Do You Stand Out ?

November 18, 2012 by 4 Comments

I woke up early this morning and wanted to jot down what the Lord was sharing with me.

 

The Standout Principle

 

A principle based on scripture. Basically throughout Jesus' life He ministered to, healed, transformed, the lives of those who stood out from the crowd. The ones who were willing to get in front of him, the ones who got his attention, the ones who traveled great distances to see him, those were his people.

 

I especially love the man who shouted and shouted and shouted out for healing. In spite of the many requests of people around him to shut up, be quiet, don't trouble the man with your problems, he insisted on being heard. And what happened? Click here to read the story.

 

Another story is the woman who risked it all, embarrassment, even ridicule. Jesus called her a "dog". She still remained in front of him. She was not going to run away from the very place she knew the answer existed. There was no other answer for her. So she persisted. What happened? Click here to read the story.

 

 

How about a much more subtle stand? The story of the young maiden who was highly favored to carry the kings of kings in her womb. She was described as blessed among women. She did not shout, or press through crowds, or anything drastic like that, however she still stood out. Her way of living stood out to God. Her refusing the temptations to live her own life, was a more subtle form of a standout, but a standout no less. Click here to read the story.

 

Each of us are wired different. Some of us are busy and active, so it is likely that our actions will standout. Through some form of outward expression. Some of us are quiet and reserved so it is likely that our quiet actions or the things that we don't say will cause a standout. Our standout expression reflects an inward stand an inward conviction.

 

No matter how God created us, we are all called to standout.

 

The scripture ask us - do we light a candle and then hide it under a basket?

We are supposed to standout.
You are supposed to stand out.

 

Not for your own fame. Not so that people know your name. Not so that you get all the glitz and the glory, but so that God does.

 

After all, it's His light in you that causes you to standout in the first place. It's nothing that you did to earn the ability to stand out.

 

When we seek to standout for our own glory, it's not pretty, and it lacks grace. God's blessings add no sorrow. God's hand enables us, strengthens us, brings joy to our hearts.  

Gloating and self-praise only cheapens the standout and weakens our testimony. It causes us to struggle and toil and fight for everything we have and eventually our joy and strength are gone.

From me to you, for the glory of God, it's time for you to stand up and stand out!

Will you?

 

flower photo credit: rosswebsdale via photopin cc

dog photo credit: visualpanic via photopin cc

girl photo credit: Collin Key via photopin cc

Filed Under: Blog, Connect to God, Connect to Purpose

Trying to see around the curve is dangerous.

November 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment

 

When you're driving your eyes are constantly checking all around you. You look out the front window alternating short distances ahead and way off on the horizon. However, if you are traveling on a curvy road, the ability to see long distances is blocked. The curves are stopping you from seeing too far ahead. In those driving moments the best thing you can do is keep an eye on your speed and keep a watchful eye on the road because things are changing quickly. Because trying to see around the curve is dangerous.

 

The same is true in life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the cold hard truth!

You will make mistakes.

People will disappoint you.

Plans will fail and let you down.

Things will break or get lost.

We have a whole lot less control than we think.

 

Trying to see around the curve reflects fear.

 

I experience this at the beginning of each school year, as I prepare my home school plans. I fall into the trap of thinking T-H-I-S year, this year, my plans are gonna work. I fall into the delusion that I can look back over the past failures and somehow that will help me to see ahead. How does that make sense? How does the past help me to see around curves of the road ahead of me? They don't.

 

I so desperately want to avoid failure that I attempt to see ahead, around the curve in the road.

 

For some reason we are all trying to see ahead of where we are. We want to plan things out. Estimate our time of exit. Pull out before it all goes south. We don't want to lose, fail, or make a mistake in any way. But the truth is, the only guarantee worth focusing on, is trusting God. When we trust God, he calms our fears of failure and reassures of His care for us. He builds confidence in our steps and our path and we can release the need to know "Now!" and trust that we will know at the right time. He reminds us of all that He has already done for us, and in us, and He is not done with us yet.  He still has so much more he wants to do.

 

So yes, our journey is not always clear. Yes, there are curves in the road that prevent us from seeing around the bend, but it's always been that way by design. Now we get the chance to grow our faith, our trust in God. We get to walk securely, not because we have all the answers, but because we have trust in a God who does.

 

If He believes in you enough to bring it to you, trust Him enough to bring you through it. {tweet}

Do you trust that today?

 

Filed Under: Blog, Connect to God, Connect to Purpose, Home Manager Tips, Uncategorized

What’s for dinner? Should Not Bring A Grown Woman to Tears

November 4, 2012 by 4 Comments

True confession, I am an over-thinker! 

I can over-think at least one situation every single day.  I will often question myself after I make a decision. Was it the right decision? Should I have done more research? What about (fill in the blank)?

When you over-think, even the smallest tasks can seem overwhelming.  Second-guessing will destroy your confidence in an instant.  Don’t become that person standing in the grocery aisle staring like a deer in headlights at the toilet paper trying to decide if 2-ply or 3-ply is best. Just buy the toilet paper already!

Over-thinking will riddle you with self-doubt!

There are times when I allow myself to be overwhelmed with the many decisions I have to make in a single day.  My eyes glaze over and the simplest of choices can seem too hard to make.  After all, “what’s for dinner?” should not bring a grown woman to tears.  But it has.

  • Take some time to clear your head.  
  • Determine to make a decision.  
  • Commit to finish and make things happen.   

It may not be your best work, but sometimes done is better than perfect.  Remember this: Having cold cereal for dinner won’t ruin your children.

Your family is counting on you.  What they need from you will never happen if you are constantly second guessing your decisions. If you are not confident, your children can sense that in your words and actions and they won’t want to trust you.

When the “what ifs” come knockin’, remind yourself that this is not about you!  This is about your family!  This is about how you can best serve them!  You are THE expert in their eyes! Scary thought huh?

Focus on what’s really important, loving and serving your family.  You are going to make mistakes, you can’t avoid it.  So, trust God and make a move.

Are you an over-thinker?  Does it help or hinder you?

Filed Under: Blog, Connect to Purpose, Home Manager Tips

Are you raising the next Olympic athlete?

October 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment

There's an unspoken question among parents when we watch Olympic athletes or successful professional athletes such as Gabby Douglas or the Williams’ sisters. 

Could my child be next?

How are we to know?  Could we be depriving our child of "their" opportunity?  If so which opportunity- soccer, basketball, football, or is it piano, violin, or maybe it’s art, music or dance.  We are blessed with the curse of opportunity.  So many wonderful opportunities.  How do we choose?

In our attempt to expose our children to many opportunities, we can over-expose them to choices and create confusion.

Here are some guidelines to consider the next time you think about signing up for any classes.

  • What are your goals for your family?

There is a saying” If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there”.  Each family needs goals, a sense of purpose, a bigger mission to point towards.  Goals help us to make decisions about what is best for our family in all areas- physically, mentally, spiritually, and financially.

  • Can you afford the time commitment?

Not just the class each week, but the travel time, prep time, and at-home practice time.  The time involved with activities is greater than just the scheduled class or practice time.  There’s also practice time at home.  Not to mention travel time to and from games or performances.

  • What are the most important things your child needs right now?

Assess the needs of your child.  Take into consideration their age, attention span, and their current interests.  If your child is more interested in playing outside with friends than attending his next class, he may be telling you he doesn't need a structured lesson right now- he needs to run and get dirty.

  • Is this “opportunity” about your child, or your own self-interest?
  • Can you afford the financial commitment?
  • Is the coach, teacher, or instructor a person of character and integrity?
  • Is the benefit greater than the missed opportunities?

Missed opportunities = all of the other things that come up that you can’t do because of this activity.  For example, relatives come to visit, but they are only here a couple of days and you have practice schedules to maintain. Or you really want to spend this gorgeous afternoon at the park, but it's time to go to class.

If you have the next amazing athlete or musician, it’s a gift from God to enjoy, not a burden to endure.  If you find yourself burdened with commitments, hoping  your child won’t miss their “thing”, ask yourself if maybe the real thing they are missing is the space to discover their unique gift from God.

Filed Under: Blog, Connect to Purpose, Connect to Your Kids

Win a FREE book!

September 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I have a free copy of Shari Braendel's Book - "Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad" to give away!

This book has been referred to as "the go-to style guide for every woman."

"Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad covers everything from determining your body type and what clothes flatter which body, hair, makeup, finding the perfect pair of jeans, accessories, even which style of eye glasses flatter each face shape. This book is wonderfully practical and is written in an easy manner with common sense fashion advice all women can follow." - C. Kendall

How to Win:

  1. "Like" my A Powerful Moment Facebook page (1 entry)
  2. "Follow" me on Twitter (1 entry)
  3. Comment on at least 1 blog post (1 entry per comment)
  4. Share about my website via email, Facebook, or Twitter (each worth 1 entry)

For email, just email me and let me know you did it!

 

Entry deadline is this Friday, September the 28th!

Completed

The winner will be announced in next Monday's newsletter!

If you really want to take it to the next level,

sign up for her 5 week course. 

It starts on Tuesday October the 2nd- that's just one week away!!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Clothing Swap- Save the date!

September 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

UPDATE!!!!! 

New location!!!

Bethany Lutheran Church

3701 West Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78749

Thursday, October 18th from 1-3pm for the 7th Annual Clothing Swap.

This is an open gathering.

We would love to have you join us!

 

Start gathering your items and prepare to bring them to the swap.

The following items are welcomed:

clothing for the whole family, games, toys, baby items, books, etc.

 

All unclaimed items are donated to charity.

 

If your children are in need of some clothing, or if you are in need of more space in your

overflowing closets and drawers, this is a great opportunity.

 

 

Here's what to expect:

Gather up all of your family's outgrown-BUT-still-useful clothing, coats,

jackets, toys, books/curriculum, etc., and bring it all to 3701 West Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78749

 

 

Our goal this year is to make the "shopping" as easy as possible. Instead of making 1 big pile, we will have the following options:

 

GIRLS SIZES

0-24mos.,

2T-5T,

6 & 7,

8 & 9,

10 TO JUNIOR

WOMENS

BOYS SIZES

0-24,

2T-5T,

6 -12

MEN

MISCELLANEOUS

SHOES

Please PRESORT the items you will be bringing so that they can be put in the correct pile.
May God bless you in your giving and receiving.

Each mom is then free to collect any items that will be of use to her family.

We ask that there is a continued spirit of giving and sharing as we have experienced in the past.

This not the place for greed, hoarding,snatching or any other unfriendly conduct.

 

If your goal is to come and take the best items to resell, we kindly ask you to rethink your motives.

When you come to this event and see the community coming together with open hearts and open hands, giving to

meet the needs of one another, it should move you to want to do the same, not take advantage.

 

There are NO limits, there is NO cost.

We freely give and we freely receive at this event!!!

 

Once all the moms are done "shopping" @ around 3pm, we gather the leftovers to donate them to charity.

Each year most moms leave with arm loads and we still have piles to donate.

So bring plenty of bags to take home your goodies.

 

You are welcome to attend the swap even if you don't have items to contribute to the swap.

This is an opportunity to bless others as well as be blessed, so come.

The church is located in South Austin:

3701 West Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78749

Hope to see you on Thursday October 18th @ 1pm!

Be sure to bring a friend!!

In the past we have had anywhere from 40-60 or more families participate and it's growing every year.

 

Note: Stay tuned to this page for any updates, or subscribe to my newsletter and don't miss a beat!

Please forward this message and spread the word.

If you have any further questions, I would be happy to answer them. Otherwise, I'll see you at the swap!!

SUSAN

PS- Any and all volunteers are needed and appreciated the day of the event !

Thanks in advance.

Filed Under: Blog, Connect to Others, Connect to Purpose
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