Tag Archives: destinantion

Jun30

DAY 181 (2014)

Posted on June 30, 2014 by lsgrlr

God is the DIRECTOR of my path.

Isn’t weird, that even when we are aware we’re are making the right decision, change is still incredible stressful. I am finally make a step toward my future, stepping out and trusting God to do what He promised. He has closed doors and narrowed avenues in my current situation leaving me in a state of in-between (seeing where I want to be, but with no possibility of arriving there…from here). He is directing me to different waters, waters where “feet may fail”. This is where the stress comes in. I hate failure it is painful and depressing and it makes you feel all shades of inadequate. The problem however, is that in order to not experience failure we end up not experiencing ANYTHING at all. Which to me is much, much , worse. Today as I continued reading, Take The Risk, by Dr. Ben Carson. He talked about the idea of taking “self” out of the equation. Our fear is pride… self pride. We don’t move because we are fearful of how we will look, how we will be perceived. If we take ourselves out of the picture, then we can see the picture for what it really is a chance for change. A chance for a deeper faith and relationship with God. A chance to fulfill our call. Today I am stressed, not gonna lie. I feel it in my body and in my mind. But I a trusting God, because I know He said, “Go.” So I am making a conscious choice to NOT fear, and to trust the One who has promised to go before me.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).

So what’s the plan? Go where God is.

Jun21

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on June 21, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Numbers 21. “After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, the Israelites captured its surrounding settlements and drove out the Amorites who were there. Then they turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei. The Lord said to Moses, ‘Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.’ So they struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army, leaving them no survivors. And they took possession of his land” (Verses 32-35). Do NOT be afraid for I have delivered… Words I needed to hear as I prepare to make a very drastic change. The beauty of the verse is that as the children of Israel were advancing, God had ALREADY defeated their enemy. He had gone before them and thus they could proceed with the confidence of knowing that God was FOR them. The same holds true today(and everyday). When God calls you out, He has already gone before you. He has already cleared the obstacles. So don’t fear, instead trust and walk on with the confidence of knowing that God has your back (and your font, middle, and sides).

Jun15

DAY 165 (2014)

Posted on June 15, 2014 by lsgrlr

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My church has a tradition, every Father’s Day we have the same guest speaker, Dr. Bob Barnes. Thus, Father’s Day weekend is one of my favorite times of the year. This year was no exception. Why? Because without fail every time he comes, he brings a message that feels like it was meant just for me. I have posted before that one of my favorite songs is, Oceans, by Hillsong United. The first line to today’s sermon was a Bob’s version to a one of the verses in the song. The actual verse says: “Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander.” Bob’s version “Take me deeper than my FAITH could ever wander.” After he said that my heart asked this question: How deep do you allow your faith to wander? As if the question on my heart wasn’t conviction enough Dr. Barnes followed up his rendition of the lyrics with this statement: “It’s time to do the things we say we believe.” I almost fell out of my chair! Why? A few months ago I wrote those very same words in a post (yeah, I don’t know which one) at the time of my post God was showing me that I was not living out what I believed. Today however, the words did not feel like a conviction as much as a call to arms. A reminder that He has set before me a path and it was time to travel it. Time to do the thing I say I believe. Yesterday I posted a question and it seems today God has answered it. So today I send out the same challenge to all who read this post that Bob sent out to the congregation this morning: DO THE THINGS YOU SAY YOU BELIEVE!

“For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).

So what’s the plan? Deeper wandering faith.

Side Note: Dad’s are the standard. They teach their sons how to be men and their daughters how to be treated by men. So to all the amazing father’s out there. Thank you for setting the STANDARD Happy Father’s Day! -Lisa R. –

Jun4

DAY 154 (2014)

Posted on June 4, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Make your plans, but let God choose the path.

Little by little the doors of Florida are closing as my family and I prepare to move to a different state. The state of perpetual snow otherwise known as Buffalo, New York. My journey is leading me down a unfamiliar and scary path, but at the same time I am beyond excited because I finally feel like I am heading in the direction that God has for me (normally moving involved running away, this feels like stepping up and stepping forward). The fear comes because in my human perspective none of this makes sense. It seems like such a bad choice in terms of “every day” logic. Then God reminded me of something the late Chuck Smith often said, “Where God guides, God provides.” If He is taking me there, He has everything set in motion. He knows the “entire why” of this journey. Today I handed in my letter of resignation to my employer, my last day is in July. It was hard to do, but I needed to take the step in order to solidify in my heart that I meant what I said. I have asked myself all the scary question, but it comes down to this: Am I going to continue in fear or am I going to step out and see what God does? For many years fear was the name of the game, but that just left me feeling unhappy and unfulfilled. Today I am deciding to try obedience. Let the journey begin!

“The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

So what’s my plan? Onward and upward.

May16

DAY 136 (2014)

Posted on May 16, 2014 by lsgrlr

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We make our plans, but God directs our path. Let Him be your journey’s guide.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

I have a friend who I really enjoy taking to. Not because of humor, or any other “fad” like reason. I like talking to this person because he challenges me. I always leave our conversations thinking, “I need to be more committed to my dream.” That is a rear thing to achieve in a world where people are more prone to tell us what we want to hear over what we need to hear. He (without knowing it) is a tool that God uses in my life. Today we were talking about dreams and pursuing them. Wait, let me backtrack for a moment. Recently he opened a gym (with a twist) the gym is called Movement (check out the website: www.movementstrong.com), when you workout Movement will give back to the community in a positive way. The gym has sponsored school programs, food banks for the homeless, it even planted a community garden to give fresh produce to people in need. The motto of Movement: “Strengthen Yourself, Strengthen The World” (see why he is a bit of an inspiration). Anyway today we talked about the cost of following your dreams, he hit me with some very “real” truth. We often picture achieving our goals in a fairy-tale like way, not realizing that following our dreams will ALWAYS cost us something. During our conversation he told me of the price he is paying right now, to keep his dream alive. In the midst of hearing I said, “But that could cost you everything!” To which he replied, “If you believe in something, you have to be willing to give it all.” Be willing to give it ALL. I am on the road toward my goals, and I am fearful. I had been looking for a detour and asking God to make the answer clear. Today when Eduardo said those words, I realized that God was using him to ask me this question: “Are you willing to give it all to Me?” I believe God has a plan, but I have been too scared to commit to it, because the cost is high and I am fearful that I may not be able to afford it. Today I was reminded that if God is leading me to my goal, He is willing (and able) to foot the bill.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you’, says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope'” (Jeremiah 29:11).

So what’s the plan? Follow His plan.

May14

DAY 134 (2014)

Posted on May 14, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Trust the TRUE coach.

Okay I am a sports fan, I like playing it and I like watching it. I live in Florida and thus I am a Heat fan (I’d probably be a Heat fan even if I didn’t live in Florida). Sports creates superstars and mega-players. But here is a truth: no matter how great the player, not matter how awesome the athletic ability, you can’t win on your own. In team sports in order to win, you need the TEAM. Why this conversation today? (Uhmmm, it’s the playoffs…just sayin’). This mind set of DIY has permeated our culture giving us the impression that it’s every man for himself. That if it needs to be done we can do it ourself, we don’t need help or assistance. But life is not a do it yourself. There is no such thing as a self-made man (or woman), at some point someone had to give you a chance or a push. Here is another truth: In the game of life there is only ONE true coach (come on you had to know it was gonna end up here 😉 ). Every team needs a coach. The TRUE coach teaches you the game, and guides you through rough patches. He is firm when it is called for, and encouraging when needed. He knows the game, knows His players and knows when we need to play and when we need to sit on the bench. My advice play your game, and let the TRUE coach lead you too the championship. Also GO HEAT!!!!!

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

So what’s the plan? Trust the TRUE coach.

May6

DAY 126 (2014)

Posted on May 6, 2014 by lsgrlr

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In order for a new bud to bloom you must first cut off the old one.

I heard and interesting thing today about Hyacinths, a flowering pant that bears vibrantly colored petals and has a sweet aroma. The person who I was talking with went on and on about the resilience of the flower and how it can even bloom in snow. But it is this statement that gave me pause, “The Hyacinths will only bear a new bud after the old one is cut off.” Mmmm, how very interesting… It is an excellent picture of life, of moving forward, of growth. Like the Hyacinth we too can only bloom again when we are willing to cut off what keeps us from growing. You can’t move forward holding on to the past. I have been slowly learning that in the past few months. I am in the process of preparing to move, and it has been scary because I will have to let go of a lot. Friends, job, environment all are things that I have grown accustomed to, all have played an important role (be it good or bad) in my development up till now. So the thought of letting it all go is bittersweet. Just thinking about it now makes me want to tear up. But today when I heard the statement about the Hyacinth I felt that still small voice that speaks to my soul say, “Look at the Hyacinth. See the vibrant colors, smell the sweet aroma and know in order for this to happen it has to be willing to let go of the past in order to embrace its future. You must do the same.”

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God'” (Luke 9:62).

So what’s the plan? Let go, move forward.

May5

DAY 125 (2014)

Posted on May 5, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Don’t see the stretch you have to run. See the finish line.

For the record it seems I was 100% serious about my lifestyle change. I started on Saturday (I know it’s been three day, but it only takes 5 to make a habit). This morning I woke up, did warm up stretches. Got dressed went to work. Came home worked-out, stretched, had a shower (yes I showered this morning as well), made a protein shake and then studied for 2 hours. The problem is that now all I can think about are words that no one ever uses in sentences words like: castigate, augury, and contumacious (which I can be at times) and algebraic formulas. I am laughing right now because I realize this is not a bad problem to have. I am a little proud of all that God has allowed me to accomplish today. I am blessed because He walked me through my day and gave me the strength to say no to TV (which is not normally not a vice, however, 24 starts back today), when Jack’s back. He gave me the strength to turn off my cellphone and tune out my friends, so that I could accomplish the goals I had set forth for this day. I am blessed that He gave me the desire to workout even though I was tired. I am struck at how awesome God is, if we keep our commitment He’ll be faithful to see us to our goals.

“But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).

So what’s the plan? As much as depends on me. Keep my promise.

Apr29

DAY 119 (2014)

Posted on April 29, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Sunsets remains us that everything has an ending.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Ever feel like you don’t make a difference? I always (well I use to) feel like that when my plans aren’t accomplished. Today God gave me a different perspective. I have been reflecting on certain choices and decisions things that I wonder if I should have done differently. But today as I worked with patients, and coworkers alike I realized that my life may not be perfect, but this path is the one I am to travel. There is a goal I am meant to achieve, a destination I am meant to reach. Life does not always turn out the way we planned, however, that does not mean all the choices made that led us to where we are now were bad or wrong. Today God showed me that each of the moments that I perceived as a misstep were actually times of learning. Growing pains on the journey He has me on. The conclusion: Just because a situation or circumstance does not go the way I want or plan DOES NOT MAKE IT A MISTAKE. And even it is, we learn from our mistakes.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

So what’s the plan? Learn from my mistakes.

Apr24

DAY 114 (2014)

Posted on April 24, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I should, at this moment be freaking out. I mean really, really freaking out. When I got home today I noticed that my mom looked sad, maybe not sad more like worried. I asked what was wrong, but she was at the phone at the time and asked me to give her a moment. I went about putting away my work stuff and settling into comfy clothes. A little while later, she said she needed to talk to me, so I sat down. Here’s what she said, “I have been let go from my job. Today was my last day.” Turns out the person who is over her is hiring someone new, but the new person can only work the days and hours that my mom works. Knowing that my mom would more than likely be eventually leaving she decided to let her go. For most right about now the preferred action would be anger or throwing a fit, maybe even ranting about the unfairness of it all. Surprisingly though, I am not upset, nor am I anger, I am not even scared. I am however tired. I feel like for the past few months I have been pushing a boulder uphill, with no reprieve and no downhill insight. Yesterday after my encounter with Ms. S (read DAY 113), God said it was time to let the boulder go. So I woke up today ready for whatever God had in store (I did not see this coming though). What’s odd is that instead of fear, or frustration I felt a sense of relief. I really didn’t want my mom doing that job, I didn’t trust the person managing her, and everything about the job to me felt wrong, but we needed the money… I choose to view the events of the day as God closing a door, because He has a better one He’s about to open. When I started this new journey in January (walking God’s path), I said I would follow His direction no matter what. Today all I could think after my mom told me the events of her day was, God doesn’t do anything without a reason. He has a plan and I need to follow. Then He reminded me 하나의 작은 움직임이 큰 기적을, translation: One small movement, BIG miracles.

“For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Isaiah 52:12).

What’s my plan? One small movement.