Poetic Inspirations and Practical Applications for Blissful Living

Guest Post: Handcuffed to the Past?

“Are You Handcuffing Yourself to the Past?” by 3D Vitality Health Coach Ann Musico

 

In the posts before the holidays I talked more about cellular memory and stress and its effects on us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. According to many well-respected experts, including Dr. Bruce Lipton, beliefs and cellular memories are in control of our cells – not our DNA.  We also know that stress causes mutations in our cells – cell “suicide.”  There are all different types of stress – physical like injuries, accidents, surgeries, abuse; emotional like guilt, shame, fear and anger; and mental stress like worry, low sense of self-worth.

 

And we also know that stress is unique to each one of us.  What stresses me out may not even affect you at all!  But it all must be addressed internally.  You cannot solve your problem, regardless of what it is, outside yourself.  You cannot “blame” God or anyone else, even if they are the “cause” of the problem. 

 

So besides praying that Prayer of Transformation, possibly the most essential step is  http://www.impactministries.com/Resources/PrayerofTransformation.aspx forgiveness.  This is critical physically as well as spiritually.  Think about what we most often do when someone offends or hurts us – we feel that emotionally and unless the person comes to us and apologizes and we are able to release that offense, in order to “get over it” we bury it – we just ignore it in order to stop continually feeling it.  However, it’s not gone – it’s just hidden inside us. 

Dr. Jim Richards explained that the original meaning of the word forgive is to send away.  So let’s look at John 20:23 from the Amplified: “… if you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.”  If I substitute Dr. Richard’s definition it reads:  “If you send away the sins of anyone they are sent away; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.”  Obviously retained means they are held on to but it also means to give them mastery!  So you could say:  If you send away the sins of any, they’re sent away from you (!); if you retain them, then they have mastery over you.  Wow!  That is worth thinking about.

Well that hit me like a ton of bricks!  So we are to forgive or send the offense away – not ignore it, bury it or pretend it doesn’t bother us any more – because if we don’t send it away, our bodies assume we want to keep it. It has less to do with the person who hurt us than it does the feeling it causes us because whenever we get into a similar situation in the future, that buried feeling from the offense is triggered.   So, we are to send the offense away and to treat the person with “mercy” and wisdom – in other words, be more kind to them than they deserve but you don’t have to necessarily trust them or spend time with them.

Are there sins or offenses that have been committed against you that you have not sent away?

Guest Post: Raising Fruity Children

Dr. Traci Teasley

Raising Fruity Children by Dr. Traci Elizabeth Teasley

 

 

Children learn what we teach them.

 

When you hear the word “teach”, what image comes to mind?  You probably see a teacher in the front of the room imparting his/her wisdom to the students seated at their desks.  Formal school structures, such as this, are an extremely productive way to teach our children; however, do you know we also teach them by how we behave? My Pastor, Bishop Daniel Robertson, Jr.[i] says, “Some things are taught; some things are caught”, which means that our children absorb not just what we say, but also what we do.

 

All adults have influence on children, whether as a parent, neighbor, uncle, aunt, grandparent, coach, teacher, minister, community or business leader, so it is our collective responsibility to encourage the development of the skills children need to walk purposefully with the Lord.  One way to ensure they will learn is if we demonstrate these skills.  Children should not only see us reading our Bible and discussing God’s Holy Word, but applying His divine principles by loving each other, being patient with those we interact with, and exhibiting God’s joy in our conversations.

 

In the gospel according to Matthew, Jesus explained to His disciples that examples are more powerful than words:

St. Matthew 7:20 NLT

Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

 

To encourage our children to “catch” our fruit, we will need to be positively productive in how we live and love; specifically, do we:

 

  • Smile and say “Please”, “Thank You” and “Excuse Me”?
  • Refer to God’s Holy Word when making decisions?
  • Resolve differences amicably?
  • Exhibit a Spirit of Thanksgiving?
  • Pray at home and our respective houses of worship?
  • Help others willingly and cheerfully?

 

Even though I do not have children of my own, I act as if I do because God’s children are all our children. It is my job (and yours too!) to bear the fruit of the Spirit so young people can truly understand that God is not only in Heaven, or just a mere abstraction, but resides in each of us through His Holy Spirit.

 

We all play a part in raising fruity children; the question is what fruit are we serving them? Love or Hate?

Remember, children learn what we teach them. They will exhibit fruit and what they catch from us is more than likely what they will display.

[i] Pastor of the Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries, Inc. of Richmond, VA: www.thebalmingilead.org.

~*~

Enjoy Caroline Gavin’s interview with Dr. Traci Teasley via the media player below:

 

Compassion of Christ

Compassion of Christ

Compassion of Christ

 

Free Image Nice Sun Ray in Cave by wiangya

 

Image courtesy wiangya at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV)

 

With tender eyes

You look upon me,

Extending Your hand,

Giving mercy,

 

Showing compassion

For all of my pain,

Wiping my tears

Again and again,

 

Whispering to me

Words to heal,

Relating each moment

To how I feel…

 

Yes, sweet compassion,

Tenderness true,

Limitless love

I find in You.

 

No pain of mine

Do You not know,

Everything I feel

You feel also.

 

Tempted You were

In every way,

So You understand my frailty

Day by day.

 

Richly You bless

From Your throne of grace

With immeasurable mercy,

An eternal embrace,

 

Showing compassion

For all of my pain,

Revealing the treasures

In You I gain.

 

Yes, extending Your hand,

You give mercy:

Such compassion, O Jesus,

You have for me!

 

© 2013 Caroline Gavin

How has the compassion of Christ healed your pain?

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

~*~

Want more joy for your journey? I offer 5 complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” consultations per month. Contact me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com to see if you qualify for this powerful session. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and a customized action step plan!

Rise Above Resistance

Rise Above Resistance

Rise Above Resistance

 

Christian Business Tip Rise Above Resistance

Image courtesy M-Pics at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

 

Purposeful Pathway is the haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural.

The theme of this post is how to rise above resistance!

Have you met up with resistance lately? Congratulations if you have! It has become radiantly evident in my journey and in my clients’ journeys that resistance will meet us when we are growing. The resistance often comes in two broad categories: internal and external. We will experience internal conflicts, as the part of ourselves that wants comfort and complacency will battle with the part of ourselves that is ready to grow for God’s glory. We often will face external resistance too, whether from people or situations. Our growth shifts the balance of things; this shift can be uncomfortable and threatening for others as well as for ourselves. Uncomfortable as these “growing pains” may be, it is important to embrace them as a natural part of the process. It is essential to rise above the resistance and to celebrate it as a God-given gift.

How exactly can we rise above resistance? Let’s look at seven ways:

 

  1. Accept Always. Accept at all times that pain is a part of the process of sanctification. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12) Peter does not state “if” fiery trials will come, but rather “when.” Acceptance is a gateway to peace in the midst of pain.
  2.  Seek Christ’s Comfort. Resistance provides the wonderful opportunity to rest all the more in God’s arms and to seek His comfort. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Present your prayers to God. Journal your feelings to Him. Write letters of heartfelt supplication. God will surely wrap you in His divine comfort. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
  3. Recall your Reasons. Recall the reasons why you have made changes. When I have made significant changes in my life, it helped tremendously to review journal entries and prayer logs to remind myself why I did. The reminders refresh the strength to rise above the resistance!
  4. Give Voice to Virtue. Should others disapprove of or criticize your changes, you can grow all the more in virtue by responding with truth and with grace. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.” (Proverbs 15:1-2) Resistance provides perfect opportunities to reflect God’s love.
  5. Eyes on the Prize. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12) Keep your eyes on the prize, remembering that God rewards those who seek Him. He is faithful to exchange your cross for a crown if you remain faithful in the resistance.
  6. Pearls from the Pain. Journal your feelings and revelations in the process. Much we learn in the midst of trial, so be intentional about gleaning from the pain the precious pearls of wisdom. These pearls will serve not only to comfort you in future trials but also to comfort others.
  7. Grow in God’s Love. Resistance is a remarkable opportunity to grow in God and to grow in God’s love. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44) Thank God for the opportunities to exercise your faith and to abound in His love.

 

 

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

God is gracious to provide resistance to build our emotional and spiritual muscles just as we use weight resistance to build physical muscle. Welcome the muscle-building opportunities, and delight in the fruit that comes with keeping faith.

If you need help with rising above resistance or with building your business overall…I invite you to attract your ideal clients and powerfully boost your business over the next 40 days! There is no need to reinvent the wheel. I have organized my knowledge and experiences in business into an implementable 40-day series of actionable daily steps, instructional videos and powerful worksheets. If you need a serious boost in business, I encourage you to take the next step by visiting  Purposeful Pathway Business Academy today!


Let’s Pray: Radiant and Risen Savior, we thank You for the opportunities to rise above resistance. We thank you for Your grace in converting crosses to crowns. We thank You for Your power to turn tears into songs of joy. Help us, Loving Lord, to rise above resistance in order to bring You glory. Tenderly hold our hands every step of this purposeful pathway. Is in Your Name, Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.

 

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

 

Guest Post: Not It!

Mike Fenton

Not It!

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

 

     Have you ever played “not it”? A task or chore comes up that no one wants to do but someone must, and you are in a group of people, everyone yells “not it” and whoever yells last has to do the task or chore? Or as kids is was to see who had to catch everyone in a game of tag, or who had to go find everyone in a game of hide and go-seek. You always knew that no matter what the circumstance was, that sometime/someday your time to be “it” would come.

 

If we get lucky in life we keep those chances of being “it” to a minimum and we are able to sit-back and watch someone else do the work, however when it comes to our personal health we are “it”. We cannot look to anyone else to be responsible for us. Losing weight or not gaining weight all begins and ends with diet. It can all start with something as simple as practicing portion control while eating. Did you know that weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise and that by making simple dietary changes you can dramatically improve your health? But you must become “it”, you must take control!

 

We are in the midst of an obesity epidemic which in turn is spawning an increase in type2 diabetes. Currently type2 diabetes affects 24 million people in the U.S., but only 18 million know they have it. About 90% of those people have type 2 diabetes. Back in the year 2010 it was reported the costs for this disease was a staggering $174 billion a year to our country’s health care system! Type2 diabetes is just one in a number of different diseases that are off-spring to the obesity epidemic. There just too many horror stories in the world today of folks just like you and I losing their entire retirements because of diseases like type2 diabetes because of the co-pays, supplies, and medicines that Medicare did not cover. Folks that had enough money to retire but not enough to manage a chronic disease such as diabetes. Would you want to work your entire life only to give it away for medical treatment/services that you may have prevented just by taking accountability for your personal health by eating better and getting a little exercise in your life? Just by being “it”?

 

We live in a time where it is expected we take accountability for any action or inaction, we can no longer declare “not it”. If you want to protect your future and the future of those you love it is time to take responsibility.

 

When you think about the options (taking responsibility for our personal health) or saying “not it” and hoping for the best it would seem the answer is quite simple. If it means cutting out the processed foods and fast foods and replacing them with foods that have nutritional value, isn’t that better than putting your health in jeopardy?

 

You can start off easy by first practicing portion control. Don’t take so much food when dishing your food up and don’t go back for seconds. Next stop buying the processed foods that contain little or no nutritional value and replace them with something better. There are plenty of nutritious meals you can make at home that are much better for you than processed foods or fast foods. If you wondering where to find these meals visit the internet where there many websites where you can download or copy recipes. Get yourself off the fast-food fix, if it’s served in a box and through a window, look for healthier foods to eat. Lastly instead of saying “not it” say I am “it”, I am going to take accountability for my personal health.

 

All I Need

All I Need

 

All I Need Christian Poem

Image courtesy nuttakit at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

 

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:19

 

All I need is You, Lord,

Yes, You are all I need,

The eternal hunger of my spirit

You forever feed,

 

The longings of my soul

You satisfy with love,

My mind You ever fill

With Heaven above,

 

The song of my heart

You compose and play,

The steps of my life

You order on my pathway,

 

So all I need is You, Lord,

Yes, You are everything,

The reason I smile,

The happy song I sing.

 

Should ever I forget

How much You mean to me,

Lead me to Your Cross

There upon Calvary.

 

There You give me

Everything, indeed more;

There from Your wounds

Love and mercy pour.

 

I choose then, Jesus,

To live for You alone,

My will make Yours,

My steps make Your own.

 

You are my life,

You are light and love,

You are my treasured treasure

Reigning high above.

 

Yes, all I need is You,

You are all I need,

May I glorify You then

In every word, every deed!

 

© 2013 Caroline Gavin

Jesus is all we need! How do you celebrate His infinite gifts?

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

~*~

Want more joy for your journey? I offer 5 complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” consultations per month. Contact me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com to see if you qualify for this powerful session. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and a customized action step plan!

How to Accelerate with Action

Christian Business Tip How to Accelerate with Action

How to Accelerate with Action

 

Business Tip How to Accelerate with Action

Image courtesy Sura Nualpradid at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

Purposeful Pathway is the haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural.

The theme of this post is how to accelerate with action!

All of us know that we must take purposeful action to reach our powerful goals, right? Yet how often do we stall, even unwittingly, in the progress on our pathways? I have seen this in my own life and in my clients’ lives. Are you experiencing any area of stagnancy or being stuck? I encourage you to take even one inspired action step in that area in order to accelerate your business…and accentuate your joy!

How exactly does action accelerate our businesses? Let’s look at seven ways:

 

  1. Creating Confidence. Action builds confidence. For example, a new coach may not have much faith in her skills. Yet, as she works with clients, she witnesses the results they bear time and time again. If she waited until she had strong confidence before enrolling clients, she may never start. Yet, in starting, she develops confidence. So don’t wait for confidence in order to do; rather do in order to build confidence.
  2. Strengthening Skills. What is more effective at strengthening your cooking skills: watching countless cooking shows or simply getting your hands dirty and actually cooking? “Hands-on” training is a powerful skill-builder. As much as I encourage my clients to be avid consumers of excellent content, we all know too well the “analysis paralysis” syndrome. Is there an area in which you are devouring information but stalling on action? I encourage you to stop the information overload and start applying what you have learned. “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:23-25)
  3. Wielding Wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) The Lord speaks to us when we love and revere Him. He speaks to us in His Word and through His Spirit. Often, too, He speaks to us when we are in action. I have learned some of the most valuable lessons by the actions I have taken and their corresponding failures or successes. Taking action not only reinforces what we know but also reveals to us new insights and inspirations.
  4. Jumpstarting Joy. Want to boost your joy? Delight in doing. Taking action shakes things up, shifts our perspectives, and shines light on the miracles of God’s moving hand. “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19)
  5. Discerning Direction. God often reveals to us only one step at a time on our purposeful pathways. Go ahead and take one step in the “Red Sea” of your life; the Lord will part the sea and lead your steps. It is prudent to pray for wisdom in your decisions, but do not stall so long that you avoid the direction-revealing power of action. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
  6. Propelling Prosperity. “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4) When we pause to watch the winds and read the clouds of life, we miss opportunities to sow seed and bear fruit. Sow your seed even when the winds are blowing and the skies are gray. God blesses the one who takes diligent and consistent action. “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)
  7. Honing Holiness. We are made righteous by our faith in Jesus Christ, yet we express our faith in our doing. “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)  Acting upon our faith is an essential element of progressive sanctification.

 

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”  (1 John 3:18)

 

These are seven powerful benefits of taking action. You may wonder now what action to take? Start with the next best step, and you can learn exactly how here in another post. Is there an area in which you have been postponing action? Pause to pray and then accelerate with God-inspired action!

If you need help with taking action or with building your business overall, I invite you to attract your ideal clients and powerfully boost your business over the next 40 days! There is no need to reinvent the wheel. I have organized my knowledge and experiences in business into an implementable 40-day series of actionable daily steps, instructional videos and powerful worksheets. If you need a serious boost in business, I encourage you to take the next step by visiting  Purposeful Pathway Business Academy today!

 


Let’s Pray: Loving Lord, thank You for inspiring us with action that glorifies You. Thank You for teaching us Your perfect ways and for paving our paths. Thank You for blessing us with eternal fruit when we sow faithfully in Your Name. Bless our businesses and our lives as we choose to follow You every moment of every day. It’s in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

 

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton 

 

     At some point in our life we all have given thanks for something, and oh what a wonderful feeling it was. When we think about giving thanks there is so much to be thankful for of which the biggest reason of course is for the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. It is because of that sacrifice we have the chance to be saved and enjoy heaven’s beatitude. That is why it is so very important for us to keep in mind and heed the words written in Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him”.

     Giving thanks allows us to feel good and makes us happy for it is then that we realize just how wonderful life is. For some it may take more, and for some less; the important part is to find something to be grateful for and give thanks. It can be the simplest of things such as, I thank you Lord for this new day or as it reads in Chronicles 29:13 “Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”

     We find that the more we give thanks, the happier we are. Why? Because we are looking at the things in life we should be grateful for and by seeing and acknowledging the good basic things we have in life, it gives us strength, courage and wisdom to deal with the things that need change, the things that may be preventing us from finding inner happiness.

     There is also great happiness in helping others find things in their life they can be grateful for. By doing so we enable them to give thanks, and to experience personal happiness as well. Also by doing this we hope to create the desire in them to want to do more. Yes, giving thanks is contagious and once you experience its goodness you most certainly will want give thanks even more.

Never Say Impossible

  [Purposeful Pathway Radio] Never Say Impossible

I am excited and honored that the inspirational Myra Goldick shared on Purposeful Pathway Radio! Myra overcame a childhood laced with racial discrimination, poverty and disability. As a child completely paralyzed by polio, Myra was told she would never walk again and that living with it was her only option. Myra decided to fight for her physical and emotional survival. Through passion, perseverance, artistic creativity and God’s grace, she rose above adversity and developed a life full of love, family, success, accomplishment and prosperity.

Today Myra is the host of the ‘Never Say Impossible’ radio show and ‘The Dancing On Our Disabilities’ show. She is an author, a speaker, and a professional artist. Her mission is to motivate, inspire, share other people’s successes and engage the audience through thought-provoking communication.
Join us as Myra shares how to Never Say Impossible via [Purposeful Pathway Radio] Never Say Impossible with Special Guest Myra Goldick  or via the media player below.

Bountiful blessings on your purposeful pathway!

Radiant Reminders

Poem: Radiant Reminders

Radiant Reminders

 

Radiant Reminders Christian Poem

Image courtesy twobee at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” ~ Ephesians 5:1-2

 

Singing in my heart

Is a sweet song,

Reminding that with Jesus

I do belong,

 

Playing in my mind

Are visions of love,

Fixed are my eyes

On Heaven above,

 

Radiating in my soul

Is Jesus’ light,

Reminding me always

Of His mercy and might.

 

Yes, singing and praying,

Radiating and glowing,

Surrounding and abounding,

Guiding and showing,

 

Are the many reminders

Of my Jesus, my King,

Surely then for Him

My heart does sing.

 

So come, everyone,

Join me, sister and brother,

Let us be ourselves

Reminders to one another:

 

Let our love for the Lord

Ever radiantly shine

That we see in each other

His pure love divine.

 

Yes, let our words

Be rich with sweet love,

Let our eyes sparkle

With Heaven above,

 

And let us sing

In our hearts a sweet song,

As surely forever

With Jesus we belong!

 

 © 2013 Caroline Gavin

Radiant reminders of Jesus’ love surround us! What are some ways in which you are a radiant reminder to others of Jesus?

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

~*~

Want more joy for your journey? I offer 5 complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” consultations per month. Contact me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com to see if you qualify for this powerful session. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and a customized action step plan!