trust – GREENLiGHT

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

Just As I Am…

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come


Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt
Fighting and fears within without
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come
Ooh, just as I am, ooh, I come
Ooh, just as I am, oh Lamb of God, I come

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve
Because Thy promise I believe
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come
Ooh, just as I am, ooh, I come
Ooh, just as I am, oh Lamb of God, I come
Oh lamb of God, I come

~Charlotte Elliott

Disabled Charlotte Elliot wrote the above hymn Just as I Am at her lowest. She wrote it at a time when she thought she was most unworthy. Sure glad she did. The hymn has comforted many for centuries.

The Lord God accepts us just as we are. So go to him today. He accepts returns. All you have to do is ask.

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.

The Answer For Those Troubled…

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that
Dr. Martin Luther King

Pop up alert busted through my work! tWitch, my beloved twitch was found dead in a hotel room. What? I blinked my eyes. Was I seeing right. Twitch? My twitch? Who in heavens name could have harmed ‘my twitch’? Second news alert. He did it himself! A single shot. Omgeeee you’re lying! That’s not true. How could they say that? He couldn’t have. Shortly after a note from his wife came with the words … they’ll dance. She will save the last dance for him.

Life’s Journey

Hours later, still in disbelief, a friend texted to share the passing of an ex co-worker who had suddenly died during a colonoscopy. What? Very few succumb to that procedure which is designed to check for problems before they arise. Subsequent chats came of a mom, a dad, an uncle who the deadly disease cancer had snatched away. Separate circumstances but just like my mom, sister and grandma, they had passed away. Their slow difficult suffering had ended.

The death of loved ones, friends and family cannot be avoided. But Daily reports of suicide ensue. Can that mental disease be stopped? Are there signs? Depression? Joy? Can it be avoided?

Jesus Is The Answer

Jesus is the answer. Personally, there are times when the going gets rough. It’s at those times that I run to the only one who can take over the hurts, the pains, the fears, the lack of understanding of why things happen. School shootings. Why take an innocent life? Why do children go astray? Families don’t talk. Relatives fuss and fight. Not to mention couples who fight. Divorce is popular these days where the common practice is that at the first signs of an issue society encourages individuals to separate… to take care of yourself. No longer try to work it out. Go live across the street. Live nearby so children won’t suffer ‘too much’.

What’s Wrong?

We scream and cry what’s wrong? Then the still small voice of the Lord quiets our hearts saying I am the answer. Jesus is the answer. Tell him your woes, your misunderstandings, your weakness, your fears.

Pray. Talk to him. He will see you through. He will provide the strength needed during the difficult times. It may appear through a song. A brief sign. A friend. But we must be in tune. We must ask. Through prayer and the help of a trusted friend who cares enough to seek help on your behalf work wonders.

Our hearts hurt together. May Strength and courage be yours through Christ. My heart hurts for you.

Beyond judgment. Accept Christ. Accept help.

Blessings overflow

Encouragement Quotes…

God never does anything accidentally, and he never makes mistakes.
Rick Warren

Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love and the future to God’s providence
Augustine

God is more interested in your future and your relationships than you are.
Billy Graham

One often sees a call only in retrospect. This too is God’s design. God often reinforces our faith after we trust him, not before.
Ravi Zacharias

The Desires Of Your Heart…

Thank you for being a friend. Lots of struggles but God made you special. I pray God will provide the desires of your heart. That you will always continue to give the gift of love that he has provided to you.

I pray today will be special day for you, you and yes… you too.

Blessings overflow

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

4 Reasons For Closed Doors…

Closed doors prevent mistakes. Just because a path is clear doesn’t mean it’s the one God intends for us to follow. Sometimes we won’t have the information we need to make a wise decision, so He blocks the way. The Holy Spirit knows the whole road map for our life, so we should follow Him.

Closed doors redirect our walk. God won’t leave a willing servant with nothing to do. Closed doors can result in better fruit, more satisfaction, and greater glory for Him.

Closed doors test faith and build perseverance. Waiting for the Lord is hard, but it’s a means by which we can learn wisdom, patience, and trust.

Closed doors buy us time. We aren’t always as prepared as we’d like to think. God may temporarily hold shut an opportunity for service until we’re ready.

These 4 reasons were written by Dr. Charles Stanley for our encouragement. Going through a challenge? Reflect on them and be encouraged while you wait.

The Influence Of Dying For Likes…

Do it for the Love and not for the Likes

Yep it’s real. People are physically dying for likes. Social media has changed the world. A self professed influencer lost her balance in an attempt to do a crazy jump. She passed away. In other news, in the middle of a category 4 hurricane warning for evacuation, a couple went deep into the seas holding onto a gorge to take a picture … for the likes. And there are many more

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Christ died for the ungodly. He willingly gave his life for you and me while we were yet sinners. We didn’t deserve that death but he did it anyway.

Let’s be like Christ and live our lives not for the likes but for the love.

Blessings overflow

In The Peace And Quiet Of Solace…

Goals are created in the peace and quiet of solace. I was reflecting on the different types of animals. Birds, insects, fish and those that soar. All creatures were created by our great big awesome God. When he did it, it was done in serenity when the earth was without form and void.

Yessss…And when it was done, he created man. The purpose? To enjoy his creations as told in Genesis.

As you go about making your own plans for today, tomorrow or the future, do it with God for only what’s done for the Lord will last. Find that place of solace for your goal. Spend time with the Lord as you dream and create in silence . Then come out and share with others the great things you have done.