Day 6: Monkey Bars - Risking Greatness

One Month To Live Transformational Journey

Life Lesson (from journal):"The only way to risk greatness is to trust God with all areas of your life...He wants us to trust Him to accomplish incredible things we could never achieve on our own."

Kerry Shook begins by talking about his son and his experience, hanging from the Monkey Bars. So he lifted his son onto the Monkey Bars to hang and he was so happy. He dangled there and eventually he started to become tired and wanted his father, Kerry Shook, to bring him down. Kerry Shook told his son to "let go and he would catch him", but his son became nervous and scared and didn't want to let go. Eventually he became so tired that he had to let go and his father, Kerry Shook, was there to catch him as he said he would. The boy became happy again and ran off to the swings.

My Answer: This day truly speaks to me because I still have a hard time letting go and letting God take care of things. I think sometimes thats because I have the strength, so I should do something to resolve a situation or circumstance, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I know that God gives me strength, commonsense, and the will, but I must understand that to trust Him means letting him go before me to prepare my next steps.

Something to ponder from journal: Imagine you were guaranteed pain-free success. Describe five great accomplishments you would love to pursue for God.

My Answer: One of mine was, doing missionary work in a needy country. There is so much violence going on in other countries and even close to our own borders, but I have always wanted to help others in third world countries. I could teach English or be a caregiver.

Leave yours in the comments section of this post. 

I thought these scriptures were great from the journal on understanding God's promises for success and protection over our lives. (John 10:27-30; Romans 8:31-39; 2Timothy 4:16-18)

My Summary of the scriptures:God wants to see me successful, but wants me to learn to lean on Him for that success. He wants me to trust that He is God and that He knows my goings and comings. He knows what is right for me and how I should reach the successes in my life. He will also protect me from the things seen and unseen. He is my shield.

Frankly speaking, I know this may sound a little too religious for some, but I can say personally that this is real. Over the past few days since really making myself vulnerable to this information of a "One Month To Live" mentality, I have saw how the little things I've done on one day, set me up for what I had to do the next day. My concept of "everything happens for a reason" is becoming more about my steps into the right direction toward multiple-purposed life. My desires to act, to live peacefully, to enjoy people and their talents, to share in happy times with my family, to provide to those in need, to trust God when I feel that He is the only one to trust. I have come to realize how my spiritual perspective on life is so important to my physical presence in this life. My connection to nature and other people who share my similar walk, are so important to my advancement. Being able to naturally connect with those similar spirits within other people in this life, leads me ultimately to the purpose God has for me. So, yes, this may appear too religious or outside of the box, but until we tap into our spiritual center of why we are here, we will continue to be lost to life and the trust we have in our God will be null and void.

Who can you trust? I've heard this before by some who have put their trust in girlfriends, boyfriends, husbands, wives, teachers, preachers, and even pets. However, when that trust was broken due to the imperfections of the flesh, they feel violated. The journal says, "Consider the statement, "To know God is to trust Him." Do you agree? Why or Why not? (See 2 Timothy 1:12, Ephesians 3:16-21.) 

My Answer: I agree, because if I really know God, I know that he really has my back and wants the best for me. He will not try to back-stab me or set me up for failure. He knows me better than anyone. Constant connection with Jesus is worth the faith-filled risks because first of all, what do I have to lose if he knows me better than anyone. He will not judge, but lead me to a better solution. So, I believe that is why I don't get too bothered by people who just don't get me, because I don't really expect them to. I am a unique being with a lot of complex levels and it would be crazy for someone to try when they have their own life to tend to. I know that God knows what he's working with because he molded me and that's why I can just live in this life and accept people for who they are and just keep on trekking until it's time to leave this life.

Today's Challenge
What's one risk you want to take for God? Write a list of pros and cons. What are the worst and best possible end scenarios?___________________________________________________.

Face Time
Okay, God, we both know what I've been putting off. And we both know why. I'm putting this situation in Your hands:_______________________________________________________.

That's all for today! Leave your feedback or comments.

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Day 5: Oxygen Mask - Breathing First

One Month To Live Transformational Journey

Life Lesson (from journal): "If you're going to make the most of your time on earth, living a no-regret lifestyle, then you need to engage fully with those around you...The only way to accomplish these goals of authentic living is first to take time and focus on yourself. If you're not healthy spiritually, physically, emotionally, and relationally, how can you move beyond yourself and invest in others?"

Kerry Shook begins today's lesson with an airplane drill that many of us may have heard about or watched being performed by flight attendants during travel. They say that if the pressure in the cabin becomes too extreme, then the oxygen masks will be released above your head and you are to put the mask on yourself FIRST, then small children. You may wonder why that is so....well, if you are going to help your small children or others around you, you have to be in good shape and not faint. This example explains how important it is for us to take care of ourselves first in a physical, spiritual, and emotional sense in order to help others or contribute to other people's lives.

From the journal: Take some time and do this, "Rewrite in your own words what Psalm 139:13-16 says about your body."

My Answer: To me, these verses let's me know that my body was perfectly and wonderfully made by God. I was not a mistake, but a purposeful body made and molded to do the preordained works of God before I even arrived in this life.

Ponder these questions from the journal:
1.Do your emotions ever get out of control and cause problems for you and/or others? 
Brainstorm some possible action steps toward self-control.
2.Do you sometimes put your emotions on hold and not allow yourself to express them?
Brainstorm some action steps you could take toward being more emotionally honest, yet still controlling your actions.
3.How do you see your spiritual health impacting your emotional health?
In what ways does spiritual health impact emotional health?

(Share your comments and answers to this post.)

Today's Challenge
Look back over your analysis of yourself and choose one goal for your physical health and emotional health to make a commitment to renew or work to change.
My Answer: For my physical health, I'm going to start getting more rest per night. I have a tendency to stay up until late and get 4 hours of sleep and still get up early the next morning. Its important to let my body renew itself during the sleeping process so I can heal, rejuvenate, and reset my physical, mental, and social dials. So, I'm starting with this tonight. It's going to be hard, but I'm going to give it my best. 

As for the emotional health goal, I need to work on reassessing my road-rage. I just can't stand driving in Los Angeles, CA because most people from LA can't drive and they jump right in front of you, don't use signal lights, sit at green lights looking at their cell phones, and don't let it rain because then we'll have a 6 car pile up, like I heard about this morning! Okay, see, I have work to do with this one...

That's why God is there to work with us during our constant conversations and constant confessions with Him. I can talk to him when the road-rage feels like it is creeping in. I try now to smile about it....wow, this will be a trying one...

If you live in Los Angeles, CA I would love to hear what you think and how you deal with the drivers. Or, if you have a comment on Day 5.

Day 4: Power Surge - Connecting With The Ultimate Source

One Month To Live Transformational Journey

Life Lesson (from journal): "We have to be connected to a power source beyond ourselves--a power source that never wavers, flickers, or leaves us in the dark. We have to move from willpower to the real power that comes from a connection to our Creator."

Chris Shook opens today's lesson talking about how dependent we are on power. If there is ever a flicker of light we are looking frantically for flashlights, candles or anything to give us a source of light. She also speaks about how important it is for us to have "Power" literally to do what we do each day, especially when it comes to making changes in our lives. However, we often try to make the changes with our own willpower and not with a dependence on God's power.

My Answer: I could really relate to this on Day 4, because I am a very independent person who will work hard as nails for what I want and hope for. I sometimes lose focus on the spiritual aspect that consumes me and that's when things seems to push me back to get into a perspective of how I reached a certain point in the first place. From the journal and the scripture they recommend, I understand how important it is to trust in God for guidance and also when I am just not 100%. Sometimes I get confused, frightened, exhausted, and even frustrated, but those are the times when I need to really consult God and get his perspective.

In the journal, they give two ways one can really stay connected to God everyday. To my surprise, it really isn't overly religious or anything, but really taking the time to have constant communication and constant confession. In the journal, it instructs that this can happen anywhere at anytime to yourself, or while you're driving, or you can relate this to how often you speak to your best friend or husband, children. You care for them so you're always talking to them about what's going on with you and that's what they are referring to.

I do tend to use constant communication when I'm on my way to an audition because I really need to get myself centered and ready. I know that when I do get an audition that it is totally meant to be and I need to capitalize on these opportunities that God gives me so I prepare myself. I really feel, especially, how important it is to seek God in constant communication because some days can really be a roller coaster or battlefield. Through prayer it gives me hope that He is with me in whatever decisions I have to make today and in the days to come. Some days all I can really do is send my questions to Him for a better understanding.

With constant confession, Chris Shook says that you don't have to go to your preacher, priest, or church to confess to God. He knows our thoughts and welcomes us to open our hearts to him. I can definitely believe this one because some days, I can be a firecracker like anyone else and leaning on God is the only way for me to refocus and get back on track. When you can't tell anyone else, even your best of the best, about your issues, then He is the one to go to because he won't judge, but will listen and bring a solution to the issue. That's why I always say that everything happens for a reason because I see how things just "magically" turns around for me and gives me new insight and light on things that may have me unsettled.

Face Time
Instead of posting Today's Challenge, I thought that the Face Time exercise in the journal would be great for you on today. Complete these phrases with your own personal need or want, etc.

1. God, I need Your help to stop relying on my own power instead of Yours. Especially when it comes to_________________________________________________________________________.

2. But Your wisdom is endless. Your abilities are boundless. And You care more about me than I can ever know. So I want to live in Your power today. You know what's on my heart right now, so I'm asking for Your help with________________________________________________________________.


If you want to leave feedback or a comment, I would love to hear what you come up with.

Day 3: Time Squared - Spending Your Most Valuable Resource

One Month To Live: Transformational Journey

Life Lesson (from journal): "Time once spent cannot be reclaimed. Once an hour, minute, or moment is over, it's gone forever. However, we can redeem the remaining time we have. We can reconsider our God-given purpose and the eternal legacy we want to leave behind and allow them to guide our schedule moving forward."

In the audio version of the book, Kerry Shook talks about the story of a man who was told he had 6 months to live. He asked his doctor if there was anything he could do or take to change the outcome of the life-threatening disease. His doctor said you can buy a pig farm and marry a woman with 14 or 15 children. The man said, huh...and the doctor said that this will make your time on earth seem a lot longer with all that action going on. This was a joke, but seriously, if we spent our time appreciating life and all that is in it, then our time would be well spent. When we allow ourselves to be burdened by the things we cannot control, we lose precious time that we would've used for our family, friends, loved one, or ourselves. This was the  main topic of today's Day 3: Time Squared.

(Thought from journal): Charging or discharging? Say you spend an hour with a friend or loved one. You can keep your heart closed off, or you can open up and engage personally. Either choice costs sixty minutes. But one sucks the energy out of the time, out of you; other saturates the minutes with life.


Brainstorm ways to improve your energy management for one top priority, not by necessarily devoting additional time, but by engaging more personally and deeply. Think of one tangible thing you can do today and write it down.

My Answer: I have a real big tendency of being on the internet a lot and I have decided to take more time with my cats (play time with them), and also my sister on her off days from work. We hang out, but its really not as much as I would like due to our schedules, but I'm willing to work on that. My healthcare home business, I have created 10 new videos and I can edit at least 5 today and upload them to Youtube so I can get more traffic to my healthcare services. I have decided to focus even more on my acting career, as far as training, so I have reassessed my spending and budget today to see where I can approach things better. I'm excited!

Today's Challenge: Collect Scripture passages -- as many as you can -- that clarify God's priority system. Use a concordance or a Bible search program on your computer to find words like BETTER, RATHER, GREATER, IMPORTANT, and MORE PRECIOUS. To get started, have a look at Psalm 37:16-17, Proverb 8:10-11; Daniel 3:28; Matthew 23:23; and 1 Peter 1:6-7. The journal also recommends that we look up terms and words that may be surrounding our issues to get a more biblical sense of them, so I'm going to begin doing that daily.

Time for your feedback and comments. Tell me what you come up with.

Day 2: Roller Coaster - Riding The Big Dipper

One Month To Live Transformational Journey

Life Lesson (from journal): "The world says,"Don't be ridiculous; be reasonable. Don't stand out. Don't take risks; play it safe, and make security and comfort your primary goals in life."... God calls us to a life of faith, living every moment all out for Him.
In the audio, Kerry Shook speaks about his experience on this big roller coaster called the Big Dipper. He absolutely would have a blast on it and felt scared for his safety and full of exhilaration all at the same time. He really describes how the roller coaster creeps up to the top before it makes its unexpected fall. I felt so nervous and freaked out just listening to his encounter and visualizing it in my mind.

From this experience he reflects on how important it is for us to take risks and not play it safe because we are living life as we speak. So many of us become complacent and put off for tomorrow or years to come, what we should be working on today. Maybe a lot of us do this because of our lack of faith. This leads me to a question I highlighted and answered in the journal.

Question asked in journal: To change your primary goal from personal safety to adventurous obedience requires strengthening your faith. You can't become a marathon runner overnight. What's a reasonable, stretching step of faith for you to take today? What might you attempt in a week or a month?

My Answer:  I can't become a full-time actress or millionaire entrepreneur overnight, but I can get into action with completing the steps to get me closer to these two final endeavors. In a week or month, I can increase my classifieds for my business, write more articles, and create more videos concentrating on more people with a need for healthcare or home business ownership. For my acting, I can look for free commercial or audited class opportunities in my area and even film classes to keep myself ever ready for my future auditions. I can continue increasing my income with senior care and even other flexible work, which will assist me in getting new headshots for theatrical mailings and audition submissions.

Today's Challenge: Write down three things that are important, though no urgent, that you have put off until "someday." Choose one and take the first step toward accomplishing that goal today.

My Answer: I have been working hard and focusing on my goals to move me forward in my acting and my healthcare business. So, I believe for myself its really increasing the work or marketing I am putting out there for both.


What is your answer to Today's Challenge? Post your comment. I would love to read it.

P.S: Sometimes you may feel a little afraid to venture out of your comfort zone to find your true purpose. It may be looking you in the face everyday, but you haven't got the courage to make things happen. Well, all it takes is "A First Step" and then you will see how you can maneuver everything around to ultimately reach your real joy and happiness in this life. No settling...it's more to life for you...He is right by your side when you are afraid to jump, so just do it and he will catch you!

"God is an expert driver. He knows right where He's going, and He's in total control when you feel afraid" (quote from journal)

Day 1: Living the Dash - One Month To Live Transformation

 One Month To Live Transformational Journey

Life Lesson (from journal): "You get to choose how to spend that little dash of time between the two dates of your earthly existence. What are you spending yours on? Are you living the dash, knowing fully who you are and why you're here? Or dashing to live, hurriedly spending precious time chasing things that really don't matter to you? The psalmist prayed, " Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should." (Psalm 90:12, TLB)

 Early this morning I listened to the recording for Day 1 on living the dash. I didn't know at first what they were referring to about "living the dash" until Kerry Shook began talking about grave stones. He referred to our life being reduced down to a single dash between the day we were born and the day we die. Kerry Shook talks about how important the time is we use on this earth.


In my journal for today, they ask a lot of questions about how you are living today and how you can begin to kick your life into shape. This was the introduction of what was to come.

One specific question that I wrote a lot on was, "What one or two risks do you sense you need to take? More specifically, what investments of time might you need to make despite the potential  embarrassment, loss, pain, or cost?

My Answer: I am a risk taker naturally but in a healthy way. Pursuing an acting career is a risky endeavor, working a health care home business is risky and those are my low risks that I NEED to take. If I don't then I feel like my life's purpose would be lost. I know that with both of these endeavors I do need to continue to find funds to market myself and that is always something I need to continue to research even more aggresively over these next 30 days. I have things I need to learn and get done to advance both of these risky endeavors. I have seen loss, pain, cost, and embarassment, but I continue because I feel like this risk is one that will take me to my ultimate purpose. I have learned the hard way, humility and can say that I truly have humility. I have been pushed forward two steps and pulled back four. I would get frustrated by this, but realized this morning that God wants me to continue to see that He is the one who is doing all things for me and I can't leave him behind while I'm riding on my horse into the sunset with my successes. He is a jealous God. So, I really got it this morning during my meditation period.

Today's Challenge: Take a few minutes to talk with God about what this one-month commitment is likely to require from you. He sometimes uses unexpected timing and methods. Are you open to His plan?
Recommended reading: Joshua 1:1-9, the sequel to Moses' farewell sermon

My Answer: Wow, I read the recommended reading during my quiet time and it totally struck me because I know I am called to be a leader and sometimes I like to lead from the sidelines, but after reading how God gave the charge to Joshua to take the people into the Promised Land. I knew that I had to take the charges that God has given me. So, these next 30 days, I'm eager to know how my leadership is needed in this life besides the risks that I am focusing on. He told Joshua to be "strong and courageous"....he will never leave him.

P.S: Maybe God is beginning already. I had an audition today for Anna's Linens. I am planting seeds and He only knows the outcome. 



Leave your comments. I would like to know what you think and read your views on Day 1.