Category Archives: blogging
The Author of Dreams
As the new year approaches, I begin to reflect on the past year. I ponder the things I learned and what I would do differently.
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As I look back some memories are blurry or fuzzy. While other memories stand out and are noteworthy.
This year I took many risks and made a big investment … in my dream.
Do you ever wonder where dreams come from? Why we desire the things we do? What makes us interested in one thing more than the other? Where our passions and desires come from? Why we love what we love?
Who made us this way?
God made us this way. He gives us our gifts, passions, desires, and dreams. God is a creator and master artist.
God is the first and best selling author for eternity. God made you and me to be who we are. He knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13) How awesome is that?
He knew me… He knew you… He created us to be exactly who we are. He gave us our dreams. He gave us our imaginations. He gave us our passions. He is a giver of good and perfect gifts. (James 1:17)
Friends, I can not stop praising Him; for His goodness, His mercy, His salvation, His compassion, His forgiveness and His generosity.
As I look back and reflect on 2012… all I see is His signature upon my life.
How can I think about me, when all I want to think about is Him? If it wasn’t for Him, I wouldn’t be where I am today, doing what I’m doing right now.
A lot of you don’t know where I’ve come from and where I’ve been. If I were to tell you, I believe you would start praising Him too.
He is my inspiration. He is my everything.
I look back on this year and on my life and all I see is His faithfulness, love and goodness toward me. I can’t help but praise Him and pour out my heart with thanksgiving and appreciation. May He receive all the glory.
I thank Jesus for all He is doing in my life. He is real. He is everything the Bible says He is. He makes dreams come true, because He is the author of them.
This song “Brand New Me” by Alicia Keys reveals a little bit about me. Thanks to Jesus, I’m a brand new kind of me.
I am grateful to Jesus this year. What are you grateful for?
Dancing with Angels
Today I am guest posting at my dear friend and gifted writer Christa Sterken. I met her at Jeff Goins TribeWriters course.
She came up with a wonderful concept of doing advent guest posts reflecting thoughts on Christmas.
Please visit her website and read what Christmas means to me.
What Does Giving Look Like?
When I was growing up, giving looked like a table full of home made food. My family toiled at making delicious dishes while I delighted in the aromas that filled the house.
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Now that I’m older and have a family of my own, I try to emulate my family’s tradition.
My father is a chef. He grew up in a poor fishing village. As a child he suffered terrible hunger and poverty.
He would always tell me stories about his childhood. How there was no food and many times he would go to bed hungry.
I learned about poverty through my father. I grew up privileged in the sense that I had a roof over my head, food to eat and clothing on my back.
Cooking was an act of giving in our home. My father grew up not having food, so he always made it a point to feed the homeless. He never forgot where he came from.
My father’s life and example taught me to be compassionate toward others in need. Which is why I love supporting organizations like Compassion International. They are doing a wonderful work helping children in need.
Right now, they are having a campaign to raise $20,000 for children living in poverty. If you would like to sponsor a child or donate to the Compassion International Christmas Catalog, please click here.
What does giving look like to you?
Guest Post: An Impromptu Meeting
I have the privilege of guest posting for Tim Allen today for his 12 Days of Guest Posts Christmas series.
I wrote about my impromptu meeting of someone very special.
Please visit his website to read more.
Resistance: The Writer And The Struggle
I am a contributing writer for Godly Writers and today I write about the struggle for every writer… Resistance.
I struggle with the voices which tell me I’m not a writer and that I shouldn’t bother.
I have been especially thinking about resistance after reading two of Stephen Pressfield’s books; The War of Art and Do The Work.
To read more, please visit Godly Writers.
The Dream of God’s Whisper by Andi Cumbo
I have the sincere pleasure of introducing you to my dear friend and gifted writer, Andi Cumbo. I met Andi on Twitter almost a year ago and recently in person at the Quitter Conference.
She is as amazing in person as she is on line. She is my friend, teacher and mentor rolled into one. I have learned so much by taking her writing classes which I highly recommend. Her classes have stretched me as a writer.
Today, Andi Cumbo visits to share her dream which birthed her beautiful book, God’s Whisper Manifesto: Makings of a Dream.
You can purchase her book at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
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She’s lovely on this hill. Now that the trees have shed their leaves, I can see her as I come north, a blue beacon calling me home. My farmhouse.
That possessive pronoun – “my” – was a long time coming. 15 years or more. I’ve dreamed of this place for that long – maybe not this blue farmhouse – but the place where I can live this dream – this dream of a small farm where people can come and find rest and sanctuary. Where people can just be completely themselves, no pretense, no pretending. Just a safe place where rest is one of our top priorities.
Now, as I sit here with my Christmas tree sparkling on a chilly December night, it feels both so normal and so impossible that I am here in my dream, not imagining but living it.
We are just in the beginning here at God’s Whisper Farm. We don’t have my big garden yet, and the fencing isn’t even up for the goats and alpacas I will have wandering the pasture and hill. The timberframe that will become, in time, the center of this place has yet to be built, and our outdoor amphitheater still needs to be carved out of a wooded hillside.
But this little blue farmhouse – Nellie is her name – she reminds me with every glimpse that dreams become life if we just let them live.
Andi Cumbo is a writer, editor, and writing teacher who lives in the mountains of Virginia. Her first book God’s Whisper Manifesto: Makings of a Dream has just been published and shares the vision of how life will happen on her farm. You can read her (nearly) daily posts and get more information about her work on her website – andilit.com.
Past Regrets
There are times I feel trapped, bogged down with responsibilities and obligations.
There are people I love who are depending on me. I can’t let them down. I can’t make a mistake.
We need an income to keep a roof over our head, food in our stomachs and clothing on our backs.
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Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much of my time is given to a corporation. How my life really isn’t my own. How my time is given in exchange for a paycheck.
Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for a good job. I’m not complaining.
I’m just facing where I’m at in life. Who knows, I may even be going through a midlife crisis.
I’ve been ruminating on past regrets. In that, I chose a steady income instead of pursuing my dream.
Granted, things could be worse (and they have been).
However, there are those whom are not afforded the ability to ruminate, because all they do is work to feed their kids, barely making ends meet.
So… in the grand scheme of things, I am considered blessed.
But right now, I’m not talking about my job, I’m talking about a dream.
My friend Andi Cumbo wrote a thought provoking blog post entitled “To Quit or Not to Quit” which sparked this post.
A long time ago, I quit acting and singing. Why? For the very same reason I mentioned above. A job. A steady paycheck.
I sold out and forfeited my dream for the illusion of security. I can’t express how bad of a decision that was.
Which is why I’m proactive in reminding my sons to pursue their dreams and do something they love.
If you do what you love, then you don’t mind working twelve hour days. You will be investing your time doing something you believe in and are called to do.
This goes beyond simply working to get a paycheck.
When you work a conventional job, there are no guarantees. You can be there today and gone tomorrow. You can be offered benefits one day and then it be taken away the next.
In this day and age, you can’t invest in a job or put all your eggs in one basket.
You need to invest in yourself and in your dream. Dreams come from God.
When you work toward a dream, it’s yours for keeps. No one can mess with it or take it away, unless you let them.
So yes, I live with regrets and admit I’ve made some pretty bad mistakes. But does that mean it’s over for me? Should I just give up, throw in the towel and call it a day?
No, I’ve already done that, and all for the wrong reasons I might add.
I’ve made some mistakes, so what, you’ve probably made some too. We all do. But should that mean it’s the end of the world?
This is not our final chapter in the big book called life.
I feel like God is giving me a second chance … so I’m priming up for 2013.
I may have given up in the past, but I’m not now. I’m going full steam ahead, no matter what.
Won’t you join me?
Do you believe your dream isn’t attainable? Do you feel hopeless and want to give up?
Prophetic Epiphany
Many years ago, I traveled to different states as an amateur boxing official representing USA Boxing. I used to judge bouts on a National and Junior Olympic level.
I’m sure you are curious as to how I got involved in boxing. It’s a long story that I might share with you some other time.
One of the things I enjoyed on my free time between bouts was visiting churches and attending their services.
However, at that time, I was living a double life, which is another story.
Despite my living in disobedience, my heart longed for God.
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At the time, God used people I didn’t know to speak into my life. People would literally walk up to me and prophesy over my life.
I learned firsthand that God is real, He uses people and He is aware of every detail of our lives.
The reality of this made me feel convicted. I was in awe of God and shocked at how these complete strangers knew so much about me.
I would continue to get the same prophecy wherever I went. Each place I visited, someone would come up to me and say the same thing.
God was definitely trying to get my attention.
The last time I received this same prophecy was about two years ago at a prayer meeting.
However, I started getting cynical and inwardly questioned God about this prophecy.
I couldn’t understand why I was getting the same prophecy over the years, but yet nothing was happening in my life.
However, this past week while I was on the bus going to work and I had an epiphany.
I realized the same prophecy I received repeatedly through the years was true and I was floored.
God finally revealed it to me.
The prophecy is this, “You will be a prophet to the nations.”
Each time I heard it uttered, I would weep from the deepest part of my being. I felt so unworthy (if truth be told, I still do).
I kept telling God He made a mistake and chose the wrong person. I felt I had failed Him and disappointed Him too many times (and still do).
I conjured up an image in my mind of what I thought “a prophet of the nations” would look like or translate to. I thought I would have to sacrifice, give up everything and travel the world.
When I got married and had my boys, I was shocked I was still getting the same prophecy.
I told God, how am I suppose to give up everything now and leave my family behind (traveling with my son who has health issues and put him at risk).
Finally, God revealed the truth, in that, He had no intention of having me sacrifice, give up everything, leave my family behind and travel to serve Him in that capacity.
I was thinking inside the box, but God doesn’t.
He revealed to me that I am a prophet of nations by writing. It finally made sense and all came together. I felt such a peace come over me.
God wants to use the gift He’s placed in me to communicate to others through writing which is my reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)
He wants to do the same with you in whatever He’s called you to do.
Do you know what God has called you to do? Are you living out His calling?
All for the Masquerade
I’ve been quiet lately. I’ve been processing since my return from a conference and the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
I’ve been thinking the three C’s: Christians, Conferences and Churches. I realize in all three, people hide behind a masks.
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I remember learning the waltz once. I believe it was when I was attending acting school years ago. I didn’t find it difficult to learn.
The steps are repetitive and monotous, around and around you go…
As with any dance, there must be proper form. The traditional waltz is both elegant and dull.
Christians seem to like to masquerade and dance the waltz. We seem to like to hide and go around in circles.
Much like the Israelites did in the desert, never entering in and reaching the promise land.
I can just see God looking down and thinking, “There they go, masquerading and dancing the waltz again.”
I don’t know Lord, I honestly don’t know… but I agree, the waltz is whack and the whole masquerade thing is played out if you ask me. It’s got no swagga, no flow or flava…
We’re just dancing in circles like a bunch of lost robots with plastered smiles on our faces… meanwhile we’re dying inside.
I don’t know about you, but when I walk into a room full of Christians whether at a church or conference, it seems I can feel the weight of their pain and hurt behind their smiles.
Everyone looks good on the outside; make-up’s perfect, hair and nails did, matching Gucci bag and shoes, a fashionable hat even… ohhhh and that smile, that same smile I see time and time again… The smile with hurting eyes…
Their smiles say one thing, while their eyes say another. Switching their gaze away quickly, lest anyone finds out. The truth.
We are so afraid to be found out and exposed. So afraid to be seen for who and what we are.
So we just carry on, dancing the waltz and hiding behind our masks… smiling whilst our hearts cry and souls die.
All for the Masquerade.
Why do you think people wear masks?
Even If It Means Walking Alone…
Who doesn’t like being liked and accepted? We all do. We innately want to be appreciated, accepted and liked by others. Whether it’s our family, friends, co-workers or acquaintances. There is this inner need to be liked.
But, there comes a time when we have to risk not being liked for the sake of integrity. What is the point of living a life void of truth? Truth matters in relationships.
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I’ve always been a seeker of truth. I do not like to live in lies, deception or falsehood. I like real. I like honest. I like truth. Yes, even if it cuts. I rather the truth than a lie.
It’s easy to go through life in a cocoon. It’s safer. You don’t make waves, you don’t offend, you just get along and live stress free.
However, as believers in Christ, we need to live in truth, because the truth is what sets us free. (John 8:32)
Too many of us are living in a bubble and trying to escape reality. But, running and escaping isn’t going to get us anywhere and will only prolong the inevitable.
We say we are followers of Christ, but what does that mean?
I’ve learned it means different things to different people. We’d rather make a god of our own understanding rather than follow the God of the Bible.
I guess it all comes down to choices. Just like choosing to tell the truth at the risk of not being liked. When Jesus spoke truth in love, it wasn’t a positive or popular message for people to digest.
The same holds true today. People are still rejecting His message.
We want to chew on the good parts, and spit out the rest. We want to say we are about love and community, but that’s the furthest from reality. Our actions give us away.
Our actions demonstrate that we want an easy God, a god of convenience. We only want to be told nice things and to be liked. We don’t want to live in truth, we don’t want the hard things, even if it’s necessary or right.
Well, this weekend I was faced with a choice. Either to keep silent or speak up. I chose to speak up and risked being liked for the sake of what is true.
Was it easy? No, it was not.
But, I’d rather risk, keep my integrity and walk in truth than be liked or accepted by others.
Even if it means walking alone…
What about you? Have you told the truth even when it was hard and at the cost of being rejected?
Guest Post: The Four F’s: What Sabotages Many Christian Writers
It’s a pleasure to be guest posting for Godly Writers today. I get to share about my writing journey and encourage other Christian writers as well.
Today I wrote about The Four F’s: What Sabatages Many Christian Writers. The four f’s are Fear, Focus, Frustration and Failure.
I would love for you to swing by and read more about it here:
www.godlywriters.com/the-four-fs-what-sabotages-many-christian-writers
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