Chapter 5: WRITE A MILLION WORDS

Lives of remarkable people demand hard work. Great purpose is found by determined, impassioned, relentless effort.

• Do it every day.
• For years.
• With intention.
• Get an expert teacher.

It takes 10,000 hours to reach the top of our field. It takes talent and preparation.

RESOLVE

Whatever you do don’t bury your talent and expect praise.

The kingdom of God is a kingdom of thriving. People who don’t work to grow their talent live far from the kingdom of God.

Giving up is easy. It requires no willpower, determination or tenacity.

As part of Living Ministries I have had so many situations where God took us to the last second to bring everything together; often my agenda was wrong and I saw Him move in ways I never anticipated through our committee members and people in our community. I know Living Ministries is not done (although we have not done anything for a couple years) but I am waiting for God. When I got sick and couldn’t be the driving force, no one offered to take the wheel. Obviously we ran by my will much of the time. But I wont be impatient. God knows when the time is right so I am enjoying learning and growing so I will be ready.

Lord thank You that You know the plan. You know what You want to accomplish. Please make me ready when You are. If you want Living Ministries to be, please make it so.

I miss the people. I miss the interaction. I miss watching You move in people at events. Thank You that You are carrying me now and let me see You in everyday activities.

Often we had no answer until it had to happen. Most of the people in my life then and now didn’t understand. Even I can’t put into words what we did. Helping people see hope is not tactile. Hopefully next summer we can step out again. Please build it this time. You were always there, but I didn’t always wait for You or let others have their part. Please forgive me and teach me how to lead in whatever capacity You desire.

Bless You Lord! Amen

Chapter 6: MAKE WAVES

Sometimes our decisions don’t make sense to anyone but us. We might have the education, influence and job that will pay the bills but it isn’t what our heart’s are wired for because God has plans for us that no one else will understand.

BUTTERFLY EFFECT

• What if everything we do has eternal consequences?
• What if every conversation matters?
• Jesus explained that each life lived and every action taken has no extraordinary effects.

“You have never talked to a mere mortal.” C.S. Lewis

Nothing about you is insignificant.

Your words and actions take root in a person’s soul and grow:

• Coffee with a friend who is down
• Phone call to your aunt
• Inviting your neighbor to dinner
• Telling a stranger they are beautiful

Every moment matters!

EXPECT INCREDIBLE

The passion stage of Christian maturity is about:

• Living full of faith
• Living a God-given purpose
• Living a limitless potential

God has so much waiting for us!

The Christian life that only happens inside a church building is only scratching the surface.

Chapter 7: BURN THE BOATS

Victory or death only happens when you can’t rely on transporting yourself back from where you left from.

When we demolish plan B — we must succeed!

When we hold only the past too long we resist the future God has created.

When we rely on contingency plans we have room for hesitation, fear, anxiety, doubt and resistance.

Passionate faith is a full, real life.

REGRET

We are not giving God a chance to show up and do something spectacular when we:

• don’t believe in our dreams.
• let fear stop us.

Our prophecies of failure will always come true because we planned them and enabled them and let them happen.

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

1 Corinthians 16:9

Trials, troubles, difficulty, disappointment and frustration do not necessarily mean you walked through the wrong door. Life spent seeking after God requires courageous resolve.

WHEN GOD STOPS THE RIVER…GO!

Faith is the fuel of spiritual growth. You grow with each step of faith you take.

When the Hebrew people crossed the Jordan River it probably was more like Black Friday at Walmart than a nice, orderly parade. When God stopped the river they knew they needed to move fast.

Playing it safe is never Gods’ plan.

When the doors opens — go!

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven.

Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this:

Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world.

I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me.

I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.

Amen

The Lord is with you always.