"In the Blink of an Eye"

Ok-so today I’m driving home from work (is it me, or does it seem like the Lord is trying to speak to me on my way to and from work?) and for the first time, I really pay attention to the song that is playing on the radio. I’ve heard this song before, but it wasn’t until this afternoon that the words really hit home:

“In the Blink of an Eye” by Mercy Me

"You put me here for a reason
You have a mission for me
You knew my name and You called it
Long before I learned to breathe
Sometimes I feel disappointed
By the way I spend my time
How can I further Your kingdom
When I'm so wrapped up in mine

In the blink of an eye, that is when
I'll be closer to You than I've ever been
Time will fly, but until then
I'll embrace every moment I'm given
There's a reason I'm alive for a blink of an eye

And though I'm living a good life
Can my life be something great?
I have to answer the question
Before it's too late
If I give the very best of me,
That becomes my legacy
So tell me what am I waiting for?
What am I waiting for?"

I don’t know about you, but I have found these words to be quite powerful. “You put me here for a reason; You have a mission for me.” WOW! As I listened, the question that kept popping in my mind was, how many women actually believe this? Do they truly believe that the Lord has them here for a reason and that He has a specific mission for them (see the story of Esther for encouragement)?

The song goes on to say that “sometimes I feel disappointed by the way I spend my time.” Been there done that! How about you? Are there times that you just feel as though you are “wasting” away the time the Lord has given you? At the end of any given day when you get into bed, have you sat there and thought, what did I accomplish today that was of value? I have to tell you the truth-those kinds of days disappoint me.

Lastly, I love the ending of this song, “And though I’m living a good life, can my life be something great? I have to answer the question before it’s too late. If I give the very best of me, that becomes my legacy. So tell me what am I waiting for? What am I waiting for?” So many times as women, we get caught up in living the comfortable, good life when the reality is that God has so much more for us. But yet, we continue to push to the side that calling because we feel as though we don’t have the time, money, or resources. Many times it requires a step of faith. When God calls you to something, He will provide a way. We just have to learn to trust Him and give Him control.

So here are my questions:

What dreams and aspirations do you have?
What's keeping you from going after those dreams?

Can't wait to read your responses!

Jen

How Often & How Hard Do You Laugh?

Laughter breaks the chains perfectionism, control, manipulation, and bitterness. It also breaks down barriers with others, especially if you learn to laugh at yourself. By the way, if you can't belly laugh yet, practice! It's a stress release and freedom worth gold. Ask God to teach you to laugh. It will help you put your life into perspective. Smile and laugh, alone and with others, ever chance you get.

Smiles, Chuckles, and Belly Laughing

Think about what makes you laugh. Is it your pets, wholesome comedy routines, television bloopers, or costume parties? Is it toddlers' quizzical facial expressions or your teenaged daughter's dramatic reenactment of conversations with her friends? Do you laugh at political satire, practical jokes, comic strips, or home videos?

How often and how hard do you laugh?

Scripture to Ponder:

Thanksgivings will pour out of the windows;
laughter will spill through the doors.
Things will get better and better.
Depression days are over.
They'll thrive, they'll flourish.
Jeremiah 30:19 (MSG)

From Dr. Katie Brazelton's book, "Praying for Purpose" (pg 202-204).

"Sacred Obsession" by Becky Tirabassi

Beginning the week of March 26th, we're going to start reading and discussing "Sacred Obsession" on this blog. As we've been discussing in the comment section, this book is all about becoming what we chase after. If we chase after God, we become more like Him! It is a small book and quick read, with a huge message that has the potential to transform your life.

I hope that this can be an experience where we learn and grow from one another. So, get the book and start reading.

Published Articles by Blooming Ministries

"Living a Balanced Life" Exhausted? Overloaded? Balance!
By Kelly Thorne

Life moves swiftly and we run frantically to keep up with it. Just the other day, a friend laughed at me for trying to lift a three-pound weight to exercise my arms, while I was blow drying my hair. I was shocked at her reaction. Doesn't everyone multi-task like that? I didn't dare tell her that I actually answer a few e-mails every time she calls and stays on the phone too long! Such constant motion indicates that we may not be pausing enough to regularly examine our lives or ask ourselves how our lives mirror what God desires for us. Today, I challenge you to pause and evaluate your life's pace. Are you exhausted by expectations or thriving in your purpose? Let's take a look at two extreme types of women that you and I have either met or may have even become ourselves! Read More

"Growing in Your Relationship with God"
By Jennifer Bennett

Do you remember how you felt the first time you fell in love? Odds are, you smiled a lot and longed to spend more time with your loved one. When you think about your growing relationship with God, do you notice that, in many ways, it resembles the relationship of couples in love? They love learning more about each other. When they can't see each other, they miss each other; their hearts long for their mate with excitement and anticipation. Read More

A Glimmer of What Is to Come

The other day I was driving my usual route to work, when I came across the renovation of a local downtown theatre. On the outside of the theatre a sign was posted that said, "A Glimmer of What Is to Come". As I pondered this sign, I started thinking about my personal walk with Christ. How many times does Christ try to tell me these exact words, but yet, I don't hear Him because I allow the noise of everything else around me to get 100% of my attention? How many times have I been so focused on what I hope for in the future that I fail to see how God is using me now to make a difference?

As women, it is so easy to think thoughts such as:

· Well, if only I had … (fill in the blank) my life would be much better
· If I only had one more hour a day, life would be much easier
· If I could only get that other job, life would be great
· If I only had the house down the street, I’d be so much happier
· If I only had some extra money, I could accomplish so much more in life

So many times we tend to focus on the “if only” thoughts which cause us to miss out on what God is doing in our lives today and what it is that He is trying to show us. I feel that so many times the Lord is saying, “If you would keep focused on Me, I will give you a glimpse of what is to come in your life.” Yet, we tend to wonder why the Lord is not using us in certain ways or why we have to experience the daily circumstances that come up. We spend so much time focusing on what we don’t have and what we want, that we lose sight of what the Lord is doing right now in our lives.

One of my all-time favorite movie clips comes from the Karate Kid. In the movie, Daniel has decided to allow Mr. Miyagi to teach him Karate so that he can defend himself from some kids who are taking great joy in bullying him in a variety of ways. Well, Mr. Miyagi decides to have Daniel do a variety of “activities” including fence painting and car washing. At one point, Daniel gets so upset that he decides to let Mr. Miyagi know how he feels; he feels like a slave to Mr. Miyagi. It is then that Mr. Miyagi shows Daniel that in every “activity” he has accomplished, he has been learning a variety of Karate moves. Daniel ends up walking away ashamed for his outburst, yet he is amazed by his teacher.

How many times do we tend to act like Daniel? We get so fed up with our current place in life, that we yell out to God wondering what He’s doing in our lives. We get so fed up that we begin thinking about all those “if only’s” that we think would make our lives so much better and in turn, we try to take control of our lives; all the while, the Lord is whispering to us, “If you would focus your attention on Me, not only would I show you how I am using you this day, but I would also give you a glimpse of what is to come in your life.” Oh Jesus, how we have failed You! Daniel’s trust in his teacher began to fade, that is, until his teacher made it perfectly clear to him that he knew what he was doing. In the end, Daniel becomes one of the best Karate competitors; something he would have never imagined when he was painting fences and washing cars.

So, here’s my question to you; do you tend to act like Daniel? Are you willing to trust God and in that trust, allow Him to use you the way He wants to use you today? Are you willing to make yourself available to Him today and in turn, shut out all the noise around you and wait patiently for Him to whisper in your ear, “Hold on, I want to give you a glimpse of what is to come in your life?”

How is God Developing Your Character?

Do you know how a pearl develops? It happen when a foreign substance slips into an oyster between it's mantle and shell. This irritates the oyster, much like a splinter might bother you. The oyster reacts to cover up and protect itself from the irritant with layers of natural substance, eventually forming a pearl.

God has a similar process for developing character. You sometimes experience irritants through physical and emotional pain, or through trials, temptations, or delays. When you react in a godly way to such mild or severe irritants , an extraordinary character is formed in you. You may feel as though God has been using heavenly sandpaper, instead, to shape your character! With either method, He has probably been taking full advantage of life's rigorous and varied situations to help you grow spiritually, because good character is critical to fulfilling His plan for your life.

God Is An Expert At Shaping Character

Have you been dealing with particularly difficult people lately? If so, perhaps you are learning about the importance of patience. Is God asking you to tithe to teach you obedience, commitment, and generosity? Has He allowed you to remain in a situation in which you have said, "My back is against the wall," so you would learn to trust Him? Has an unfair decision taught you about wisdom and honesty? Has suffering invited humility along?

How is God Developing Your Character?

Phillip Needed His Character Developed

Phillip, one of the twelve apostles, was sometimes a skeptic who could not express a firm belief about the power of Jesus. So, Jesus tested him to help develop him as a man of faith and conviction. Read John 6:5-12. If you could tell God how you would like your next character trait developed, what process would you suggest He use?

Scripture to Ponder:

"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptible to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)

What Insight, Prayer, or Action Step Has God Laid on Your Heart Today?

Exert taken from "Praying for Purpose" by Dr. Katie Brazelton (pg 97-100)