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The good things God has for us… June 22, 2009
- The good things God has for us…
Searching for Something? Do you need answers for real life…work, marriage, parenting, money, God, the church?
The good things God has for us are more exciting than a clearance shoe sale and a box of chocolates put together. Discover how to search the true Answer Book for answers to real life questions. In 28 days you can learn to study the Bible for yourself and understand it correctly. God has not reserved the Bible for the intellectually superior. You can find encouragment and solutions for everyday challenges. Will you join me tomorrow, Tuesday June 23rd? This summer commit 10-20 minutes per day for 28 days to learn how to study the Bible for yourself?
When: Tuesdays, June 23 – July 21
Where: Lake Hills Church – Warehouse
11431 FM 2244
Austin, TX 78738
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Cost: $25 – Childcare Provided
Grab a friend and join me Tuesday, June, 23rd at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Hills Church.
Fun, laughter and encouragement guaranteed!
Sign up at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/341097231
For more information and details go to www.lhc.org/women or contact Ginger Craddock at UcanFindJoyInTheJourney@msn.com
Droughts & Dreams – Part 2 June 17, 2009
- Droughts
Dreams
Deep in the heart of the Texas Hill Country an Alabama girl has been transplanted. It is clear to all of my new neighbors, that I am clueless when it comes to landscaping in a drought prone deer sanctuary. After about a month, one of the kind neighbors dropped off a handy dandy book entitled “Native and Adapted Landscape Plants – an earth wise guide for Central Texas.” The introduction is “Gardening, ‘Austin-style’…” It includes my favorite quote, “Some people move to Austin and try to surround themselves with plants they are familiar with from their past homes. These plants are often poorly suited to our climate and soils. By choosing native and adapted plants, you become more knowledgeable about, more aware of, and more connected to the land of Central Texas.” You guessed it; I am challenged in the “knowledgeable” and “connected to the land” concepts of the Texas Hill Country.
Never fear, my dream of vibrant color and a lush variety of summer flowers is not dead. Well, in an effort to provide full disclosure some of them are DEAD and some have been delightful delicacies to the hungry deer (see my fb photo album “Deer” – there is a reason one is named Rose).
I have discovered that dreams often need to be refined over time with knowledge, understanding, adjustments and commitment. Can you relate? What dream is taking root in your heart and mind? Have you taken a few tentative steps forward to make your dream a reality? Have unexpected obstacles invaded your space? Has discouragement sucked the life out of your dream? Have blessings and encouragement come from onlookers?
The Bible offers words of wisdom regarding dreams in Psalm 126:1-3, “When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion; we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with joyful shouting. Then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD had done great things for us. We are glad.”
Is there something in your life and my life that is holding us captive? Is something sucking the vibrant life and color out of your dreams to fulfill God’s purpose in your life? Maybe it is one of the characteristics listed on the “New Self” survey…patience, forgiveness, self-control, kindness?
Let’s partner together and let the Lord help us put off the old characteristics that are keeping us from living our dreams. Put on the vibrant colors of the “new self” which in the likeness of God has been created in Jesus. Put on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control, forgiveness, wisdom and speak truth.
Today, may your mouth be filled with laughter, and your tongue with joyful shouting. Rejoice the LORD has done great things for you! Live the dream you were created for and continue to find joy in the journey.
Blessings!
Ginger
P.S. I would love to hear how you are living your dream this summer. What Bible verse(s) has encouraged you to stretch out and find joy in the journey? What characteristics are you “putting off” and “putting on?” Leave a comment.
Droughts and Dreams June 15, 2009
- Lake Travis
Sweltering one-hundred degree temperatures and a drought permeate the Texas hill country. Summer is here!
Today Lake Travis is down over 23 feet from the average June lake level. Droughts cause us to re-evaluate areas of our lives that we take for granted. Hidden hazards are exposed. The covering vanishes and the trash and debris that has settled into our soul surfaces. Adjustments are necessary. As the layers are stripped away beauty and character are revealed.
Seasons of drought give way to seasons of dreams. When wise adjustments are made in the season of drought dreams are realized and joy abounds.
This summer do you find yourself living in the midst of a dry and parched land? It could be the loneliness of being single, the challenges of married life or the heartache of being a widow or widower. Maybe it is financial or health struggles, demands at work, uncertainty about the future or the chaos of kid’s home for summer vacation.
The Bible provides excellent insight on seasons of drought in Haggai 1:10-12. The Lord is speaking to Haggai. “Therefore, because of you the sky has withheld its dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands.” Then Zerubbabel the son Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people showed reverence for the LORD.”
Isn’t it interesting that God caused the drought “because of you.” Why would God respond in such a way? What is the purpose of a drought? Check out the two short chapters of Haggai and you will see “consider your ways!”
As I consider my ways, oftentimes I lack patience, forgiveness, kindness and self control along with a multitude of other character flaws. Which characteristic is most difficult for you to “put on” daily? Answer the “New Self” survey below. It’s one quick question.
Our lives are made up of seasons of droughts and dreams. Let us together obey the voice of the LORD. Join me this summer as we clean up the hidden trash exposed by the drought and stretch out to live the dream God has planted in our individual hearts.
Encourage others by sharing a comment about what you have learned in a season of drought. What characteristic took shape and bloomed in your life? What truth from the Bible took root in your life?
Ginger Craddock | Executive Coach
Find Joy In The Journey 