Have you ever had a really busy day, but at the end of it wondered what you really did? The truth is we all have.  Yet, today, I am keenly aware of the fact that we must turn from days of busyness to getting down to the Father’s business. I know the Father’s business sounds really daunting but don’t panic. It may help if you think of it as effective business management of all the areas of your life. You are the Father’s business. Your purpose and the things you are to accomplish are important to Him.  So today, ask your self the question, “Do I consistently focus on the things that are most important or am I a slave to an exhaustive “to-do” list?”  Checking things off your list proves that you are efficient.  Checking the right things off your list in proper order proves that you are effective. 
     Today, the cry is to move from a life of excessive busyness to an effective, fulfilling life. Excessive busyness can cause stress and frustration. Busyness can rob you of joy, passion, and fulfillment.  Yet, effective and proper management of the business of your life can ignite passion and bring a genuine sense of satisfaction.
     You can even think of it in terms of the principle of sowing and reaping.  God desires that you reap spiritually, physically, and materially from your efforts.  Busyness hinders that because you are not properly sowing your time, energy, and efforts in fields that will produce a harvest. 
     Today, decide to slay the enemy of busyness. Choose to concentrate your efforts on those things that are most important. Focus on those things that are solidly aligned with your goals, purpose, and the divine will of God for your life. 
     I leave you with a quick prioritization exercise to help you get started. First, set your goals for the day.  Then rank them in order of importance to you.  Next put each “to-do item” under a goal. Those items that fall under goal one are most important and those under goal two are secondary, and so on. This exercise should help you find immediate focus and direction. Remember focusing your efforts is important to moving from “overwhelmed to perfect peace.”   

Be Blessed Today and Always,

MC

   Lately, my iPod has been has been set to Maurette Brown Clark’s, The Dream. Track nine, “Sovereign God (reprise),” has been especially good as a part of my cool down play-list.  It is such a powerful reminder of the attributes of God. You know, all powerful, ever present, and all knowing.  Remembering that God is sovereign in our lives should cause frustration, apprehension, and anxiety to disappear.  Remembering that God is sovereign over our lives should also inspire us to take action or make necessary changes.  It gives us confidence to pursue our goals. Remembering the sovereignty of God should also ignite our faith and increase our trust.  Ironically, we may understand all this but lack the experience of radical faith and confidence that comes from trusting in it.  Many times, it isn’t our understanding of, or belief  that creates challenges but our limited trust. 

   Belief and trust are key elements that must be present in our lives to really experience abundant living.  Belief establishes vision and trust propels to action. Our belief that God is sovereign is tied to our faith. Our trust is demonstrated when we have enough confidence in his abilities to take action. It’s one thing to believe God can and another to trust that He will.  If you believe that God is sovereign and trust in His ability help you in every situation, you do not get entangled in fear when it is time to take action. You won’t panic when it’s time to make a decision.  You will have confidence in him.  In fact, you will have just as much confidence in his ability to protect and correct you as you do in his ability to bless and prosper.  Sometimes, we don’t take steps for fear of making a mistake which can cause us to really miss out on great opportunities.  This can hinder our fulfillment and ultimately our spiritual growth. In order to combat this, we must strengthen the connection between our faith and trust.

  Essentially,  powerfully connecting faith and trust moves you off the bench and on to the playing field. If you are feeling that there is more for you to experience and do in life but have not been propelled into action, one area you may want to inspect is the connection between your faith and trust.  Start completing actions that declare,” Lord, I trust you!!”  Not only will you be inspired but your faith will be increased. God’s plan is that you are actively engaged in life and that you enjoy it.  Position yourself to live the life that God designed for you.

   Take a moment to consider what the sovereignty of God means in your life and the plans pertaining to it. Are there any areas you need to strengthen the connection between belief and trust? What actions can you take that declare your trust in the God’s sovereignty?  Think about it and let me hear from you.

Be Blessed Today and Always,

MC

    We are the parents of four children, three girls and one boy. Needless to say, our home is an interesting place to live.  Each day we walk with our children through joys, heartaches, laughter, chaos, and of course, seemingly endless homework assignments. We get to celebrate their victories and comfort and encourage them when they experience loss.  It is an amazing experience that we have grown to appreciate more with every year that passes.  One day, when they were all babies and I was not “feeling” particularly confident that I would know life without a double stroller, a double sized diaper bag, and rows of car and booster seats, the Lord stepped in.  He reminded me that each of the souls we had been given to care for have a purpose and destiny before Him.  He was indeed their heavenly Father.  He reminded me that beyond physical reproduction and ensuing responsibilities, the spiritual responsibility of parenting was a reality just as powerful.   
      Parenting is more than an outcome of natural reproduction.  It has a tremendous spiritual truth before God. It is far more important than picking names or buying clothes.  It is more rigorous than getting up for 2 AM feedings, changing diapers, or even doing things to stimulate a child’s intellectual growth and development.   Parenting is about effective spiritual reproduction.
      God wants the earth to be filled with people who love Him, serve Him, and display His glory. Genesis 1:28 “And God blessed them, and God said, unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the seas, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”  Ultimately, we can tie parenting to fulfilling the plan of God.
     As Christian parents we are to replenish the earth with people who are able to subdue and have dominion in it.  Interestingly enough, natural reproduction provides a picture of this spiritual truth.  This is not to say that biological parents are the only ones who can do the job effectively, it only shows the picture is established in heaven.  We can all attest to the fact that many great parents never biologically produce children yet they still fulfill the plan and purposes of God.  The key is not the natural but the spiritual truth. I am grateful that God’s fulfillment of His plan is never limited to the methods or the limited vision of man. 
      As Christian parents we must understand that we are the stewards of God’s property.  Children are the investments of God.  And though I am not a financial planner, I do know that all good investments produce a return.  It stands to reason then that God is looking for a return on His investment in you.  As a parent, be sure that you are giving adequate attention to your child’s spiritual growth.  Take time and care to nurture them and demonstrate God’s truth in front of them.  Help them experience prayer; teach them, not just about the rules but about the love of God.  Be sure to give them a life where they learn of both His grace and mercy.
     It is not enough to simply raise good children obedient to you; they must be raised to be God’s children.  Live each day with a desire to keep the heart of your child sensitive to God’s touch so that when His Spirit calls, they will effortlessly respond and commit to Him.  Deuteronomy chapter 6 gives us some initial instruction on parenting.  We must teach them about God, His ways, His power, His plan, His love — everything; that through Him they become all they are destined to be. As a parent, you are the greatest influence in your children’s lives.  Be a good steward over them and strive to uncover purpose in them.
     Soon we will begin a great tele-class on Christian parenting.  I am excited  about this group and the powerful information and strategies that will be shared.  I would like to personally extend an invitation to you to take part in the “Parenting on Purpose” tele-class.  We will further examine the roles and responsibility of biblically sound Christian parenting, including parenting through ages and stages, discipline, and positioning your children to fulfill purpose. 
     Today, I invite  you to take a moment and give God thanks for the confidence He has in your ability to be good stewards over and in the life of your children.  I pray that your parenting experiences will bring you joy and satisfaction knowing that you are a good and faithful servant of God.

Be Blessed Today and Always,

MC