pray
Chad Hedrick 2010 Olympian – Skating & Faith Video
Chad Hedrick 2010 Olympian – Speed Skating & Faith Video
In a time when so many are falling away from God –
It is encouraging to hear a great testimony of someone who is pressing into God!
Chad Hedrick 2006 Olympic Gold Medalist was interviewed by his pastor Troy Champ at Capital Church in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 23, 2010. His goal is to inspire people to put their faith in God and that anything is possible. No matter what your past is we do have a forgiving God!
This short interview/video is worth the watch. Enjoy.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:20
May God’s hand of favor continue to be on Chad along with all of God’s ambassadors for Christ!
God bless you,
Brenda
Give Me Your Eyes – Brandon Heath Music Video
Give Me Your Eyes – Brandon Heath Christian Music Video
“Give Me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath
I love this song and the message…
How much this world would change for the better if we all began to pray that God open our eyes and hearts to see the needs of those around us! And that we then take action…
This fast paced world of today, with all the technology that allows us to be so connected, still seems to have us running in circles – all consumed with ourselves and disconnected… not noticing those hurting around us.
Several years ago, there was an older man, who was semi-retired and started working part-time at the same company I was at. Soon after we met I kept getting this tugging inside me to invite him to church. But I kept putting it off and about two months after he started working there he took his life.
When I hear songs like this it reminds me that God is trying to get our attention – to look beyond ourselves – and to not only see the needs of others, but to have a heart of compassion that makes us actually do something.
How hard is the simple act of inviting someone to church? Especially if we feel the urge to invite someone specific and see they are in need. I do not know if I had invited my co-worker, if the outcome would have been different. All I know is I was supposed to do my part and I didn’t… and I regret that now.
Tomorrow is a new day. And we have new opportunities to do something as simple as give a smile and a kind compliment to someone – who knows what a difference that may make in their life!
May our eyes and hearts be opened with compassion to reach out in love to others.
God bless you,
Brenda
P.S. “Give Me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath is on the WOW Hits 2009 CD available on Amazon.
Leadership – Do You Utilize these Top 3 Powerful Skills?
Leadership – Do You Utilize these Top 3 Powerful Skills?
Discover the Top 3 Powerful Skills of Successful Effective Leaders!
Leadership is required in many different arenas of life.
A small number of people seem to be born with a built in set of skills for being an effective leader and it comes naturally to them. However, for the majority of people, study and training is required to bring out the true leader in them.
It has been said that “The person who says he is leading but has no followers is only taking a walk.”
That being said, I would also add that good leaders require good followers.
Effective leaders teach their followers how to step up and be all that they can be. As others imitate a leader, and follow their steps, growth and progress should come to the organization as a whole.
Top 3 Powerful Skills for Effective Leadership:
1.) VISION – It is vital that a leader be a person of vision. If you do not have a clear vision of where you are headed and what you plan to accomplish, how can you expect to get yourself and others there?
This type of vision is actually a spiritual vision.
When the Bible talks about vision it is about what will be; not what we see. Spiritual vision equals seeing what will be. Natural vision equals seeing what already is.
We are told that vision comes from God and that it should be written down and made clear to others. That way everyone can grab hold of it and run with it. (Habakkuk 2:1-2) It is vitally important that you stay focused on the vision.
2.) PLANNING & PREPARATION – Another key skill of an effective leader is the ability to plan. Before you start something; plan, make preparation, and look ahead.
What is the long-term impact of what you are about to do? Sit down and count the cost. Fully consider the project you are about to take on to be sure you can complete it.
Planning and preparation helps fulfill the vision. It is never wasted time. Learn to plan ahead, prepare, and be organized.
3.) PRAYER – Great leaders that stand the test of time are leaders that pray. Prayer is not just for your personal life, but also for your employment, business, family, school, etc.
In everything we do it should be by prayer. (Philippians 4:6)
Why would you not want to be built up spiritually before you do anything? In everything you do; be prepared in prayer and get God involved.
Keep in mind: Your vision may be so big that it seems impossible to ever attain it. Remember though, that vision tends to run in advance of your ability to fulfill it.
As a leader you have strength that can be tapped into through the resource of prayer. When God is your partner, nothing is impossible!
Your next step? Take what you have just learned and whether you are a leader of a business organization, or any type of group, ministry, or family begin to grow in these key skills. Start applying these powerful skills in your life and watch yourself become a successful leader.
May your leadership skills improve and your life overflow with growing prosperity!
Cheers,
Brenda
P.S. If you have any comments or thoughts to expand on this, please feel free to share…I’d love to hear them…
Now What? After Your Child Graduates and Starts a New Season of Life
Now What? After Your Child Graduates and Starts a New Season of Life
My Little Girl Is Growing Up
Within the last few months I celebrated my oldest daughter’s 18th birthday and her high school graduation. 
She is very smart, talented, and beautiful. I’ve always been proud of her in many ways. Especially her ability to stand for what is right and make smart decisions.
Within the last six months or so, though – I’ve seen her decision making waver.
My heart has always gone out to other parents who have a child or children that stray from what they know is right and get wrapped up in the dark things of the world. I can now relate to what those parents are going through in a much deeper way. My daughter this year got hooked up with a bad group of friends and overnight turned into someone I hardly recognize. It broke my heart.
Thanks to a praying pastor, friends, and family, she is coming back around and I believe she will prosper in the good plans God has prepared for her.
Earlier this year I had a friend remind me that as much as I love my daughter – she is also a child of God and He loves her and cares for her way more than I do. I don’t know how to even explain how much that comforted me, but it still does . . .
I picture God watching over her and holding her at all times. Something I can’t do. So I continue to pray and trust God to take care of her.
Some Powerful, Encouraging Scripture Confessions to Pray Over Your Child in Accordance With The Word of God:
I pray that in all things my child is more than a conqueror through Jesus who loves her.
Romans 8:37I pray, God, that You have put a new song in my child’s mouth – praise to her God.
Psalm 40:3I pray that my child has the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16I pray that my child is confident that You, God, who have begun a good work in her, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6I pray that, Lord, Your faithfulness will establish my child and guard her from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3I pray, God, that You have sent Your word and healed my child and delivered her from destruction.
Psalm 107:20I pray that my child will be strong in You, Lord, and in the power of Your might. I pray that she will put on Your whole armor, that she may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For she does not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12I pray that my child realizes that You, Lord, know how to deliver her out of temptations.
2 Peter 2:9I pray that You, God, will heal my child’s broken heart and bind up her wounds.
Psalm 147:3I pray that my child loves You, God, because You first loved her.
1 John 4:19
Go ahead and personalize these with your child’s name.
In good times or bad, we need to continue praying God’s will for our children. Then we’ll see growth take place in their lives to become all that God intends them to be!
God bless you & your children,
Brenda
P.S. Is there a verse not listed above that has helped you? Please feel free to share . . . Thanks!