October 21, 2014

Finding Faith in the Fog, Post #53

My fingers white-knuckled the steering wheel as I slowly drove through the North Carolina mountains, cautious. It was nighttime, and the dense, smoky wall of fog enveloped the Blue Ridge Parkway. I had driven this stretch of road a hundred times, but never in this condition. My eyes strained to see past the hood of the car. No white lines could even be seen outlining the two-lane road.

My heart pounded. I prayed.  “Lord, I know You’re here. I know You’re with me. What I know to be true on a clear, sunny day is just as true in this foggy, dark situation.”

As I finally drove into the driveway of my destination about 30 minutes later, my lungs finally exhaled. I felt like I held my breath the whole perilous drive through those mountains. My hands were still trembling as I tried to get the key into the front door.

Once inside, I fell to my knees with a prayer of thanksgiving. It was only then that I realized I had just lived a powerful message, a sermon. The foggier nights result in deeper faith.

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the Bible’s “Hall of Faith.” I love reading all the different examples of extraordinary faith, from Abel and Abraham to Rahab the prostitute. It’s the last two verses of that Faith chapter, though, that make me ponder the most.

“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” –Hebrews 11:39-40 NIV84

So many times, we think we are promised the world. Pretty prideful thought, I’m  ashamed to admit. It is only through our desperate dependence on Jesus Christ, that His better plan for us can be revealed. His better plan that can be made perfect ONLY when we work together with God.

Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, know God is with you. The same God in the sunny, clear day is the same God in the foggy night.  May we be encouraged to find and strengthen our faith in the fog and in the SON.

Reflect:

–What foggy night circumstances have you experienced lately?  Please comment.

–How was your faith strengthened or weakened by it? Please comment.

Renew:

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” –Hebrews 11:1 NIV84

Recharge:

–Name three actions to demonstrate your faith you may live out in October and beyond.

–Please read your Bible daily to hear God’s voice and Truth in your life.

 

October 14, 2014

How to Make the Impossible Possible, Post #52

Sir Roger Bannister was the first man in the history of the world (or record keeping) to run a four-minute mile. It was said it couldn’t be done. He made the impossible possible.

On May 6, 1954, at Iffley Road Track in Oxford, Bannister broke the four-minute mile with a time of three minutes, 59.4 seconds. Bannister was 25 years old, and at the time was practicing as a junior doctor. After accomplishing this supposed impossible feat, Bannister’s record only lasted 46 days. Not even two months.Bannister went onto become a notable neurologist. Watch the incredible footage for yourself below in the video link in “Resources.”

What a man. What a dream. What a goal—a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal (BHAG), as Jim Collins and Jerry Porras call it in their 1994 book Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies.

I would rather call it a Big, Holy, Audacious Goal (BHAG). So, dear friend, What is your BHAG, your biggest dream? What are your passions? What is hindering you from achieving your God-sized dreams? I wrestle with these questions.

A few years ago I started my life goal list, some would say a “Bucket List.” Included on my list was/still is to write and publish a book. Most of my life I have enjoyed writing. For 12 years, I have dreamt of writing and publishing a non-fiction book. So what did I do about it? I started a folder and would occasionally add handwritten sticky notes with a chapter outline, idea, or quote. The BHAG of writing a book and even thinking of getting it published became overwhelming. “Perhaps when I retire,” I pondered.

In December 2012, my heart was shattered and blindsided by a serious relationship breakup to a man I thought I’d marry. In the healing process, I cried out to God and asked what life lessons I could learn from this experience. The divine answer I received was: “Write. Write and speak for Me. I am your First Love.” You see, I idolized my future husband. It took a heartbreak to recalibrate my stubborn self and priorities back to putting God first.

In January 2013, Proverbs 31 ministries President Lysa TerKeurst wrote in a daily devotional that a typical non-fiction book contains about 60,000 words. She wrote that she usually makes a 12-chapter outline, and tries to write 5000 words per chapter. Suddenly after reading that practical devotional, the impossibility of my BHAG became possible.

This adventure led me the last two summers to the dynamic Proverbs 31 Ministries “She Speaks” Conference in Charlotte. It was such a delight to meet so many incredible writers and speakers and learn from them. Their passion for Jesus was contagious. Through their influence and the Holy Spirit’s leading, starting this little “Pure Inspiration” blog was also a leap of faith.

Only our precious sovereign Lord could know that attending the Proverbs 31 “She Speaks” Conference in 2013 would divinely lead me to the high calling as Proverbs 31 Ministries Executive Director of Donor Development. Words cannot express what a blessing it is to work for and serve God through such a Spirit-filled, dynamic ministry. It reminds me that there’s just enough Light for the step we’re on. As much as we plan, God’s plans are even bigger and better. He has BHAGs for each of us.

I look forward to learning from so many Godly leaders, especially Lysa TerKeurst,  AND to continue writing and speaking for and about Jesus. Walking by faith in God makes the impossible possible.

Reflect:

  • What is/are your Big, Holy Audacious Goal(s)?
  • What keeps you from dreaming big?

Renew:

•“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” –Matthew 17:20 NIV84

•“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” –Luke 1:45 NIV84

Recharge:

•Add a deadline and a timeline to accomplishing your BHAG.

•List the first steps to accomplish your BHAG. Do your first step this week. You can do it! Please let me know what you decide to do.

Resources:

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTp9ZgjZkNA

 www.proverbs31.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Hairy_Audacious_Goal

October 7, 2014

Loving Your Neighbor, Post #51

Bob turned 95 years old last August. His bright, blue eyes sparkled behind his thick, smudged glasses. His black cardigan sweater was his uniform, soiled with food and drinks missed by his mouth and napkin. His mind was sharp and his sense of humor lightened every setting. His Canon camera hung round his neck always ready to capture each moment.

Bob served as the patriarch of our neighborhood cul-de-sac. Retiring from Chicago as a graphic artist, Bob and his wife Lee paid $50,000 cash in 1986 for his Charleston home to be built. His graphic design firm was instrumental in creating the Coca-Cola Santa Claus. More importantly, he created a customized watercolor card for each of us for our birthdays and designed a beautiful pen and ink Charleston scene as his Christmas card each year. He was a legend.  Bob’s wife passed away in 1993, and he never remarried. He lived alone. We as neighbors adopted him.

Both my grandfathers passed away before I was born, so Bob became my surrogate grandfather.   He and his wife Lee bore four children, three who live in Illinois and one in California. Bob created his local family with his church family, Optimist Club friends, and the neighbors. As neighbors we worked together daily to take him meals, reminded him to take his medications, drove him to Wal-mart, and took him to the barber shop. My special job was to accompany him with his walker on a stroll several times a week around the cul-de-sac for some sunshine and exercise.

Last year both Bob and the neighbors realized he was getting too frail and medically dependent to live alone. He and his children decided he would move to Illinois to live with one of the daughters. Bob took the news pretty well and just kept talking about the cold. He slowly began to gather boxes and we helped him pack his most prized possessions, like his photographic scrapbooks, chronicling almost each moment.

Last August 2nd the neighbors and I threw a 95th birthday and farewell party for Bob at his church along with his children and Optimist Club friends.  In all about 100 people attended. His pastor said it was the first party of its kind he had seen with the Guest of Honor also celebrating in the room. Still there to hear the sweet accolades instead of waiting until the honored guest had passed away. Bob had no doubt he was loved. He flew to Illinois the same day the moving truck came for his belongings. He didn’t have to see the For Sale sign being put in the front yard.  Bob passed away on September 26th of pneumonia, less than two months after he moved.

My life is so much better for having loved, learned from and laughed with Bob. May we all love our neighbors, love the Bobs in our life. 

Reflect:

  • Who is your Bob (neighbor)? Please comment.
  • Who can you love on a little more?

Renew:

  • “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” –Mark 12:30, 31. NIV84

Recharge:

  • Name one neighbor or person you will intentionally reach out to as we approach this season of Thanksgiving. Perhaps it’s calling and taking a picnic basket to your older neighbor or a loved one in an assisted living facility. Perhaps it’s riding bicycles with some neighbors and their children. It takes just a few moments.
  • Please let me know what you decide to do.

Resource:

  • Robert “Bob” Anderson’s art legacy lives on. Please consider purchasing one of his beautiful “Charleston Orphan House” prints as a gift at the Shops of Historic Charleston Foundation, 108 Meeting Street in Charleston. (843) 724-8484.
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