Bible study tips: How to make the principals of the word personal to you.

Hello my lovely friends,

I pray your 2017 is looking bright and full of hope and exhilaration as you look at the days and months to come; realizing that you get to make your own schedule and fill your days with the things that make you happy. Even if you're working full time and/or juggling being a wife and mom, make sure to designate time on your calendar for the things that make you happier.

One of my favorite things to do is to pull away from it all, and just sit at the feet of Jesus.  But if I'm honest, this hasn't always been among my favorite things to do. At times the bible felt so overwhelming to me, and instead of reading out of pure delight, I would quickly read out of obedience. From listening to others I've come to the conclusion that many of you may feel the exact same way – overwhelmed – like the scriptures aren't really all that relevant to the issue(s) going on right now in your life. You may find yourself thinking, "Sure, God performed miracles over two thousand years ago, but what I need to know is how can I take those same principles and apply them to my specific situation?"

Reading for quantity should never be our goal; rather we should always read for quality. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge." Notice that it doesn't say, "My people are destroyed for lack of information." We don't have a lack of information problem. We have a lack of application problem. For example, you can read tons of books on getting out of debt and saving money, but until you take the information and apply it to your own finances, you won't see any fruit of having the information. You gain knowledge after getting the information and actually putting it to use. As a result, you start seeing the evidence of knowledge, by seeing the fruit of a better credit score, more accumulated money in your emergency fund, and the balance of your bills decreasing. The same is true for scripture reading as well. You must begin to find creative ways to get the knowledge into your heart and not just in your head.  So, exactly how do we take the principles and make them personal?

I'm going to share an excerpt from myjournal using a bible journaling method that has drastically enhanced my relationship with scripture reading; making it enjoyable, relevant, and personal to me.

Often times while reading through the Word, a certain passage will jump out at you, almost like an image in a 3D movie. Friends, that is no coincidence. When that happens, write that scripture at the top of your journal and use the outline below:

Genesis 15:6:  Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Tiffany believed God and it was credited to her as righteousness.

What does it mean to believe God?

• That my words and everything I do line up with His promises.

• Regardless of what I see, feel, think, or perceive, if I believe God, I am righteous.

• In order to see the promises of God in my life, I have to speak like God.

• I will continue to see and have what I speak over my life, child(ren), marriage, health, business, and relationships. So make sure I say exactly what I want to see, versus what I currently see.

• That I can take God’s Word at face value and not doubt it; even slightly.

What does this look like in action (practically)?

• Being full of joy and hope; praising God for the provision.

• Letting go of being a victim and acting like a victor.

• Not walking around with a "woe is me" attitude (that I tend to display to those closest to me for attention).

• I don't wallow in self pity.

• Everything must point back towards "I believe God.”

• Praising God and praying to God with scripture.

• Not only quoting scripture but living scripture and believing what I say.

• Staying in faith regardless of my circumstances.

• Acting as if I'm already victorious. Fighting from victory not for victory.

You can follow this outline for any scripture. The objective is to apply the principles personally, so that they move from your head to your heart.

It is my prayer that this outline helps you as much as it helped me.

Do you have any personal tips that you use to help you dive deeper into the Word? Leave a comment below and let me know. I'm always looking for new insight.

Choosing Thankfulness

Hello Lovely,

Can you believe it's already Thanksgiving?

Believe it or not, the holidays are upon us and I could not be more ready to surround myself with good food, great people, and hilarious conversations. Thanksgiving is truly one of my favorite holidays, because it is a time where we all reflect on how thankful we are for the incredible things in our lives.

Every year, I long to keep this thankful spirit with me and I make an effort to carry it through the Christmas season and into the New Year. But if I am being completely honest, that sweet season of maintaining a grateful spirit does not last long.

As soon as I let go of the conscious effort to remain thankful, I tend to focus on my shortcomings and the things I wish were different. I'm sure you can relate to this too.

Even today, I have already focused too much time on what I don't have instead of being thankful for the numerous blessings in my life.

Now I can snap myself back into shape rather quickly, but it takes discipline.

Why is it so easy to complain, and dwell on the things that are not working so well that we wish were different?

Why do we look in the mirror and immediately focus on the not so great parts about us?

Why do we beat ourselves up for not being further in life, instead of praising the progress we have made?

Why are we so hard on ourselves for not being the perfect parent or the perfect wife? For not being a good friend or a faithful sister? For not keeping our house in picture perfect shape?

This list of "why's" could go on and on.

But the good news is that choosing thankfulness is the perfect antidote to all the discontentment that we harbor and the disappointment with life that is not perfect.

Today instead of sharing a story about my own life, I want to encourage you to give some extra time to reflecting on what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Take a minute now before you have to start basting your turkey and rolling out pie crust, and write out as many things as you can think of, especially focusing on what you are thankful for about yourself and your own journey over the last year.

Then I want to challenge you to go one step further and intentionally carry this thankful spirit in your heart for the rest of 2016 and even into the next year. I am challenging myself to do the same thing, so I will be walking right alongside you in holding onto a grateful heart. Put your list somewhere that you can see it, and add to it throughout this Thanksgiving week as you think of more things for which you are grateful.

Pretty soon we will start looking forward to the new year, and all that we wish to accomplish. Of course, there is nothing wrong with looking forward and making goals, but first take some time to throw yourself a party for the you that you have become! Celebrate all that you have accomplished! You are doing the best that you can, and that is enough to be proud of. As a Life Coach, one thing I stress for people who are desiring change is to begin with gratitude for where you currently are. The journey to your goal is so much more enjoyable if you begin with grace for yourself instead of feelings of disgust and frustration. Doesn’t it make sense that we move forward with hope when we start from a more positive place?

So my friends, this Thanksgiving I hope that you eat without counting calories, laugh till you cry, and toast to how awesome and blessed you truly are! Can you promise me that you will?

Until next time my friends,

XOXO

Tiffany

"Am I Getting Anything Out of This?"

I woke up on the morning of my son’s third birthday party and immediately started rushing around. I had booked a party at the local indoor play center, so I was on task getting myself and everyone else ready for the perfect party day. From the moment my feet hit the floor, I was shouting orders to everyone in the house, keeping my family updated on what needed to be done. You know how hectic the day of a big event can be, so I skipped my quiet time that morning and went straight into busy mom mode.

In the middle of getting ready for the day, my husband and I had a discussion about whether or not our son, who is potty-trained, should wear a pull-up to his party. I thought it would be a good idea because in all the excitement of the day, I thought he might forget to go potty. My husband insisted that he would be okay, and so we let him go without one.

Well, the party turned out great, and my son had a blast jumping with his friends on all the giant, colorful bouncy toys. In fact, he had so much fun that he forgot to go potty.

Yep. I was right.

I realized that he needed a change of clothes as we were being called into the party room for cake and ice cream, and when I went to get him changed, I discovered that I had forgotten to bring extra clothes.

I've learned that how you start your day determines how the day will go, so needless to say skipping my quiet time that morning was not the best decision. When I start my day off rushing, I tend to carry that anxious mode into the rest of my interactions. I am much less likely to react to problems in a sensible manner.

I wish I could say I handled this situation with patience and grace, but I did not. I just had to open my mouth to "remind" my husband of our conversation that morning. Instead of staying calm about a situation that was not the end of the world, because really, toddlers have accidents every day, I reacted so poorly towards my husband that I later had to come back and apologize to him.

I remember coming home from the birthday party feeling defeated because I had let my emotions get the best of me, and I felt pretty bummed about how I handled the situation with my husband. I was sitting on my couch, feeling embarrassed by my actions, and I started thinking about how long I have been walking with God. I started to roll this question around in my mind, "Am I getting anything out of this?" I was questioning the progress I am making in my Christian walk. I was beating myself up for not having “arrived” at a better place.

Do you ever beat yourself up for behaving in a manner that goes against everything you say you believe?

Do you often evaluate your performance at the end of the day, and then feel either proud of your performance or defeated by something you did that showed your "flawed" human nature?  

I'm not sure about you, but sometimes I feel like I should be further in my walk with God. Surely by now I would know better than to let the built-up frustrations in my heart come tumbling out of my mouth in an emotional rant. Why do I keep having to say “I'm sorry” to my husband? Why do I keep saying things I don't mean? Shouldn’t I know by now what traps Satan uses to distract me from what is really important?

I am convinced that this kind of thinking is a trick of the enemy to keep me condemned and focused inward.

We are all flawed and we will keep making mistakes, but we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

Once we have said we are sorry and done what we can to make things right, we are not sentenced to a place of defeat. God is not the accuser. He is not condemning us for failing to reach a state of “Christian perfection.”

In times of self-condemnation, we must remember that God will keep us in perfect peace if we keep our mind stayed on HIM. (Isaiah 26:3) On Him, not ourselves. That is an important distinction. God’s thoughts toward us are good. We can have His perfect peace and take our focus off of our shortcomings and flaws once and for all.

The next time you find yourself rolling your "bad" performance over in your head, stop those thoughts dead in their tracks with the words of this verse:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” - Romans 8:1

Ask for forgiveness from God and whoever else is involved, and continue with your day without getting hung up on how far you have to go.

Instead of asking if you are getting anything out of your walk with God, remember how far he has brought you. Remember that Christ has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2) Amen to that!

Simply Ask!

Well Hello Friend!

I have been thinking that maybe the eighth wonder of the world is the GPS system. Being directed by GPS is without a doubt one of the great gifts of the era in which we live!

I use my navigational system religiously. Like I would be totally lost without my GPS (pun intended). I have lived in two of the biggest States in the US, and it is no exaggeration to say that It is because of my GPS that I am always able to reach my destination.

It is so convenient to be able to know for sure that I am on the right path just by plugging in an address and following the roadmap.

Wouldn’t it be great if God could just give us an address to type into a Life Navigational System? I would love to be able to program "God's will" into my GPS system, and then have step by step instructions appear that I can follow, or a map that shows me I am always on the right track.

Because let's be honest, most of us spend a lot of time wondering if we're on the right path.

Have you ever cried out to God to ask Him if you are on the right path?

I sure have.

I spent year after year pursuing the passions in my heart, but never quite reaching my desired destination. God kept closing doors left and right, and the next steps were definitely not coming up on my GPS screen. Instead of hearing “Turn left,” I kept hitting dead ends and roadblocks.

I remember reaching a point where I was completely drained and unmotivated, and I got down on my knees in my closet,  totally surrendering my will to God. I told Him that I would not move a foot until He directed me where to go.

I really meant it. I stopped moving. Only in choosing to do “nothing,” I obeyed the command to “be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

I sat in God’s presence for hours day after day. I began to surround myself with positive messages, and I kept hearing about life coaching. Then when I discovered Christian Life coaching, I grew confident that this was the field God was leading me to. I felt that I was hearing God’s voice telling me to take this completely new turn.

So I dove into researching where to train and enrolled enthusiastically in what I felt was the best Christian life coaching school for me. I loved every minute of the rigorous training. I felt like I was following God’s voice and His leading, and I was experiencing so much joy and happiness that I wanted to pinch myself to make sure it was real.  But as graduation from my training began to approach, I started to question my path. I wondered if I had made up my calling and not really heard God. In the midst of asking myself these questions, I stopped and prayed a small prayer, quietly uttering the words: "Lord please confirm that I am on the right path."

God heard me give a voice to my doubts about the direction my life was taking, and He graciously answered.

A few days later, I was sitting at home at my desk. For some reason, I started to mindlessly scroll through some of the photos on my computer and I came across a picture of a vision board I had created three years earlier. It was a challenge for a television show I had been involved in, one of the many projects that had come to a close and seemed at the time like another dead end in my life.

When I looked closely at the picture, I sat straight up in my chair and my eyes almost popped out of my sockets. I actually remembered putting that board together and was familiar with all the words and pictures I had chosen, except for one. In big letters on one of the pictures were the words "coaching" and "training." I did not remember choosing those words and had no idea why I would have been drawn to put them on that vision board three years earlier, as life coaching was nowhere on my radar at that point. I was an actress, fully bent on staying in the fields of arts and entertainment. But somehow, those words were there. What a beautiful gift it was to realize that when I was in the middle of making my own plans, God was creating and even revealing to me another plan He had for me.  When I saw the vision board again, I remembered that I had asked God to confirm the path I was on, and the tears started flowing as I realized that He had done just what I asked. It is a moment I will never forget. A beautiful gift from our generous God.

My friends, if you find yourself wondering if you are headed in the right direction, or if you are questioning the path in front of you, you can simply ask.

God is more faithful than any GPS system.

Ask Him if you're on the right path.

Ask him to confirm your path.

Simply Ask . Watch. Wait.

I love a good testimony. Please share a time in your life where the Lord answered a petition of your heart, whether small or big.  As always I can't wait to hear.

Love you with my whole heart.

Tiffany

Hearing God's Voice

Hello friends!

I’ve been thinking lately about noise. Have you noticed how very noisy the world is?

There is so much noise competing for our attention that sometimes I think what I need is for all the noise to stop. But actually not all noise is the same. Maybe instead of no noise, we just need different noise.

Here’s a story to illustrate what I mean:

One time I was at the hair salon completely enthralled in a book I was reading. I was sitting under the hair dryer, and I didn't notice anything else going on around me. I didn’t even hear anything else that was going on around me. The words on the page of my book had my total focus. When the dryer turned off I continued to read, but actually, instead of continuing the story that I had been so captured by while the dryer was on, I began to re-read the same line over and over again without actually comprehending anything.

I had become distracted by a different noise, the sound coming from a television.

I began to wonder why I was having difficulty concentrating now when just a second ago, I was totally focused. The only difference was that the dryer had stopped. None of the noises in the salon had changed, except that one of them had ceased. The dryer had been the loudest noise in my ears, and now it had stopped.

I asked myself what the difference was between the noise from the television and the dryer?  Why is one kind of noise distracting while the other is actually quite soothing? Why does one kind of noise break my focus while the other actually aids my concentration?

I think the Lord gave me an image that day of what hearing his voice is like. Keeping God’s voice in my ears is like having my head and ears covered in that hair dryer. I heard him saying to me, “Keep my voice closest.”

When we listen to God’s voice, when we know and “hear” his word, we are able to stay calm and focus on what is in front of us, regardless of all the other noise in the world.

But the moment we tune God’s voice out and turn away from God’s word, we become easily distracted by whatever is present.

As Christians who desire to be like Christ, it can be so intimidating to follow in his footsteps. Jesus never got caught up in the cares of this world. He did not rush around from one activity to the next. He kept his focus on God and on completing the work that God gave him to do on earth.

Sometimes I wonder how we are supposed to follow in Jesus’ footsteps in today’s world when at any given moment we have so many noises competing for our attention. I am so easily distracted. It doesn't take much noise before I find that I have lost a lot of time on unimportant things, even neglecting the things that matter most to me.

Recently I heard this quote about living in our world that often glorifies being very busy:

“If the enemy can't make us bad, he makes us busy.”

I relate to this so much because while I can easily turn away from the more obvious “evils” of the world, I struggle with filling up my schedule and focusing my attention on everything but God’s voice.

So I love the picture of putting on the hair dryer to hear God’s voice. And only His voice.  

Are you finding yourself distracted or unable to finish the work that you know God has given you to do?

Or are you wondering what it means to really “turn your eyes upon Jesus.”

I think part of the way we keep the noise of the hair dryer (my picture for God’s voice) in our ears is that not only do we read His word, but we hide it in our hearts.

We memorize Scripture so that when the enemy sends distractions our way, we have God’s word in our hearts to call on. Reciting verses to ourselves can be like pulling that dryer down over our ears and choosing to tune out everything but God’s voice.

Also we can cut out the noises that we know are keeping us from concentrating on what the Lord wants us to do. What’s playing on the background screen in your life? Are there small and trivial, but unworthy noises that you can eliminate so that you can better hear God’s voice?

We can choose to intentionally keep our hearts and minds on Jesus and his words.

Wouldn’t it be great if in the midst of a world that is noisy and loud, we stay unbothered and serene, focused on the task God has placed in our hands, because all we hear today is his sweet voice in our ears?

Tell me one action step you can take today, to hear God's voice more clearly over all the noises of the world?

The Seasons Are Changing. Are You?

Hello Friends!

Fall is here!

Before you know it, all those colored leaves will be on the ground turning brown and nurturing new growth. You’ll look up and see just one or two leaves hanging on for dear life to an otherwise empty branch.

As I watch the leaves changing colors and temperatures dropping (yay for digging out boots and scarves!), I have noticed that we can learn a lot from nature this time of year.

One important lesson that comes to mind is that change is inevitable.  

It’s funny how we look forward to the seasons changing, but we don't always embrace change in our own lives.

In fact most often we resist it and hold on for dear life like those last clinging leaves.

We want to avoid the unknown and the mystery that accompanies change.

But oh how exciting it is when we finally let go, let the wind rise beneath our chest and exhale as we flow into something new, embracing the mystery.

I struggle with welcoming change just like you, but I am grateful that God allows us to experience the different seasons of life literally. So as autumn settles in, notice the changes in the air around you, and consider setting aside some time for what I call a “Life Check In.”

Grab yourself something pumpkin flavored, some paper and a pen.  Let nature be your guide as you take a little extra time for yourself and walk through one or more of the following exercises.

#1: Check in with your schedule

The main feature of autumn is the shedding of leaves from deciduous trees. Deciduous means the dropping of a part that is no longer needed. The leaves are falling away because their purpose for this season of a tree’s life has been completed. Are there areas of your life that are no longer needed? Perhaps there is something that has served a purpose in your life at one time but now is draining unnecessary energy and should be let go.

• Write out a list of things in your life that take up your time and energy. Your list could include relationships (romantic, friendships, and even family), dreams and/or visions, tasks that go on your to-do lists, hobbies or anything that keeps you busy. List anything you can think of.

• Now look at that list and put a little “X”  by the things that leave you drained rather than motivated, by the tasks or dreams that no longer excite you. Put an “X” by the things that overwhelm you or take away from the time you have to do what really matters to you. Now put a checkmark by anything that you love or that gives you energy. If you’re excited to get out of bed for it, put a checkmark by it.

• Make two columns and label column one "Shedding" and column two "Keeping." Go through each entry on your list and take inventory of the fruit it bears in your life (good and bad). Start dividing your list items into the two columns. Decide what you will allow to fall by the wayside and what you will keep and maybe make changes to.  Of course there will be things that drain you that you might not be able to eliminate right now, but are there changes you could make towards the ultimate purpose of keeping only those things in your life that are bearing fruit and producing more of what you want? Can you put that exhausting task in the “shedding column” and work towards removing it? Can you give more time to the things in the “keeping column?”

#2: Check in with your identity

We get to sit back and watch the seasons change with no effort on our part (besides raking up all those pesky leaves!, but in our own personal lives, change occurs with intention.

We have to make choices every day to create positive change in our lives,  daily dying to our flesh and emotions.  

Take a little personal inventory about who you are today. Are you the same person you were 5 years ago? 3 years ago? or even 1 year ago? Do you still struggle with the same sins? The same problems? Are you striving to achieve the same goals year after year, with little to no progress? Or can you write down the ways you have changed and the positive growth you have seen in your life?

We were designed to grow and change, so if you are not seeing much growth in your life, it's time to make a change. Do something different.

Possible suggestions:

• Start a fast to pray intensely for guidance and clarity about what is hindering you from making progress. You could fast from food or choose something else (TV or internet) and set aside that time to pray.

• Find a mentor or an accountability partner. Tell them your story and your heart for the changes you would like to see in your life. Be open to the truth and honest feedback. Remember the truth will set you free and who doesn't want to be free!

• You could also hire a life coach! Someone who can listen and provide some clear strategy for the future, as well as hold you accountable for moving forward.

The purpose of this check in to make sure you are growing more into the person you were designed to be in Christ, who is your true identity. Your barometer to measure your identity is the word of God, so dive deep into Scripture as you seek change.

#3: Check in with your heart

Another characteristic of fall is the slight change in climate that leads up to winter, the coldest season of the year.  The cold of winter is caused by the axis of the earth in that hemisphere being oriented away from the sun.

But (can you see where I’m going?) we don’t want our hearts to grow cold or move further away from “the Son.” So the purpose of this exercise is to examine your heart.

Is your heart beginning to grow cold? Are you nursing a grudge or a bitter spirit even in some small way that is allowing you to spin  away from God or from the community of God?

Or maybe your heart has grown very cold. Have you turned away from God and grown bitter towards Him or any other person? Have you lost your passion for life and given up on things that were once important to you? Perhaps you're tired of watching big and exciting things happen for everyone else, and find yourself unhappy with the course your own life has taken.

Proverbs 4:23 says:

Guard your heart ABOVE ALL ELSE, for it determines the course of your life.

Sister, your heart determines the course of your life. Decide today that you will guard your heart.

• Take inventory of your heart. Write down what is there that should not be there. What have you let in that you should have “guarded” or kept out. Maybe you feel like you cannot let go of something because it has been in there for so long. I encourage you to empty your heart of those things. Ask the Lord to help you where you feel stuck or stone cold. He longs to melt our ice cold hearts with His great love for us.

• The goal here is to have a heart full of beauty in order to receive the beautiful things that are in store for you. Write down a few ways that you can purpose to keep your heart close to the Son even as the earth turns away from the sun.

I really hope this checkup exercise proves to be a valuable tool that you can use to evaluate your life. Maybe using these check-in’s will encourage you as you see how much growth you experience by this time next year.

Happy Fall my Friends!! As you watch for change in the air and change in your life, be sure to enjoy all the delights of this season! Spicy drinks, pumpkin treats and my favorite: oh-so-trendy coats, boots and scarves!

Tell me: What is your favorite part of Fall?

Did any of these check-ins shed some light on an issue in your life? Something you need help dealing with?

Feel free to get in touch or leave a comment below. I'll be over here with my cranberry bliss bar (it's almost time) and hot tea ready to hear from you.