THE (MY) GREATEST RACE: THE RACE OF LIFE
STEPPING STONES ON THE WALK TO FAITH” (The Old Testament)
Part Two: THE OLD TESTAMENT
from the Bible; my guiding star and “source of divine inspiration.”*
* “God’s word as written by humans.”
Category(key words/tags): Stepping Stones on the path to Faith, Dr Robert H. Schuller, PD Dunn, Possibility Thinkers Bible, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christianity, Faith, The My) Greatest Race
*
A bit of lightness to begin…
When was motor racing first mentioned in the Bible?
When Moses came “fourth” in his triumph!
STEPPING STONES TO FAITH”
INDEX (of quick, short uplifting, empowering and inspirational thoughts)
These thoughts from The Possibility Thinker’s Bible by Dr RH Schuller and PD Dunn (New King James version as published by Thomas Nelson publisher) have served to sustain, energize, encourage and even inspire me down “my long unchartered path these past two decades. I am sharing these thoughts by Dr Robert Schuller in a “spirit of encouragement.” I truly hope they may do the same for you, no matter where you are on the path of life: whether you may be in the deepest valley or standing on the highest peak in life’s often very hard, but always mysterious journey.
I’m trying to crystallize, distil eternal truths , so that these writings, the simple messages from Jesus and the Bible are easily digestible to all you “out there”. Hope these notes from Dr Schuller are not “too goody-goody, heavy-heavy religious” for you.
Note: Where the “politically and spiritually incorrect” pronoun ‘He’ is used for God (Lord), the Ground of All Being, this is done purely for simplicity, as, of course Infinite Spirit, the Ultimate Source must be gender-neutral .
???
God is a mystery, a Creative Presence, the mystery, the Ultimate Source of Life, the Fountain of all Goodness, Who/That allows me to be who I really want to be and become.”
“God is leading us to the light. What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”
Enjoy
#
Whatever you want to do, a project, write that book ( the one that lies within you), your purpose, even your life mission
… first
* Decide to Begin
So decided to start compiling these thoughts (my notes) and share with “the world out there in cyberspace” I have no idea how, if and when these writings will get “out there”, but am just writing and sharing in simple faith. We’ll see where they go along the magical road that is life.
Enjoy
craig
I write on in “pure faith!”
* *
THE OLD TESTAMENT
* Decide to Begin
Beginning is half done.
Think tall
* The Faith of Abraham
Abraham was a great example of possibility thinking faith. No other man has been called by God to attempt such a great task as to further a nation for Him.
No matter where you are, God can use you to step out in faith and attempt something great for Him. When God gives you a dream, it may appear impossible. But if you have the faith of Abraham, then nothing will be impossible to you.!
* Streams of Living Water
How do we find this living water?
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst…a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
(John 4:13,14)
We find this living water in Jesus Himself and in the life we experience through our faith in Him.
* Let My People Go
God’s ability to alter natural circumstances to aid us is as prominent as it was for the ancient Israelites??
But we also need to recognize God in the common events of life, such as bringing the right people into our lives when we need help and encouragement. All we need to do is look around at everyday events in our lives. God is revealing Himself to us in many ways.
* God’s Covenant – Forgiveness
Jesus offers us comfort and assurance that our sins are forgiven when He says: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
(Rev 3:20)
* Peace – It’s All in the Word
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
(Nahum 1:7)
Unlike the peace of men, God has given us eternal peace in Jesus Christ (see Matt 28:20) “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
(John 14:1)
“My peace I give to you; not as the world gives.”
(John 14:27)
God’s eternal peace will bring us into a loving, lasting relationship with Him…forever.
* Water from a Rock
God asked Moses to perform uncommon tasks. He told Moses to go and speak to the rock. Moses was skilled in the ordinary that he did not see God’s power at work. However God wanted to do something extraordinary with Moses.
God’s plan for our lives may also include extra-ordinary opportunities. Be open to the possibility of Him doing the impossible in your life. Believe in God’s unlimited ability… then tap in the infinite power supply. Turn on the power and like Moses, God can help turn the ordinary into the EXTRA-ordinary in your own life.
* Allow God..
time to work plans in your life.
Be patient – very!
“Lord ,
Give me more patience…but I want it right NOW!”
Do not limit God! Allow Him to take anything He wants from your life and turn it into a blessing for you and others. Allow God to an old negative event in your life, and put it into a positive light. Remember allow God!
Give God/life time to work things out!
Be patient (“Lord, give me more patience, but I want it right NOW!”)
It WILL happen in the fullness of time.
“Let go, let God…and let Good …flow into your life”
* Alive and Flowing
Like the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel, we should allow dreams and creative ideas to flow into the many rivers, tributaries and streams of our subconscious minds. In so doing we can enrich people through sowing seeds and encouraging others around us… one mind, one heart…one soul…one life at a time,
Simply serve…do your best…then watch God do the rest.
* Dare to Decide
Success never happens until you make it happen. And good things happen when you make a decision (s) that move you ahead …and so creates momentum. And the most important decisions are concerned with the directions involved in moving your life forward.
However, be aware that this inevitably demands some sacrifices and risk.
Make daring decisions and you will succeed.
Success is no accident – it’s a commitment (total??)
Keep walking the path of faith by daring to make the decision that you have been postponing for way too long.
Decide today where you want to be in five, ten, twenty years from today.
* No One is Too Far From God’s Love
Believe in:
God
His plan. then …
in yourself
* A Peak Experience
Find new mountains to climb… and know that God is with you and will help you to the summit.r
Strive for the mountain-top of your desires…
and you may just reach, then conquer them!
“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
– Sir Edmund Hilary (New Zealand conquerer of Mount Everest in 1953)
* Women of Positive Faith
Throughout the Old Testament women of positive faith speak out. Eve, Sarah, Rebecca, Deborah, Leah, Rachel, Miriam, Rahab, Ruth and Hannah are all excellent of God’s work in the lives of women. The women of faith in the Old Testament knew what today’s woman of positive faith knows – that God can do great things through ordinary people with great faith.
* Gideon and the Midianites
When you think you have exhausted all possibilities, you haven’t. There IS always a solution to every problem…even the biggest ones…and it’s often a “spiritual” one
Have the faith of Gideon. Pray, think, ask God for ideas and solutions (What I do is the result of a seemingly insoluble huge problem!). So what’s holding you back? Are you waiting for perfect conditions to come about? (they won’t)
Step out in faith with possibility thinking…today!
* There is Power (Great) in Faith
* Listen for God’s Voice
How?
Meditate, listen… follow and the “silent voice within” will determine the course ahead
(and this will involve some action)
“Be still and know that I am God.”
* David and Goliath
David’s act of faith encouraged the entire Israeli army. David knew that God’s plans would work only if he was available.
With God’s ability we too can conquer our seemingly impossible and insurmountable problems
For God is larger and stronger than even the mountain of our problems.
“Be bold and unseen forces come to our aid.”
“In the world you have tribulation, but take courage: I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33)
Put God first…then everything else falls into place (or as my good friend, L ( “The Prophet” ) says: “Get yourself right with Jesus, man!” and/or “Get your next ‘fix’ from Jesus!”)!
* Making Peace with Your Enemies
God honoured David’s attempt to make peace with his enemy.
Making peace with an enemy becomes a possibility with faith in God.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
(Psalms 23:5)
Develop a “spirit of reconciliation” (Jesus was “the author of reconciliation”)
* Find a Pass Through
When you face a mountainous problem, do not quit. Climb over, tunnel underneath, find a pass through, or simply speak to your mountain with mountain-moving faith….and nothing will be impossible for you (see Matt:19:26)
“When faced with a mountain
I WILL NOT QUIT!
I will keep on striving
until I climb over,
find a pass through, tunnel underneath –
or simply stay
and turn the mountain
into a gold mine,
with God’s help.”
– Dr RH Schuller
* On the High Places
God is my strength and power and He makes my way perfect. He sets me on my high places.
2 Samuel 22:33, 34)
When faced with a mountain in your life, do not quit. Never!
Climb it!
* Jerusalem
From tiny acorns, giant oak trees grow. The law of sowing and reaping. There are infinite possibilities in tiny beginnings…especially when God is in them!
Like the city of Jerusalem, our lives are often limited by what we may consider to be a lack of important resources – talent, money, education, or contacts. With a committed faith in God, we are assured that He will make up the difference between what we have and what we need (see Phil 4:9)
* I Say to You, “Arise”
Allow God to turn your little beginnings into endless (infinite) possibilities. Put your faith in Him He is the unending resource for the accomplishment of your dreams….and even the wildest dreams
The Law of Command: “Speak” them, your wildest dreams into existence!
* Put Your Trust in a “Stranger”
Just trust. Jesus. With faith He will draw “greatness” out of you – the highest qualities that is the “sleeping giant” that you didn’t even know lay slumbering deeply within you.
What would you do with your life, if you KNEW that you could not possibly fail?
* Elijah’s Triumph
Like Elijah, when we find time alone with God we will be strengthened and nourished. We must seek out God,,,in times of both feast and famine, success (remember to give thanks) and failure. Failure does not mean that God has abandoned us. It just means that He has a better plan.
Don’t just look to God in times of trouble.
(there are no atheists in a life-boat! or soldiers in a foxhole)
In times of stress and turmoil, remember to be quiet before God. Listen to His still small voice. His power will strengthen you to go out and, like Elijah, with God’s help defeat any problem.
* I say to You, “Arise”
Jesus brings new life to our dreams…even when they appear to be extinguished..
Allow Jesus to do the impossible in your life. Heed his call, when He says to you, “Arise”
s
* When Faced with a Mountain, I WILL NOT Quit
– Tunnel Underneath
Always remember that God can give you creative and unexpected solutions to your problems.
“When faced with a mountain
I WILL NOT QUIT!
I will keep on striving
until I climb over,
find a pass through,
tunnel underneath –
or simply stay
and turn the mountain
into a gold mine,
with God’s help!”
– Dr RH Schuller
* The Pinnacle of the Temple
Follow Christ’s example of service to others.
Stay single-minded in our purposes and accept God’s divine calling on our lives. The great reward for doing so cannot compare with any passing praise on earth.
* Our Greatest Enemy – is OURSELVES
Beat negative thoughts with thoughts of possibility. You can’t hold both a negative and a positive thought in your head, “the top two inches” at the same time.
Feed your mind with nourishing positive thoughts of faith… and watch the garden of your mind blossom
Your walk of faith will be productive, highly satisfying, worthwhile and filled with joy!
* * *
* Freedom to Stand Before God
…knowing, trusting that the Ultimate Source will meet all of our needs.
It’s a change of consciousness… human to a God-consciousness.
“True freedom is the freedom to be ourselves”
* Dare to Wade Deeper
Miracles happen when you practice the faith of deep water.
Faith always calls you to move forward, to go the extra mile. – it compels you to wade deeper into the sea of life, to go the extra mile to to go further than you’ve ever been before.
It takes faith (great) to wade into deep waters- especially when you don’t know where the bottom is. You do not know what the future holds, but then you DO know who holds the future.
* Swallow Your Hurts, Failures and Rejections
We’ve all had them! Even after losing everything (except his faith),in the midst of his suffering Job acknowledged the greatness of God (Job 9:27 and 42)
In the depths of the “valleys of life”, you can stimulate a new spirit and overcome anything that life throws at you.
Just TRUST God, Infinite Spirit… that things will work out eventually…
and they do…always!
* Climb out of Your Rut
Job, too, had to learn that it sometimes takes the power of God to release us from negative, locked-in thinking (Job 29)
If you’re in a deep deep hole (filled with the smelly brown stuff)…
then stop digging!
Climb out of the hole. Accept the challenge. You can tackle some exciting new possibilities…today!
* You Can Rise from the Ashes…
one day, like a phoenix
Faith can sustain you in the valleys of despair.
“There is a season for everything under the sun” (Ecclesiastes)
Say to yourself: “This too shall pass.”
“Speak it” into existence.
And
The winter will turn into the spring…
and the spring will soon turn to summer…
and the summer is a time of harvest.
You will reap a rich harvest simply because you sowed a good seed in faith…
and you never gave up!
* “The Lord is My Shepherd ; I shall not want.”
(Psalm 23)
This psalm reflects a beautiful relationship between David and his Lord, for David saw God at work in the ordinary activities of daily life.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
(Psalm 23:6)
* Guide Me, Lord
The psalmist David wrote: “Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.”
(Ps25:4)
You are walking the walk of faith when you dream God’s dreams and seek God’s guidance.
The eternal God will shape your will and direct your way. God has promised to give you guidance into the “realm of the unknown”..
In the depths of your heart, you know with certainty the course of action your life must take. God Himself answers your prayers for guidance, giving you a strong and powerful will to proceed along the determined pathway. Remain open to the Lord’s leading.
* Make a (the) Commitment
We must ACT on belief (Jesus says in the Gospels, “follow, go, seek and knock”). Faith is the mental activity that draws God into our minds and imaginations until a passion ibegins to enflame our wills, motivating us to action. Psalm 37:5 challenges us: “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
Walk the walk of faith…today!
* The Remote Places
Find a Remote Place of time and space “far from the madding crowds”
It’s an oasis of solitude and peace to spend time with God
(For me it’s a walk along the magnificent beaches here)
* Put God on Your North
“Beautiful in elevation
The joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.”
(Ps 48:2)
God can strengthen you (both physically and spiritually) , fortify you when you feel weak
Let God be the “Mount Zion” in your life…a compass to guide you northwards.
* Give God Your Burdens
Faith is trusting that God will settle the accounts with those who have been unjust and unfair with you. The psalmist David wrote: Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”
(Ps 55:22)
So don’t carry grudges – bury them. Whilst life is often not fair, God can handle injustices a lot better than you can.
God knows the “ins and outs” of the entire situation upsetting you a lot better than you do. So hand them over…fully.
Take time to pray about the situation; then trust God to settle the matter in the best possible way.
* Start Singing…
A new song (of praise)
in the rain as well as in the sunshine.
Fully hand over your problems to God (or Jesus, if you wish). I have so many I throw many pebbles into the sea.
“Lord”,
I hand over all my problems to You.”
And the Good Lord answers:
“Craig, couldn’t you give Me something more simple, like asking Me to bring peace to the Middle East!
Trust God to turn our direst circumstances into life-giving hope.
* God’s Shepherds in the Wilderness
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
(John 10:11)i
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
(John 11:25)
* Be A Dreamer
Expand your horizons.
“Lord,
Expand my horizons for all the rich promises you have in store for me.
Thank you ”
* The Mountains Surround Jerusalem
“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people from this time forth and forever.”
(Ps 125:1,2).
The ancient Israelites had a constant reminder that their security came from God. The mountains surrounding Jerusalem became to them a symbol of God’s power, care and love.
God’s love is permanent and surrounds us, as the psalmist assures, “from this time forth and forever”.
* Chart the Course
Think, plan, then chart the course.
Trust God for wisdom.
Be determined to reach the destination – God’s plan for your life.
Be confident that:
As the proverb says, “where there’s a will, there’s a way”
If it’s God’s will He will show you the way
“The prudent man considers well his steps.”
(Prov 14:15)
If you keep the faith, God will show you HOW
* Faith Scans the Horizon
From possibly shattered dreams towards
Endless Possibilities, Far and Great Horizons (nice title for a book, eh?).
Faith is belief in the future…so look forward expectantly.
* The Disciples were Disciplined, ie. totally committed (to Jesus)
Develop the virtue of self-discipline
Solomon wrote: “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down without walls.”
(Prov 25:28)
Focus on God. Pin your faith on Him.
* Let Go and Let God…
Let Good Flow Into your Life.
Jesus taught that we should be like the patient vinedresser. We should not be negative, worrying about circumstances and events beyond our control.
May God grant us the wisdom to know when to plant and when to sow; when to hold on and when to let go; when to undertake new tasks and how to let God bring them to fruition (completion) and the knowledge to make the right decisions with dignity.
* Seasons of Faith
Keep trusting God to give you His sense of timing. Pace yourself. Now you move, now you wait, now you race, now you rest..
Possibility thinkers don’t quit – they change their pace to win the race.
There is a time for every season under the sun. (Ecclesiates)
* Reach for the Stars..
and you may just reach them
Striving for excellence is an act of faith.
Talent does what it can genius does what it must.”
– Edward George Bulwer-Lytton.
God is not honoured or glorified by mediocrity.
ASK yourself: What outstanding high goals would aim for, if you knew that you could not fail?
Say:
“I can do it!”
“I can become a champion, if I set my heart on it!”
“Be the very best person you can be with “loads of” FUN. Become the person you are CAPABLE of being … and ALL the person God,
Our Creator intended and CALLED us to become.”
“When I let go of who (and what) I think I am, then I become all that I am capable of being.”
– craig (as adapted and inspired from Lao Tzu)
* Sow the Seed of Faith
Always give the Lord your very best
“Do your best and let God do the rest”
This is faith in action, praising God for His goodness
Ie having an attitude of thankfulness (not of lack, but one of an attitude of gratitude)
* Sow the Seed of Faith…daily
Plant good seeds, like a farmer. Treat good ideas as seeds. Speak positively to others. Plant the seed of faith – in your home, in your work and your community…today
Have a good idea (and “thoughts are things” – powerful)?
Plant it in an attitude of faith.
Nothing happens until you start doing something… then watch the seed grow! over time
* Lord, Send Us
Jesus gave His disciples the commission, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21)
“The Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things….”
(John 14:26)
The disciples of the early church went forth in the knowledge that they were given Christ’s peace and assurance. They could accomplish anything that they attempted to do – even conquer the mighty Roman empire.
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying:
‘Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?’
Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me’.”
– Isaiah 6:8
* Light in a Land of Darkness
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali…
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.”
– Isaiah
Put God first, and everything else follows and fits into place…like the pieces of a jigsaw.
To an area that was overrun by nations trying by force to build their kingdoms, Jesus brought the healing kingdom of God, Where empires had carried on campaigns of violence, destruction and death, Jesus carried His campaign of peace, hope and life. To a region that had seen great darkness, Jesus brought light.
“Here was a light behind the despair, beyond the darkness…”
June 23, 2012
“Here was a light behind the despair, beyond the darkness. At first a flicker of an ember, just a tiny pin-prick of dawning possibilities. Then burning slowly, brightly and bigger, a glimmer, a candle in the blackness of despair, which gave off just enough of a glow (luminescence?) to light a path. And so show the rest of us the way ahead… a path to endless possibilities…from the darkness into the eternal light.”
– as adapted (slightly) from Rian Malan’s powerful words in ‘My Traitor’s Heart’
From “It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn” (and Stirling)
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 and http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
* The Desert – a Garden
“The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever.”
(Isaiah 40:8)
God will make the deserts in your life bloom with new growth. Patience, perseverance and understanding are all required to let God work. We must give God time to heal our hurts. We must offer Him the chance to reseed and restore our dreams.
Then the biggest problem will become our biggest opportunity! The scar – a star! The desert a living garden! “The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.”
(Isaiah 35:1)
* Face Reality with Hope
The “inch-by-inch” principle in building our faith. Faith is not denying (contradicting) reality, but facing reality, our problems, both big and small with hope.
Whether your problem is big or small, don’t run from it, Face it and hand it over to God.
Today, face reality with hope, and begin to turn your life around.
For…
With God ALL things are possible!
* The Crooked Made Straight
The wilderness was a symbol to Israel’s Prophets of the power of God to change people’s lives. Isaiah foretold that “every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; the glory of the LORD shall be revealed.”
(Isaiah 40:4,5)
John the Baptist prepared the hearts of listeners for the message of the Lord –
He prepared the way of the Lord. Then Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah.
Jesus makes our mountainous problems into plains. He takes the crooked, twisted, confused aspects of life and makes them a straight highway to move ahead. And He smoothes the rough spots along the way.
Nothing is too great for God’s power!
Let the glory of the Lord be revealed in your life.. today!
* On Wings of Eagles
The psalmist compares God’s care for the people to the eagle’s wings. “Hide me under the shadow of your wings.”
(Ps 17:8)
Looking to the strong, muscular eagle, the biblical writer described his all-powerful God. “But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
(Isaiah 40:31)
Like the ancient Israelites, look to God for an eagle-powered faith. Prepare yourself by waiting patiently for your dreams to come to fruition. You’ll soar to new heights. Attempt to do something great for God even though you might fail, rather than doing nothing and succeeding.
* Welcome the Adventure
Look forward to the mystery, the magical journey of life….even with all its ups and downs, twists and turns
EXPECT a fruitful outcome to your endeavours.
Know God is with you, loves you and wants the very best for you.
* God’s Word – a Foundation for Faith
As you read the Bible, a firm foundation for belief , you can be confident that God has preserved His eternal truths to motivate, energize, inspire – to enable you to serve the Ultimate Source, to reach (and even perhaps surpass) your wildest dreams, and to become all the person God wants you to be (become). The Word of God truly is a rock-solid foundation for your faith!
* Open Your Mind to God
Meditate
Listen to the “small still voice within”
What does it mean to have faith?
Faith is opening your mind for God’s thoughts to flow in .”thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer 29:11)
Faith can move mountains. The greatest power in the world is a positive idea
Today open your mind to think God’s thoughts. Allow Him to shape you into a new and different person freed to become a possibility thinker.
* Many Logs Burn Brightly Together
…but take one away and it will not burn long.
When God gives you a dream, ACT on it in faith!
First pick up the bits of kindling; then step-by-step gather the pieces of wood for your fire…one made up of your time, talents, energies and education, so that they will burn brightly together… turning your wildest dream(s) into a roaring prairie fire.
Hold in your imagination new objectives, greater goals and even loftier dreams. Then, when the time is right, throw them on the bon-fire of life’s mysterious and magical journey.
* God Still Makes Miracles
Your life has a special purpose – there IS a reason why you are on this planet today. Your life has meaning, significance and value – in fact, it is a miracle!
So cherish it
Celebrate it!
Then move ahead with possibility thinking.
* The Olive Tree
Be like an olive tree. Anoint those around you with love. Help light the way. Be a symbol of God’s peace and goodwill towards people. And when people cut you down, grow back…stronger. Bloom where you are planted!
* Pursue Your Vision (with commitment, passion, persistence and determination)
“The me I see is the me I’ll be
If I cannot see it, I’ll never be it.
Until I believe it, I will never achieve it.”
Put your vision to paper and use your creative imagination to the fullest, through being an artist painting their ideas on the canvas.
Paint the masterpiece on the canvas of your imagination. Then move ahead with possibility thinking.
Have FUN(great)
” I truly believe we can ALL create and enthuse magic into ‘so-called humdrum little lives’. You don’t just have to be the choreographer, or the conductor of your life script – rather paint your life as the masterpiece it could (one day) be. There is a rich tapestry of talent in every human soul, that flows through the spirit of God. So don’t spend your days stringing and tuning your instrument; start making and playing your unique tunes of music right now.”
– -me
* Affirm Your Faith (frequently)
Just as the people of Israel were to trust God fearlessly and joyfully (Zeph 3:13,14) so should we.
Seek and serve God’s will
Walk the walk of faith
Think God’s thoughts
Set BIG goals
Chart a course.
Believe, really believe that you will succeed
Eliminate negative thoughts from your mind (stop them from nesting)
God would not have given you the dream (through planting the seed of desire in your heart), if you weren’t capable of achieving it.
Remember the promise found in Philiippians 1:6: “God, who has begun a good work in you, will complete it.”
* Announce Your Intentions
(to others). Faith takes the first step by dreaming. Share your dream (and expect funny looks).
Announce God’s plan??
(that’s not me!)
Be aware the public announcement of God’s plan intensifies the risk
ASK God for strength along the journey.
“We have it within; but we get it all from without. There is a well-spring of strength, wisdom, courage and great imagination within each one of us; but once we draw on this truth, it gets watered from without, by a Higher Source – the Ultimate Source of Life and Love, which is God, the very Ground of our Being.”
– me
* Allow God To Do the Unexpected (In your life)
God’s Kingdom is ONE of forgiveness, hope and love
Unlock your limited thinking. Give God time . Allow Him (?) to do the unexpected… let the Lord accomplish the impossible in your life!
“Even when your own light appears to be extinguished, another human being may light that candle once more,
turning it someday into a bright flame… somewhere, somehow”
– craig
A quick prayer:
“Thank You, Lord. Broaden my horizons for all the rich promises you have in store for me.”
* Called to Prepare the Way
John the Baptist was called by God to prepare the way for the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.
Now that Christ has come, our responsibility (My comment on that statement:??? depending on your mission- that’s not mine, but then I’m not “really religious”) continues to be the same: to prepare the hearts of men and women for the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are messengers called to prepare the way where we are, with whom we meet, and with what we have. Like John the Baptist we can encourage others to believe in God
Our lives can be a positive message of God’s positive love and joy.
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.”
(John 11:25,26)
Then go to the NEW TESTAMENT
From The Possibility Thinker”s Bible by Dr RH Schuller and PD Dunn (with some of my own thoughts added)
Shared with great thanks by craig (“information and inspiration distributer, incorrigible encourager and people-builder”)
”I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give give to me on that day.”
(2 Timothy 4:7-8)
“The important thing in life is not to triumph but to compete…it’s not victory but combat…not to have vanquished but to have fought well…not winning but taking part.”
― Pierre de Coubertin (French Educator, primarily responsible for the revival of the Olympic Games in 1894. 1863-1937)
from http://www.amazon.com/The-Prize-ebook/dp/B005GEX5DY
“Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, lets see how many people we can impact, encourage, empower and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”
Submitter’s Note:
Just typing and sharing these short “torts” of Dr Schuller (snr) with you “out there in cyberspace” has greatly motivated, encouraged, perhaps even inspired me to strive for my own dreams, ‘Endless Possibilities, Far Horizons. So I’ll keep “working” on these quick “torts” and elaborate i( big word, eh!) on them in a new much longer article…or perhaps a new book. T hope, I trust that these shared writings may do the same to you.
Till the next article…go well
craig
“I’m just a pencil in the hands of God.”
– Mother Teresa
About the submitter:
Craig believes in (and loves) sharing information and insights to try to make a difference in this world: to help and especially encourage people along life’s magical journey …and that brings him the greatest joy. In his life mission Craig hopes to help, encourage, motivate, uplift and perhaps even inspire people to be their best through realising their full potentials. His dream is seeing people reach for and perhaps even achieve their wildest dreams.
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html and http://goo.gl/vTpjk
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.
His various blogs on motor racing are at
http://grandprixdriver.wordpress.com
http://grandprixchampion.wordpress.com/
http://grandprixdrivermyblog.wordpress.com/
http://raceinthezone.wordpress.com
http://godandformula1.wordpress.com/
http://www.sportforpeace.wordpress.com and his various other blogs are at http://craigsblogs.wordpress
(Obsessive …or WHAT!!)
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstores”
“Together, one mind, one life at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, empower, uplift, encourage and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”
“What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.”
God is a mystery, a Creative Presence, the mystery, the Ultimate Source of Life, the Fountain of all Goodness, Who/That allows me to be who I really want to be and become.”
“God is leading us to the light. What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”
God IS blessing you
WHO IS "THE REAL, THE TRUE, THE LIVING" JESUS? 
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