Purpose Driven Life Day 12 - Developing Your Friendship with God

When I first started reading this chapter, I was struck with the thought that this is not only the way to develop a friendship with God, but with people as well. It was easy for me to compare how to build a relationship with God with how I have built great relationships with others.

Warren first sentence in the chapter is "You are as close to God as you choose to be." Whoa! What'cha talking about Willis? If you really think about it, I am the reason I am not close to God. I decided not to make time in my schedule to pray, meditate, and focus on Him. The more I spend time with Him, I have no choice but to form a closer, tighter relationship.

Warren gives us four more ways to develop a relationship with God:
1. Choose to be honest with God
2. Choose to obey God in faith
3. Choose to value what God values
4. Desire His friendship over everything else

I love how Warren shows examples in the Bible with Job and Moses were candid with God and themselves about their feelings. God does not want us to give Him rehearsed or fake prayers and conversations. He wants us to be honest on how we truly feel. He wants us to express our anger, hurt, bewilderment just like we express our gratitude, happiness, and joy. Think about your best relationships. Don't you express all of your feelings and emotions to that person? Then why not God?

Key notes from Warren on honesty:

• Genuine friendship is built on disclosure
• It is likely that you need to confess some hidden anger and resentment at God for certain areas of your life where you have felt cheated or disappointed. 
• Expressing doubt is sometimes the next step to intimacy with God

Choosing to obey God is not something you would think about doing with your friends, but if you dig deeper, you can find examples of it. When we choose to obey God, we are choosing to trust He has our best interest at heart. Isn't that what we do with our friends. We obey (or follow) what they say because we think they know what is best for us? Then we can definitely do it for/to God. God is not expecting us to go out and do great things all the time. What he expects us to do is great in the little things that is around us everyday! Hearing and obeying what He is requesting from us. That little small voice whispering in your ear. That is God giving you instructions. 

Choosing to value what God values reminds me of the saying, "a man (woman) after God's own heart." Isn't that the goal?  Now how do one do that? It's simple, we must genuinely care about God's people. We must be a witness for God and share His goodness with others. 

Desiring God's friendship over everything else is a eternity friendship. It is a choice all of us are able to make. God does not want a passive lukewarm relationship with us. He does not want us to just go through the motions. He wants us to be passionate about Him. God will find a way to get our attention. Many people think God is punishing them BUT he is not. He is trying to get your attention. He wants/desires to have a relationship with you.....a deep friendship. 

Purpose Driven Life Day 8 - Planned for God's Pleasure

I highlighted so much in this chapter. I was planned for his pleasure! That is the greatest purpose ever. Now what do I do with that? The best answer I have right now is to live for Him and not for man(family, friends, husband/man, coworkers, bosses, etc). 

Pleasing God is worshiping Him in all that we do. Many people (I am guilty of it too) reserve worship to Sunday morning service and Bible study. Worship is more than just singing and/or moving to our favorite worship music. If we are truly living our purpose, we are acknowledging Him in everything we do. I love the analogy Warren gave about falling in love with his wife. That is how we are suppose to fall in love with Jesus...thinking about him constantly. 

Keys from Planned for God's Pleasure:

-Bringing pleasure to God is called "worship". Worship is far more than ceremonies, candles, healings, miracles, prayer, music. It is a lifestyle.

- Worship is far more than music. Every part of the service is worship. Anything that is offeredd to God in spirit and truth is an act of worship.

- Worship is not for your benefit but for God's. Our motive is to bring glory and pleasure to Him. God is not pleased or glorified when we do it out of tradition instead of passion and commitment.

-Worship is not PART of your life; it IS your life. Praise should be the 1st and last thing we do EVERY DAY. Every activity we perform should be an act of worship.*****This is where I was really convicted*****

Question to Consider: What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly to Jesus?

The first thing that came to my mind (and it was immediate) is my job. If I can change my focus to teaching for Jesus, I can be a more effective teacher. Now I know this change is easier said than done, but I am going to sincerely apply this mindset change.

Purpose Drive Life Day 7 - The Reason for Everything

The question of the day is "where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory?" To me the REAL question for me was found on the page before, "Who are you going to live for - yourself or God?" I think we all have in some point in our lives lived for ourselves. Since I agreed to be completely honest, I feel I have lived 99.9% of my life for me, my goals, my desires, my wants, etc. If they happen to lined up with God's desires, then that made it better. I know it should be the other way around. Unfortunately, I don't know how to make that happen. How do I pray and know when God answers that prayer? How do I know when God is directing to go in a certain direction versus it being me wanting to go in that direction? 

This chapter starts off its all for Him. Spiritually, I know that is true. How do I order my steps to do it? How do I do it? I guess I have more questions than answers, which is definitely a hard place for me to be in. I always have an answer! LOL!

This chapter is about glory to God. It explains what it is (the expression of His goodness and all His other intrinsic, eternal qualities) and where it is (everywhere). We are commanded to RECOGNIZE, HONOR, DECLARE, PRAISE, REFLECT, and LIVE His glory.

I(we) can bring glory to God by doing the following: worshiping Him, loving other believers, becoming like Christ, serving others with our gifts, and telling others about Him. I was familiar with all these areas. What really stuck out to me is what is true worship. I thought I was doing something by really participating in praise and worship on Sundays mornings and playing my Gospel music in the morning. However, I am convicted to know it is so much more. Its a LIFESTYLE. That includes enjoying Him, loving Him, and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes.

QOTD: Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory? The short answer is everywhere! I can acknowledge him in everything I do, every decision I make, and thank Him for the good and the bad. When I am able to put God first in EVERYTHING, then I will truly walk with a purpose and truly honor God.

Purpose Driven Life Day 6 - Life is a Temporary Assignment

I have a short post. Therefore, I am including what we use to create our posts. They are located at the end of each chapter. 

POINT TO PONDER:
This world is not my home.

VERSE TO REMEMBER:
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 CORINTHIANS 4:18 (NIV)

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:
How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?

Day 6 Key Take Aways
- 2 truths:compared to eternity life is extremely brief and earth is only a temporary residence

- Abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a career or ministry 

- In order to keep us from becoming too attached to earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity.

Reflections: I love the way analogies were used in this chapter.
- Spiritual green cards are compared to a foreigner receiving a green card to work in the US.
- Ambassadors to a enemy country
- Fish trying to live on land

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:
How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?

One change I can/should make is truly living with the end in mind, returning back home. Listening and learning what God's will is versus my own will and DOING His will. Spending more time with Him to know what I should be doing.

Purpose Driven Life 4 - Made to Last Forever

Some days I did not post a lot. Here is one of my shorter posts. For the purposes of the blog, I have added more commentary to each of the statements that stood out.  


Day 4: Made to Last Forever

Statements that stood out:
- Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production. We all know we are not here forever. We need to remember that piece of information and start to live right. Our actions here dictate our eternity. 

- Tragically, many people will have to endure eternity without God because they chose to live without Him here on earth. Doesn't that seem fair? IF we are too busy on Earth for Him, why should He make time for us there.

- Suddenly, many activities, goals, and problems that seemed so important is trivial and unworthy of attention. What trivial things can we remove from our lives? What activities, goals, problems are hindering us from walking in our purpose? 

-THE MOST DAMAGING ASPECT OF CONTEMPORARY LIVING IS SHORT TERM THINKING.  I don't know how many times I complain about the microwave society. Everything is about right now. There is no wonder why so many of us think we suffer from ADD. 

- The deeds of this life are the destiny of the next. Again we need to make sure we are about handling our business the short time we are here on Earth. Tomorrow is not promised and we have to make sure we are ordering our steps for our eternal life. 

Question to consider: Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing. I should probably stop cussing like a sailor. I should start praying more. Scratch that. I should learn how to pray so I will feel comfortable praying more.

Purpose Driven Life - Day 3 What Drives My Life

Today I started to underline my nuggets. Now, I can go back and get the big ah ha moments, questions to ponder or sentences to meditate on. 

To answer today's question, I think most people would say my son is my driving force. To a certain extent that is true. However, I believe my driving force is to do better than the generation before me and to propel the next generation to go even further. 

I know I want my life to be purpose drive - guided, controlled, and directed by God. However, I don't know how to get to that place.

While reading the 5 common things that drive the average person's life, I realized most of them do not apply to me. A small part of me is driven by fear of failure and the need of approval. Unfortunately, I can see my fear of failure has manifested in my son. It has been a battle the last 2 years to break him from it. I tell him and have been telling myself, I have nothing to gain if I don't try. What's the worst that can happen? I think the need for approval is in all of us, whether its from our spouse or romantic interest, or friends, coworkers, family members, etc., we want their approval/acceptance.

The benefits of purpose driven living seems like a world of utopia. Does this activity help me fulfill one of God's purposes for my life? That one question eliminates all the extra, even the good extra. That one change in our mind set reduces/eliminates stress, fatigue and conflict. Who knew?

Some of my other nuggets:
- You become effective by being selective
- Without a clear purpose, you will keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, churches, and other externals
- IF you want your life to have an impact, focus it! Prune away even good activities
- Never confuse activity with productivity
- Living to create a earthly legacy is a short-sighted goal. Build an eternal legacy.

Purpose Drive Life - Day 11 Becoming Best Friends with God

POINT TO PONDER:

God wants to be my best friend.

VERSE TO REMEMBER:

“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him.”
PSALM 25:14A (LB)

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:

What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?

God wants to be my best friend! Wow! I never heard it phrased that way. I never thought about God wanting to be my best friend - keeper of my secrets, hopes, and dreams. Whoa! I don't know if I can handle it. I don't know if I CAN be what is required to be God's best friend. This chapter later states we can't wrap our minds around that concept.

This chapter focuses on two ways to build the relationship to becoming friends and eventually best friends with God. First, I have to have constant conversations with God. Similar to what many women do with there girlfriends, I need to talk to God about any and everything. He wants to be part of every experience, activity, conversation, etc. God is not asking me to change what I do, but change my attitude to include Him.

Warren suggests having short conversational prayer with God. Many people (or maybe its just me) feels like you have to have all these holier than thou words and have to pray a certain way. In reality, God just wants us to spend time talking to Him. Another suggestion is to use "breath prayers" throughout the day. "Breath prayers" are statements you can say in one breath, such as "Order my steps", "I need you". I did not realize it, but I have already started doing it. When my students are working my nerves or I am trying to refrain for saying or doing something, I say "Jesus, be a fence."

The second way to build a relationship with God is to meditate. Meditate is another word "activity" I shied away from. Just sitting and thinking about God. I felt like I did not "hear His voice". I would question how would I know. This is heavy duty big time Christian living stuff. However, Warren made it plain. He poses the question, how many times have you sat around worried about something? Then, you meditated on that fear. Now, just change it to meditate on God.

Now to the question of the day. What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day? Earlier this year, I started waking up to the Contemporary Gospel station on Pandora in the morning. I noticed it started my day off upbeat. In the last week, I started listening to the gospel station again in the car. Listening and mediating on the Word brings me closer to God. This group is a way for me to develop a real friendship with God and discover my true purpose. The book suggests setting an alarm to remind me to have a conversation with God until it becomes natural. I might incorporate that too.

Purpose Driven Day 2: You Are Not An Accident

Disclaimer: Most of the posts for Purpose Driven Life are my notes from the book and some reflections. 

POINT TO PONDER:

I am not an accident.

VERSE TO REMEMBER:

“I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born.”
ISAIAH 44:2 (CEV)

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:

I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?

Day 2: You are not an accident. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?

I think we all have struggled with each of these areas at one point of time in our lives. We live in a society that constantly compares one person or thing to another. So it is not surprising we compare who we are to others. However, Warren reminds us that each and every one of us has been created for a specific purpose. We were not a mistake or accident. 

If I am completely honest and forthcoming, I am struggling with my body image. Now don't get me wrong, I think I am cute :) However, I am not at all happy with my weight. When I really think about it, I am 30 pounds heavier than the day I gave birth to my son over 16 years ago. Why is that? I know it is a simple solution: eat less, workout more (honestly start working out). Like everything else, it is an accountability issue for me. 

Wait I just had an AH HA moment. Why can't I have accountability to myself but I can be accountable to others? I need to go reflect on that! 

As far as my background is concern, I don't think I have had issues with it since my late teens, early 20's. Back then I wished my parents were married but I realized they were doing the best they could based on what they knew. I did make a conscious effort to break some generational key curses. For instance, neither one of my parents graduated from high school, let alone college. My mother later earned her GED and graduated from nursing school. Another curse I broke was becoming a teenage parent. Both of these curses were at least 2 generations old. I just wished my siblings would have done the same. 

As for my personality, I am pretty happy with with who I am and display. Sure there are things I could work on but that is why we are always striving to do better. 

I AM NOT AN ACCIDENT OR MISTAKE. I am grateful I realized that statement at an early age. 

Purpose Driven Life - Day 1 It Is Not About Me

Disclaimer: Most of the posts for Purpose Driven Life are my notes from the book and some reflections. 

Earlier in February, on of my college friends , Dr. Educator, posted on Facebook she was planning to purchase "Purpose Driven Life". I felt like that was my nudge from God to pick the book up again and actually walk it out this time. I suggested to her to invite others and have a daily group discussion on Facebook. We had 15 people sign up with about 4-6 people posting. 

What I really like about the book is the set up and the supporting materials. There are a few pages to read with a point to ponder, a verse to remember, and a question to consider. In addition, we post our reflections. There is a website purposedriven.com which provides daily notes and a sermon to go with the reading. 

This has been a great start for in 2013 to get my spiritual walk in order. Since I share more freely on my blog than on FB, I plan to share MY postings from the closed group.

Discussion - Day 1

POINT TO PONDER:
It’s not about me.

VERSE TO REMEMBER:
“Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.”
COLOSSIANS 1:16B (MSG)

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:
In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

Let's discuss!

If you want to hear a message, please check out http://www.purposedriven.com/day1/

Here is what I posted for Day 1:

My take-a-ways:
- It is not about me. Now that is definitely an eye catching and thought provoking statement. It is about me fulfilling God's purpose IN and FOR my life.

- I do not decide my purpose. I have to seek my inventor, God, for that answer.

- I am not my creator, the Creator. Therefore, I can't determine my purpose.

- All the self-help books I have read over the years will not reveal my purpose. It may make me successful and content, but not serve my purpose.

- I need to quit speculating about my purpose and seek God through prayer and His Word to find out my purpose. He will reveal it to me.

- I am ready to learn how to do less in life by focusing on what matters the most.

Reflections: Reading today's chapter brought a few things to the forefront of my mind. For instance, God has to be the starting point and the source of everything. Another point is I (we) was (were) created by God for a specific purpose. It is our job to allow God to reveal it to us and walk in it. Like everyone in this group, I am many things to many people. However, we are here on an assignment/purpose from God.

Confessions: In the past, I had mixed emotions when I heard someone say I know my purpose or I am walking in my purpose. I was glad they did but at the same time bothered because I did not know and still don't know my purpose. I would wonder if they said it to sound holy or if they really knew their purpose.

I know in order to know my purpose, I have to really KNOW God not know OF Him. I have been ashamed to ask how do you get to know Him and build a true relationship with Him.

Question to Consider:
In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

I believe asking God to guide our hearts and minds to make decisions based on His desires and not our own. I have encountered people who seek God for the smallest of decisions. Because it is a lifestyle for them, you don't "see" them running to the prayer closet or saying let me seek God. It is just a part of them.

Day 19 - Something I Regret

Regrets. We all have them. Some are deep rooted and others are just little things you wished you had done differently. Many people say live with regrets, but we all know you can not get through life without some regrets. People regret something they said, something they did not say, getting into a relationship, getting out of a relationship, taking too long with making a change, not making a change, telling someone their true feelings, buying something impulsively, etc.

Today's topic is "Something I Regret". I can't think of 1 thing that I regret and willing to share here. You never know who may be lurking! LOL

So what's a girl to do. Without going into many details, I will share some things I have regretted over the years.

• Things I have said to my son
• Things I have said to other family members
• Overthinking situations
• Not pursuing desires or pursuing them sooner
• Expressing my feelings
• PROCRASTINATING

Yep, these are some of the things I have regretted over the years. 

My Moments of 2011

I know I am in the middle of a 30 post challenge, but I decided to take a break from it to reflect on the last year. Like everyone else, it had some great, good, decent, and bad moments. The real question is did I take the time to learn the lesson in every single one of them. If I am truly honest, the answer  is a resounding NO!

Some moments that pop up in my mind when I think about a particular month
January

• Made resolutions...really more so goals. I don't like resolutions. However, I did not have a vision board. Therefore, they fell by the wayside very quickly. 
• WINTER STORM 2011 - the city was shut down for a week. I was getting stir crazy because my street was clear in a couple of days. I get plenty of sun on my street. So the snow/ice combo melted much faster than other streets. 
• Battle of the Bands with E and the kids, then bowling with Reggie, Penny, Shaun, Nai, Shelia, and Tanja. Spent a day with people who have deposited in my life many years ago. Even though we don't talk everyday, I enjoyed spending time with them being able to JUST BE ME. 

February

• WINTER STORM 2011 still having an impact on my life. Mid-winter break cancelled because of the impromptu break we had in January from the storm.
• Found out I had 2 more nephews on the way. My sissy is pregnant with twin boys. 
• Experiencing several Black History Month activities at DHS with Men of Distinction leading the way with activities at least once a month. 
• Baby Bandit makes an AAU team. Coaches debating what squad to put him on. He was good enough to play on the oldest age bracket, but the NEEDED him on his age bracket for his height. There were no height. Had him playing center when he naturally plays small forward/off guard. 

March

• Baby Bandit totalled my car. It was definitely a traumatic experience for him. His seatbelt honestly saved his life. When he get his license this year, I won't have to worry about him not having it on or texting while driving. 
• Bought a new (for me) car - CASH ONLY 
• Spring 95 Rescue 911 GZ anniversary turns into a weekend of events - Sip N Strokes, Stone Mountain-Lithonia Step Show and dinner, Church Services with Adenika and her church family, and just some good girl time.

Spring 95 with our DP and President 

Hound and Goldie enjoying a laugh at dinner

• Really connected/bonded with my line sister. I agreed to pick her up a few times over the weekend. It was one of the best things I did in 2011. We talked and caught up with each other lives. I really can't put into words the bonding that took place. We really connected for the first time. It definitely has been one of the relationships I nourished the remainder of the year. Every time she was in town to spend time with family, I made sure I was in the number. Any real relationship is requires giving, supporting, listening and encouraging. We both have done it this year. We have bonded over painting. I supported her with her book signing and her end of the summer program. She was here to celebrate my birthday with some of my other friends. We have sent many texts, emails, facebook messages to encourage each other, bounce ideas around, and just to say hey just thinking about you! 

April

• Went to my 1st Sip n Strokes session. Learn they work miracles..LOL. I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. But I was able to make a masterpiece with Darcova.  She is definitely a PROFESSIONAL!  (Inside joke).

• Decided on how to celebrate my 40th birthday and BB's 16th birthday. Since they are 2 days apart and he never been on a cruise, I planned a cruise for this year. 

May

• The twins were born over 2 months early. Cooper Dean and Cortland McKinley entered the world as fighters! They are doing well. 

• Supported Dr. Darcova Triplett at her book signing. STRUT! Darcova is such a giving person. She incorporated many other dreamers into her day. They were other writers, business owners, motivation speakers, bakers, hairstylists---basically anyone acting/pursuing their dreams. 

Darcova's book celebration (Line sisters supporting each other)

June

• Drove home to spend about 2 weeks home. Able to attend my oldest nephew graduation and visit with my 2 newest nephews. 

• Was able to be home with my mom for her birthday
• Was back home for Baby Bandit and my birthday. Did not celebrate on my birthday but had small celebrations with different people throughout the next few weeks. 
• Nephews JB and TJ was able to visit for 2 weeks with me. Have you all picked up I love my boys! 
• Mom comes to collect her grandboys; birthday cookout 
• Became one of the "coaches" for BB AAU team because I know the game of basketball and know how to keep stats. 
• Started my blog

July

• One of my friends took me to the gun range for the 1st time. Loved it!

• Continued celebrating my birthday with the girls at Canvas by U.

• Enjoyed watching Darcova's Summer Babies performance at the end of their summer camp
• New Teacher Orientation even though it was my 3rd year in their system. ( 1st time starting the year off as the teacher of record)
• J Watty moves in with us for his senior year of high school. Now I have 2 teenage boys living with me. 
• The twins came home

August

• Started last semester to earning my MEd in Special Eduacation. I know I have no desire to becoming a special education teacher but I like the techniques I learn to use in my classroom.
• Birthday movie and chemo celebration 

• Baby Bandit was in a quinceanera. Click on the word to read about it. I was honored he was asked to participate in such an important day. 

September

• Watched Baby Bandit come along in football. He went from no playing time last year to no resting time this year. He played almost every down on offense, defense, and special teams until we had the win on lock. 

• Joined a small gym.....again *sigh*

October

• Homecoming!!!!! Both DHS and MBC homecoming were the same weekend. I literally supported my high school Monday through Friday night's football game then celebrated with my college the rest of the weekend.

• Seen my college roommate and best friend for the first time in 15 years. When she graduated, she cut everyone off from college and Atlanta. We talked about it about a year ago. I understood why she did what she did. I hated she went through so much her last year in college that she thought she could not come to her girls, especially me. Glad we were able to reconnect in person! Love you CareBear.

******Blogger is acting crazy. I guess I have a limit on the number of pictures I can upload****Hmph****

November

• Thanksgiving with the family
• Meeting the latest edition to the family---finally another niece, Taylor.

• Family pictures 

December

• Graduated with my Master's of Education - Special Education
• Baby Bandit moved up to Varsity for basketball
• Lunch with some friends
• Impromptu lunch with 2 fabulous women  - Kami and Adenika

• The Sequel - Sleepover

• Really taking time for myself (no teacher responsibilities for most of the break)

Just some of the moments that came to mind. Yes there were other moments, but these are the pleasant moments I wanted to share with you!