To Each His Own Dance

To Each His Own Dance…

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12

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Autumnal Leaves by Simon Howden

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The Autumn winds

Rustle through trees;

Leaves dance in the air,

Flying on the breeze.

Each leaf that falls

Displays its own dance;

God is perfect in His design,

Nothing left to chance.

One colorful leaf twirls,

Another leaf glides,

Another one spins,

One rocks to both sides.

Each dance is unique,

Each a marvel to my eyes;

So too are the dances

Of clouds in the skies.

As they ride the heights,

The clouds dance in the air;

Each a new formation,

Unique, without compare.

Is not my life

Also much like these?

Did God not make us unique,

As His heart did please?

Our Lord God is the Potter,

We are His clay;

He created each of us

To serve a special way.

Many a part

Has the body of man,

So too the Body of Christ

Reflects this plan.

Wonderfully unique

I am, and so are you;

Perfectly equipped we are

For what we must do.

As one leaf does twirl

And another does glide,

So too we dance differently,

Those who in Christ abide.

Come, let us rejoice,

With the leaves let us dance;

God designed us perfectly,

Nothing He left to chance.

And as Autumn winds

Rustle through trees,

Let us celebrate our differences,

For God we live to please.

~*~

I would love to hear your thoughts!

To each his own dance! How do you celebrate your unique qualities?

How do you use your special gifts to glorify God?

Leave a Comment

~*~

Interested in working with a Christian Business Coach? Contact Caroline Gavin via caroline@purposefulpathway.com for a Free Christian Business Coaching Consultation.

Oct 9, 2012 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth Leave a Comment

Ultimate Guide to a Healthy Body Image

I recently had the honor of reading and reviewing The Ultimate Guide to a Healthy Body Image by Anne-Sophie Reinhardt.

Enjoy the review below:

Anne-Sophie Reinhardt passionately and adeptly addresses the topic of body image, an important issue that pervades all aspects of life. With the “13 Radical Steps to Boost Your Body Image,” she takes the reader on a journey to feeling more comfortable in one’s own skin. Additionally, the “Make Your Home a Body Image Safe Zone Guides” heighten awareness to – and provide steps to avoid – the unsafe body-image traps that surround us. With probing questions and practical, powerful exercises, The Ultimate Guide to a Healthy Body Image is a precious resource for those seeking to come to peace with their bodies…and thereby experience deeper joy in their lives. Readers step away from the journey with a stronger love for themselves, for others and for life itself.

Disclaimer: The author gave me a complimentary copy of the eBook in exchange for an honest review.

Oct 8, 2012 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth Leave a Comment

Living Sacrifice

Image courtesy www.freedigitalphotos.net
“Bridge in Park with Morning Rays”

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1

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The fresh morning air

Dances through trees;

I find myself before You,

Here on my knees.

The clouds move above me,

The sun warms my skin;

Myself I surrender

As the day does begin.

A living sacrifice,

Jesus, I am for You;

When I give my all,

My life You renew.

Surrender to You

Is the sweetest sound;

Within sacrifice

Richest graces abound.

So here on the altar

I place my everything;

You are my Master,

My Savior, my King.

I listen for Your call,

I heed all You say;

Your every word, Lord,

I live to obey.

If You lead to mountains,

The heights I will climb;

Should You lead to valleys,

I follow each time.

For my spiritual worship,

Holy and acceptable to You,

Is to glorify Your Name

In all I say and do.

Sweeter joy I know not

Than to be a sacrifice;

For You purchased me,

Your blood paid the price.

Jesus, how can I

Give any less for You?

I offer my life always,

No less can I do.

As a new day unfolds,

The sun warms my skin,

I marvel how You died

To cleanse me of sin.

And as fresh morning air

Dances through trees,

I sacrifice all to You, Lord,

Here on my knees.

~*~

I would love to hear your thoughts!

How do you put your “all on the altar”?

How do you give of yourself as a living sacrifice?

Leave a Comment

~*~

Interested in working with a Christian Life Coach? Contact Caroline Gavin via caroline@purposefulpathway.com for a Free Christian Life Coaching Consultation.

Oct 7, 2012 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth 2 Comments

Jesus, King of Kings

“…which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”

Timothy 6:15-16

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Clouds by Graur Codrin

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I praise You, I exalt You,

O Jesus, King of kings!

I glorify and magnify You,

For You my heart sings!

King of kings, Lord of lords,

You are for all eternity;

Blessed and immortal,

To You all the honor will be.

I look forward to the day

When I will see You face to face;

I rejoice in Your mercy,

I am showered in Your grace.

King of kings, Lord of lords,

You are love, You are light;

You are the Creator of all,

All creatures live by Your might.

For Your glory and honor,

Lord Jesus, I shall live;

You give Your all to me,

My all to You then I give.

Though the King of Kings,

For me You chose to die;

A word You did not say

When they clamored to crucify.

Silent as a lamb

Before its shearer, You did go;

Your precious blood You shed

That eternal life I would know.

Upon Your royal brow

A crown of thorns You wore;

Blood streamed beneath the thorns,

For Your skin they tore.

How can this be so –

The King of kings died for me?

How can it be true

That my Lord Jesus set me free?

Pure love You are, Lord,

Royal beyond compare;

You embraced the bloody Cross

That riches You could share.

Radiant light, O Jesus,

I see in Your face;

From the fount of Your wounds,

I am showered in Your grace.

King of kings, Lord of lords,

You are for all eternity;

You who rose from the grave,

To You all the honor will be.

I praise You, I exalt You,

O Jesus, King of kings!

Reign forever in my heart,

It is for You my heart sings!

~*~

I would love to hear your thoughts!

How do you celebrate the glory, love and mercy of Jesus, King of kings?

In what ways do you ensure He reigns in your heart?

Leave a Comment

~*~

Interested in working with a Christian Life Coach? Contact Caroline Gavin via caroline@purposefulpathway.com for a Free Christian Life Coaching Consultation.

Oct 4, 2012 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth Leave a Comment

Kim Hall Shares Her Joy on Purposeful Pathway Radio!

Kim Hall Shares Her Joy

on Purposeful Pathway Radio!

Purposeful Pathway Radio is a haven in which we share God’s message of peace, love and joy. The guests on Purposeful Pathway Radio share about their own journeys; my prayer is that you will gain not only insight but also inspiration by listening.

Purposeful Pathway Radio
www.PurposefulPathwayRadio.com

I am honored that today Kim Hall will join the show!

Kim is a devoted Christian, a mom, a wife and a sister to six. She shares her life experience with big servings of enthusiasm, hope, faith and joy on her blog www.TooDarnHappy.com. Drawing on her almost thirty years of marriage, parenting two daughters, and being part of a large family, she offers fresh perspectives, practical advice, and a challenge to find happiness in all circumstances. She recently authored her first ebook, Practicing Gratitude and Discovering Joy-30 Days to a Happier You. Kim will share her joyful journey here today on Purposeful Pathway Radio.

Join the journey via Purposeful Pathway Radio or by calling into the live show: 347.677.0662.

If you cannot join live, you can enjoy the archive:

Purposeful Pathway Radio

May God bless you always on your Purposeful Pathway!

Oct 3, 2012 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth Leave a Comment

Mountain Climbing with God

I am honored that tomorrow Kim Hall will join the Purposeful Pathway Radio show. Kim is a mom, a wife and a sister to six. Kim shares her life experience with big servings of enthusiasm, hope, faith and joy on her blog, Too Darn Happy. Drawing on her almost thirty years of marriage, parenting two daughters, and being part of a large family, she offers fresh perspectives, practical advice, and a challenge to find happiness in all circumstances. She recently authored her first ebook, Practicing Gratitude and Discovering Joy – 30 Days to a Happier You.

Enjoy Kim’s guest post below, and join us tomorrow, Wednesday, October 3rd, from 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. PDT / 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. EDT. You can stream the conversation via http://PurposefulPathwayRADIO.com, or you can join the conversation by calling 347-677-0662. As always, if you cannot join live, you can enjoy the archive: http://PurposefulPathwayRADIO.com.

Mountain Climbing with God

While my husband and I were hiking a mountain trail this summer, we passed by several different sized piles of rocks. Intrigued enough to stop and take some photos, I speculated they were the product of bored but industrious young hikers. My husband explained they were cairns and were created as markers for where the trail became too faint to follow and there were no trees to blaze with colored markings.

We continued our climb, and as we got closer to the top, I was so excited thinking about the view I paid less attention to the trail. Consequently, we temporarily lost our way a few times and had to retrace our steps to get back on track.

I was reminded of how this was so similar to our daily walk of life, and how often we get lost.

We may become impatient as our journey takes too many twists and turns, and just assume we know a better, i.e., easier, way.

We allow ourselves to simply be led off the trail by “something shiny” because we stop seeking Him and His wisdom first.

What we learn without fail is that when we trust God and follow His lead, He will take us where HE wants us to be.

While that may not be where we are comfortable or where we wanted or expected to be, it is always an adventure worth having, whether we recognize it as such at the time or a much later date.

How are you doing with your walk these days?

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:1-4 (TNIV)

Oct 2, 2012 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth Leave a Comment

Self-Publishing Simplified: How to Publish a Book on Kindle

Self-Publishing Simplified:

How to Publish a Book on Kindle

I recently had the honor of reading and reviewing Self-Publishing Simplified: How to Publish a Book on Kindle by Deborah Bateman.

The review is below, and I encourage anyone with interest in self-publishing to purchase this resource.

In Self-Publishing Simplified: How to Publish a Book on Kindle, Deborah Bateman first shares the importance of finding passion and allowing this passion to motivate the writing and publishing process. Deborah then shares in an easy-to-follow format the steps for publishing eBooks in Kindle Direct Publishing. Additionally, she discusses techniques for building a platform, marketing books online and promoting books via free book days. I strongly recommend this excellent resource for anyone writing – or considering writing – an eBook. A treasure trove of firsthand experiences and practical how-to guidance, Self-Publishing Simplified: How to Publish a Book on Kindle is a valuable guide for the writer.

Disclaimer: The author gave me a complimentary copy of the eBook in exchange for an honest review.

Oct 1, 2012 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth 2 Comments