Poetic Inspirations and Practical Applications for Blissful Living

Guest Post: What Grows in Your Garden?

What Grows in Your Garden?

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

  

Think for a moment that your life is a garden, and that your thoughts, words, actions and deeds were the seeds for that garden, what would you find growing in your garden? Would you find a bed of beautiful flowers or some tasty vegetables or would you find it barren or perhaps a garden of weeds?

Just like any garden we grow we control what grows in it by what seeds we plant. We can also control what our garden of life will grow by what we put into it through our thoughts, words, actions and deeds. Our garden of life can be barren or full of weeds and of no value to us, or it can be a garden of fresh vegetables that can be used to sustain ourselves and others.

How do we keep a garden that is bountiful? Well we are reminded in John 15:5, 8 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples”. We must remember it is of utmost importance to keep our life Christ centered if we want anything to grow.

In our garden of life if we do not have good spiritual soil (ourselves) we may find it difficult to grow the garden we desire. As we read in Matthew 13:20–21 “The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away”.

In order for our garden to grow we must be firmly and deeply rooted in God’s word so in times of trouble or persecution we will not fall away.

 

 

 

Guest Post: To Be Or Not To Be

To Be Or Not To be

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

  

Each new day presents us with the opportunity to change the things we did not like about the day before. We can say today I am going to be this or today I am not going to be that. We can change things about ourselves we do not like or that prove to be of no benefit to us or to others. We should identify what those things are, eliminate them from our life, and work to become who it is we want to be.

Being who we want to be, or not to be, applies to every aspect of our life, both personally and professionally. It can be about our work, knowing I do not want to be in this job any longer, I want to do something different. This work is not for me.

In can apply to our health, knowing I do not want to feel this way any longer, I do not want to weigh this much, I do not want to feel lethargic, I want to feel my best, I want to weigh less, I want to feel energized.

It can be about our relationships with others, knowing I do not want to be in relationships where I feel as though I am not treated the way I should be, I want to be in relationships that are healthy, that are thriving, and ones that will allow me to be and give my best.

It can be about spirituality and our relationship with the Almighty, knowing I want to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and not to be left out from the His grace. We are reminded of His blessings in John 8:12 which say, When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The “light of life” is what helps us to see things more clearly in life. It gives us the understanding of what it is we want to be or not to be, and enables us to make those changes more easily.

Who do you want to be, or not to be?

 

 

 

 

Poem: Winter Warmth

Free Image Winter Sun by Evgeni Dinev

 

Winter Warmth

Wisdom of Winter - Inspirational Christian Poem by Caroline Gavin of Purposeful Pathway Christian Life Coaching

Image courtesy Evgeni Dinev at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

 

 

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22)

Remember, My child,
When cold it may be,
In the winter of life
You are closest to me,

Yes, just as the sun
Hovers closest to earth
In the coldest season
Before spring rebirth,

So too I am with you
Indeed all the more
When the snow falls,
When cold rain does pour.

So do not grow weary,
Do not let tears fall,
For Your Jesus is here
Throughout it all.

I am kissing your days
With brightest sunshine
I am warming your heart
With pure love divine,

I am filling your soul
With peace deep and pure,
I am uplifting your spirit
With love to endure,

So embrace the storms,
The bitter cold days too,
For I promise, little one,
I am all the closer to you.

Yes, rejoice, My child,
When cold it may be,
For in the winter of life
You are closest to me!

 

 

© 2014 Caroline Gavin

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I offer you a gift! Sign up for the “Journey to Joy” workbook hereYour gift includes the downloadable 65-page “Purposeful Pathway: Journey to Joy” workbook (PDF), rich with Scriptural meditations, reflective questions and activities, and poetic inspirations. This 7-step journey is lovingly designed to deepen your connection with Jesus and heighten your joy.

Journey to Joy Workbook Image FINAL

 

 

Poem: Beauty in Everything

Beauty in Everything

 

Beauty in Everything

Image courtesy Ikunl at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

 

“He has made everything beautiful in its time…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

My child, please savor
The beauty in everything:
The glory of morning,
The majesty of evening,

The warmth of summer,
The sparkles of snow,
The colors of the fall,
The spring blossoms to grow,

The smiles of children,
The wisdom of parents dear,
The laughter with loved ones
When they are near.

Yes, savor the beauty
Of everything I give,
As endless is the beauty
In life you live.

Perfect is the peace
When you travel My way,
Wonderful the wisdom
Of every word I say,

Bright is the joy,
Limitless the love,
Timeless the treasures
From Heaven above,

When to Me
You keep always near,
When in your heart
My truth rings clear,

When faithfully
My path you follow,
When wherever I lead
So too you go…

Yes, sweet child,
To My hand please cling,
As you will then savor
Beauty in everything!

 

 

© 2014 Caroline Gavin

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I offer you a gift! Sign up for the “Journey to Joy” workbook at right-hand side of this page…and journey with Jesus to pure joy!

 

 

Guest Post: Ask

Ask

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

  

Last month in my newsletter I talked about change and how going through change can be a difficult task for some and a not so difficult task for others. One reason it may have been easier for others is because they sought help in trying to accomplish whatever the task was at hand. Any task becomes more difficult when we try to do it ourselves instead of seeking the help of others when we need it. It is important to decide which tasks we need help with, and those we can handle on our own.

It is important to remember that there will be times in each of our lives when we must seek the help of others in order to get things done. When we do, it is always important to remember that we can always come to the Lord when we need help as we are read in John 14:14 “ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it”. There is no reason to feel as though we have no help when we come to the Lord in faith. We just have to ask in good faith.

We can also take comfort in what is written in Philippians 4:13 which reads “I can do all this through him who gives me strength”. How great is that? He will not only help us if we come to Him in faith, but he will also give us the strength to do it as well!

Our Lord is there to help us any time we need help, we just have to ask in good faith. He will never be too busy or unavailable, just ask.

November Reflection: I can come to the Lord when I am in need.

Guest Post: In Through the Out Door

In Through the Out Door

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

     Do you ever get the feeling that you’re not going in the same direction everyone else is? Like you’re trying to go in through the out door? And if you have, is feeling that way necessarily wrong? Sometimes following others is not our best option or the wisest thing to do. I remember as a child getting into mischief and telling my mom “everyone else was doing it” in which she would reply “if everyone else jumped off a bridge would you? So much for my argument, she was right, just because everyone else was doing something wrong did not make it okay for me to join in.

     Following the actions and/or words of others can either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who it is you’re following or listening to. When we feel as though we want to follow or listen to others we should step-back and take time to think; what would following this person get me into? Where are we going and what is awaiting us once we get there? Or what is this person telling me, and is it in alignment with my personal beliefs?

     Life itself presents enough dead-end roads and wrong turns, we certainly don’t need the help of others to find those. As a matter-of-fact listening to bad advice and/or following bad directions can be exactly what gets us to those wrong turns and dead-end roads. That’s why it is so important to take the time to contemplate who and what it is we listen to, and then decide who we are to follow or listen to.

     There is one person however that we can feel comfortable in listening to and following because we know He will never lead us anywhere we should not go or tell us anything that is not right. He is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So when you are questioning the direction you are going in, or the advice you just received, bring it to the Lord in prayer and ask Him for his advice. Advice you can always count on!

 

Poem: Endless Thanks

Poem: Endless Thanks

 

Endless Thanks 

Poem: Endless Thanks

Image courtesy Simon Howden at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

To You, O Lord,
Endless thanks we give,
For Your limitless love,
For life to live,

For grace abounding,
For beauty in all things,
For the deep joy
Your divine love brings,

For smiling children,
For families so dear,
For seasonal celebrations
Drawing loved ones near.

Yes, Lord Jesus,
Thanksgiving we raise
With songs of love,
With hymns of praise.

Thankful each day
May we be,
With our eyes fixed
On eternity,

Holding You
To our hearts so dear,
Rejoicing how You
Are always near,

Smiling in radiance
Your presence brings,
Lifting our hearts
As on angel’s wings.

Yes, wonderful it is
This life to live…
So to You, Lord Jesus,
Endless thanks we give!

 

 

© 2014 Caroline Gavin

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I offer you a gift! Sign up for the “Journey to Joy” workbook at right-hand side of this page…and journey with Jesus to pure joy!

 

 

Poem: Choose Love

Poem Choose Love

 

Choose Love

 

Poem Choose Love

Image courtesy Marcus at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44)

Choose love, My child,
No matter what may,
Choose love, little one,
Throughout your day,

Choose love faithfully
When all is awry,
Choose love surely
When you find yourself cry,

Yes, choose love
Through joy and pain,
Through mountains and valleys,
Through sunshine and rain,

Through each gain,
Through each defeat,
Through times of loss,
Through victory sweet.

No matter what comes
Let love be your choice,
Let it be the reason
Your heart does rejoice,

Let it be sunshine
To wash away the rain,
The brilliant beams
To melt the pain,

The miraculous light
Every raindrop to dry,
The rainbow to follow
When tears you cry.

Yes, choose love, child,
No matter what may…
And blessed will be
Your Heaven-bound way!

 

 

© 2014 Caroline Gavin

I Treasure Your Comments!

I offer you a gift! Sign up for the “Journey to Joy” workbook at right-hand side of this page…and journey with Jesus to pure joy!

 

 

Biz Tip: Clear the Air

Free Image Autumnal Leaves by Simon Howden

Clear the Air

 

Clear the Air

Image courtesy Simon Howden 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 “clear the air” by plugging energy leaks.

Refreshing is the air this beautiful time of year! Autumn is a glorious season, radiant with colors and rich with transformations. As the leaves continually turn, each day brings a gift of its own unique vistas. One way in which I enjoy these continual changes is by breathing them in during my daily run. Yet, despite the lovely terrain and vistas, there are days when I simply do not feel like running up the steep mountainside trail. The thought alone can seem exhausting! Yet once I am running, the energy surges, and I am grateful for every heart-pumping, mind-clearing, fresh-air moment.

How powerful our thoughts can be! The thought of doing something can require far more energy than actually doing it. Ironically, too, the very action that seems draining in the mind can be energizing when in motion. This phenomenon is true not only on the trails but also in business and in life. Conflicts – such as unfinished projects, unfulfilling work or unresolved challenges – drain mental, physical and financial resources; oftentimes these energy drains go unnoticed by us.

What can we do, then, to plug these energy leaks? What can we do to clear the air? Let’s explore three ways:

1. Prayerfully consider areas that need clearer air. What areas of your business are unresolved? Which activities are fruitless? What challenges are recurring? For example, do you have continual tension with an employee? A paid subscription that yields little or no fruit? A marketing activity that seems laborious and pointless? A program or product project that is ever looming but never blooming? Ask the Lord for guidance in determining these areas of energy leaks; then list the areas according to importance. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

2. Determine what needs to be done or deleted. Reviewing your list of unresolved and/or unfinished items, prayerfully and carefully determine which items need to be done…and which items need to be deleted. Has something been on your to-do list for months now? If God leads you to complete this item, remove the block (whether internal or external) to its completion; then wholeheartedly commit to completing the project. In some cases, however, the block may have served you: that is, the to-do item may seem reasonable, but it may not be the best allocation of your time. The block, in this case, could have been a gift from God. As always, seek God’s wisdom. “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) Working through the list in this manner, check off the items to be done and cross off the items to be deleted.

3. Do…and renew. Once you have your refined list of items, move forward by formulating plans, setting deadlines and defining daily action steps. Additionally, celebrate the deletion of unnecessary to-do’s on your list. Find refreshing renewal by repeating this “clear the air” practice frequently. Habitually plugging energy leaks will lighten your load and your heart. The practice will provide space and grace for growing your business and glorifying God all the more. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

 

No matter the season, I encourage you to plug those energy leaks and clear the air! When we focus upon the work God has given us rather than the work we (or others) have given ourselves, we discover the purposeful life of peaceful abundance. When we walk in stride with our Savior, we find His “yoke is easy and (His) burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30) We see that His purposeful pathway is one in which we “may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) 

 

If you need help with plugging energy leaks in your business or with building your business overall, I invite you to powerfully boost your business – and your happiness! There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Refresh your business and your life today! I have three VIP-day slots available in the month of November. During this intensive, inspirational day, we will clarify where you are and where you want to be, delineate your goals, define concrete action steps, remove internal blocks, seek God’s guidance and align with His will, and renew your passion for life, business and God’s Kingdom! Reach out to me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com with your biggest challenges and visions, and we will determine if a Purposeful Pathway VIP-day is best for you and your business.

Let’s Pray: Loving Lord, we thank You for helping us to clear the air by plugging energy leaks. We appreciate how Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. We praise You for leading us upon Your purposeful pathway, the way of life in fullness. Help us, Wondrous Wise One, to discern those things which require our focus and those things which do not. Guide us, Glorious God, in channeling our energies purposefully, powerfully and for Your glory. We love with all we are, every moment of every day…and it is in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

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Poem: Beautiful Is Your Creation

Beautiful is Your Creation

 

Beautiful Is Your Creation

 

Beautiful is Your Creation

Image courtesy porbital at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

 

Beautiful is Your creation,
Yes, beauty You create,
Beautiful is Your creation,
Inspiring me to celebrate:

The leaves of the trees
Radiant in the Fall,
The glory of mountains
Stretching so tall,

The stillness of the lake,
A mirror divine,
The dance of the clouds
As they intertwine,

The songs of the birds
Flying high above,
The rays of the sun
Warming with love…

Yes, blissfully beautiful
Is the world I see,
Lord, I thank You
For all You give me.

In the beauty You make
How can I but see You?
Your creation reflects
Your love ever true.

Endless are blessings
I find are mine
By Your grace,
By Your love divine,

Surely in everything,
Both big and small,
You are the beauty
In the midst of it all,

Yes, beautiful is Your creation,
Beauty You create…
You, my Lord Jesus,
I celebrate!

 

 

© 2014 Caroline Gavin

I Treasure Your Comments!

I offer you a gift! Sign up for the “Journey to Joy” workbook at right-hand side of this page…and journey with Jesus to pure joy!