Beginning Tomorrow...Untangle your Season with Hope for the Holidays.

Day 30 of the 30 day Truth Dare

Congratulations! You have just crossed the finish line..........
The past 30 days we have challenged ourselves to Praise God through the Psalms and dare to line up to Truth by engaging in practical application...every day for 30 days. I don't know about you, but honestly somewhere around day 18 my attitude about everything seemed to mellow and soften. Something happened in me by re-arranging my focus.

But, life is not just a 30 day Truth Dare. It is a day by day, moment by moment, breath by breath experience that requires a power greater than just our own. When left to ourselves, we handle life according to "just" our human reasoning. And, as smart as we might like to think we are, we are no match to the wisdom of God. We need Him. And, We need TRUTH. He is the Truth, and His Word is Truth. So, my friend, this is not the end, but really only the beginning of the challenge of lining our lives up to truth. Each day the finish line is when our head hits the pillow at night. And, each morning brings a new day and a new challenge to dare to trust God and to dare to live by the application of what His word says. Each day we have the fresh choice of relationship with the Father. His mercy, love, and invitation to us is new every single day.
Will you join me in saying..."This is just the beginning"

Here are our 10 WILD Life Principles

1. To lead well, we must learn to follow well.
2. To lead well, we must learn to love well.
3. To lead well, we must submit to a renewed mind.
4. To lead well, we must die daily to our own dreams and trust that God has a plan for us.
5. To lead well, we must learn to Praise God in all things
   
6. To lead well, we must learn to focus on things above not cave in to things around us.
7. To lead well we must learn to give others courage, through the gift of encouragement.
   
8. To lead well, we must look for the good in all things, circumstances, and people.
9. To lead well, we must sow generously, because we will reap what we sow.
10. To lead well, we must choose an undivided heart, living by the truth of God's word, not human understanding.
    

Let's Cross that 30 Day Finish Line.......
Praise Prayer/ Psalm 111:2-6, Psalm 34:17-19. Psalm 111:10

Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him;
He remembers his covenant forever.

The righteous cry out
and the LORD hears them.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous man may have many troubles,
But the LORD delivers him from them all

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To Him belongs eternal praise.

Truth Dare
Proverbs 3:3-12,27,29-30
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Trust int he Lord will all your heart
Lean not on your own understanding
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes,
fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the first fruits of all your crops,
then your barns will be overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

My son, do not despises the Lord's discipline
Because the LORD disciplines those he loves.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it.
Do not plot harm against your neighbor
Do not accuse a man for no reason

The Challenge Steps

• Read This Proverb
• Digest It's Words
• Ask yourself What God is speaking to your heart through it
• Pray for understanding
• Ask God to teach you how to walk it out.

Daily Prayer
Lord, Thank you for the past 30 days. They have proved to me once again that your Word is alive and works in us. Even though I usually did not "feel" a thing when I read and applied the truth dare, something was happening, because your word has worked in me. Now, Father may I not cross a 30 day finish line and stop, but continue to digest your word daily, daring myself to believe it and challenging myself to find life application in it. Lord may there be less of me and more of thee!

Day 29 of the Truth Dare

The Lord gave each of us a heart to know Him. He inscribed His desires and thoughts on our new heart. He will cleanse our hearts and keep them clean.

But our minds have become clogged with negative self-talk, lies of the culture, bitterness and the many other things we insist on holding on to. It's much like a dirty pitcher of water, with debris floating around, contaminating the entire pitcher.

Imagine putting a glass of dirty water under a faucet. Turn on the water and watch what happens. The continual flow of fresh clean water begins to push out the dirty water. Eventually, the water in the glass will be clean...spilling over the edges.

This is what God desires to do in us...give us a clean heart. Remember out of the heart the mouth speaks, so a clean heart is pretty important. Also, take courage, if you have tried and tried to purify your own heart, you can not do this heart cleansing on your own.

This cleanse takes the Power of the Almighty.

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 51:7
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

Truth Dare John 7:37-38
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink...streams of living water will flow from him."

Ezekiel 36:26
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from your your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws...you will be my people and I will be your God."

Jeremiah 24:7
"I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart."

Challenge Steps

• Take time to recognize and yield to God's work in you.
• Ask Him to fill you with Living Water, a water that has a dual purpose. It quenches the thirst of our hearts and cleanses at the same time.
• What dirt particles have been recently floating around in your glass?
• How has your thinking either helped or refused the flow of new fresh water?
• Decide today what cup you want...dirty water or clean water brimming over.

The Choice is Ours. The power to cleanse and change is His.

Daily Prayer
Lord, It's Wild to think I can be cleansed from all the icky me by your power. Wilder still to think that you desire to give me a new heart and be my God. I know these things, but often forget them in the hustle and bustle of real life. Help me God to settle down today with a glass of fresh clean water...your living water. Cleanse Me, Purify Me and Teach me how to Challenge the Dirt that keeps trying to fill up my glass!

Day 28 of the Truth Dare

Two More Days of our 30 day Truth Dare.

Jesus promised that when we know the truth,
the truth will set us free.He also declared that He was the truth.

Knowing Jesus, through the Truth of God's Word, is the answer to the crippling emotional pain we often live in. In this 30 day truth dare, we have been challenging ourselves to believe something different than what comes natural. We are challenged to believe something Good...and in this crazy world we live in....This Truth is WILD because it does not conform to what is socially, culturally or politically correct! It is truth of a different kingdom.

Challenge your Thoughts....
Today we will meditate on a very specific, seemingly simplistic verse that has powerful ramifications if we would internalize it and believe it is true.

This verse involves our self-concept.
Self-concept is the impression you have of yourself.

Some of us have a self-concept that needs to be challenged because it does not line up with Scripture at all. A self-loathing, negative self-concept keeps us locked in self focus. The challenge is to see ourselves as Christ sees us. Yes, we are sinners. Yes, we can be weak. Yes, our own understanding, at best is HUMAN. Yes, apart from his gifting and power we can do nothing of eternal consequence or value.

But....there is another Yes and that is what we will focus on today.

• Yes! You are God's Masterpiece
• Yes! He has created you for plans beyond yourself
• Yes! He has equipped you for those plans
• Yes! His love for you is real and when embraced can change you and everyone in your path.

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever...
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Truth Dare
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
"We are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

The Challenge
The Story of the Circus Elephant
When these elephants are still little and weak, they are chained to iron stakes in the ground, which prevent them from breaking free and running away. This allows the circus trainers to keep them close, work with them, and prepare them for their routines. What's strange is that even after the little elephants grow into huge, powerful animals capable of lifting a ton or more with their trunks, they remain restricted by those same miniature stakes in the ground. Even when they are more than strong enough to yank the stake out of the ground and roam free, they don't do it. They don't even try. They remain limited by the old boundaries. Sometimes we demonstrate this type of helplessness as well. We focus on the little stake ( or mistake, failure, or negative belief about our self or our life) from our past and forget that, with God's help, we have the power to release whatever has been holding us back.

• Identify the belief that is holding you back from believing your are God's masterpiece.
• Challenge that thought by marinating on the truth of Ephesians 2:10.
• Thank God for Psalm 138:8 that says you are the work of his hands.

Friend...I dare you to believe the truth about yourself, and about your life.
And, I am daring myself to believe it too!

Daily Prayer
Lord, it's so hard to untangle all the junk that roams free in my mind. Sometimes my thoughts are all tied up in knots. Please untangle them, and me. Free me to believe the truth. Teach me to challenge the negative things that try to take up residency in my mind. Remind me that all bitterness, all negativity, all the stuff that I project on circumstance, really comes from within. Help me to realize that I can be joyful, positive and productive even if circumstances stink. You have created me for your good works. This is truth, this is life, and this is freedom. Take my thoughts and transform me by renewing what I believe more each day.

Day 27 of the Truth Dare

Happy Thanksgiving!
You and I will be as thankful as we choose to be.

Learning to live in Thanks is like one big circle...
Living a life of thanksgiving is a progression that begins with our thoughts, which produce our attitude. Our attitude comes out in what we say. What we say affects how we live. How we live is determined by what we give. Think, Speak, Live, Give.

Thanks Thinking
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind ( Romans 12:2)

We demolish every thought that goes against the knowledge of God ( 2 Cor 10:5)

We bring our thoughts into obedience to Christ ( 2 Cor 10:5)

Whatever is good or praiseworthy...think about such things ( Phil 4:8)

Thanks Speaking
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.(Eph 5:19-20)
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. ( James 3:10)


Thanks Living
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus ( 1 Thes 5:16-18)

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself." you are doing right. (James 2:8)

Rejoice in the Lord always. ( Phil 4:4)

Do not be anxious about anything ( Phil 4:6)

For in him we live and move and have our being. ( Acts 17:28)

Thanks Giving
Be very careful, then, how you live...not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. ( Eph 5:15)

Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
(Luke 6:38)


Praise Prayer/ Psalm 5:1-3
Give ear to my words, O LORD,
consider my sighing,
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my
requests before you
and wait in expectation.

Truth Dare
James 2:20
"Faith without deeds is useless."

Challenge Steps
Today practice your faith by paying attention to Truth.

• Think on these things: what is true and good.
  
• Speak what is kind: bless others with your mouth
  
• Live in Love: extend yourself beyond yourself...be patient and kind
  
• Give to others: treat others how you wish to be treated

Daily Prayer ( today taken from Tommy Newberry, the 4:8 principle)
Lord protect me from the temptation to complain, condemn or focus on what is wrong with things. Instead elevate my thinking and open my eyes so that I see your presence in all situations. I want to appreciate the abundance that surrounds me and activate the joy that is hidden within me.
In Jesus name,
Amen

4:30 PM...just settling down with some tea, and happened to notice the quote on the tea bag tag:
"The ones that give, get back in kind."
Went hand in hand with today's Truth Dare!

Day 26 of the Truth Dare

Thanks...Giving

D.L. Moody, founder of the Moody Bible Institute, said, " Do all the good you can, to all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as you can"

Being generous means keeping your eyes open to opportunities to give to everyone all around you. Life's most persistent request is, "What am I doing for others? How am I living towards others?"
Jesus had his heart towards God, and always had his hand towards man.

The discipline of Generosity ( taken from John Maxell, Make Today Count)

• Value people: This means treating everyone with respect.
• Know what people value: This means listening and seeking to understand others.
• Make myself more valuable: This means growing in order to give, because I cannot give what I don not possess.
• Do things that God values: Since he unconditionally loves people, so must I.

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 145:13-16
The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desire
of every living thing.

Truth Dare
Luke 6:38
Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Challenge Steps
Look for ways to give...

• a kind word
• a helping hand
• a monetary help
• a smile
• a sincere compliment ( catch people doing good and tell them!)
• a hug
• a call
• an email
• a text of thankfulness
• anything that demonstrates giving something "good" to someone else, because PEOPLE have value to God

Daily Prayer
Lord, I thank you for your love for me. I am amazed that even in my weakness, mistakes, and stupid stuff, you still love me. I realize it's because you value those you have made. You valued us enough to die for us that we might be born-again into a spiritual rebirth. I want to remember that you value each person like that. Help me to extend grace, love and giving to everyone this season.

Day 25 of the Truth Dare

Thanks...Living begins with Thanks... Thinking

To be carnally minded is death, to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
( Romans 8:6)

"Attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious free life." ( Romans 8:6 from The Message)

Do you have an alarm on your cell phone or watch? Try setting it at specified intervals for the next few days. Each time the alarm goes off it will remind you to stop and be thankful for a moment. It is amazing how this brief pause many times in the day can change your focus and attitude.

"The battle you wage against your human nature is an invisible one that will be won or lost in the mind. Minute by minute, hour by hour, in the hidden workshop of your mind you are constructing thoughts of good or evil, depression or joy, success or failure. You are writing your own life story as a human being with each subtle and soundless thought you think." taken from The 4:8 Principle, Tommy Newberry.


As my phone alarm went off at the appointed times throughout the day Monday, I was reminded to stop and be thankful. But in between those times I was thinking according to my routine "normal" of auto-pilot random thoughts. Some of my random thoughts can begin to spiral me to a negative place. I plan today to set my timer again. And, today I am hoping to be more aware of God's presence all around me. In the busy holiday week I want to make time and space to think frequently on things above. Will you join me?

Praise Prayer/Psalm 3: 3-6, 8
But you are a shield around me, O Lord;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.

From the Lord comes deliverance
May your blessing be on your people.

• Thank Him that He is a Deliverer
• Thank Him that He Gives Us a New Shot at Life Each Day
• Thank Him that He Sustains Us
• Thank Him for His Blessing, Even if you don't feel like your are blessed right now!

Add your reasons to Thank God to the list!

Truth Dare Galatians 6:7-10
A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction, the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will rap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

This is powerful when applied to our thoughts! You can not think negatively and live positively any more than you can plant an apple seed and expect to harvest an orange.

Challenge Steps

• Expect the Best...Because God is Good.
  
• Trust God with the Outcome
• Stand Firm, your battle is the Lords
• Sow thoughts that are Good and Positive
• Resist the Urge to go to the Negative Place
• Decide to Do Good, Think Right, and Speak Love to people in your life.
• Confess all things that are critical to God
• Hold on the the Good and Dwell There
• Thank Jesus that you are a New Creation in Christ!

Daily Prayer
Lord, Take my mind and let it be shaped and formed by you. Teach me to be intentional in my thoughts and the ways of my mind. Give me the strength to break the cycle of negativity or criticism. I need you Lord. You are my joy and to you I commit my mind and the outcome of my life.

Day 24 of the Truth Dare

THANKS....LIVING
It's Monday and the Thanksgiving countdown has begun. In just a few days we will be stuffing our little faces and spending time with family or friends. It's a nice tradition.

I have another tradition for you to begin...TODAY.
What if over the next few days you only focused on being thankful?
Give yourself something to remind you...a cell phone alarm, a computer reminder message...something that will remind you to STOP for that moment and reflect on something you are thankful for. Then take your reflection a step further and actually Thank God because all blessings, all gifts, all of life...comes from the Father.

Praise/Prayer Isaiah 46:9-10
Remember this, fix it in mind,
take it to heart
I am God, and there is not other
I am God and there is none like me
I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say: My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please.

Thank God that He is a Mighty God with power over your life.
Praise Him that He is God and that His purpose Stands!
Find Peace in the truth that if God wills something in your life, nothing can stop it.
God does what He pleases, because He has a plan, and His plan will be accomplished.
Praise Him today for WHO He says He is!

I am setting my cell phone alarm, as soon as I publish this post!
Will you join me, every hour thanking God for something?

Truth Dare
Philippians 3:1
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safegaurd for you.

Challenge Steps

• Take note of something that is continually repeated in Scripture, because it must be important
• Learn to rejoice in the Lord, which means thanking God that He is God, even when things are not that great. Thank God for who He is. This is a spiritual discipline that is life changing.
• Praising and Thanking God is a Safegaurd...or a safety latch for our emotions, our soul, our very life. Sometimes, if we are honest, we will admit that our emotions need to be reigned in and definitely need a safety latch...or else they will be lost in self.

Here's what my friend Lorri posted thankfulness for on her blog today:
Today, I am thankful for......

The heater that warms my house on this chilly morning.
Gas that costs $1.78!
No getting up and going this morning.
The ladies that will come today to plan the Christmas Tea for our church.
Clear blue skies and snow capped Rockies.
and coffee, lots of coffee!

You can follow her week of Thanks at... lorriscancerupdates.blogspot.com

Now...Let me know what YOU are Thankful for. Log in and Praise God with Me!
Every practical moment is turned into a spiritual moment when we turn our thoughts to God and are thankful.

Daily Prayer
Lord, You are big and mighty. You are all powerful over everything. You are God and there is none like you. You are My God, and I worship you and desire to serve you all of my days.
I thank you that your purpose stands firm in our lives. My life has been such a wreck at times, but in your mercy, you have restored, redeemed and brought my life out of many times of calamity because you are faithful to accomplish your purposes in us. Thank you Lord. Oh...this is why we sing...Not to us, but to YOUR NAME be the glory! Be glorified Lord. Be glorified!

Day 23 of the Truth Dare

Appreciation
We all want it and we can learn to give it!

In every person from cradle to grave there is a deep craving to be appreciated. If people don't receive appreciation at home, there's a good chance they won't get it because, in general, the world does not fill that desire. One of the most positive things you can do for your spouse, children, and people in your life is to get to know them and love them simply because they are God's children. Loving them because of who they are, not because of their performance. adapted from Make Today Count by John Maxwell

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 139:13-14,16-18
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were i to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake. I am still with you.

Note: God Created everyone He is asking you to encourage.
He loves them because they are His. He is asking you to be an extension of His love on earth by encouraging others, appreciating them, believing the best in them, and focusing on anything good that is in them. This requires turning away from negativity and bad attitudes about people in general. This also means obeying God and being an extension of His grace even to people who have actually hurt you.

Truth Dare ( verse references below)
"Encourage each other daily, as long as it is called Today" Heb 3:13
"We urge you brothers, encourage the timid" 1 Thes 5:14
"we must encourage and strengthen the brothers" Acts 15:32
"my purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love." Col 2:2

When we encourage another person, we are imparting COURAGE to them. Courage to live, to love, to express themselves, and to trust the God who made them who they are. Encouragement is a gift. Give the gift of encouragement today.

Challenge Steps

• Ask yourself what keeps you from encouraging others? Is it pride? Is it because you forget? Is it because you are too self-focused? Is it because you don't think they deserve it?
• Look at what God's word says about encouragement. Ask God to make you an encourager, and to remind you to remember to notice other people.
• Encouragement often happens in just asking someone how they are, and listening.
• Encouragement can be noticing something they have done and being thankful
• Encouragement can be catching them in something good and mentioning it
• Encouragement can be praying for them, and letting them know you care enough to pray
• Encouragement can be simply a "hello" and a hug.
• Encouragement is appreciation in every form.

Daily Prayer
Lord, Forgive me for the times I refuse to encourage. Maybe it's my pride...take care of that Lord. Maybe it's my memory...refresh my mind Lord. Maybe it's that I just don't know how without feeling it's flimsy flattery...teach me Lord. I desire to line up with your truth in this area. You are the God of all comfort. You comfort and yes, encourage your people. I want to be an extension of your love, so that means I must learn to be an encourager.

Day 22 of the Truth Dare

Life is Good
God is the Giver of Life

"We have all been in situations where we've almost enjoyed wallowing in negative emotions. we carry on angrily about the driver who cut us off...long after he has disappeared from view; we nurse a grudge against someone who said something hurtful;or we sulk in response to being disappointed. But what is the end result? Will entertaining and acting on the negative emotion move us in the direction of our highest good? Will that negative emotion bless those closest to us? Will it help us reach our goals? In a marriage for example, is the goal to be right or to be happy?" (from The 4:8 Principle by Tommy Newberry)

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 150
Praise the LORD
Praise God in his sanctuary;
Praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
Praise him for his surpassing greatness,
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet.
Praise him with the harp and lyre,
Praise him with tambourine and dancing,
...Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the LORD.

Truth Dare
1 Thessalonians 5:14-20
"Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire...hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil."

Challenge Steps

• Living in peace requires looking for any good and dwelling in that
• Living in peace with others requires first trusting and thanking God for your own life
• Encouraging others does not happen when we are negative, all negativity must be turned around
• Pay back for wrongs done is a work of the flesh...steer clear of that
• Don't give your joy away because you have problems, a bad day or have been hurt
• Don't cave into your hurt, trust God with it
• Pray many times throughout the day, so that you learn to live in a prayerful life
• Thank God for anything and everything. This feels weird at first... but, it will change you.
• Keep in mind, it is God's will that you are thankful and hold on to the good.
• Finally, avoid or stay away from, all kinds of evil and negative influence.

Daily Prayer
Lord, the rubber meets the road in my faith walk when I am asked to stretch beyond my normal negative or low level of emotional functioning and praise you. It is far easier to look for bad. There is more action and activity in that kind of life...the drama, you know it Lord. But, your word says to stay away from it, avoid it, and hold on to only good, pleasing and pure things. Loving others, loving you, being thankful...all good things. Lord I declare to you today, the maker of my life, that life is GOOD and you are GOOD and I praise you GOD! Help me to look for Good and to capture the sparkle in each moment...one moment at a time, one day at a time, for life is short...and life is good.

Day 21 of the Truth Dare

Pearls are formed one irritating grain of sand at a time. I was told it takes 5 years of this kind of irritant to create these black pearls. Aren't they beautiful?

"Little by little we are changed by this daily crucifixion of the will. Changed, not like a tornado changes things, but like a grain of sand in an oyster changes things. Please remember we are dealing with the crucifixion of the will not the obliteration of the will. Crucifixion always has resurrection tied to it. God is not destroying the will but transforming it." Richard Foster

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 91:14-16
Because he loves me, says the LORD, " I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.

Truth Dare
Hebrews 12:1-1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross.

"Our outer person, our flesh or our self-centeredness, must be broken to release spiritual power from Christ within. The unbroken flesh is what hinders Jesus from being all powerful within us." Jennifer Kennedy Dean--from He Restores My Soul

Challenge Steps

• Throw Off all that hinders you ( stop and think about what this is asking of you)
• Say "No" to the sin that has you tangled in knots ( the first thing that came to your mind)
• Run the race that is marked out for you to run ( don't run anyone else's marathon, only yours)
• Fix your eyes on one focus only, Jesus. ( He wants to be your everything)
• Refocus and rethink as often as needed throughout the day

Daily Prayer
Lord I long for your Spirit's present tense power. I want the indwelling life of Christ to be my greatest reality.

Day 20 of the Truth Dare

Wild Leadership Principle
To lead well, you must learn to guard your heart from the evil one.

Proverbs offer wisdom for living. Proverbs 4:23 tells us, " Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life." The deep well of our hearts is what motivates our actions, words, attitudes and choices. Our hearts can be affected by bitterness, sin, greed, worry, unforgiveness and a variety of other things. Knowing this, we must keep watch on our hearts. We can not control what others do to us, what others say about us or what life throws our way. But we can guard our hearts from losing faith in the middle of it all. In the middle of what we see, we need to be reminded of what we don't see...there is a spiritual battle, and we do have an enemy who seeks to devour us. Our hearts must be guarded against the lies from Hell and anything that does not line up with Biblical truth.To lead well, we must learn to guard our hearts from the evil one.

Praise/ Prayer Psalm 51
Create in me a pure heart, O God
and renew a steadfast spirit within me
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Truth Dare
Colossians 3:5-19
Put to death whatever is worldly in you:
your sexual sin, perversion, passion, lust, and greed
(which is the same thing as worshiping wealth)

It is because of these sins that God's anger comes on those who refuse to obey him.
You used to live that kind of sinful life. Also get rid of your anger, hot tempers, hatred, cursing, obscene language, and all similar sins.

Don't lie to each other. You've gotten rid of the person you used to be and the life you used to live, and you've become a new person.

Challenge Steps

• Imagine the woman you would like to be.
• How does she react and respond to life?
• What is her attitude towards others?
• Now, begin today to walk in that woman...the new woman you are in Christ.
• One step at a time, allow God to penetrate the areas of sin that you hold tightly to.

Daily Prayer
Lord help me to keep my focus on you. Take my heart and mold it continually according to your good and perfect will. Teach me what it means to guard my heart. Show me what walking before you with a broken and contrite spirit looks like. I put my trust in you and ask you to continually restore to me the JOY of my salvation. I am grateful for the gift of Jesus. I am grateful for grace and mercy. I praise you for your love for me. Now, teach me your ways.

Day 19 of the Truth Dare

Perspective. Life is all about perspective. My vision isn't what it used to be, so I need the help of glasses or contacts to see correctly. This need for vision correction reminds me that sometimes my faith and attitude about life isn't what it use to be either.

Hurt upon hurt can cause a callous to form and a dimming of spiritual vision. I need help seeing life through different lenses....the lens of truth...the lens of God's Word, the lens of God's love.

Perspective: A mental view
What's your perspective today?

Let's add another Wild Leadership Principle:
To lead well you must learn to focus on things above, not cave into things around you.

Praise/ Prayer Psalm 32:8,11
The Lord says,
I will instruct you.
I will teach you the way that you should go.
I will advise you as my eyes watch over you.
Be glad and find joy in the LORD, you righteous people. Sing with joy!

Truth Dare
Colossians 3:1-4
Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above...where Christ holds the highest position. Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things. You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is your life.

Challenge Steps

• Examine your focus, is it on Christ and his purposes, or on your hurt , fears, and circumstances?
• Decide how you will keep your mind on things above.
• Today choose to intentionally meditate on Scripture, and let it fill you with God's will for you.
• Make today count. Choose a new perspective, a new focus, and a clearer vision for your life in Christ.

Daily Prayer
Lord, it is so easy for me to focus on all the wrong things...what I don't have, what I don't like, what hurts me or what has hurt others. Help me not to cave into my hurt or my feelings, but instead to turn my attention to you in the midst of all things. I need new eyes, new perspective, and a new attitude. I need you.

Day 18 of the Truth Dare

Is the theme of your life Friendship with God?

The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thin that is continually under attack...Oswald Chambers

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 144: 1-2
Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge.

Truth Dare
1 Corinthians 1: 20,27-30
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;God chose the weak things of this world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God, that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: " Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

Challenge Steps

• Bring before God all that you have..time, treasures and talents
• Acknowledge what this passage says...that your best is nothing compared to the Greatness of God, His strength is made perfect in your weakness
  
• Ask God to forgive you for all the times you have tried to "make things work" on your own
• Go out today in the power, strength and gifting of God to leave his mark everywhere He sends you...
  
• Be mindful of the God who is with you, the God who guides you, and the God who empowers you
• Say of yourself, " My God is My strength: My God is in me accomplishing Heaven's work today"
• Pray the WILD prayer, "Less of Me and More of Thee!"
  

Remember: It is not a matter of our ability or equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us, not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or of experience...all of that is of no avail. The only thing of value is being taken into the compelling purpose of God and being in friendship with Him.

Daily Prayer
Father, I am so thankful that I don't have to depend of myself. But this is also a challenge as it is my "self" that I have learned to depend on. It is my "self" that I have learned to trust. I need a change in the theme of my life. Father, may my life reflect only you, and may my trust be ever in you and you alone. You are strong and mighty...I ask you today to shine through me.

Day 17 of the Truth Dare :)

What is the theme of your life right now?

All of us know about themes. A theme is something that sets a tone for an event, party, class, etc.
We all also have a theme, if you will, for our life. Sometimes the theme changes based on what we are going through or where we are at. Wouldn't it be great if our THEME could remain steadfast, firm and unmovable. I guess that is what FAITH looks like!

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 37:4-7
Delight yourself in the Lord
and he will give you the
desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD:
trust in him and he will do this.
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn
the justice of your cause
like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for him.

Truth Dare
Acts 17: 24,25b,28
The God who made the world and everything in it is the LORD of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands...He himself gives all men life and breath and everything else...For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, We are His offspring.

The Challenge is to Believe

• I am not a random act of nature nor have I been created by a random act of love or sex.
• I have been built by God, created by the God who made the world and everything in it.
• He gives me life...daily
• He gives me breath...daily
• I move each day, each step, because in Him I have my being.
• I am His
• I am His offspring

Now***Go out and live like all of that Significance assigned to your very life is true, because it is. Live today as God's vessel, his very own, his woman of influence. May this be the theme of your life...and don't forget to pray the WILD prayer...Less of Me, More of Thee!

Daily Prayer
Lord God thank you for creating me for your very own purposes. Make me an instrument of influence in this world. Shape me and use me. May I decrease as you increase. Live through me, breathe your life in me, walk the streets of my community in me.

WILD leadership class

Today at 11 am, room U1 at Cornerstone Fellowship!

Day 16 of the Truth Dare

It is not what we do that determines who we are, it is who we are that determines what we do!

We don't labor in God's work to make God love us,
we do God's work and follow after him as a response to the love He has for us.

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 5: 2-3
Listen to my cry for help.
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, O LORD, you
hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.

Truth Dare
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers,
stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

The Challenge Steps

• Don't allow your emotions to rule you.
• Stop at the point of emotional response, Drop to your knees( this can be a figurative dropping to your knees...) Roll your care over to the Lord. Repeat as often as necessary to distance yourself from merely living by emotions rather than faith in God.
  
• Stand firm in faith of His love for you
• Each new day lay your requests before God
• Are you hurt? Then tell him so.
• Are you depressed? Then cry out to Him.
• Are you happy? Then thank him for the joy within your heart
• Give yourself fully over to God's plan for you, one day at a time.

Daily Prayer
Lord, I come to you this morning laying all of "me" down before you. I ask you to take the ME out of my day in favor of YOU being the larger more prominent aspect of all I am and all I do. Teach me how to stand firm against all that life throws at me that would capture my attention from you and the work you have for me this day.

WILD Leadership Class This Sunday!

If you are in the Bay Area of Northern, CA, join me for a WILD Leadership class at Cornerstone Fellowship. This class meets the 3rd Sunday of each month from 11am-12:30. You can find out more or register online at www.cornerstoneweb.org ( registration is free).

Day 15 of the Truth Dare

We are 1/2 way through the 30 day Truth Dare!
Here are the 5 Wild Leadership Principles we have been focusing on...

1. To lead well, you must learn to follow well
2. To lead well, you must learn to love well
3. To lead well, you must submit to a renewed mind
4. To lead well, you must die daily to your own dreams and trust in God's plans for you
5. To lead well, you must learn to Praise God in the hard times.

If we would pay attention to these themes our lives and our influence would be changed.

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 1:1-2 ( God's Word Translation)
Blessed is the person who does not
follow the advice of wicked people,
take the path of sinners,
or join in the company of mockers.

Rather, he delights int he teachings of the Lord
and reflects on his teachings day and night.

Truth Dare
Galatians 5:16
"So I say live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

Challenge Steps

• Look at all 5 WILD principles of leadership and ask yourself, "am I living in this?"
• One by one pray over each principle asking God to give you conviction to make these a reality
• Think of what living by the Spirit would look like to you. Picture yourself in a "living by the Spirit" reality. What looks different?
• Now think of what living in your sinful nature looks like. Picture yourself as a leader, with secrets of sinful nature living...what does that woman look like? How could this affect the leader and those whom she is leading?
• Continue with Praise. Think of One Thing today to Thank God For.

Remember our choices, of thought and action, have consequences.
Choose Christ Today!

Daily Prayer
Lord, you know me and you know the secret areas that are carefully hidden and covered over with the gloss of "nice Christian things." I am asking you to develop me into something more genuine than a "pretend" spirit follower, and make me into an authentic follower of Christ and the ways of His Spirit. Lead me into a more daring, different and determined walk of longing after what God wants, and turning away from the things that displease you.

Day 14 of the Truth Dare

To lead well, we must learn to Praise God in the hard times.

Praise Prayer/ Psalm Psalm 57: 1-3
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge,
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.

I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.
He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me
God sends his love and his faithfulness

Truth Dare
1 Thessalonians 5:12-15
Live in peace with each other. Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and everyone else.

Peace: the absence of hostility, harmony, freedom from disquieting feelings or thoughts.

Challenge Steps

• Are you in a hostile or disquieted place with someone? Ask God to lead you to a place of living in peace.
• Think of at least one person you can encourage today.
• Realize that being patient is a step of death to self, and life unto God
• Do you have a habit of paying others back for wrongs done to you? Take that habit to the Lord, because it must change.

Daily Prayer
Father, To you I come today in the midst of life challenges, news of Southern California fires, knowledge of people I care about being in pain or in the hospital. I come to you, Jesus, I come to you. Pull me to a place today that will be quiet and at peace with you, encouraging to another, and your best for me " just for today". In you Lord I take refuge and in you I find a resting place.

WILD Leadership Principles

Today let's add to our Wild Leadership Principles....We are up to 4!
Here is a review of the leadership principles we have been learning:

1. To lead well, you must learn to follow well
2. To lead well, you must learn to love well
3. To lead well, you must submit to a renewed mind
4. To lead well, you must die daily to your own dreams and trust in God's plans for you

Day 13 of the Truth Dare

Make Today Count!
If there is anything GOOD: Focus There
Now is the time to take responsibility for attitudes that are negative and counter-productive. Today is the day to challenge attitudes that are less than loving, and filled with criticism. With God all things are possible, including attitude adjustments and other personal miracles of heart.

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 100...The Message
On your feet now--applaud God!
Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.

Know this: God is God, and He made us.
We didn't make him.
We're his people, his well tended sheep.

Enter with the password: " Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.

For God is sheer beauty,
all generous in love
loyal always and ever.

Truth Dare
Romans 8:12-14 The Message
"So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike " What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are."

The Challenge

• Death to self involves coming to God, like a child, with dependence and faith
• Death to self involves surrendering our moods and attitudes to God
• Death to self produces more life in Christ
• Death to self leads us to praise God even when we don't feel like it
• Death to self is living outside of our own reasonings
  

Questions to Ask Yourself

• What attitude of yours needs to be given a burial today?
• Are you believing lies that are based on today's mood?
• Does moving in emotion lift you up, or bring you down?
• Will you join me in making today count for something spiritual by surrendering the mind and all loose or stray thoughts to God?
• Will you practice the secret password " Thank You" and go about your day thanking God for at least ONE specific thing?
  

Daily Prayer
Lord I give you my attitude today. I desire to bring anything to you, in my thought life, that is counter productive, negative or not uplifting. Help me to find ONE thing today to hold on to and ONE thing to praise you for.

Truth Dare Day 12

The Renewed Mind is a Joy-Filled Mind!

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 126
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations
"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy...


Life is complicated. If it were not so complicated it would be easy to be peaceful, joyful and in control of our emotions, wouldn't it? What if I told you that despite a complicated world, we can all learn the secret to true joy? What if that joy actually had something to do with your choice of thoughts? Hold on...because that is exactly what I am wanting to shout out, and it's not my philosophy, it's God's. You can turn your day around by changing your habitual bent towards a negative attitude. Choose God's way today...and just know, girlfriend, I am choosing it too.
God help us!

Truth Dare
Philippians 4:8,9b
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praise worthy--think about such things...And the God of peace will be with you.

The Challenge Steps
The message in Philippians is to "think like God thinks"
To understand how God thinks, we must understand who He is.
In the Bible we get a picture of who God is. Today think about who God is, and let that be your "is there is anything good" in your day. While you are at it, personalize who He is, and believe that this is who God is towards you!

• God is love
• God is merciful
• God is forgiving
• God is ever present
• God is powerful
• God is holy
• God is just
• God is faithful
• God is unchanging
• God cares

Daily Prayer
Dear God, today I desire to turn my thoughts around. I bring to you my negative, dull way of thinking. And, I exchange it for the sparkle of who you are in the midst of everything in my life.
I desire to have a new way of thinking, a different way of responding, and a free way of living.

Day 11 of the Truth Dare

Today we add a NEW Wild leadership principle.....

1. In order to lead, you must first learn how to follow
2. To lead well, you must learn to love well
3. To lead well you must submit to a renewed mind.

You can not have a positive life with a NEGATIVE mind.
We are well into the Truth Dare and now is the time to
begin focusing on what our "thinking" really is.
Negative?
Positive?
Self-Defeating?
Obsessive Worry?
Nit-Picking?
Looking for what's missing?
Assuming the worst?

Being Wild in Jesus is being TRANSFORMED a little more each day, by our minds changing and being renewed.

Praise/ Prayer Psalm 23
You prepare a table before me in
the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love
will follow me
all the days of my life.

Truth Dare
Proverbs 23:7
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he"

Romans 8:5
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires;
but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."

Challenge Steps
Take a thought survey:

• What has your outlook been like lately?
• Does your outlook produce a good outcome?
• Does your outlook produce worry, stress, fear or insecurity?
• Does your outlook line up with the truth: "surely goodness and mercy will follow me?"

Retrain your brain

• Ask God to search your heart and thoughts
• Fill your mind with what Scripture says today ( even just the Psalm 23 Praise Prayer)
• Internalize what it means that God prepares a banquet for you in the presence of your enemies.

Note* Your enemies are not "people" but your enemies are the lies that Satan tries to get you to buy into, and your enemies can be your own stinking thinking.

Daily Prayer
Lord, I need your help. I am asking you to show me the areas of thought and process that are not of your Spirit. Show me where the enemy of my soul is trying to defeat me. Lead me Jesus and I will follow.

Day 10 of the Truth Dare

Aloha, I am told, is a greeting of friendship, warmth, and welcome. It's a kindness spoken. As I leave Kauai today, I leave memories of many Alohas and beautiful women who love the Lord.

It makes me stop and think of the Lord's love and compassion for us all. For surely the Lord desires to wrap us up in His Aloha for us.

Praise Prayer/ Psalm 32
Let everyone who is godly pray to you
while yo may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

Aloha!

Truth Dare
1 Peter 4:7-10
The end of all things is near.
Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sin. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.

Challenge Steps

• Live like its real, and get over yourself today
• Be alert and focused on the love of God, so you can pray
• Reach out to the people you come in contact with today, with love
• Offer help and kindness
• Refuse to grumble today
• Acknowledge your gift, and serve God with it.

Daily Prayer
Lord, Today I come to you with gratitude for your unfailing love. I ask that I would learn to walk in that love, offering help, hope, kindness, and love to those in my life. Help me when I get tired and want to quit doing the walk of love. Help me to remember not to grumble. Show me what my gifts are that come from you, and teach me to use them wisely.

Day 9 of the Truth Dare

This poster looks fun: but we are looking for
A Different Kind of Wild!

Sunday's Theme: Giving a Personal Account for "just ourselves".

Praise/Prayer
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
O LORD, hear my voice, Let your
ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Truth Dare
Romans 14:12,13,19
Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

It's easy to point our finger at every one else, isn't it? It's even acceptable to stand for our own rights, and do our own thing, without regard to others. We live in a world that says, if it's good for you...do it! But that is not what Scripture teaches us. In this passage in Romans, Paul is reminding them to look at their selves and to quit judging others. We can only take responsibility for ourselves. We can not change another's actions or choices, but we can change ours, as we submit ourselves to God.

The Challenge Steps

• Think about any recent "judgement" or "disapproval' activity you have had towards another
• Go to the Lord and ask His forgiveness.
• Make a decision to do whatever it takes to quit pointing the finger at this person
• Decide what God's word is telling you about making every effort to make peace
• Humble yourself, your needs, your hurts, before God and do the WILD thing.

Remember: To lead well, you must learn to love well.

If you have a judgemental or negative attitude ingrained in your mind about a person, you are not going to feel like letting go of it. Don't insist on the right of your own feelings this time, lean into God's word of truth.Learning to love well is an active "death to self". The more we "die" to ourselves, the more "alive" we are spiritually.

Daily Prayer
Father, I am so human and get so icky and petty sometimes. I see in your word how pointing my finger at others is not your best for me. But, Lord, we both know how easy it is to do that! Help me Jesus to stretch, change, develop and grow into something different than an icky petty woman. I desire you in all my relationships and ask you to heal the ones that are less than your best for all involved.

Day 8 of the Truth Dare

You have been challenging yourself to hold on to the truth for one week!

Has anything been different for you, as you have intentionally put God's word in you, praised and prayed the Psalms, and taken action steps to line up with Truth?

Praise/Prayer Psalm 16
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. I will praise the LORD who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken.

Truth Dare
Hebrews 12:7-8,10-11
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not discipliend by his father? If you are not disciplined ( and everyone undergoes discipline) then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. God disciplines for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Challenge Steps

• Take a different look at your current hardship
• What within your situation might be God's discipline?
• Sit in the swing with Jesus, give him the thing that is so hard right now.
• Thank him that you are a true daughter of his and not an illigitimate child that he doesn't care about.
• Praise Him several times today for his hand on your life and his covering in your hardships.
  

Daily Prayer
Lord, I just want to thank you for how good you are. You invite me to sit with you, wait with you, and trust in you during life's hard things. Thanks that you use these things to shape me and change me. Help me to be focused on "Christ at work in me" during times of discipline and hardship.

Day 7 of the Truth Dare

Good Morning! Coming to you from Kauai, Hawaii
I am here this weekend to speak for Kauai Women of Faith. Have already met some wonderful women!
*******************
Why is it so hard to put our hope in God? What do we think we can do on our own? And, why is Trust so often our last resort option?

Trust is probably hard because we don't know the outcome and can't know the future. But, trust is probably the most important thing we can give ourselves over to learning. Will you join me in learning how to trust Jesus with the details of our lives and days?


Praise Prayer/ Psalm 25
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame.

Truth Dare
1 Corninthians 15: 57-58
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Challenge Steps

• Thank God that He gives you victory through Christ
• Intentionally Stand Firm in the areas where you sense victory slipping
• Daily give yourself over to the Lord and his work for that day
• Thank God that nothing done in Christ is every for nought

Daily Prayer
Father I want to stand firm in being thankful unto you. Put within my soul the truth tht you give me the victory. May I give myself over to you more and more each day.

Day 6 of the Truth Dare

Welcome Baby Lucy!

This picture of Lucy makes her look like a peaceful puppy. But she didn't start out that way. This week, her first with us, has been rough. But after many cries, and lots of nervous whimpers, she finally trusts us. Dear Wild Woman...what does your snapshot look like? Maybe you have cried and cried this week. Perhaps you have had lots of nervous whimpers too. Well, now is the time to get settled and calm your heart before God. It's time to trust him.

Coming to Jesus is Wild, isn't it? Sometimes it's much easier to whine and complain. But, when we come, he is pleased with our dependence on him and our trust in his power. This week when Lucy would not settle down she seemed to be perfect picture of me...crying, crying, crying. All the while, my Jesus, just wants to settle me, comfort me, help me, and give good gifts.

Day 6 Praise/ Prayer Psalm 4

Know the Lord has set apart the godly for himself

The LORD will hear him when I call to him.

You have filled my heart with greater joy

than when their grain and new wine abound.

I will lie down and sleep in peace,

for you alone, O LORD,

make me dwell in safety.

Truth Dare

Psalm 104 :5

Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord.

Matthew 7:9-11

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or is he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

The Challenge Steps

1. The right sacrifice to God is to Trust Him...even when things are not great, and even "if" you don't feel like it, and especially "in the meantime"
   
2. The truth we must believe is that God desires for us to receive FROM HIM
   
3. The step we must practice is acting like He is who He says He is...Our Heavenly Father
   
4. The peace we will receive is much the same as Lucy in the soft bed, cuddled in, and finally at peace....trusting.
   

Daily Prayer

Oh Father, may I believe you are my Father and may I live in peace because of who you are.

I call to you with my cries and disbelief...settle me down in you.

Day 5 of the Truth Dare

Wild Women in Leadership need new eyes to see the truth.

Day 5 Praise/Prayer Psalm 119
Do good to your servant, and I will live;
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.

Teach me to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your command, for there I find delight.

Truth Dare
2 Corinthians 5:16-17,20
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

The Challenge: Steps to Take
1. Think about how you view things. Do you tend to view life through a lens of worldliness?
Worldly or carnal values? Do you view others this way? Do you view yourself this way?

2. Be intentional today about coming in line with TRUTH. Ask God to make these truths real to you:

• You are New.
• You are in Christ.
• You are His ambassador.
• He is working through you.

Ambassador: a diplomat of the highest rank. One representing another!

From the Message:
Now, we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone' a new life burgeons!

Daily Prayer
Lord, Give me eyes to see things the way you do. I need a new view, a new perspective, a reality check with truth. I often only see myself, others and circumstances through worldly eyes. I am asking you to give me spiritual eyes to see things from a different perspective. Give me new eyes Lord. And, Father, I am asking that you would work in me, and that I would represent you well in my little corner of the world, being faithful to your call...one day at a time.

Response to Blog

My friend just told me that she is viewing the ingesting of spiritual truth as a way to keep her spiritual immune system strong. I will quote her, " I say that makes truth our spiritual vitamin C against a viral attack of doubt and discouragement." ( Thanks friend...you know who you are!)

Day 4 of the Truth Dare

When we live as one who is loved, we live differently.
Life is no longer a set of unfortunate circumstances,
instead life is a journey with the Father.

When we live as one who is loved, we have a changed view point.
We know that in all things God is our deliverer, and we wait for Him.

Are you living as if you are loved today?

To lead well you must first learn to follow
To lead well you must learn to love well

LOVING WELL IS DEPENDENT ON RECEIVING LOVE AND RESPONDING TO THE TRUTH OF LOVE! All of God's girls can learn to love well and all of God's girls, even those with hurts in their pasts, can learn to live as one who is loved.

Day 4 Praise Prayer/ Psalm 3
You are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me
and lift up my head
To the LORD I cry aloud
and he answers me from his holy hill

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again because the
LORD sustains me,
I will not fear the tens of
thousands drawn up against me
on every side.

From the LORD comes
deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.

Truth Dare
Romans 8:31, 35, 37
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine
or nakedness or danger or sword?
No, in all these things we are more
than conquerors through him who loved us.

Today's Challenge: Steps to Take
Thank God for the fact that each new day is a gift...you re-wake because of His goodness.
What is today's greatest fear?
What is your true belief about this hardship or trouble?
Read the Psalm Prayer and Truth Dare verses several times today
What does Truth say we are?

Hint: Conquerors
Conquer means to overcome, one who subdues or defeats.
Are you more than an overcomer?
If not, ask God today to show you why...remember the why has to do with "us". We are already declared conquerors, but perhaps we aren't living like who we are. Perhaps we aren't living as one who no longer needs to fear because they are so well loved that nothing can separate them from the their lover.

Truth tells us that IN CHRIST we can live as more than overcomers.
Sit with that today...and tell your troubles to take a hike, from your mind, and dare yourself to come in line with truth!

Boy...is today's DARE for me personally!

Daily Prayer
Father, In the name of Jesus I am giving you the trouble that is bugging me this morning.
I do not want to give in to living at "trouble's level". By your grace show me how to live as a conqueror. Show me how to live In Christ. Show me how to live as one who is loved. Teach me to follow you well, so I can lead well. Teach me to understand your love well, so I can in turn love well. Make me your woman more today than yesterday.