Halloween 2010 – A Turning Point in My Life

It wasn’t planned, to begin this new chapter in my life on Halloween 2010.  Somehow it seems appropriate, though, and will be an easy date to remember.

Today is the day I pledge to become healthy.  I’ve gone the weight loss route before, and failed each time.  This time is different. I will not only lose weight, but will also become healthy in the process. I’m letting go.  I’m getting out of the way.  To explain what that means….  

In October 2009, I wrote and published an article about Brad Stiles, which you can read on my blog. Here is a paragraph from the article. It alludes to what I've been waiting for - to see where God is leading me.

" ‘In a recent interview with Dr. Lisa Van Allen, Brad described the lyrics to [his song] "Letting Go" as "moving forward, letting go of fear, and coming to the end of self-sufficiency by letting go of everything I thought Christ was, and how He viewed me. Instead of me living life for Christ, it is Christ living His life through me, through us. It's not I who lives, but Christ that lives within and through me. The dreams that He placed in my life are from Him. I want to walk in them. I want to get out of the way." Dr. Van Allen remarked, "When God calls you to do something, He brings in all the resources.’ "

To step back a bit, I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching over the past 22 months, trying to understand what it is that God is calling me to do.  It began with a catalyst, as often happens, a crisis of sorts, if you will.  I was driven to seek answers, which led me back to church and subsequently to small groups (both within and outside the church), which led me to some wonderful new friends and support groups.

Paula Fields led me to Brad Stiles’ CD Release Concert (I resisted going until the last minute) and it was at his remarkable performance that I surrendered. Wow!  Just like that….  it was so natural, and my life changed forever in an instant. Well, that was only the beginning. During this time, Gator J. Gaynor from The Spirit, appeared and brought a love of music back into my life, and also brought me back out into the entertainment world.

Next, I felt compelled to write the article about Brad Stiles. I was driven… there really was no choice…  it simply had to be done.  As I began to formulate ideas for the article, it led to an interview with Brad, which, in turn, led me to Steve McVey and his book called “Grace Walk”, which led me to grace. After I read his book, I realized that I was actually embarking on a fascinating “grace walk”. The article also led me to Lisa Van Allen who later invited me to her course on “Fearless Living”, which began yet another new friendship, actually several.

This morning, Bill Nissen posted the following on Facebook: Philip. 2:3-4 (NASB-U) "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."

This grace walk has been an amazing adventure as God continues to bring in all the resources, the latest of which is Bill Nissen.  I am getting out of the way as God calls me to do this. With Bill Nissen’s help, I will not fail.  To be continued…..

FEARLESS: Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado

The turning of each new page presents the reader with a new lesson in life from Max Lucado. “Fear will always knock on your door. Just don’t invite it in for dinner. And for heaven’s sake, don’t offer it a bed for the night.”

I think I have more flags on the pages of this book than in any other. Lucado is a great storyteller. He brings Bible stories to life and presents us with reasons why we should not be afraid. “…fear feels dreadful. It sucks the life out of the soul, curls us into an embryonic state, and drains us dry of contentment.” Haven’t we all felt this way at some point in our lives? Sadly, some of us remain in that state. “Fear mismanaged, leads to sin. Sin leads to hiding. Since we’ve all sinned, we all hide, not in bushes, but in eighty-hour workweeks, temper tantrums, and religious busyness. We avoid contact with God.”

But we’re not as far away from God as we might think. God never abandons us. “Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40 NIV).

I loved the story about his ride on a Top Gun flight. He imparts a sense of humor into his lessons, and I chuckled throughout this story.

Lucado offers us eight worry-stoppers for daily living. He also talks about what fear does to parents and to their children. He compares the pain of parenting to the pain of God himself as a father. But he also offers us courage and hope, and encourages us to keeping praying and giving our children to God. “Feed your fears, and your faith will starve. Feed your faith and your fears will.”

This book is easy to read, yet full of wisdom and teachings. It can be read by a sole reader, or used for group lessons. It is a keeper, and highly recommended.

FEARLESS: Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado, 2009 Thomas Nelson, Publisher, Nashville, TN USA as reviewed by Diana Shores