we often forfeit…all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Today I implore you to remember these well known songs. Let’s take our troubles in prayer to the lord. Let’s allow the things of earth to go strangely dim. Let’s experience the comfort and peace that only God can provide.

Pause right now and Look full in his wonderful face. Let it be well with your soul as you sleep peacefully at nights.

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.

When Accidents Of Purpose ReDirect…

Get up and Go. You can face any situation with him or without him. The choice is yours.
Charles Stanley

I Took some time to listen to my 𝒢𝓇𝑒𝑒𝓃𝐿𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 while on a nature trek. Actually accidentally. I was listening to another audiobook about women of God, finished a few chapters and decided to move on to another book. That’s when I pounced upon my own GreenLight book and said, why not? Haven’t listened in a while.

“𝓖𝓮𝓽 𝓾𝓹 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓖𝓸” was the tugging reminder of God’s grace. Charles Stanley reminded that We can face any situation with him or without him.

It’s in track 4 …. if you already have the book. If not, snatch yours here. Paperback and Kindle are options too.

The book was Inspired by the word of God and his direction. My Safe place and the soon to be released RedLight will complete the series. Follow his lead.

Blessings overflow.

Rescue Me…

Rescue me lord, rescue me

Often it seems you take so long to come to our rescue but your timing is always right. So We’ll wait in you just as long as you want us to. We only ask this one question lord, that you’ll strengthen us while we wait expectantly because can’t do this alone.

But we know that you are our Safe Place and in you we trust all the day long.