Audacious Faith

What does it mean to have audacious faith? I've been reading a book called Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick and it's basically about having so much faith..... you could ask God for anything! Like asking him to make the sun stand still as Joshua did in the bible. Just when the Amorites were waiting  for the cover of darkness, that darkness never came. The sun did not set for another full day. Can you imagine having faith like that? God chose to answer Joshua's outrageous prayer and he expects us to have that same faith that dares to believe God for the impossible in our everyday life. Have you ever tried to achieve a task that you thought was beyond your abilities? You would think after 40 years Joshua would be ready to give up but his audacious faith allowed him to overcome his doubt and ask God to reset our solar clock. Pretty amazing huh?

We can have faith like that too if you know what to pray for. Is what you want in your life for the glory of God or biblically based? Before you ask God to do the impossible.....know what your motives are. Recently I have decided to go on a mission trip to Haiti. There is about 18 of us going and while we are down there we will be doing basic medical checks, dental work, vacation bible school, a food drive and more. One couple is going to adopt a child. But one of the main reasons for our visit is to build a house for a man named Bobby and his family. They lost their house in the earthquake. Bobby helps take care of the orphanage owned by our sister church. Raising the money for this project seemed impossible at first but through audacious faith and some really great church members working behind the scenes, we get closer and closer everyday to making this prayer a success! It is amazing what a group of people with a mission for God can get accomplished.

I know that I am going to do some work and tell some kids about Jesus but in the end I ALSO know that I will truly be the one getting blessed. So wish me luck and if anyone would like to help us with donations you can send them to Buena Vista Baptist Church 3385 Kennedy Bridge Rd Lancaster, Ky 40444 (859) 548-2868 or you can contact me for more info at vanessa.sowders@yahoo.com. Thanks so much for your support and remember to be AUDACIOUS!

Why Do We Do What We Do?

 

Why do you do what you do? Does anyone know the answer? Is it because that's what your parents did or it is what you were taught it school? Why do people smoke when it says right on the package, "Using this product can kill you!" And yet, thousands upon thousands of people each day choose to light up or eat fatty foods or destroy personal relationships. It seems logical..... the difference between right and wrong but humans are driven by emotions that go way beyond sense and logic. Therein lays the problem.

Fear of failure is one of the strongest emotions know to man. Some people will behave as if they have no interest in improvement whatsoever to be able to avoid such a brutal emotion.  No one wants to look stupid in front of their peers and will avoid it, if at all possible, by not trying at all. While others are every bit as fearful of success. It seems a bit contradictory but some people fear what success might bring into their life.  They may have to change friends, they may have to change careers, leave a relationship, move to a new area or give up long held beliefs or habits. Others may fear the responsibilities which might come with that success or may be worried that if they achieve a high level now that this will become the new norm or standard and aren’t sure they want to keep working that hard. 

So what is it that makes a difference in peoples lives? What shapes a person's ability to contribute to society?

Why is it that you can give a person everything they need to achieve a specific goal such as an education, money, time and support and in the end they still haven't accomplished anything but you can take someone else who has been abused physically or mentally and they become some of the worlds biggest contributors? These are some of life's biggest questions.

I believe however, with the right emotion, anything can be possible. The hungry can be fed, the wounded healed and unbelieving made to believe. But beyond the physical needs of humans, such as food and water, the next most important need is the need to be understood or to be recognized. Other main needs are: certainty, significance, variety, connection/love, growth and contribution. These needs are all connected to fulfillment. Regardless of which need tops your list remember........A life fulfilled is one that gives beyond itself.

The In Betweens

I really don't like the in betweens of life. Like the weather we are having right now. One day it's 70 degrees and the next day it's 40 with a chance of snow. What the heck?! We are in between Spring and Winter and Winter is putting up a pretty good fight as its seems to me. Or how about the dust that gets between the washer and dryer or the dirt between your little kid's toes or better yet........ that dang popcorn kernel that gets stuck waaaay back in the back between your teeth! Unfortunately, when I was younger, I always dated the guy who was in between jobs at the moment or in between relationships. And don't you just hate in when u drop your car keys in between the seats where you can't reach with your hand (especially when you're running late) and you have to fashion something into a tool really quick to shimmy them out?  Or the last blind date your best friend set you up on and he turned out to be a cross between Freddie Kruger and Pee Wee Herman? How about  getting stuck between a rock and a hard place?  Yes....these are the betweens I'm talking about folks.

And then there are the things that no one should ever get between. For instance......me and my morning coffee. Or me and chocolate chip cookies. Yes, that could possibly be cause for injury. Just saying......

How Happy Are You?

I believe I have always been blessed. I have made it through some really hard times before that have left me bitter and angry at the world. But then I would tell myself to suck it up because there is always someone out there who has it worse than me. Although this was probably true, more often than not, I just wasn't all that happy. I had a lot to be happy about. I always managed to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table even though I was a single parent. I had a nice house, drove a descent car; I had my health; I had friends. I was close to my family. But still.... certain things set me off like a raving lunatic! I snapped at the kids or my boyfriend. I lost my temper easily, felt insecure and even dejected at times for no reason really.

I always figured I would find a way to make my life exactly the way I thought it should be. I'd dress up more and quit wearing sweats so much. I'd make more of an effort to remember people's birthdays. I wouldn't let the kids eat cereal 24/7 or watch so much TV or I'd spend more time laughing and having fun. I had been to the doctors office more than once trying to find a way to feel better about myself. Antidepressant after antidepressant, nothing worked for long. Either I wanted to sleep all the time or I was so chilled out I didn't even care what was going on around me. Suddenly, I realized that I wasn't depressed or suffering from a mid-life crisis. I was simply discontent. Sometimes I would look around and wonder, "Is this really my life?" And although I was dissatisfied and felt as if something was missing, I still never forgot how lucky I was.

I can remember times when I couldn't sleep well and I would just wander from room to room looking at my little angels asleep in their beds without a care in the world. We had everything we needed. Actually we had more than most, so why was I failing to appreciate it?

Now, I understand that most people can not agree on what makes a person happy but we can agree that everyone could be happier if they put forth a little effort. Studies show that happy people are more productive, helpful, interesting, resilient, healthier and likable. Happy people make better friends, lovers, colleagues and citizens. I wanted to be one of those people. I wanted to be more patient, more energetic, more forgiving, more spiritual even. And what could I lose by working on my own happiness but possibly bring happiness to someone else as a result?

I changed a few things in my life that has definitely been for the best. Instead of doing everything myself, I let someone help me. Instead of keeping personal relations at arms length, I let my boyfriend love me who is now my husband. I acquired a better relationship with God, which was the most important thing I ever did. I am more open to new things and try to get out of my comfort zone on occasion. I changed jobs and took some college courses. I am a better listener and try to see things from my kids point of view. I have a dinner once a month and invite the whole family over. It keeps us close and THAT makes me happy.

Everyone's approach to what makes them happy is unique but everyone around you can benefit from it. Ask yourself these questions:

• What makes you feel good about yourself?
• What are sources of irritation, boredom or frustration for you?
• Do you wish you could change  your job or go back to school?
• Are you living up to your life's expectations?
• Does your life reflect your values?
• Is there something you always wanted to try?

Make lists. Write it down. Remind yourself that you are worth it and you deserve to be happy or maybe just a little happy-er. Whatever the reason.....Get Happy!

Balance

How many of us truly have balance in our lives? In today's society, I'm sure the answer to that is not many. Most of us have entirely too many irons in the fire at once. My pastor liken it to one of those jugglers you see on TV with the spinning plates. He sets his stick down and starts spinning the plate and once its going really good, he starts another, then another until he's got about 10 plates going at once.......but wait.....the first plate is getting a little wobbly so the juggler runs back to it to get it spinning fast again. I have felt like that a lot in my life with a job, 3 kids and marriages to keep going. Yes, I said marriages. I unfortunately have been married three times now. What can I say? I suppose I was never really THAT good at juggling. In the words of one of my favorite bands (Three Doors Down) " And all these little things in life they all create this haze. There’s too many things to get done, and I’m running out of days." I love that song and it perfectly describes how I feel at certain moments.

Sometimes though, when I have a minute to catch my breath, I remember that Bro. Wood said there are 5 ways to achieve balance in your life.

1) Mental Balance: Romans 12:2  says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
2)Body: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in you body and in your spirit, which are God's."

3)Spiritual: 2nd Peter 3:18 says, "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."
4) Emotional: Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is now law."
5) Social: Matthew 6:14-15 says, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses"

So, in a nutshell don't try to fit into this world's mold. Be yourself.....there's no one else like you. Take care of your body. Try to eat right to improve quality of life. Study your bible. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Strive to maintain contentment and stability within yourself and don't hold grudges. Work on broken relationships. And remember, God can fix anything you have torn apart. There is nothing that we face in everyday life that there is not a verse that can give you the answers you seek. There will always be something to apply to your problems.

Fell in Love

I remember the first time I fell in love. I mean really fell in love, not your average puppy love type. This was relentless, unconditional and all consuming love. It was cold outside, there was snow on the ground and I was 20 years old. On January 18, 1993 I gave birth to the most perfect baby girl. She was beautiful and sweet and my life would never be the same. I had never really thought much about anyone but myself until her. I named her Brooke Skyler and  I was hooked and totally obsessed. Just watching Brooke sleep brought me great joy. I couldn't get anything done because all I wanted to do was hold her. I simply couldn't believe that she was real and that I created something so amazing. Brooke's tiny hands would wrap around my finger while she was nursing. She made little noises and squirmed and wiggled. She was my whole world and I would die for her.

I thought I had known what love was before. I had boyfriends growing up and I had been married for about 2 years when Brooke was born. I remember when I had told my boss I was getting married he asked me the strangest question. He said, "Vanessa would you take a bullet for this man?"  I kinda looked at him funny and said, "Uh......of course!" He said that I hesitated when I answered him and if I was really in love I would die for this person. He told me that I shouldn't get married so young and to wait a few more years. I never could figure out why he would ask me such a question until I became a mother. Until I became a mother I never could imagine loving someone more than I did myself but the instant Brooke was born life as I knew changed.

I believe there is all kinds of love in the world. I love my husband, my friends, my family and my dog but a love between a mother and her child is limitless. Its love in the purest form. Nothing or no one can change it.

My baby is now 18 today and I still look at her like the day I met her for the first time. I'm sure she thinks I'm crazy but she will always be my little Brookie Bear no matter how old she gets and one day she will know how I feel when she has a baby of her own. She showed me how to love unconditionally. She allowed me to make the world more beautiful with her presence and she made me a better person.

I remember the first time I fell in love....... I mean really fell in love. It was a cold snowy day in January and I was  20 years old. It was real.........precious ......and called Brooke........Happy Birthday Baby :0) I love you!

Say What You Need To Say

Other than physical survival, the greatest human need is the need to be understood, validated or appreciated. Communication experts estimated we only communication ten percent with words, thirty percent with sounds and the rest or sixty percent with body language. But how much of what we want to say is communicated through our hearts. One of the most difficult things for me to do sometimes is to say what I need to say. But to live a life with less regret, I have to start revealing my heart. To say what I need to say when the opportunity comes is a difficult yet my greatest fear is relationships messed up by things left unsaid.

 

Lines of communications are breaking down theses days although people talk all the time but very few are hearing each others words, let alone unspoken messages and feelings. Although we possess  computers, iphones and other mobile networking gadgets most  communication is non-verbal, things like facial expressions, hand and body gestures. Unfortunately  by using the above modern means of communications we have at our disposal, we are only expressing about twenty percent of what we are trying to convey and we are also only able to receive twenty percent of what is being conveyed to us.

It is really important for me to express my feelings to the key people in my life. Sometimes what I'm saying doesn't always come out the way I intended. And in turn, especially with my kids, I have to work really hard to listen to them intently and see things through their eyes. However, to really listen you must first open your hearts before you open you mouth. You must first seek to understand, then be understood.

Listen emphatically. This means to listen with the intent to understand. Listening takes time but if you can take the time now to listen to a love one then you will save yourself a lot of time down the road trying to repair a relationship. Apart from time and listening emphatically we must share our troubles. For people to see my heart, I have to admit my mistakes and share my needs.

Tell the truth, truth means trust. Great relationships and great organizations are built on trust, and to build trust, you must tell the truth. We must be willing to tell the truth but also temper it with grace. If you are angry, talk about it. If you feel hurt, talk about it. If you have a strong opinion, share it. If you respect others, speak the truth. Of course truth is messy sometimes but it will build trust and strengthen the foundation of the relationship.

Finally, say what you need to say to God. Call on God and seek his guidance to help you connect with people in your life. God says, "Call me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 Be honest and if you cannot find the words, ask Him to give you the words. True communication is about connecting, sharing and understanding. We must be willing to open our hearts to listen and identify unspoken needs of others.

Take all of your wasted honor

Every little past frustration

Take all of your so-called problems

Better put 'em in quotations

Walking like a one man army

Fighting with the shadows in your head

Living out the same old moment

Knowing you'd be better off instead

Have no fear for giving in

Have no fear for giving over

You'd better know that in the end

Its better to say too much

Then never say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking

And your faith is broken

Even as the eyes are closing

Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say.

~John Mayer