Day 24: "Transformed By Truth"

Welcome back readers!! For new readers, we are taking a day by day journey through Pastor Rick Warren's book: The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? I have read the book once & I LOVED it SO much that I'm reading it again & sharing my experiences & how I've begun to apply what this book teaches to my life.

This chapter discusses the IMPORTANCE of The Bible. I'd like to tell ya'll a story. I have a VERY dear friend that has studied, Studied, STUDIED the Bible & I really didn't know how STRONG of a BELIEVER she was, when we first became friends. I mean...I look to her as a TEACHER to me. I had asked her to help me at one of my auctions (NEVER worked at one before) & she just swooped in where she was NEEDED & did a great job. I'm an EXPERIENCE kinda gal & when I took the BIG step to go at the auction business FULL-TIME I saw God workin' in ways I had never seen before & havin' things revealed to me & saw how certain things were SO connected to each other. Whew! I can get on the phone and talk to her for HOURS & one day she asked me what kind of Bible I had...I told her. Well next thing you know she brought me a Catholic Bible that had four different versions of God's Word in it. I've said in a previous blog that I just had a HARD time falling into a way to REALLY read The Bible. The BEST thing that worked for me (and it wasn't workin' all that well) was to read it cover to cover & I wasn't half way through it yet.

Well...she gave me this Bible and it sat on my table for at least a week and a half. Finally, one day I went to it. I was gearin' myself up to have one of those HARD conversations & I needed MORE than what this book & my devotional could give me. I opened up the Bible & the heading in the text was about dealing with anger. It drew me in. Then over the next couple days I continued to do that (I know many people will tell you that is NOT the best way to read & understand The Bible.) I kept feeling myself DRAWN into it. Now I feel drawn to the book of Matthew & it will be the first WHOLE chapter I finish since I started reading it again. Just now as I was TRYING to find what book of the Bible I was in that talked about dealing with anger I was again...DRAWN to Hebrews Chapter 11, which talks about remembering the heroes of faith. I NEEDED to read that. I NEEDED to hear the multiple stories of God's disciples that walked out in NOTHING BUT FAITH...even when it didn't makes sense...AT ALL...to do it.

I re-read the chapter & had all kinds of bullet points on what would be a good idea to share with you, but I think I'll end this way. When you start walking out into faith, asking for a relationship with God, calling upon The Holy Spirit & having FAITH that help is coming...you will see changes. You will start feeling NATURAL tugs. I had some natural tuggin' goin' on when I finally opened up my new Bible.Once you start surrendering yourself, He will REVEAL more to you.

Two of my favorite things from this chapter: "Decide that regardless of culture, tradition, reason, or emotion, you choose the Bible as your final authority." & "Daily Bible reading will keep you in range of God's voice." This chapter also discusses the importance of sharing our journey with others...our thoughts...our concerns...our experiences.... That is why I ENCOURAGE you to SHARE whatever it is you are thinking about these posts. It will help us all GROW more.

"Point to Ponder: The truth transforms me."

Daily Bible Verse: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32 (KJV)

Daily Question: "What has God already told me in his Word that I haven't started doing yet?"

From my journal after reading the first time: 1-Completely trusting Him and letting go of worry: I can tell I'm getting better, BUT when worldly pressures come down - the anxiety comes back. (THIS has gotten EXTREMELY better since the first time I read this chapter.) 2 - Reading the Bible cover to cover. (Working on that & have some guidance that has been working for me.) 3 - Learning more - specifically about my church. 4 - I started forgiving people on "my list," but I have not started forgiving each one: Some I need to forgive & some I need to ask for forgiveness. (I've talked to MOST everyone on "my list," but haven't talked to everyone yet.)

Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus. If you don't have one, go get you a BIBLE. It'll be the best readin' material, road map, & instruction manual you'll EVER find. God Bless!

"Day 23: How We Grow"

On to Day 23 from the book: The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Pastor Rick Warren.

I feel like there is a line in this chapter that I need to continually read over & OVER again...for the rest of my life! "Nothing shapes your life more than the commitments you choose to make. Your commitments can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way, they will define you....We become whatever we are committed to." -Pastor Warren

We all have commitments: our marriages, our families, our careers, our friendships, our church...

When I was working as a marketing liaison for the skilled nursing facility I learned something....& (no doubt) The Holy Spirit was teaching me....& all the people I came in contact with. I took the job for a couple reasons...one was money. I was SO concerned about having enough $$$ to support my family like I was able to with my previous job. The other was that I'd be able to help people on a level that was SO important to them & help them find solutions. Well....mind you...INTERNALLY I wanted to do the same thing, using my auctioneer license....make enough $$ to help create a good life for my family & HELP PEOPLE on a level that they REALLY needed help with. So I went on for almost a year working as a marketing liaison, going into hospitals, talking to patients & families will all kinds of different needs, diagnosis, backgrounds, financial issues, etc. I talked to doctors, floor nurses, case managers, specialists, hospice managers, home health marketers, administrators, social workers, gatekeepers...

So what did I learn (that applies to this chapter)? I learned that although...I was staying bUsY & I was TRYING to help EVERY patient or family I came in contact with....I couldn't....at least not the way I thought someone in my position would be able to. I also learned as I was getting HOUNDED for not having a 144 page market analysis done (which I was required to do BEFORE OR AFTER my 8-5:30 job & before & after my hour long commute each way) & not "staying on top" of 2 of my BOSSES... that what the company was asking me to do....was REALLY just BuSy work too & wasn't ACCOMPLISHING anything....for anybody really. It also made me see that this money that I was making was coming with a HEAVY price on my part. I was accomplishing one goal....having enough $$$ to provide for my family, but it was SO UNHEALTHY...for everything important to me: my family, my friendships (although I picked up some pretty special ones along the way), myself & my health (physical, mental, & emotional), BUT most importantly MY GOD.

My ability, my drive, & my ENERGY of having the ability to call an auction, raise money for people, & run an auction were all DISCOVERED, GOD-GIVEN talents. STRAIGHT UP....the simple thought that came to me through INTENSE prayer was the CATALYST for the chanGE that you are witnessing....& I was abandoning it....to have enough $$$$ to support my family (what I thought...was enough money)... I think I called one auction the entire year I had that job. I was sitting there in this MISERABLE situation I put myself in, with other MISERABLE people (not all of them, but many) & PRAYING to GOD to give me some answers....when he already had.

When I say the journey we are walking with The Holy Trinity is intense...I mean it, BUT the REALLY intense parts...we usually do to ourselves... ALL I have to do is TRUST in GOD's PLAN. So...besides having to go to work everyday the TOUGHEST part of making the break was explaining to my husband what I felt like I needed to do, understanding & accepting how this choice would look to many PEOPLE, & preparing myself for the hard times, which include: being tight financially, going day to day or auction to auction not knowing how successful or unsuccessful they would be, my husband not understanding what I'm doing & what it takes & losing faith, the critics..., & the process of figuring out EXACTLY what I'm supposed to be doing & HOW to do it. BUT...I know it is a process. I know that what God has planned for me is BIGGER than ANY of my problems. I KNOW that my husband is walking his own spiritual journey & I am WELL familiar with the layers that are getting peeled back & the process that he has to work through to understand it. What is SO beautiful to me is that I can see his FAITH increasing as mine is increasing. It may not be quite as strong (in this area) as mine is, but he is right there with me...working more hours & leaving the house around 4AM most mornings. As I walk this walk there are things that I have to change & different opportunities that present themselves & things that I thought would work that don't, but I KNOW it is the RIGHT path.... I'm not so sure that some of the detours are right, but they all still lead back to the RIGHT path... My work as a marketing liaison was not the right path & I felt it, BUT NOTHING is wasted. The LIFE & SPIRITUAL experience I gained in that position are ALL given to God to bring him the glory & add to my tool bag.

In the MOMENT where I sat down & talked to my husband & told him what I was thinking & MOVED PAST all the FEAR & ANXIETY & DOUBT we BOTH became COMMITTED to following God's plan & not our own. I don't expect EVERYONE to "get it," but I'm glad he got it. I still have FEAR & I know he does too, but I NOW have a DEEPER fear of not DEVELOPING my PURPOSE - GIVEN to me by God.    

Here are some lines that are REALLY important to me from this chapter:

"Spiritual growth is not automatic. It takes an intentional commitment. You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing." (Note: PERSISTING is the tough part.)

"Behind everything you do is a thought. Every behavior is motivated by a belief, and every action is prompted by an attitude." (This line is SO important to me because I tend to downplay myself or extensions of myself. I also doubt myself...quite a bit. It is some layer that is DEEP. I'm aware of it, but don't know exactly how to shake it. I know that it is probably one of the devil's biggest defenses against me & he's PISSED that I even know about it. I should probably read this line every day too.)

"You repent whenever you change the way you think by adopting how God thinks - about yourself, sin, God, other people, life, your future, and everything else." (So here is the answer & DEFINITELY easier said than done.)

"The Bible says that selfish thinking is the source of sinful behaviour: 'Those who live following their sinful selves think only about things that their sinful selves want.' -Romans 8:5 (NCV) The second half of thinking like Jesus is to start thinking maturely, which focuses on others, not yourself." (Stop being selfish & think about others.)

"Point to Ponder: It's never too late to start growing."

Daily Bible Verse: "Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him & is perfect." Romans 12:2B (TEV)

Daily Question: "What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way & start thinking God's way?"

From My Journal From the First Time of Reading: In everything really. The first thing that came to mind was my work/job/creative projects surrounding it.

It really is EVERY area. It AMAZES me on just how much I try to CONTROL on my own.

Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus! TRUST him & he'll take the lead in EVERY avenue of your life. God Bless!

Day 22: "Created To Become Like Christ"

Welcome back readers!! Yes...I took a week long hiatus from my blog posts. Not because I didn't want to do them, but I had a general consignment auction this past weekend & it literally consumes my time. Yes...I could have taken SOME time to write these posts, but not much & you wouldn't get the quality post you'll get since my time has freed up...not to mention the new experiences to share. Sharing this with all of you is very important to me. I want to shine the light to whoever will read this book (The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Pastor Rick Warren) on how IMPORTANT finding our PURPOSE is & then living it. It's a journey...not automatic & I feel DRIVEN to share that with you.

Today marks the beginning of the THIRD purpose of our lives....To Become MORE like CHRIST.

Like I mentioned, this has been a BusY week. I worked at the sale barn on Monday. Then, on Tuesday, we started setting up tables for the auction & breaking down chairs & lining up chairs & moving benches, then Wednesday was FULL of sorting through items at 2 estates, boxing them up, and bringing them to the auction site...along with furniture & cement blocks & not getting home until after 3AM. Thursday held MORE of that & tagging & lotting all the items & displaying them and what not. Friday was preview day where there was more lotting & organizing & having consignments come in & Saturday was auction day.

Let me just say that this has been an educational week in the world of this Entrepreneur. I found myself SEARCHING for the PURPOSE of ALL. THAT. WORK. Here is what I can tell you.... I have had 3 of my own general consignment auctions now....since I got my auctioneer's license. Of the 3...my ANXIETY level was the lowest it has EVER been....and it seemed StraNge to me. Not unwelcome, but stranGe. I also SAW....how BLESSED & LOVED I am. I am BEYOND blessed & I am in AWE of it....& not very understanding of it. I was in VERY good company this week & had more fun with both of my siblings (at the same time) than we've had in a long time. I felt their SUPPORT & it is a blessing. I had some of the BEST friends that a girl could ask for come out & BE THERE & WORK HARD....without question... & when things didn't go maybe EXACTLY how I'd a liked them to go....they were there to SUPPORT & ENCOURAGE me. I could see SO MUCH BEAUTY in  ALL THAT MESS.... I SAW so much positive growth in MULTIPLE areas.

God's plan is SO beautiful & SO HARD...all at the same time. I can recognize God's PROTECTION for me & his REVEALING to me. It's like glimpses... I still find myself trying to CONTROL certain aspects of my life & I RECOGNIZE more every day of how I need to let go & LET GOD. As I was reading through this chapter again this line popped out at me: "Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings. This is how you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and it is how your character develops." Man....have I learned how to do this & LET ME TELL YA....It isn't much fun DURING the process....but you will be left in AWE. I can also say that a lot of times I'm not sure AT ALL that I'm doing the "right" thing, but I'm trying to do the right thing.... Yeah....sometimes "The right thing" can get your wheels a spinnin' & a lot of times...YOU JUST DON'T KNOW & you can do all the prayin' you want to & God's probably not gonna drop the answer in your lap in a perfectly wrapped box with a pretty ribbon around it.

This chapter says: "God gives us our time on earth to build and strengthen our character for heaven." It also says: "You are a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation to developing the character of Jesus will take the rest of your life, and even then it won't be completed here on earth." Yep...I'm tellin' ya...just when you think you MIGHT have somethin' figured out...there's a whole 'nother layer that you didn't even know about. We HAVE to EXPERIENCE the tough times to TRULY appreciate the GOOD times & in those TOUGH times we HAVE to TRUST that whatever we are going through, dealing with, faced with...it is developing our character & we have to choose how to react to it. There is a line from a quote that I saw on Facebook & I have no idea who wrote it, but it says: "My name has been dragged through the mud more than once & every time I pick it up & wash it off!" My name...my pride...my work...& YES...I wash all that CRAP off & get back with it! Figure it out! That is the OTHER thing I've learned this week. I have always known that I DON'T QUIT. I may re-position or adjust, but I don't quit & I was sitting outside the auction (BEFORE the auction started) already thinking about PLAN B. Was I bummed about the turnout...yes. BUT for once I DIDN'T BEAT MYSELF UP. At the time I did what I thought needed to be done & what I had the ability to do. Now I have to do the same thing with the knowledge & experience I GAINED from this auction.

So here is my SPIRITUAL take on this week....I felt a CONSTANT calmness because my FAITH & TRUST in God has gotten stronger. I know that ALL will be okay & I could see with my eyes how ABUNDANTLY blessed I am. When you pump the brakes on all that WORRY you can sure see a lot of things clearer. I can see the ties that bind my family, friends, & staff are strengthening... Those are all the things that REALLY matter. The rest will fall in place.

"Point to Ponder: I was created to become like Christ."

Daily Bible Verse: "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." 2 Corinthians 3:18B (NLT)

Daily Question: "In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?

From my journal the first day of reading: Developing good habits... good Godly habits. That is the area in my life that I need to ask The Holy Spirit to help me with. I am feeling like my lack of habitually doing things (not necessarily having bad habits (although I do)) is an underlying source of stress and chaos.

My take on things now....I was a little hard on myself that day. I need to be ALL I can be in any given day, without taking into consideration what EVERYONE else thinks I need to be. Maybe I'm not made (and this is highly likely) to habitually do things. I'm working now to do the best I can, with what I can & realizing that worry, jealousy, anxiety, are all roadblocks to finding my divine purpose.

A priest asked me one time: "Do you see God when you look in the mirror?" My answer then was "No, not really, but I feel a strong resemblance to Jesus." Well DUH!! Jesus is our living GOD, so the answer is YES. He moved passed that one probably thinking she'll get that when she reflects back on it.

I can tell you what I REALLY need The Holy Spirit to help me with.... Stripping myself of the expectations I put on myself, which are based on what, the society that I look towards, deems as acceptable & good & what I have also adopted. It's probably the MAIN way I still try & CONTROL things that are not mine to control.

Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus! When you stay in GOOD COMPANY you pick up their habits! God Bless!

Day 21: "Protecting Your Church"

Hey everyone! Thanks for reading! Today is the final day for the second purpose of our lives that Pastor Rick Warren talks about in his book: The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For?

This chapter STRESSES & brings home the IMPORTANCE of us getting along with people...especially in places where we fellowship & with other believers. It goes into discussion about ALL kinds of people: the ones that are hard for us to get along with, our church leaders, aggressive people, complacent people, gossipers...& offers guidance on how to handle ourselves & all these kinds of people.

If you are reading this book & my blog I surely don't want to beat you over the head with this, because the book itself can be intense...(in a good way). It is VERY IMPORTANT that you take something away with you from this chapter. We aren't expected to fix everything overnight, but it shows you & tells you areas where you can start.

I also want to say that the church is important to me....& so are all the relationships I have with other believers that are not members of my church. I KNOW the areas of FELLOWSHIP that are VERY SACRED to me & they don't just happen at church. PROTECT THEM. In my opinion those relationships of fellowship are like supernatural, GODly links between us here on earth to help minister to others... They aren't JUST friendships. They have a deeper meaning. This is why I also urge you to be mindful of your fellowship & don't get drawn into the acts of competing for who is closer to God, or knows more about God, or who sins less. "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. " Proverbs 27:17

I have learned (in such a short time) how important it is to just TALK to other believers about what is going on with you...spiritually. It helps you gain understanding & they may just know something you don't. INCLUDE each other as often as you can in whatever area of SPIRITUAL GROWTH you can find. It's important to spend time alone, but WE NEED EACH OTHER'S HELP!

Here are some of the key things I took away from this chapter: (Everything not from the Bible is Pastor Warren's words."

"You are commissioned by Jesus Christ to do everything possible to preserve the unity, protect the fellowship, and promote harmony in your church family & among all believers."

"We share the same salvation, the same life, and the same future..."

"...It was God who chose to give us different personalities, backgrounds, races, and preferences, so we should value and enjoy those differences, not merely tolerate them."

"Longing for the ideal while criticizing the real is evidence of immaturity. On the other hand, settling for the real without striving for the ideal is complacency. Maturity is living with the tension."

"...the church is made up of real sinners, including ourselves."

"Reconciliation, not running away, is the road to stronger character and deeper fellowship."

"God warns us over and over not to criticize, compare, or judge each other."

"Whenever I judge another believer, four things instantly happen: I lose fellowship with God, I expose my own pride and insecurity, I set myself up to be judged by God, and I harm the fellowship of the church."

"The Bible calls Satan 'the accuser of our brothers.'" Revelation 10:12

"Gossip is passing on information when you are neither part of the problem nor part of the solution." 

"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him - work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you have made a friend. If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won't listen, tell the church." -Matthew 18:15-17a

"Jesus says to take it to the church. If the person still refuses to listen after that, you should treat that person like an unbeliever."

"...when people find a church where members genuinely love and care for each other, you would have to lock the doors to keep them away."




"Point to Ponder: It is my responsibility to protect the unity of my church."

Daily Bible Verse: "Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together." Romans 14:19 (PH)

Daily Question: "What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family right now?

From my journal the first time of reading: I'm thinking the blog writing seems more and more like a good fit, for helping to bring more unity to the church, but it could also divide it. That is why I'll have to refer back to this chapter & open that up in discussion to the group.

What I think now: I need to explore what I journaled about, but I also recognize that there are some things that I do to protect the unity of my fellowship groups/relationships. I am OPEN & HONEST allowing spiritual growth among us. I am opening up discussion & helping my readers work through and think about the topics I write about.

Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus! Protect your posse! God Bless!!

Day 20: "Restoring Broken Fellowship"

Welcome Readers! Glad to have you. Today is Day 20 of our journey through the book: The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Pastor Rick Warren.

Well...I've done quite a bit of work on this chapter the last few weeks & after I went to confession & sleeping on it I've come to a realization...well a few.

"Point to Ponder: Relationships are always worth restoring."

Daily Bible Verse: "Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody." Romans 12:18 (TEV)

Daily Question: "Who do I need to restore a broken relationship with today?"

From my Journal: I'm not giving you names. Let's just say I had SEVEN on my list. Of those seven I've had 4 HARD conversations where I had the intention of repairing them OR strengthening them.

Of the four I've had. I know 2 of those relationships have started from a NEW place where both parties have given COMPLETE forgiveness & have a MUCH clearer understanding of the other. One of those I truly believe is headed in the right direction. There is A LOT of hurt that won't heal overnight & it ultimately may not have the ultimate outcome I'D like it to have, but it will have an outcome (from my end & hopefully from the others) that will bring glory to God. The other....was had & received well, but I'm not sure that the other person understood the importance in why it needed to happen or REALLY listened to what was said.

Of the three remaining (that I initially listed out): one is a long-time (somewhat distant) friend. The other two are people (when I REALLY break it down) are people that I want to help, are close to people I'm close with, BUT I don't & haven't really had much of a relationship with. Of these three that remain...I've struggled with a few things. This chapter tells you: "Schedule a face-to-face meeting as soon as possible. Delay only deepens resentment and makes matters worse. In conflict, time heals nothing; it causes hurt to fester. Acting quickly also reduces the spiritual damage to you." I also know that when you feel anxiety (& not the peaceful kind) creep up...it's not from God. I fall into this trap easily; The one where you want to do what you are SUPPOSED to do, but you start acting on YOUR schedule and not God's. Well...after NOT acting on ALL of the people I felt I needed to have a conversation with right away...I've discovered a few things. If I don't really have a relationship with 2 of the 3 remaining...I don't have a relationship to RESTORE. I have a relationship to BUILD... You can't fix something that isn't really there. The other needs to happen. I have accepted & KNOW that I can't change the potential outcome. I just WANT the outcome to be a good one & have put it off, in fear that it won't be.

Someone (that I HIGHLY respect (especially regarding spiritual matters)) asked me: "Why are you carrying their monkey?" Hmmm... I don't know... I guess I'm trying to MAKE it what I WANT it to be. Sigh...trying to CONTROL something that isn't mine to control. This is one of the BIGGEST things I have to work on about myself. I want to fix peoples problems for them, which (in turn) creates MORE problems for me. I am called to FORGIVE, but I don't have to put myself in the line of fire & DO WORK for them that they need to do themselves.

Every person is DIFferEnt & every person has their own set of complex relationships. I can't tell you how yours will go, BUT I can tell you that: you have to be prepared to be wrong & see the TRUTH of the situation. You have to be HUMBLE & VULNERABLE. You have to come from a GOD place. What I mean by that is you have to WANT something for Him. You may not want to have this conversation. You may not want to be wrong, BUT you have to WANT to do what you have to do to bring GLORY to God. Remember...we are leadin' people to Jesus.

The book states it like this: "For the sake of fellowship, you must destroy your arsenal of relational nuclear weapons, including condemning, belittling, comparing, labeling, insulting, condescending, and being sarcastic. Paul sums it up this way: 'Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.'"

One line from the chapter that spoke straight to me was this one: "...make the effort to maintain them (relationships) instead of discarding them..." This was my defense mechanism growing up. I threw that wall up so fast it would make your face hurt. If I was hurt I'd either say it...in a less than tactful way...BUT got my point across OR I would hold it & to forget about it would shift my attention to something more positive. We grow. We learn & what I've learned is do the work to FIX whatever is broken. Doing the work I've done on the relationships I've discussed in this blog post...I can tell you it is worth it. I can also say that the more work you do...the easier all the ones after get. It is what it is. We all have common ground with each other by the simple fact that we all mess up.

Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus! Buck Up Baby & go CONVERSATE! God Bless!

Day 19: "Cultivating Community"

Welcome Readers!!! We continue onto Day 19 of The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Pastor Rick Warren.

This chapter is wearing me out. It is a GREAT chapter, but it really makes you do the work & THINK about the work that needs to be done. I think this part of the chapter can, pretty much, sum the whole thing up: "..."I urge you to make a group covenant that include the nine characteristics of biblical fellowship: We will share our true feelings (authenticity), encourage each other (mutuality), support each other (sympathy), forgive each other (mercy), speak the truth in love (honesty), admit our weaknesses (humility), respect our differences (courtesy), not gossip (confidentiality), and make group a priority (frequency)." - Pastor Warren

I started writing this blog yesterday & I started having a little bit of a negative spin on it, HONEST, but negative. I think the main reason why is because to DO & BE all the things Pastor Warren talks about is HARD...and what parts are HARD, vary depending on the person you are dealing with, the group of people you are dealing with, and what emotions you have regarding each other.

Here is my REFRESHED & POSITIVE spin on this. Sometimes I do the majority of what is listed above & just have trouble with a couple of the others. Sometimes...(especially if I have a large amount of RESPECT for the other person) I don't have any problem doing any of it. Just like I can sit & look at that list & see what I need to work on....WE ALL HAVE THINGS TO WORK ON. We have to TAKE THE TIME to work on them. We can't sit around beating ourselves up about how much we are not living up to what we are supposed to be. We have to OWN the fact that we RESPECT ourselves enough for HONESTLY trying. REMEMBER...when your head space is gettin' all jammed up about what YOU want & what YOU think YOU should be or how YOU should act...GOD LOVES YOU & sees what you're doing. Take your own judgments off of yourself & work on what needs to be worked on & HAVE FUN DOING IT. He wants us to have fun. He wants us to HELP each other. He wants us to TRUST ourselves as much as He trusts us, with our blessings.

"Point to Ponder: Community requires commitment."

Daily Bible Verse: "We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers." 1 John 3:16 (GWT)

Daily Question: "How can I help cultivate today the characteristics of real community in my small group and my church?

From My Journal: I think the hardest struggle is complete and utter honesty. We fear we will hurt the other person OR we are too afraid of the other's judgments. Probably...the best way for me to help cultivate it, is to be TOTALLY honest and bring up examples in my life - that are uncomfortable to share.

After reading the book completely through, applying what I have (thus far) to my life, & circling back to this chapter I still think HONESTY is the key. We need to be honest with others & with ourselves. I also feel like, as individuals, you have to find PEACE in yourself. You have to REALLY start peeling back the layers of the expectations & judgments YOU place on yourself & just be who you are. I don't have that kind of peace yet, but I'm working on it & I see glimpses of it.

This chapter goes into A LOT more than what this blog post contains...each one of the areas I listed above.
When I read it the first time I underlined some things that resonated with me. Here they are: (All credited to The Bible or Pastor Warren)

"You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor." James 3:18 (MSG)

"An honest answer is a sign of true friendship." Proverbs 24:26

"Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself." Ephesians 4:25

"...the tunnel of conflict is the passageway to intimacy in any relationship." Pastor Warren

"Thoughtless words leave lasting wounds." Pastor Warren

"Pride builds walls between people; humility builds bridges." Pastor Warren

"We receive God's grace by humbly admitting that we need it." Pastor Warren

"Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people." Romans 12:16

"Humble people are so focused on serving others, they don't think of themselves." Pastor Warren

"Courtesy is respecting our differences, being considerate of each other's feelings, and being patient with people who irritate us." Pastor Warren

"Excel in showing respect for each other." Romans 12:10

"When you know what they've been through, you will be more understanding. Instead of thinking about how far they still have to go, think about how far they have come in spite of their hurts." Pastor Warren

"God hates gossip.." Pastor Warren

"Gossip is spread by wicked people; they stir up trouble and break up friendships." Proverbs 16:28

Yeah...LOTS more than what I discussed. Spend some time with it. Buck Up Baby & Ride With JESUS!! He LOVES you...even if you think you don't deserve it!! God bless!!

Day 18: "Experiencing Life Together"

WELCOME readers!! Today is Day 18 as we journey through The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Pastor Rick Warren.

This chapter echoed ALL of my concerns that arose from yesterday's reading & addresses them. I remember myself feeling the same way the first time I read yesterday's chapter. Like I didn't want to DISAGREE with some of his points, but I couldn't help myself. I'm sharing these blogs as openly and honestly as I can, because that is the only way to do it.

This chapter focuses on FELLOWSHIP. It begins by discussing how today's use of the word has taken pretty far out of context to what the Bible says it is. "Real fellowship is so much more than just showing up at services. It is experiencing life together. It includes unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving, sacrificial giving, sympathetic comforting, and all the other 'one another' commands found in the New Testament." This chapter ultimately talks about the importance of small groups. He discusses how even Jesus traveled in a small group of 12 disciples. Pastor Warren urges us to become a member of a small group within our church.

"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." Matthew 18:20 (NASB)

I am blessed to say that I have friends where I DO FELLOWSHIP REGULARLY. Some are members of my church & some are not. I hold these relationships so sacred. I am truly AMAZED by some of them & know that The Holy Spirit was instrumental in joining us together. This is MORE than being a best friend and knowing all the surface things & secrets...this is talking about all the things we don't know about our faith and God. This is praying for other people you don't know, but that are close to your fellowship friend. This is having the courage to say things to the other that you didn't WANT to say to anyone but God. This is asking for HONEST opinions from friends who's answers will be based on FAITH & UNDERSTANDING & FORGIVENESS. These are SACRED. Go get you some FELLOWSHIP.

The next part of this chapter talks about AUTHENTICITY, which was the MAIN thing I was having trouble with in yesterday's reading. "Authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in some churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, role-playing, politicking, and superficial politeness but shallow conversation. People wear masks, keep their guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. These attitudes are the death of real fellowship." I'm doing a lot of quoting, but Pastor Warren REALLY explains this perfectly. This is his description of REAL fellowship: "It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives. They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help & prayer." I HAVE DONE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE THINGS - JUST A FEW DAYS AGO - MULTIPLE TIMES & I'll probably do it again in less than a week's time. I can't do this to everyone...truly...hardly anyone, but I can to a few.

This chapter also discusses CONFESSING, which I want to touch on a minute. A LOT of people get hung up on the Catholic religion because of the focus they put on CONFESSION. Look...I get it. You don't HAVE to (& most probably don't) tell EVERYTHING to a priest, BUT this is a sure act of FELLOWSHIP. Even if you don't share everything. You are taking the time to REALLY talk about things that some people may NEVER talk about to any other human. I'm not sayin' it's gotta be for you. You can participate in FELLOWSHIP other ways. I LOVED the idea of confession before I converted & I love the actual act of it now. I REALLY like it when there are several priests doing confession & I can really take the time I need without feeling rushed b/c someone else is waiting in line. I remember my first face to face confession. It was with a priest that was doing an Easter mission. He had seen very ungodly things & heard very ungodly things. He listened to confessions in a high security prison for sometime. I got my list together of all that I wanted to confess....ALL of it. My heart was beating out of my chest. I guess I thought he'd be a good priest to break the ice with, considering other things he had heard. Let me tell you...I felt relieved walking out, but I also learned a few things...he wasn't easy on me & he hit the nail on the head  in some areas. A sin is a sin. I can also say that all I do now are face to face confessions. Once you start stepping out into the light...you won't want to go back into the darkness.

This chapter also discusses the importance of giving and receiving to one another in fellowship. The importance of sharing our faith with one another in aim to grow each other's even more. Pastor Warren lists out and explains the different levels of fellowship. For the record...let me say...there are SO MANY LEVELS to EVERYTHING. "The simplest levels of fellowship are the fellowship of sharing and the fellowship of studying God's Word together. A deeper level is the fellowship of serving, as when we minister together on mission trips or mercy projects. The deepest, most intense level is the fellowship of suffering, where we enter into each other's pain and grief and carry each other's burdens."

The last section of this chapter really hits home for me. "In real fellowship people experience mercy." MERCY....We all received mercy & we HAVE to give mercy to others & we have to be able to receive it. FORGIVENESS is a big deal here. We have to do it immediately. "Fellowship happens when mercy wins over justice." This is SO hard, but sometimes you have to look at what will justice really give you & what will mercy give the other person...and yourself? Are there times when we might need MERCY?

These are the lines that hit home & give me direction. "Forgiveness must be immediate, whether or not a person asks for it. Trust must be rebuilt over time. Trust requires a track record. If someone hurts you repeatedly, you are commanded by God to forgive them instantly, but you are not expected to trust them immediately, and you are not expected to continue allowing them to hurt you. They must prove they have changed over time." This is HARD, but it is the ONLY way. Sometimes people may take steps in the right direction, but the amount of hurt they caused is SO DEEP that you can't allow yourself to forget. I've said before that you have to protect yourself & you do. If you allow other people to continually hurt or attack you...you are dealing with situations that aren't God-given. It is taking away time & energy from your purpose.

"Point to Ponder: I need others in my life."

Daily Bible Verse: "Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (NLT)

Daily Question: "What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine, heart-to-heart level?"

From my Journal: I have key people I do this with. Yesterday I talked to my friend for over 1.5 hours about how Awesome God is and what what he is doing in our lives. I also wrote notes in developing my idea of what I can bring to our church.

Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus!! Let's FELLOWSHIP! God Bless!