How Do You Describe Success in Three Words

Recently, I was asked to describe what success means in three (yep - 3) words. Seriously - three words. I can't describe anything in three words.  So, I thought and thought and thought and thought and . . .

I knew how I would have described it years ago. Easy! It would have revolved around name brands, life's luxuries, name in lights, and money, money, money... But trying to come up with what success means to me today was hard to put in words.

I've realized that success isn't necessarily defined as most Americans would describe it. Polls today show that teens see success as being rich and famous. And maybe that is. But success is more than the big things we conquer. I also see the stepping stones we must conquer everyday as success.

So, I thought and thought and thought and thought some more ...

I noticed that I want to be successful as a writer, speaker, teacher, encourager, photographer, and of course not to mention wife and mother because those are things I'm passionate about. But if I never published another book would I deem myself a failure? No. If I never got to speak again would I think myself a failure? No. I was beginning to think I'd never come up with three words that describe success for me.

Finally the words living life passionately came to my mind. I pondered over them. I liked the sound of those three words. I know that if I'm not 110% sold out to what I'm doing I'm miserable. And I see true success as something that oozes true joy and peace. So I wrote them down and hit the send button. But seriously, I felt kind of dorky turning in those three words as my definition of success.

Later that evening I was recapping my day. It had been amazing! I got to serve alongside a homeless man at church. God had placed me at the right place at the right time to minister to a woman who was leaving an abusive relationship. I felt fully awake and alive! Was this success? I still found myself pondering over those three words I had turned in. Living life passionately. 

Then I received a text from a friend who said "How about lunch this week?" My heart screamed YEAH!!! This was a friend who I had met over a year ago. Back then she rarely smiled or looked you in the eyes. I had seen such tremendous growth in her and was so thankful that we had exchanged numbers a few weeks before when she shared that she didn't have any good influences in her life. We set our lunch plans in motion and I was thrilled.

As I crawled into bed that night I was on cloud nine. I lay there thinking, "Yes -- this is success, living life passionately! Serving beside the homeless, encouraging the abused, and being there for a new friend who is ready to move beyond her present circumstances!" Somebody pinch me!!!

Now I'll challenge you, how would you describe success in three words?

For me it's -- living life passionately!

Life's Punctuation

Simply put, every day, every conversation, every situation, every endeavor -- your career, finances, relationships, each expression of your gifts and talents -- are all an opportunity to be living out your holy calling. ~ For This I Was Born, Brian Houston

Stop by Sanctified Together and check out my article "Dot. Dot. Dot." to learn about the punctuation of your life.

Many of us spend our lifetime trying to "find" the one thing to which God has called us -- in other words, we long to know our purpose. We want to know our purpose (period). We want to claim it and then put a period there. But that limits God and our way of seeing God.

As Brian Houston says above your holy calling is lived out every day, in every situation. There is  no (period). There are only commas to God's holy calling.

Simply put . . . our purpose is to acknowledge and worship Him every day in every situation.

Read my Monday Morning devotional HERE.

Hearing or Listening

One huge blessing that has came out of learning to rest my spirit these past few weeks is that I've begun listening. I can usually hear God, mainly because He speaks in surround sound to me. Yes, He knows I'm hard of hearing. Remember, I'm that argumentative and rebellious child!

However, hearing is much different than listening.

Hearing means you just hear the sounds. We can all hear the murmur of our kids playing in the background or our friends chatting up a storm. But listening is different. It means you are not only hearing, but to listening to the words, taking them in, and processing their meaning.

Hearing from God is amazing. But when you can listen and hear His heart, that my friend, takes your breath away!

Take some time this weekend and LISTEN! God will take your breath away.

Julie & Julia

Hubby took me to see the movie Julie and Julia. It was such a fun and cute movie. I loved it and could so relate. OK – not the cooking part! Cooking is not a passion of mine, but you could clearly tell it was for both of these gals. What I related to was the perseverance each lady showed in her quest to know her passion, conquer a challenge, and see life anew.

Julia – What a hoot! She dealt with the differences of living in a culture and time that was quite different from ours. Women weren’t allowed to participate in chef’s school. The cookbook her and her friends envisioned and birthed was one of a kind, and one that publishers weren’t eagerly jumping at to publish. However, today we know the rest of the story.

Julie – I loved her character. She is just a gal, doing her everyday job, and feeling pretty ordinary and useless. Her passion was cooking! She took on a challenge based on her passion. Through trials and struggles, she was able to say “I succeeded.” When we operate in our passion field, it’s amazing what a difference it makes in all of our lives.

I’m being pretty vague here, just in case you haven’t seen the movie. (If you haven’t, you must! Go now, seriously.)

Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. James 1:12 MSG

Meeting challenges head on and persevering are part of life. However, if you are blessed to live out your passions, meeting challenges inspires you to move on. And in conquering challenges you gain life. You gain a more passionate life.

I hope you know your passions. If not, maybe you need to spend sometime in God’s word, praying, and discovering your true self. Julie and Julia didn’t know their passion, until they were faced with challenges. Their struggles through those tough and unfulfilling times brought them to their passion.

As Julie Powell would say: “Life is what you make of it and joy is not as impossible a quest as it may seem.”

Julie would also say -- leave a comment!

Be Passionate, Nuts and Crazy

I met a friend last night at Macaroni Grill for supper. We had met with the intentions of visiting about women’s ministry. Four hours later the restaurant was closing and we were the last to leave. I couldn’t believe those four hours had gone so fast.

Hubby text and asked if I just intended on spending the night there. Silly! He should know me better. You get me to talking about my passions and purpose and I can visit all night long. Seriously, all night long.

But that’s how it is when you are passionate about something. You can’t quit talking about it. It consumes you and time flies by when you are involved with it. And sometimes – just sometimes – others think you are nuts when you are so consumed.

How about these examples?

King David was so passionately in love with God he danced half-naked in the streets and those watching despised him.

Hannah cried out in the temple over her barrenness and Eli the prophet thought she was drunk.

Mary wiped down Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and those around her thought she was being wasteful.

Jesus was so crazy in love with us that he accepted the blame for sin He didn’t commit and hung on a cross for us.

Can you say you are that passionate about something?

Do others think you are nuts?

Oh girl, I so hope so! Others won’t get your purpose and passion, but the Lord God will. He knows your hearts desires, passions and purpose for He has put them there.

Be passionate. Be nuts. Be crazy!

Get Revived

Join me this week at the Women's Online Conference - Get Revived! A four-day conference for $12.95. All in the comforts of your own home. Woo Hoo!!

This conference is about taking your foundation and building upon it according to God's design. We are not all the same. Each of us are unique in our gifts and talents and the way God would have us to use them. A Woman Inspired by God's Word and His design for her life is unstoppable in her pursuit of His destiny for her. For some that may be as a writer; a doctor; an arborist; a teacher; an organizer; a blogger; a hair stylist; an interior designer; a speaker; or anything else that God may have planned for you. We pray that the principles you are taught during this conference will help you to become closer to His design.God has brought together an incredible group of women to express these principles in practical ways. They will speak truth into your life while encouraging you to also seek it for yourself. This is a divine appointment. Will you be there?

Check it out and join us. It's not too late. Will you be there? I will!

Norman's Right!

"You only lose energy when life becomes dull in your mind. Your mind gets bored and therefore tired of doing nothing. Get interested in something! Get absolutely enthralled in something! Get out of yourself! Be somebody! Do something! The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have." -- Norman Vincent Peale

Norman's right!

I have been struggling with a lack of energy lately. Can anyone relate? However, I’m amazed at what I’ve been able to accomplish the last few weeks as I’ve battled being ill. My dreams are bigger than me. Thankfully, enthusiasm has swooped down and taken over.

God loves to see us excited about life -- the life He gave us. He sees our every need, and provides. He is Jehovah-Jirah – JJ!

Are you running on empty? Are you losing heart? Get lost in something bigger than yourself.

After all, Norman's right!

We Love Girl Talk - Tomorrow

REMEMBER the give-away this week. Read the post below. Leave a comment anywhere on this blog before Monday the 24th and be entered into a random drawing for some random give-aways!

Bloggy friends, join me along with Sarah Goebel and Sandra Stanford tomorrow night, Thursday, 7pm Central at Blog Talk Radio. I’ll be the guest on “The Christian Women’s View” We Love Girl Talk. Log on here, listen and then call in if you’d like.

Also, if you are in need of a speaker for your ladies event, please check out the following article about the incredible ministry at Speaking Thru Me. This article was written by my good friend Leah Adams. I feel privileged to be part of this incredible team. Here’s another article posted yesterday.

Housekeeping

I’ve put off cleaning up my sons room since he moved out for college. Seriously, here’s proof. Everything piled on top of his bed and that’s how it has been for months. (showing off my housekeeping skills, eeks!) Please somebody tell me they can relate!!

I’ve procrastinated because cleaning meant I had to deal with the reality that he is growing up. Every time I'd walk in his room, I'd notice the markings outside his closet door where he marked his growth. For years he felt like he’d never grow tall like his friends. (Sorry, I had to record this for me - the sappy sentimental mom.) Look how much he grew in 2004. I swear most of that happened the week he was at camp.













Finally, last weekend was different. The rooms mess had to go. It had to be cleaned.

Enough was enough.

Hubby and I had a big date to Home Depot – woo hoo! Do you hear a little sarcasm in my voice? OOps - so sorry! However, hubs had to work that night so Linds and I got busy. We were fortunate our neighbor came over and decided to help. Then about 30 minutes into the job, some special friends called and invited us all to "On the Border". So, we took a break and went. Now, that's the way I like to work.

When we came back to reality and got busy painting, neighbor was fixing to paint over the markings on the door and she stopped.

“Alene, are you sure you want me to paint over these? Look at them!”

Me – sad and teary eyes, “No, but we need to. I took pictures earlier.”

While my daughter is cracking up laughing, I was choking back tears! Neighbor slowly (it seemed like the slowest slow-mo ever!) and ever so methodically rolled Pottery Red paint (or Barnyard Red as Linds calls it) over those cute, adorable, filty, and priceless markings.

Right there - in the moment - precious memories covered up by a layer of paint.

Once I got over the shock, I (the girls found other fun things to do - imagine that?) got busy. It actually took me all weekend, but check it out! (I swear the walls match - bad photography - I do much better on people! ha)

These three guitars are so special. The one on the right was my daddy’s guitar. In the middle we have my son’s first guitar. (the guitar was as big as he was when he first started playing) And on the left side is my first guitar.

Ah yes, a clean room ready and waiting for my son to move back in to. Actually, there’s not much chance of that happening. He loves where he is. I love where he is too . . . growing up with such a passion for the Lord.

So, we have a room for visitors now. You want to come over?

Amazingly, if you come quickly the room might still be clean.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses. Whiskers on kittens. NOT!!!

Brightly colored spirals. New friends. YES!

Friday I hit the jackpot. I received two of my favorite things in one day.

I had just filled up my last spiral with prayers, scriptures, messages from God and scribbles of to-do lists and it was time to search out the next spiral.

This is an exciting search for me. It all came to be because years before I would try to emulate what others did for personal growth, quiet, and prayer time. I would do exactly as they say and it just wouldn’t work for me. Hmph!

I finally realized I had to find what worked for ME! (Read here.) And it had to be something that fired me up and helped me keep my commitment to a daily time with God - to study, pray and listen.

What worked for me was figuring out how to incorporate brightly colored spirals into my daily routine. All through school, I loved the days when I got to pick out new school supplies and mainly my new colored spirals.

Yes, I love the bright colors! But the coolest is cracking that spiral open – it’s clean, unmarked, and unused – and wondering what God will reveal in the course of filling up this spiral. It’s an adventure waiting just for me!

Hmmm, I just remembered I loved colored paper too! Especially the pink. Is colored paper around still? Where? Tell me!
After finding the perfect spiral that is soon going to hold some precious prayers and personal nuggets from God, I met a new friend for lunch.

We visited and I was so encouraged! It is amazing who God will put in your path right when you need encouragement. (Read here.)


We had so much in common – passions, desires, backgrounds – that it felt like we had been friends forever.

I was lost in conversation when she says, “Alene, do you know how long we’ve been here?”

I had not a clue. I was just basking in her encouragement and the sun streaming through the windows. It seemed like minutes, but we had been visiting for over three hours. I can honestly say that is just what God ordered for me.

What are your favorite things?

Amazingly, through a new spiral and a new friend God lavished on me encouragement, focus, love and hope.

If God Created S-E-X

If God created sex for the married couple, shouldn’t married Christians have the most passionate, romantic, and exciting sex life?

Yep, the whole world is talking “sex” – oh, but not us! Shhh, we’re Christians.



Is it time to add some zest to your marriage? If you’re stuck in a routine or your passion has grown stale -- your marriage can be “hot” again.

A few years ago I decided to spice things up, set the mood and leave a spark of anticipation for Hubby. Upon buying a two-piece lingerie set (it was hot!) I had the brilliant idea to give Hubby each piece separately with a cute little (seductive) note.

Hubby found the first piece I had hid and was left anticipating what was coming next. Oh my, what a cute plan I had – it was working! While he was at work I had the most incredible idea – I’d drive to his work and leave the second piece out in the front seat of his car with a love note.

Oh, I was so sneaky. Nobody saw me – I was good.

Later that afternoon the phone rings.

“Babe, hmmmm – I had to give the Commander a ride today. What were you thinking?”

Embarrassing then.

Hysterical now.

So, my ever-so-clever plan had a glitch in it, but I have to say the purpose worked ever-so-cleverly. Yeah, Baby!



Do you have some good ideas for spicing up the romance in your marriage?

I’d love to hear them. Shoot, I’d love to try them.

I’m sure they are amazing and brilliant!

Running My Race

I don’t like to run wearing tenny shoes. I prefer to run my race in high heels. You probably guessed I’m talking about running “the race”.

I remember vividly the day I was called to the starting blocks by the Coach. I can still see the vision, feel the nudge in my soul and slight tap on the shoulder.

Don’t get me wrong here – we are all called to run the race if we believe in Christ. Before that day, I had been running a race (if that’s what you want to call it). It wasn’t a very focused and intentional race, but none-the-less there was a path I was jogging along.

But that day when the Coach tapped me He said, “This race is for you. Let’s go!”

I remember being so passionate about this thing called “the race” all the sudden. I took off running before my high heels were laced up. Mercy, I had no idea this “race” would have hurdles!

Come on, the Coach should have known I wasn’t a runner. Don’t like running, nope not me! And of course, HELLO Coach- I don’t do hurdles. But Coach just said “run.”

The first thing I knew I needed was a team. God put a couple of incredible mentors in my life who were passionate about running “the race” too. We began meeting and it was so refreshing to talk about our hearts desires, passions and call. They knew and understood where I was coming from. They loved my new found passion, because they were passionate too. Those gals and a few others have become my accountability partners.

I thank God for that team daily. What I’ve learned over the years is most people don’t understand passion. You can’t fake it, buy it or borrow it. You either have it or you don’t!

97 % of people will try to limit you in the pursuit of your dreams, purpose or call.
Goal Action Planner

I’m looking forward to tomorrow. It’s a planned meeting with my “running” team. Some call them accountability partners, some say purpose partners; however, I’d prefer to call them passion partners! OK - not really that sounds a little dorky! Ya think?

Tomorrow I hope to get a shot in the arm laced with their encouragement and a swift kick in the b-u-t-t by the gals who are nudging me forward. I want to be able to say . . .

I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work (race) You called me to do. John 17:4

It’s an amazing race!

Do you remember when the Coach called you to the starting blocks?

The Grass is Always Greener

The grass is pretty green here in South Texas after all this rain from Hurricane Dolly. But, are you always looking for something other than what you have?

Have you ever wanted someone else’s career, house, wardrobe, body, lifestyle, friends, or even spiritual gifts?

Those things seem more fun and exciting when someone else has them. You might think your friends are powerful by the job they hold, but you don’t see the struggles that go on in the office. Their house is incredible and perfect for entertaining, but on the inside the family is full of turmoil and bitterness.

I was visiting with a friend recently and we were talking about just these situations. We seem to want what we don’t or can’t have. We began talking about spiritual gifts and how many of us fall into that trap of not being satisfied with what God has gifted us with. How sad that must be for God? He has specifically given you the perfect spiritual gift that He needs you to have to reach others.

All these (spiritual gifts) are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He (God) gives them to each man as He determines. 1 Corinthians 12:11

Have you ever given one of your children a gift they didn’t like? I have and it just crushes your heart and soul.

Read to the end of Chapter 12 and you see you can’t have all the gifts. However, you can eagerly desire the greater gift!

You’re thinking there it is – you knew there was a greater gift – there are gifts better than yours – and you want the greater one!

The greater gift, my friend, is love. LOVE!

Be happy, satisfied and appreciative of the gifts and strengths God has gifted you with and use them to encourage others. Use your gifts in LOVE!

But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but HAVE NOT LOVE, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:3

I say all this to remind myself this morning. God has made it apparent it’s time to begin writing my next Bible study book. This is such an emotional process for me.

I’m your adventurous, spontaneous, and on-the-go kind of girl. To sit behind this computer – well, it’s not my favorite cup of tea.

I am deciding from this day forth that I will write in love – in love because this is a precious gift that God Himself has given me. I want to be grateful and appreciative. Mostly, I want to be used by Him to reach others.

Hey, my grass is already looking greener!

Be amazed! God has gifted you in very special ways. Use those gifts in love.

Summer Reading Program

Do you remember book mobiles? I do. I remember growing up and during the summer the Book Mobile would come by our neighborhood. The old library bus would come down our street and my best friend and I would be there waiting. It would be scorching hot and as we entered the bus it was cool, damp and smelt of old musty books. I can still smell it.

While I don’t have a Book Mobile that comes through my neighborhood, I still love summer reading. I usually stock up on a handful and count the days until I can laze by the pool with a book and highlighter. Pure heaven! (I have to have a pen or highlighter when I read, do you?)

My daily reads are:
The One Year Bible (I changed versions this year – love it!)
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
God Calling (edited by AJ Russell)

I just finished reading: (these are MUST reads – incredible)
The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus
Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley
Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby

My summer reading program:
Finding Our Way Again by Brian McLaren
The 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell
The Tabernacle: Shadows of the Messiah by David Levy
Irresistible Revolution - living as an ordinary radical by Shane Claiborne

While I take a few days to conquer some writing deadlines (prayers would be appreciated), please let me know what you’re reading. We can learn from each other. There are so many incredible books out there. Amazing!

Remember “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”

Join the summer reading program.

Because You Say So Continued

Questions. Questions.

That’s all I had for awhile. OK – I still have some today. It seems the more I rely on Christ, the more questions I have.

When Speaking Thru Me Ministries (STMM) contacted me, I had begun studying Experiencing God again. I knew I wanted to experience God, claim Him as Jehovah-Jireh, and minister in a way that was authentic to me, my personality and my purpose. Leigh suggested I read The Barbarian Way by McManus. That book totally described the kind of faith I want to have – raw, untamed and unleashed. No more status quo.

I realized, STMM is a perfect fit for me. A ministry built on crazy faith! A ministry God has called to function in an unconventional way so He can move in extraordinary ways in others lives.

STMM provides churches of any size a professional speaker. STMM sees that those churches and organizations needing professional Christian speakers will be able to have them, regardless of their ability to pay. STMM is a free-speaker service.

Crazy? Barbaric? Insane? Right? However, it just fires me up! Imagine working with a team that is that sold out to what God is calling them to do – even when it doesn’t make sense. It’s going where God calls you, no matter the cost. Utterly amazing! It will be risky, adventurous, uncertain, and unlimited with possibilities.

As I continue to seek God’s direction about my purpose in light of this ministry, He is opening doors and providing resources needed. It’s nuts – but I love it!

Lives are being encouraged. Lives are being changed. I am truly experiencing God working in my life. He leaves me breathless. He certainly is Jehovah-Jireh!

It’s crazy!

But because You say so . . . Lord, I’m with You.
Because You say so . . . I will follow.
Because You say so . . . I will not question.
Because You say so . . . You will provide.
Because You say so . . . lives will be changed.

Lord, I’m totally amazed at Your amazing ways!

Because You Say So

What a great day! I am pumped, positively stoked and totally amazed!

I have been accepted as part of the speaking team at Speaking Thru Me Ministries. This is such a God thing. Our incredible team just had our first telephone conference call. What a blessing to hear voices from all over the United States. These voices (my new friends) love the Lord passionately and seek to obey Him wholeheartedly – that came through loud and clear over the phone.

As we closed our conference call, Leigh shared a short devotional with us. It was just what I needed to hear. The message was from Luke 5:1-11. The key words that caught my spirits attention were “because You say so.” Read today's devotional.

Simon is saying, “I’ve been fishing all night here and haven’t caught anything, BUT BECAUSE YOU SAY SO LORD, I’ll try one more time.” Of course we know he brought in a boat load of fish because he obeyed and did what seemed crazy.

I’ve tried to be mindful of doing what the Lord says to do even when I don’t want to. I have to say, it’s been a wild adventure! I've experienced God doing what I didn't want to do. At times, it's also seemed crazy.

Lately, I’ve been listening for the Lord with both ears. I’ve had some questions and struggles with things I was unclear about. I know God has called me to write, speak and mentor women. Knowing this has come from many hours before the Lord and is an ongoing process. It excites me to no end. However, knowing this has also brought many questions to mind. I want to obey because He says so - but . . .

Why is ministry so expensive? Money for conferences, editors, critiquers, publishing, travel, web sites, etc. Literally, the list goes on and on.

Then there’s – if I’m called to minister to women as Christ did, what is the dollar value? How do you comprise speaking fees? Why do you need speaking fees? Can anyone show me where anyone in the Bible charged for sharing Christ’s love?

If I’m called to minister – isn’t that inside the church walls, as well as outside, as well as in town and out-of-town? Isn’t it harder to mentor women via long distance? Isn’t this my life's purpose and not my business?

As you can see, there are questions galore. Tomorrow, I’ll share more about Speaking Thru Me and how this ministry is bringing clarity to all my questions. For now . . .

I’m praying. I’m listening. I’m rejoicing. I’m amazed!

Unashamed!

Last night was Blake's final High School Talent Show. Sad, I know! He (with strep throat) and three other senior guys entered as a band. Blake was excited because he was going to drum. He’s usually the guitarist. Their band was the last performance of the show and they sang “How He Loves Me”.

You can probably tell by the title it is a worship song. Think about it, a worship song at a public school talent night. How would that go?


I have to say, I was not prepared for what my eyes saw. Oh my, I am still speechless today.

As the curtain opened up one of the band members stepped forward and said this wasn’t about them or glorifying them. They were there to glorify God (the crowd cheered) and if anyone had questions they should come talk to any of the four of them. WOW. Boldness, right there at the talent show!

As the band began playing, people started standing all over the auditorium. (I think I cried first.) Then huge groups of youth headed for the front and lined up at the foot of the stage. Swaying back and forth with hands raised in the air these kids and adults were worshipping God. Amazing! The Spirit of God was alive and present in that assembly.

Just visualize it – it will bring tears to your eyes. It did mine.





These guys (worship leaders) are bold, courageous and unashamed! They will be making a difference in this generation. I should pray for such character in my own life.



These four guys will lead worship for a couple of hours at BURN 24/7. BURN will begin May 30th in Corpus beginning at 6:00 p.m. and will continue for 24 hours through Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Email Rachel for more information.

Talent Show note: The band was critiqued by a panel of judges, and the people voted as well. Last night, the judges placed the band third. But today at school they announced the People’s Choice First Place Award went to Blake, Garl, RJ, and Cody! Awesome job, guys! You rock because God is your Rock.

These kids amaze me! God is amazing! I’m still amazed!

Spring Cleaning 101

It’s that time of year again – Spring – and I’m loving it. Spring ushers in such a newness and freshness to the year. The cool, crisp mornings are awesome. The air beckons you to breathe deeper, slow down and clean. Oops, did I say clean? I thought spring cleaning was something my mother invented, but no it has a history all its own.

Online Definition: Spring cleaning is the period in spring when time is set aside for cleaning a house. The most common usage of spring cleaning refers to the yearly act of cleaning a house from top to bottom which would take place in the first warm days of the year typically in spring, hence the name. However it has also come to be synonymous with any kind of heavy duty cleaning or organizing enterprise. A person who gets their affairs in order before an audit or inspection could be said to be doing some spring cleaning.

One possible origin: Spring cleaning can be traced to the ancient Jewish practice of thoroughly cleansing the home in anticipation of the spring-time holiday of Passover. During this eight-day holiday there was a strict prohibition against eating anything which may have been leavened. Therefore, observant Jews conduct a thorough cleaning of the house, followed by a traditional hunt for chametz (leavened food stuff).

I’m learning there is so much more to spring cleaning than I ever imagined. I’ve been called to a strict cleaning season this year to get my affairs in order, to rid my home of dirt, and to conduct a thorough clean-up of all that lies around my home that is forbidden. Yes, this will take some serious and organized efforts. My home, my heart and God’s temple are in need of a serious sweeping, dusting and polishing.

This spring I’ll be hanging out in the temple. Actually, I’ll be tackling the temple. It will certainly be a Spring Cleaning 101 class. I have so much to learn about the temple, my heart and my home. One thing is for sure – a cleaning has begun. Spring Cleaning! Believe it or not, I’m not growling! I’m enthusiastically enthralled.

Psalm 69:9 has captivated me, “Passion for your house has consumed me.”

Today, I have a renewed passion for His house, a temple to sweep, and a home to clean. Girls, I’m in dire need of some cleaning suggestions. Care to share?

Jesus in Real Life

Don’t you love those moments when you plan, plan, and plan for something and then you finally have the opportunity to see the finished product? You stand there amazed as the end piece is more than you could have asked or imaged.

I had such an experience last night. We were rehearsing for our Easter service, Jesus in Real Life. I was fortunate enough to be on the planning team and we had spent many hours planning, praying and visualizing. God came through BIG time. Actors, actresses, band, stage hands, directors and sound guys were all on.

After the service someone came up and said how awesome it was to see “real life” on stage. They loved that we were addressing what we face in the world today. I took that as a blessed confirmation that the meaning and purpose of the service came across. Jesus in real life. Yes!

Shouldn’t that be what we are about every time our church doors open? Shouldn’t we address and talk about what we face day in and day out? Can't we talk about the struggles of living in this world, not just the struggles of reading our Bibles everyday? Shouldn’t we get real and be authentic every Sunday? Actually, every day of our life for that matter? Shouldn't we show that the church is real and alive?

Being real is being approachable. If a stranger walks in our church doors or meets me on the street I want to be real. I want them to know I struggle with the same things they do. How can I not? I live in the same world as they do.

Lord, help me become real and authentic. Bring those that need to see this service this weekend. Thank you for touching my heart last night. Thank you for services like this where we can get real, get honest, and get Jesus! Amen.

If you are in Corpus Christi come join us at Christ Point Church. You will be touched!

Easter Blessings,

My God Purpose

One of the books I am working through right now is Chazown by Craig Groeschel. It is an incredible book. Seriously, you need to get it!

I stalled out in the beginning by the intimidation of writing my epitaph. But, I did it. Yea me! To be that purposeful in my life takes such focus. I'm talking focus!

There's a plaque hanging in my office that says, “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” However, I don’t want to live my purpose, because I'm good at coming up with all kinds of things I’d like to do. Can anyone relate? Today, I want to live my Chazown, my God purpose.

Chazown is the Hebrew word for dream, revelation, or vision.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18

God calls me to live His purpose, the one He gave me when He created me. I’m trying, I’m practicing and I’m learning to live purposefully with His vision.

It’s an amazing journey.

How about you? Do you wonder what your purpose is or do you know your Chazown? Was it an amazing journey for you to find your purpose?

I’d love to hear about it!