A Reframed Life!

In case you didn't notice, I changed the title of this blog from Best of Becky to Life to Life.  God has been doing such a transformation in me, I thought this part of my life deserved newness, too.  I have discovered my purpose and have become much more intentional with everything.  In fact, I've been on quite a journey.  I want to share what I'm learning.  God has promised ABUNDANT LIFE--and it really is available--to all of us!

Recently, I read this book at the recommendation of Jay & Amy:

It's the story of a neurosurgeon who is diagnosed with brain cancer and then shares his story of dying.  His story is one of bravery, premeditated calculation, and focus.  It's one of those stories that you just can't get away from...and don't want to.  It may sound morbid, but it actually brought focus for my future.  This book is just a small part of some amazing things God has been doing in my heart and mind.  I decided to become much more intentional with my life.  To do that, I made a list of things I feel are critical for me to fulfill the kingdom mandate I believe God has placed on my life and the footprints I want to leave behind.  I'll even share a few:

1. I want a deeply intimate relationship with God.  I want to laugh with Him!
2. I want to say "YES!" to life.  I want to fully embrace it and not just endure it.
3. I want to live boldly.
4. I want to be like Jesus--who only did what He saw the Father doing.  And I want to imitate that eagerly, fearlessly, and unashamedly.

...and the list goes on.  Knowing and understanding my purpose has caused me to want to be much more intentional in what I do.  It also highlights the things I must cut out of my life--the unnecessary and even urgent things.  I'm learning where my giftedness lies and I'm learning to promote the giftedness of others.  I need them--and they need me.  If I try to do things God hasn't called me to, I am stealing opportunities from others--opportunities perfectly fitted for them.  My gifts and purpose complement those around me which means there's no room for jealousy or feeling threatened by one another.   I don't just want to finish this life well; I don't want to miss one good thing God has for me!

I feel like I've just stepped over.  I've stepped into the life which God has been preparing me for...and preparing for me...all these years.  He's using every little and big thing, every good and bad thing, everything for my purpose--for His kingdom.  I may not have all the answers, but I have LIFE to share.  God has breathed life into me--and I want you to know your purpose and be filled with life, too.

"For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]."  Ephesians 2:10 AMP

The First Hostage by Joel C. Rosenberg

I am a book reviewer for a couple of publishing companies, but I'm reviewing this book just because it's THAT good and I hope you'll go get it and read it for yourself!!

First, you need to know it's the second book in a series.  The first book of the series is The Third Target and it's a very good book.  But I'm going to say this is probably my favorite book I've read in about 10 years! And I think it's Joel C. Rosenberg's best book ever!  (I've read them all!)  The 2nd thing you need to know is that Joel C. Rosenberg has a political background.  He's worked in the U.S. government and the Israeli government.  He's a Messianic Jew and has his finger on the pulse of the geopolitical world and senses what is coming down the pike.  You would think he's a prophet if you read his books because so many of the situations in his books have actually come to pass after his book went to print, but he disclaims that theory.

Even though this book is a work of fiction, you feel like it's a report coming out of the Middle East.  J.B. Collins, a reporter for the New York Times is involved with world leaders who are meeting in Jordan for the signing of a peace treaty.  But it's at that very moment ISIS attacks and kills hundreds of world leaders and captures the president of the United States!  The rest of the book is J.B.'s search for the president, the story of the century, and an awareness that his brother's and mother's prayers are protecting him.

I won't lie.  It's an intense story.  And I could have read it in one evening...but I wanted to savor it and make it last as long as I could.  So I made it last two days.  ;)  But I'm about to pick it up and read it again...tonight.

It's that good.

A Hop, Skip & A Jump!

I've always told you I'd prepare you for things to come.  But let me just say this at the outset:  "Purpose in your minds and hearts to enjoy each moment God has for you!"  

I read a meme this morning which said, "I thought growing old would take longer."  Seriously.

• One day you're sitting in school looking out the window wondering if you'll ever be out of school and get to make your own decisions.  
• The next minute you're married with babies.  This season seems like it will never end!
• And then your children start school.  It's a moment for celebration--you have your life back--for a moment--only a moment!
• But then your children enter middle school and with all of their activities, you blink and they've graduated.
• Your children consecutively leave home, go to college, get married, and start having babies.
• You get to relive all of those baby and little kid moments--savoring them this time--because you're not responsible for the hard things.  You get to enjoy and encourage.  

• You watch them grow and want it all to stop.  If only you could keep them little.

• You realize you can't slow the process down and soon you'll be starting the process all over again.

Savor each moment.  Invest in this time.  

The Tooth Fairy Story

In honor of Zach's 31st birthday, I'm telling this story....

This is about the age Zach was when David lost his first tooth.  David & Zach shared a bedroom at the time. Actually, the two of them shared a bedroom with their big sister because we lived in a 2-bedroom apartment...but that's another story.  David was so excited over losing his first tooth!!  It was a big deal.  When our kids lost their first tooth, the Tooth Fairy brought them $5.  David couldn't wait to put his tooth under his pillow and go to sleep to find that $5 the next morning.  Zach, on the other hand, became hysterical!  He didn't want that Tooth Fairy coming into his room!!!  I tried to explain how nice she was and that he had nothing to be afraid of, but he couldn't be consoled.  So...I did the only thing a good mother could do.

I took Zach into my bedroom and told him I was going to tell him a secret--something he couldn't tell his brothers or sister.  I was whispering for good effect.  I said, "Zach, I'm the Tooth Fairy!"  A look of unbelief crossed his face and he said, "Uh-uh."  I shook my head 'yes' and assured him I was the Tooth Fairy.  "In fact," I told him, "I'll put a dime under your pillow tonight so you'll know I'm the Tooth Fairy."  I was pretty sure I had him convinced but he just kept staring at me.  Finally, he looked at me in wonder and asked, "How do you get to all those houses every night??"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZACHARY!!  

Creative Grandkids

I've spent the morning looking at my old YouTube videos of my grandkids and I am just wildly crazy about them and their creativity!!  Some of them will want me to delete these, but all I can say to that is, "It could have been so much more embarrassing!"  As you will see--I have some gifted and talented grandkids--and some who have yet to develop beautiful skills and talents.  Most of these videos are at least two years old--so their skills are even more perfected now.  And of course, each of them have talents which exceed one post.  ;)

Matt's daughter, Caitlin, has a beautiful voice!  She lived with us a couple of months and scheduled voice lessons with Pops every day....or almost.  

Matt's daughter, Alexis, has been a gifted dancer for years.

She now performs in Nutcracker.

These are Amy's kids--Isaac (drums), Josiah (piano) 

and Olivia & Dassie dancing.  Each gifted!

This is Addie & Ryan, David's kids, playing a piano duet they wrote.

This is Zach's oldest son, Dax, singing.

Gus, Zach's youngest son, doing a magic trick!

And, of course, this is where all those mad skills come from!

Guilt

You would not believe how often I am motivated by guilt.

• I should take a meal to that family.
• I should go visit that sick person.
• I should invite those people over.
• I should help in the nursery.
• I should give money to that ministry.

Are any of those things wrong?  Absolutely not!  But to do anything out of guilt is the wrong motivation.  The sad thing is...I didn't even realize I was being motivated by guilt.  Thoughts go through our minds every.single.day that are not our own thoughts.  Satan speaks to us in first person singular ("I should") so that we think those thoughts are our own.  He knows if he said, "You should" we'd be tipped off that he was telling us those things.  So that tricky devil tries to make us think what he's saying to us originates in our own minds.  That I was aware of!  So it's even more puzzling that I didn't realize the enemy was trying to motivate me out of guilt.  But I guess it had been going on so long that I wasn't even aware.

Guilt is a poor motivator.  Who wants someone doing something for you when they're doing it out of guilt?  Do you want your children coming to visit you because they feel guilty?  Do you want a gift given to you out of guilt?  Will you do some things you don't particularly want to do--even without guilt?  Sure!!  But the difference is you can do it because you LOVE that person, that church, that ministry.  

How do you stop the guilt?  When a thought comes into your mind of "I should"....STOP!  Stop and examine that thought.  Why do you think you should?  Is it because you're feeling guilty?  Then don't do anything until you ask God if you should do that thing.  And then don't do it until you can do it out of love.  Sometimes that will come quickly and other times it may take a bit.  But the more you practice this, the freer you will become until one day you'll realize you're motivated purely by love.  

I know the way...now I need to practice it.

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

Romans 12:2 NLT

I Do It Myself!

It was so cute that Christmas morning when Matthew opened his first pair of cowboy boots.  He was so excited!  You see, my mom had taken him shopping just a couple of weeks before at the local western wear store and they had tried on those cowboy boots.  Matt cried when they left the store--he wanted those boots!  He certainly didn't understand delayed gratification at 17-months-old.  And honestly, I thought cowboy boots were the answer to all my little-boy-shoe-wearing-problems.  Easy to slip on and ready to go!  I couldn't have been more wrong.

You see that proud little face right there?  He had helped put on his own cowboy boots.  And this was one determined little dude.  It would have been an easy thing to put those cowboy boots on every morning--if he had let me help.  But Matt came out of the womb strong willed.  Those boots became a source of contention in our lives.

Matt & Amy were only 1 year and 1 day apart.  So I'd spend a good deal of time each morning just getting them ready.  And if I had somewhere to go?  I'd get Matt ready first and give him his boots so he'd have a head start while I got Amy ready.  I remember one morning when I was in a hurry to get somewhere and he was determinedly trying to get his boots on.  I told him I was going to have to help him so we could go and his famous reply was, "I do it myself!"  Oh the battles!! I'm pretty sure that was the last pair of cowboy boots Matt ever owned.

How many times have I done that with God?  He's handed me a task that is meant to bless me and to demonstrate His great power and I'm screaming, "I do it myself!"  I miss the whole blessing God intended it to be because of my strong will.  God never intended for us to do this life alone.  Anything He's asked us to do, He stands ready to help.  He doesn't want to see what we can do--He wants the world to see what He can do through us.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever—  John 14:16