Day 17: GPS - Finding Your Direction

Finding Your Direction - Based on One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook

Life Lesson (from journal):"God provides our life's direction by means of our gifts, passions, and struggles."

Kerry Shook opens up Day 17 talking about his trip to Germany and how he had to use a GPS in order to even understand how to get around to the meetings he had at different times. When he got downtown, the GPS lost reception because they realized that it was not positioned in the front windshield where it can pick up reception. Same as God, allowing Him to lead us to what he has for us through our gifts, passions, and struggles.

We're all experts at something, and no one excels at everything.

  

What do you think are some of your special gifts or talents? How do these help you discern God's direction for your life?

You can learn a lot about the gifts and talents God gives us from Romans 12:3-8 and 1Corinthians 12.

 "A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." - George Bernard Shaw"

You have a creative license to be who God made you to be. The great theologian Dr. Seuss once said, "Be who you are because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." I LOVE THIS!

Have a great day! Leave your feedback and comments.




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Day 16: Star Power - Discovering Who You Were Meant To Be

Discovering Who You Were Meant To Be - Based on One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook

Life Lesson (from journal): "To know our purpose in life, we must learn who we are, and we do that by recognizing whose we are. Our purpose and identity grow clearer as we come to know God better.

Chris Shook starts Day 16 talking about her love for the stars and she looks at the stars and the moon and she loves how they were made. You may also want to know what you were created to do?

To understand your identity, listen to what your generous and inventive Creator said in Ephesians 1:3-14.

Satan uses the same ammo over and over, but he tailors each bullet to its individual victim. Write a list of the lies he has custom-designed for you to ensure your maximum memory loss.

Use these verses to come up with God's antidotes for some or all of the lies you just listed. Personalize these verses. After all, they're God's words to you. (John 1:11-13; Galatians 3:26; 4:4-7; 1 John 3:1-3)

What can you do to fix God's truths about you firmly in your memory? Consider ideas from James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9; and 1 John 2:1-2.

What can you be confident that you can discover God's special purpose for you? (Psalm 25:12; Philippians 2:13)

We can all learn more about who God made us to be by focusing on Him. As we develop a closer relationship with God, we become more like Him, thwarting our Enemy's attempts to steal our identity.

Today's Challenge
Find, buy, or create something that will remind you of your identity. Choose a symbolic object, a bookmark, a poster... Paint a picture, create a collage, make a video...Write a poem, record a song, create a personalized identity dictionary, or whatever.
   Think ahead about how you will use it as a daily reminder. Will you hang it on your wall, put it inside the novel you're currently reading, make it your alarm in the morning attach it to your key ring?


I actually found a great piece of Art that reads, "chase your dreams". It is always in my line of sight in my living room. Really cool!  

Leave your feedback on what you found that will help you to understand your identity and your purpose.



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Day 15: Last Call - Revealing Your Heart

Revealing Your Heart - Based on One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook

Life Lesson (from journal): "People talk all the time but rarely seem to hear each other's words, let alone their unspoken messages...We have to be willing to move from communication breakdown to communication breakthrough."

Kerry and Chris Shook opens Day 15: 1876 - Alexander Graham Bell stepped onto the telephone. Every great invention has its complications like the satellite, mobile, wireless, teleconference, or hands-free devices.

How do connections really occur or do they?

If you had One Month To Live, you would want to repair broken lines of communication and give more time to your relationships.

(Point to Ponder, from journal): What do we learn about God's heart from Jesus that we couldn't know any other way? (John 14: 7-11; Hebrews 1:1-3)

(Point to Ponder, from journal):  How did people know God was listening to them in these situations? (Exodus 3:6-10; 2 Chronicles 7:13-14; Psalm 106:43-45)

When we remember that our days are numbered, we realize we don't have time to waste on anything that's not true. In relationships the stakes are just too high to beat around the bush, talk behind someone's back, or not speak honestly. You gain respect when you speak directly.

Face Time
     God, I'm amazed that You're so personal with us. Your heart is laid bare, and I know You often feel pain because of the risk You've taken. I'm sorry I've hurt You.
     Your vulnerability makes possible the miraculous relationship between You and me. Show me how to enjoy that priviledge even a fraction as much as You do.
     Help me take risks in my relationships with the important people in my life, so we can both enjoy a little glimpse of heaven on earth.

Have a great day! Leave your feedback and comments!

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Day 14: The Gift - Thanking Those Around You

Thanking Those Around You - Based on One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook

Life Lesson (from journal): "When we are thankful, we become content and full of the peace that only He can provide. Focusing on how grateful we are for what we have prevents us from becoming bitter and greedy for more."

Biggest reasons for gratitude: no longer slaves to sin; my labor in the Lord is not in vain; that we may live worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness. God has taken his power and began to reign.

(Points To Ponder, from journal): "What are some of our biggest reasons for gratitude? (Romans 6:17-18; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Colossians 1:10-14; Revelation 11:16-17)

Why is This?: Why is giving thanks to people important? How does it relate to giving thanks to God?
My Answer: If people receive your thanks then they see God's love within you. God is able to use my vessel to advance his purpose.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy

 Why is This?: What differences can gratitude make in your life? (Psalm 50:23; Ephesians 5:3-4; Philippians 4:6-7)

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust

Face Time
     Father, I know how good it makes me feel when someone is truly grateful for something I've given them or done for them. I feel appreciated, valued, wanted.
     I want to make You feel that way more often. I'm sorry for my ingratitude. Open my eyes and adjust my focus. Sensitize my heart to Your many blessings.
     So many people bless me in so many ways...every day. Please help me remember to give them the gift of gratitude a lot more than I have been.

That All For Today! 
Share your feelings about today's insight and help others who may come across this posting.




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Day 13: Sandpaper - Smoothing The Edges

Smoothing The Edges - Based on One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook

Life Lesson (from journal): "Sandpaper people are part of God's plan for your life. He allows sandpaper people into your life so He can craft you into a sharper tool for His purposes. Paul explains, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). In the Greek, the word for "workmanship" literally means "a work of art or a masterpiece." God is crafting you into the perfect tool to accomplish His amazing plan for you."

Kerry and Chris Shook begins Day 13: There are sandpaper people all over the place. They are in our family and on our jobs. We may even be the sandpaper in our own group that are hard to get along with. Some people just rub us the wrong way. If only they could be more like us, right? However, Jesus put sandpaper people in our life to build our character. Take advantage of criticism.

(Point to Ponder, from journal) What kind of tools has God been using in your life? What types of tasks do you feel those people or situations are serving in His plan for you? (2 Timothy 2:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:24; Hebrews 13:20-21)

Chew it up and spit it out. That hammer was put in your life to make you stand up for yourself. They are in your life for a reason and you are in their life for a reason. You can show them love even when they know that they don't deserve it. You may be their only refuge and counselor to turn them around. (Consider Galatians 6:1-5 and Proverbs 26:4-5)

Kerry and Chris Shook: If I forget about trying to change everybody else and simply work on letting God change me, then the people in my life are much more open to me. Examination of yourself must
come before confrontation of others. In John 8:3-11, what do you learn about Jesus' perspective on this principle?

"It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows." - Epictetus

Face Time
    God, this is hard to say, but thank You for [fill in the person's name]____________________________. He/she drives me crazy, but I trust You and Your purposes. Please give me patience. Help me accept our differences and, when necessary, to forgive.
     Remind me of the times I've irritated You and others so I will be more humble and accepting of this person. And, yes, even grateful for them.

Have a great day! Leave your feedback or comments to this post if you would like.



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Day 12: Boxing Ring - Resolving Conflicts By Fighting Fair (Rocky and Muhammad Ali Inspired)

Resolving Conflicts By Fighting Fair (Rocky and Muhammad Ali Inspired)- Based on One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook

 Life Lesson (from journal): "When two unique and imperfect people come together, they simply won't agree about everything. That's why it's critical that we learn how to deal effectively with relationship issues."

Kerry Shook opens Day 12 talking about his love for boxing since a kid with Muhammad Ali and the Rocky movies. He visited a boxing gym in downtown Houston where he gained a real life perspective of how hard it is to be a fighter in the ring. He continues to say how most of us have no idea how to deal with conflicts, let alone conflicts in our relationships.

(From Journal): What makes you sometimes want to avoid a conflict, rather than resolve it? Leave your feedback.

My Answer: I don't like arguing, the he say she say, or drama period, so I really avoid it now that I understand how to communication and I'm a little older. When I was younger I was a flying bullet.

Staying in the ring and off the ropes, as Chris Shook calls it, can really be challenging. However, if you really love someone, then you can be courageous enough to remain committed to the process for as long as resolution takes. The best style of conflict-management is the sparring partner, the person committed to being a teammate and helping his or her partner. Sparring partners stay in the ring and off the ropes. Regardless of how unpleasant it becomes, they stay at it until they come to a mutual decision that they feel is best for both. (Readings: 1Corinthians 13:4-8; Ephesians 4:2-3)

Fighting Fair
Having agreed to fight fair, sparring partners are more likely to achieve lasting peace and resolution. Read these passages and list some of God's techniques for expert conflict-management. (Readings: Romans 14:19; 2 Timothy 2: 22-24; James 3:16-18) Leave your comments or feedback.

Kerry Shook informs that we have to put in mouth guards like boxers do to say the right things at the right times to the people in our lives. Or, to control the wrong things at the right times. (Readings to help you choose your words: Proverbs 10:11, 20-21; Proverbs 16:24; Proverbs 18:21)

Attack the Issues Not Each Other
Kerry informs: Don't attack each other--blaming and naming because you will lose the other person. Start with your feelings. Avoid driving history in the conflict. This only diverts the real issue. If you get historical the other person may just get hysterical.

"Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict." -Dorothy Thompson

"The most important thing you can do is to bring the Prince of Peace into the ring with you." (Readings: John 2:13-17; 1Peter 2:21-24; 1John 3:5; Matthew 23)

Face Time
     Father, You have given us ample instruction on how to get along. Help me release my ego and my own desires in situations that present conflict. Help me remember that a quality connection with You and with those You've placed in my life is the most important consideration.
     Help me stay close to You every day, so Your heart for people will guide the way.

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

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