Day 40: Living with Purpose

Wow! another 40 days of purpose!

God has been good during these 40 days as always. I think I said before this is my third time reading the 40 days of purpose book. I was thinking and looking over all my notes from this read and my previous 2 reads of this book and God has truly matured me.

Now I have to be honest about the purpose statement at the end, the first time I read it I did not even attempt my purpose statement. The second time I read it I actually recorded a date that I would start to write and a timeframe for me to complete it. I did not start the purpose statement on the date nor did I finish it by my recorded timeframe. So what about this time, "they say" the third time is the charm. Well I have started my purpose statement.

Now this is what I want to encourage everyone else to do, don't do what i did. Please start to draft your purpose statement today. It might take you some time to complete it. Get a journal, write down the five questions and get started thinking and drafting your answers TODAY. I am serious don't let this opportunity leave without getting your purpose on paper. The best way to stay on purpose is to write it down. Don't worry, it might change and grow but write it down.

But if God has shown to you your purpose as you write get busy operating in your purpose. Don't let writing stop you. I have to be honest I was a little discouraged that I did not follow through on writing my purpose statement but God who loves me reminded me that writing it is not the issue living it is what counts. With God's help I have operated in his purpose for my life and have grown through some of my fears. God has trusted me to work in his kingdom in new and different ways. He has allowed me to do things that I know if it wasn't his will I would not have been able to do. He has trusted me with some additional assignments that I am sure that I did not think of because I am asking him now - God are you sure you intend this work for me. Everytime I ask him, he continue to confirm - yes YOU. So I guess it ME.

So think of the thing that won't let you go. It might be a word, a phrase, a place, etc. Write it in your journal and you have just started writing your purpose statement.


Blessings,
Felicia Kennedy (aka Flea - yes at one time I was a size 0 and now ......)

Day 39: Balancing Your Life

This blog won’t long at all. Why? You ask. Because it is hitting way to close to home. Lately I have been feeling out of sorts, actually “unbalanced.” So today’s devotion is right on time, yet challenging. There always seems to be so many things to juggle and I struggle with where to find the time to fit things in. As I look as the purposes we have explored, I wonder where the “non-church” things fit in….So I made myself a little chart to try to encompass my life within these 5 purposes, to see if (1) it can be done and (2)have a wholistic approach to this so that I am not trying to track a bunch of unconnected things. So here’s my stab at it:

Worship	Fellowship	Discipleship
Church Private worship My body is God’s Temple Exercise Eat right Regular medical exams	Church family Maintain Relationship with those who may not necessarily be part of Church Biological family Friends and Signifi­cant relation­ships	Read the Word daily with an eye toward application Pray daily and without ceasing Attend Bible study weekly Tithe-we grow through giving, Jesus said that where our treasures are, there our hearts will be also
Ministry	Evangelism
Produce prayed over, prepared sermons and Bible studies Develop ministries and ministry leaders in Body of Christ	Develop stronger sermon invitations Take advantage of everyday opportunities to share the Gospel Invite 1 person to Church each week Show the love of Christ in daily living

Because I work in ministry full-time, my ministry section is my job section. For those of you who work in secular professions, you can place what you do in the Evangelism section because we witness by being good stewards of our jobs and working with excellence, integrity, and love. I challenge to begin working on your own charts and continue to develop them. See how what you fits into these 5 purposes and check up on yourself regularly.

Day 38: Becoming a World Class Christian....

Back in the day, when it was said that somebody was "on a mission" it usually meant that the person was not available mentally or physically for any activity outside of what is good for them. These individuals would go about whatever business they had with little thought about those around them. All that mattered to these individuals were making it to their destination.

We all have a mission in life. We are all born with drive and that drive will take us where ever we want-for the good or bad. But as believers, we must be mindful of how we chart our destination. When we accepted Jesus Christ into our life we also accepted the "Great Commission" -- the "Go" of our salvation. Where are you going with the Good News? Are you sharing the message with your family, friends, coworkers, stylist or barber? Have you talked with your neighbor about what God has done in your life? Are you willing to go overseas with this message? I know some may be thinking, "How should I go about sharing the Good News?" While walking up to someone and just proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel may work for some, but for the rest I would suggest that you look for an opportunity. Look for an opening to talk about how good God is.

I like what Rick Warren said when he mentioned "Prayer is the most important tool for your mission in the world. People may refuse our love or reject our message, but they are defenseless against our prayers" (p. 300) In addition to looking for opportunities and openings, don't forget to pray. Pray before you approach someone. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

God will use our unique SHAPE to share his word. Therefore we should not undermine our purpose just because it does not resemble someone else's assignment. Just because a person is not in the pulpit or listed among the elders in the church or carry the title of deacon or deaconess, does not mean that they are not equipped for the mission that God has called them to. Use what you got to get the message of the gospel out to the world.

Are you willing to ask God where you should "Go" with the good news that he has placed in your heart? I am!

~Tammy (aka Enerpeace)

Day 34: Thinking Like A Servant

If serving other people was the in thing to do I think more of us would do it! In life we are often caught up wanting to be "down", desiring to be popular, and wanting to be known, seen, acknowledged, and valued. The problem with this is that frequently in order to be acknowledged, valued, or popular we do the things that other people are doing or we do the things that we believe other people expect for us to be doing. Now this isn't always bad because a lot of times this means we try harder, run faster, give a little more all so we can come out on top and do our best. However, our lives are not about us or our personal successes! No, our lives are about doing what God has called us to do! Our lives are about being more like Jesus and being a servant to other. It is so hard in the society we live in to put others before ourselves when we are constantly receiving messages from the word that say, "Do you!" The very first point in today's lesson is one that blessed me, "servants think more about others than about themselves." I appreciated the explanation/reminder that this does not mean that we are called to think less of ourselves, but simply to think of ourselves less. I think that if we could just put down our worries, frustrations, and schedules long enough to help, serve, support, or encourage someone else then maybe God could work our stuff out without us further complicating things by always trying to "fix it." I believe that God wants us to lose our lives by adding to and sacrificing for other peoples lives. Jesus' life and ministry was all about servitude and although he is celebrated now, during his service he never received the Young Man of the Year Award or an award for leadership or service everything he did he did it out of a sense of call from God and a love of God's people.

We cannot get caught up in what other people are doing or not doing, we must simply push on and do the things that we know are right. I can remeber being in High School and hating my god-father for making me get up every single Saturdat at 9am to study for the SATs and so every couple of weeks I would muster up the courage to tell him that I didn't understand why I had to be up studying on a Saturday morning when everyone else in the WORLD was sleeping! Each time he would look at me and simply say don't worry about anybody else, just do what you have to do! And I believe that this is what God is saying to us right now, it doesn't matter what anybody else is doing all that matters is that we serve, we make a difference, we tithe, we worship, we encourage others, we live like we have some sense! True servants of God can't be caught up in what other people are doing or saying because thay are too busy trying to serve and please God!

I think the picture above of the Walmart smock with the popular slogan of "How May I Help You?" is one that reminds us that we should live our lives constantly seeking to serve others and to serve God. So, on today I am going to do my best (it's harder some days than others) to forget about myself and to be of service to God and God's people. I don't need a title, a robe, a plaque or a position what I really desire is to be of service to God and God's people. On today are you willing to wear the attitude of the blue smock in your spirit?

~Min. Shareka aka Swift Turtle

Day 32: Using What God Gave You

“It’s been a long , long time coming but I know a change has come!

Is it just me or does today’s reading fit perfectly with last night’s events?! BARACK OBAMA is the President of the United States of America, a BLACK MAN and we are alive to see it and had the opportunity to make it happen. Like many of you, I am grateful, thankful, excited, overwhelmed, joyous to the point of hysteria, and yet am having trouble taking it all in. I feel like Mary—“the Mighty One has done great things for me; Holy is his name” (Lk. 1:49). My mind knows the fact, an overwhelming victory with record numbers of people having participated in the democratic process. But my heart, it’s about to burst from this news and even though we know this is an historic moment and event in the history of the WORLD, we have not even begun to grasp the significance of what has just happened. But this I know—Barack used what God gave him!

When you look at this race for the White House, Barack really used his SHAPE to serve. He didn’t allow people’s criticism about what he did not have to cause him to focus on his (perceived) lack. He worked with what God gave him in the form of his innate gifts, talents, passions, and experiences. One of the major criticisms to Obama early on was that he was a “community organizer” and therefore not ready to lead a nation. But Barack used what God gave him and took that community organization model and grass roots level campaigning and organized a nation poised and ready for change. The things they said would count him out are the gifts he used to get in. And the results have been profound.

It really makes me wonder what God could do in our lives and in the world through us if we did the same? What if we said, “Yes, we can” and had the courage to use what God gave us rather than focus on what we don’t? What if we realized for real that God has already equipped us with whatever we need to serve? What if today, we thought, acted, and lived like that was true?

I am going to make my list today of my gifts, talents, and passions and then use them. Because that’s what God have me.

Day 31: Understanding Your Shape

"It is this last category, painful experiences, that God uses the most to prepare you for ministry. God never wastes a hurt! In fact, your greatest ministry will most likely come out of your greatest hurt" (Purpose Driven Life, p. 246)

Very few people know that I am a high school dropout. As a teenager, I would have been considered a juvenile delinquent had I been caught in the various acts of social transgressions I committed. For years I looked outside of myself for answers to God calling in my life. When the answer was not clear, I would borrow someone else's vision to validate and give shape to my life. Could anything good could from my life experience? My response to this question was an adamant no. As a result, I lived my life as fugitive running from my past in hopes that it would never catch up to me. But one day it did.

A few weeks ago I was facilitating a staff meeting at my office. New Jersey Youth Corps (a program for at-risk youth) was one of our guest speakers. As I was introducing the presenters to an audience who appeared to be tired and bored, I ended my introduction with the following statement, "The New Jersey Youth Corps is very dear to my heart as I am alumni from this program" Suddenly it seemed as if I had everyone attention. All eyes were on me from that point on. If that was not enough, one of the Case Work Supervisors asked for me to share my experience as a participant in this program. Following the presentation and with a trembling voice I began to disclose to my colleagues, boss, and visitors the events that led me to dropping out of high school and how I got back on track -- which was a result of my conversion and godly counsel from an older sister in Christ.

Had it not been for me excepting Jesus Christ as my personal savior and becoming actively involved within my local congregation, I would have never meet Jean Hunt Garroway - the sister who mentored me as a babe in Christ and provided me with information about the New Jersey Youth Corps. If I had not joined the New Jersey Youth Corps, I would have never obtained my GED and received the encouragement and support I needed to apply and gain admission into Rutgers University-where I obtained my Bachelors of Science degree with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology. My employment with the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) coupled with my belief that communities of faith are viable change agents to address social and educational decay within our cities pushed me to pursue and obtain my MPA (Masters of Public Administration) from the School of Public Affairs and Administration. It was through my studies in this program that I explored the intersection of religion and public administration. “Adding Religion to the Mix of Social Service Delivery” was the title of my capstone policy paper and the area where I am developing my muscles in ministry.

Truly, God can transform your misery into a ministry. This is the personal experience that I offer to my church at Worship in the Grove.

Yours Truly in Christ,

Tammy (Enerpeace)

Day 30: Shaped For Serving God

Tommorow is election day! Keeping with the spirit of this election season, I would like to remind everyone to get out and Vote!

_____________________________

Before God created us, he had to consider what our purpose would be on Earth. We know that part of our purpose includes worshiping God. God also had to consider how we would fit into this Earth and fulfill this purpose. God has given each of us different talents, qualities, and skills. None of us are exactly alike and we each have our ways of expressing things. This was not by accident, but was by design.

What's interesting about our gifts and talents are that they are constantly shaped throughout our lives. God has placed circumstances and situations in our lives to help grow our gifts to help worship him and fulfill our purpose in life.

This chapter focuses on your gifts. God gives each of us gifts that are to be used for ministry. There aren't any gifts that God has given us that can not be used for serving him. From the technology focused to the orators, God has provided all of us with specific gifts that can be used to lift his message. These gifts are not something that can be learned or studied. These gifts are specific to individuals that can only be given to us by God.

This entire chapter reminds me of how the United States elections work. You have many different people with different views and different beliefs. Each person goes to the polls to express thier views and vote for the person who you believe best represents your views. Ultimatly, everyone is voting to help better the United States and our society. Everyone serves a different role in the election process but the ultimate end goal is the same.

Our purpose in life is similar. We are all different people with a different set of skills, talents, and gifts. All of these different gifts work together to fulfill the purpose of worshiping God.

_______________________________________

Don't Forget To Get Out and Vote!

Day 27: Defeating Temptation

There are some quotes that simply live in the conversations I have with some of my friends. Many of them are simply funny things that one of us may have said in a previous conversation that when well placed in a new conversation demands laughter and hysteria! However, some of them are quotes taken from family members that just always seem to fit our conversations perfectly. A quote from one friends grand-mother, "Don't let Satan in your car, next thing you know he'll be trying to drive!" This one gets a lot of play when we start talking about the idea of flirting with sin or just walking the fine line between right and dead wrong! My favorite quote however, comes from the mother of on of my closest friends E-Dubb, "Watch your eye gate!" You simply just can't expose yourself to everything. You're not strong enough to see certain things and carry on business as usual.













So, after reading today's devotional the thought that I walked away with is RUN!!! Run very fast away from the temptations that are trying to jump all over you like a spider monkey! We must learn to remove ourselves from situations and people that tempt us to do things that are not pleasing to God. The other thing that I kept thinking of while I was reading today's devotional was that song that says, "Oh be careful little eyes what you see, oh be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down with love, so be careful little eyes what you see!" That song also says be careful little hands what you do, which reminds us that we ALL need to be mindful of the things we do, see, and say because God sees everything we do. And when it comes down to it I would rather God see me struggling with temptation, fiercely trying to distract myself from the allure of....(Mind your business! Dag!), and taking up random new hobbies rather then Him seeing me just giving in to temptation willingly because after all we all sin. What do you need to protect your eye gate from? And how will you distract yourself in order to defeat temptation?

~Min.Shareka aka Swift Turtle

Day 26: Growing Through Temptation

Yield Not To Temptation....................

...... Just ask the Savior to help you ...........................

These words started to come to me as I read the devotional lesson for today. I especially focused on the statement that our temptations grow us. I hope I can be honest with everybody today. I have some recurring temptations that I sometimes defeat and I sometimes give in to. I have to say I don't always pay attention to how I am feeling or what is triggering my weak moments. I feel really bad and not so smart when this happens. I really beat up on myself. Also, I haven't always remembered to ask God for help. I can honestly say sometimes I don't ask him for help because I don't want his help.

Also, I thought God gets tired of me falling for the same stuff and was tired of me coming to him and asking for forgiveness. I thought he was ready for me to be done with the foolishness but i have discovered that he is growing me. At one point there was a list of temptations that would defeat me and now there aren't as many on the list. At one point I did not even have a clue that these things were temptations that would lead me to sin but now I know. At one point I did not even care that I did certain things that led to sin but now I do. So you see, if God can work on me, there is hope for everyone.

Now, don't spend any time judging me as I am working my issues with God and we have a plan. Just be encouraged to know that God is available to you. Just ask him to help you and he will carry you through!

Felicia Kennedy (aka Flea - yes there was a time when I was a size 0 and now ..............)

Day 25: Transformed by Trouble

I think, no, I know that God has a sense of humor. My proof—that today was my day to blog and if there is anything I know about it is trouble. After sharing a bit of my family history with my campus pastor, he turned to me in stunned amazement and said, “I know that I am not supposed to say this but do you realize that you should be dead? How are you still alive and functioning?” Yeah, I know trouble and I do not like that I know it, been through it, endured it, had to overcome it. Sometimes, I’m very angry about it and I want a break. I think I deserve a break and some undisturbed joy. Not just the joy that comes from serving the Lord, but joy that is the result of one’s circumstances lining up to cause joy. I don’t want “faith joy” where I am believing and trusting God; I want “sight joy” where stuff is actually OK and my present reality is good—you feel me? It’s not that my life is horrible but there have been some horrid moments and everything in me rails against them. I’m no super saint, I’d rather be transformed by anything else other than trouble. Why not chocolate? Why can’t I be transformed by chocolate?!



But here’s what I have learned about trouble. I am not transformed by it. I am transformed by my trust in God. Trouble presents the opportunity to trust God and when I take that opportunity, I am transformed. The experience that crystallized this for me was when my father died. My prayer had been that God would leave me with 1 parent (I had already lost my mother) until I married and had a child. I counted on the fact that God was a healer and maybe God would have mercy on me. But God didn't. My father died and I have never hurt like that before or since. In 1 day, I lost both my parents. On that day, I might have punched someone in the face had they told me, “God is good.”

There was no goodness. It didn’t feel good. It didn’t look good. It was NOT good, at all!!! And I remember, in the quietness of hotel room after ministering powerfully at a retreat and being angry with God for deciding to show up at the worship service but not in my father’s hospital room, that in this instance I had to believe God was good because I saw no empirical evidence to support what I previously accepted as fact. That’s when I was transformed, when I decided (not felt like, was led to) yes decided to trust the goodness of God when I could not trace it; when I could not see any good being worked out.

I still miss my father terribly. The pain of his loss has been so acute that is has taken me six years to cry freely. For so long, I was like a child who falls and hurts herself so badly that she jumps up and down with that stunned look, mouth open, but no sound or tears come out because the pain is so overwhelming. I have learned to live with the loss but it’s still not good. Yet I dare to believe that God is working this together for my good; that God is good when life points to the contrary. I believe that and to answer my campus pastor’s question—it’s the reason why I am still here. I’ve been transformed by my trust.

Rev. Raquel

Day 24: Transformed by Truth

The Word of God is a living agent working around and within us to transform our lives.

I am not a Gardner. However, my rudimentary knowledge of gardening tells me that before any thing can come out of soil, the soil must be cultivated. The cultivation of soil prepares it to bring forth harvest. Likewise, if our lives are going to bring forth Christ to the world, we must be cultivated by the Word of God.

When we abide in the Word of God, the word makes its habitation within us. Once the Word of God is rooted in our lives it begins its work of transformation within us. The word will settle, anchor, and keep us during any life situation. The same word that chastises and corrects us is the same word that comforts and care for us. We must give the Word of God priority in our lives if we expect to see change.

Are you aware that Gods word seeks after us? As we are growing and maturing in Christ we must learn to make Christ centered decisions. But sometimes we fall short; and when we fall, it is the Word of God that finds us and helps us to get back on our feet. But if we don’t have the word within us, it can not help us. This is why regular bible study, memorization, and meditation upon the word God is vital to our existence.

The enemy will attempt to shake or choke God words out of our lives. Nevertheless, if we are diligent in seeking God for direction through his word, we will remain steadfast and unmovable in the word of truth.

Blessings,

Tammy (Enerpeace)

Day 23: How We Grow (Man / Woman 'ing Up!)

Please Watch the video above before you continue reading.
You may look at the video above and wonder what in the world does Lion King have to do with “How We Grow”. When I was younger I used to watch the Lion King movie. Matter of fact, this is secretly one of my favorite movies. I love the message of growth and finding oneself that runs throughout the movie. The Lion King movie has MANY great messages (Like This One: Click Here).The movie helps teach kids about responsibility and ultimately how everything and everyone in life have a common purpose. We are all one and tie in together. In the video above, you see young Simba learning about Hakuna Matatta. This is a an idea of a carefree and easy going life. You can see that he learns this at a very young age and carries it with him throughout his young adult life. I picked this video to show that we Grow based upon the decisions we make in our life. In the end of the movie Simba ultimately changes his ideas and beliefs and winds up becoming the King.

I love messages about positive growth and even more about spiritual growth. Before I continue blogging about this days message, I wanted to highlight one of my favorite bible verses. It just so happened that this appeared in Day 23 of the book.

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me." - 1 Corinthians 13 : 11

This chapter was a great introduction to spiritual growth. It helped frame the idea of spiritual growth and the responsibility needed to grow.

First off, you must want to grow. There must be a self motivated desire, an internal yearning to grow. This is similar to external locus of control. External locus of control deals with how you view faults and guilt. People who have a view of external locus of control feel that the world is in control for thier actions. There are outside forces that motivate them to do things. On the flip side, Internal locus of control focuses on self motivation and responsiblity. You are responsible for your own actions and you are the motivation for doing the things you do. Spiritual growth is similar. Spiritual growth can not happen without you deciding that you want to grow. The pastor, your friends, & your family can not force you to want to grow spiritually. You can not be prodded, poked, and guilted into wanting to grow spiritually. You have to want to grow.

It's not enough to want to grow, you must also commit to growing. There are alot of people who WANT to success, fame, money, and many different things. But you must also commit to what you want. If you want to grow spiritually, you must commit to growing spiritually. Again, you can not be poked, prodded, and guilited into commiting. A commitment has to come from your heart and be genuine.

Part of commiting requires you to change your ways. Changing your ways can be highlighted by the bible verse I quoted above. When you were a child, you did childish things. You were immature, selfish, and materialistic. However, part of growing up and maturing is letting go of all of those childish traits.

The book states that you need to change your auto pilot. I think that this ties into changing your ways. You act a certain way because this is embeded in how you think. You act on your thoughts and how you were raised. Some of these traits were engrained in your personality when you were younger or habits that you picked up throughout your life. In order to change your autopilot, it requires that you change the way you think and how you view things. This can be the most difficult part of growing. It requires dedication and endurance.

I know people often use the term "Man Up" or "Woman Up". It often means to not be afraid of a situation and step up. I challenge each of us to Man / Woman up. I can not force you to want to grow nor can I tell you what traits you need to change in order to help you grow spiritually. You are the only one that can look at yourself and decide what you need to do. But as we continue to walk through the 40 days of Purpose, God may talk to you and challenge you to "Man Up". Are you up for the challenge?

I'll close this posting with a video for all of the Lion King fans...

- Keith (AKA Deeply Rooted)

Day 19: Cultivating Community

Community requires commitment. Here is the list of of the nine characteristics of bibilical fellowship:

We share our true feelings (authenticity)
We encourage each other (mutuality)
WE support each other (sympathy)
We forgive each other (mercy)
We speak the truth in love (honesty)
We admit our weaknesses (humility)
We respect our differences (courtesy)
We don't gossip (confidentiality)
We make group a priority (frequency)

When I read the lesson today explaining how all these were important for community building immediately I started to think about which of these characteristics was I good at and which ones I need the most development. I pondered this questions and decided that I would have to challenge myself the most in the area of humility. At first I thought, I don't act like I got the big head all the time and I can accept others and follow their lead sometimes. So I thought I was good at being humble but when I thought a little more about the statememt above "admitting my weaknesses" I had to be honest and say I am not good at being humble. My inability to admit my weaknesses are rooted in the fact that I don't want to give anyone any thing that they can use to hurt me or judge me. I often say I am a good friend to people but I don't always allow them to be good friends to me. I think I started to keep people at a distance and not trust them with my weaknesses in grade school. ( I can't believe I can remember that far back! LOL) I had this group of girls who I thought were my best friends in the world. We did everything together or should I say they did everything I said do. I thought they were really my friends until one day I was late meeting the group and happened to show up at our spot late and without them knowing that I was around the corner. I heard them talking about me and saying things about me that really hurt my feelings. These were girls who had stayed at my house, went to dinner with me and my parents, met my Muddear, etc. I thought we were tight and I heard them making fun of me for crying about some family issues and me being afraid to sleep with the lights off. Now as petty as this sounds, I never forgot that I heard them talking about me and what I thought were major secrets about me and my issues.

I don't remember how I reacted or if I called them on talking about me (knowing me I am sure I did and it wasn't nice) but I can say for that day forward I am a little guarded and I don't show my weaknessess to people in general or close friends.

Now what is my challenge - I am certainly not planning to bleed all over people but for those folks who I need to be in community with I am deciding today to turn in my superwoman tights and wonderwoman outfit (even though I might keep the braclets LOL!).

Hit me back about which of these characteristics hit home with you.

Blessings,
Felicia Kennedy (aka Flea - yes at one time I was a size 0 and now ......)

Day 18: Experiencing Life Together

“Mutuality is the art of giving and receiving” (p.140). This was the line that needled me during my devotional reading. I think I do mutuality well. I know how to reciprocate and receive based on what I have given. It’s not the mutuality that trips me up; it’s grace. Grace is unmerited favor. It’s getting something you did not earn or ask for. Grace gives “just because.”

I give well but have a hard time receiving from people if I feel like I haven’t done anything to deserve it. Gifts “just because” no matter how small make me a little uncomfortable. It’s one of my little idiosyn-crazies. A person I only recently met bought me a seltzer and chips when we stopped at a little bakery before our meeting. I could hardly concentrate on the conversation because I was so messed up by the food. It was only like $2.50 worth of stuff but I kept thinking, “Why did she do that? I have money. Should I have accepted this?”

Funny thing is I do not have this problem with God, only people. I’m a practical person. I know there is no way possible for me to earn what God gives me. If I am to receive anything from the Lord, I have to accept God’s grace towards me. It’s the people who challenge me…

I think it has a lot to do with my upbringing. I am an adult child of an alcoholic so I did a lot, achieved a lot, excelled a lot in hopes that it and I would be good enough reasons for the drinking to stop. It didn’t but I got used to giving, kept on giving anyway. However, I never really learned how to receive. I stopped expecting things from people, especially the important stuff so now it’s hard for me to receive. There was a time when I could not receive at all. Now I do but everything in me feels uncomfortable, slightly off balance when I cannot seem to understand the connection between what I get and what I give. I’m beginning to explore why being me isn’t enough of a reason to receive something when it is usually the only reason I need to give to another. I am beginning to see how my inability to receive stunts the growth of the giver, because the giver needs a receiver. And I am realizing that I need to be a better receiver if I truly want to be in fellowship with other believers.

I think that most people feel more comfortable with either giving OR receiving. Which side do you lean on? Fellowship requires both. I want the fellowship!

Rev. Raquel (aka #1 Superguy but trying to become less “super”)

Day 17: A Place to Belong

Take a moment and look at your key ring or somebody else’s key ring. Some of us will find a multitude of key tags that give exclusive benefits for members at various locations. We accept free and sometime fee related membership with certain entities because of the special perks they provide for members. Membership provides individuals with incentives for belonging. Yet, the only way one can receive the benefits is by initiating and/or welcoming participation.

As I was reading today’s devotional, the popular phrase that came to mind was “Membership has its benefits.” Are you aware that being a member of the Body of Christ has benefits? These benefits are designed for your spiritual growth and maturity; which leads to manifested changes in your lifestyle. But in order to receive these benefits, one must be willing to initiate and welcome invitations to become involved with the activity of the local church. As members of one body, we all have a role to play in the development of our communities by spreading the good news of the Gospel in word and deed.

We were not created to live a life of solitary confinement. I often question the logic of individuals who say that all they need is Jesus and never seek to develop Christ centered relationships. Jesus example alone reveals that he had a social network of at least twelve individuals (i.e. the disciples). In addition, his public ministry exposed him to individuals from all walks of life. His connections were meaningful and useful for his purpose on the earth. The relationships that we develop as a result of membership within the body of Christ can help us to reach our God given purposes if we are willing to activate them.

You belong to the Body of Christ and the Body of Christ belongs to you. Make use of your membership benefits today!

Blessings,

Tammy (Enerpeace)