“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Today was another historical day of taking a stand for the WFJ GLOBAL MOVEMENT. Team destiny hosted their final of three WFJ (Words From Jesus) webinars in December 2009 called “The Miracle of Christmas.”

Dr. Joseph Peck served as the global connector and host of this webinar. The guest panelists were: Deb Smith, Richard Mayhan, Bertha Hinson, and me, Abigail Slocum. Clearly the Holy Spirit took control of the webinar before it ever started and never let go!

He began by waking me up at 3:22 AM to give me this prophetic word – WFJ: THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS IS CHRIST! It was His way of orchestrating the whole focus for the discussion. These are the questions we covered:

1. What is the Miracle of Christmas?
2. What is the significance of Isaiah 9:1-7?
3. How does someone come into the LIGHT of Jesus?
4. What can people do to experience their most special Christmas ever?
5. Prayer for an UNCOMMON Christmas blessing.

WFJ: THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS IS CHRIST!

Take the tour of the Word and be free in Christ. CHRISTMAS IS A SEASON FOR MIRACLES BUT EVERY DAY IS A MIRACLE IN CHRIST! TO BE IN CHRIST IS THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL.

SALVATION IS THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL. It is God’s free gift to all mankind. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall be saved (have eternal life).(John 3:16).

What is so miraculous is that SALVATION IS THE “GREAT EXCHANGE!” MAN GIVES GOD HIS IMPERFECT, BROKEN, SINFUL LIFE IN EXCHANGE FOR A PERFECT (COMPLETE) LIFE IN CHRIST. JESUS GIVES HIS ALL FOR OUR ALL!

When you receive Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, the LIGHT OF THE WORLD – THE CANDLE OF MAN, comes into your heart to show you the most excellent way of all to live. IT IS THE WAY OF LOVE BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE.

In this “GREAT EXCHANGE,” your old sinful man dies and the new man comes alive in Christ. CHRIST LIVES THROUGH YOU to live the perfect will of God which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17).

Unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is your inheritance as a born again child of God. IT IS A LIFE OF VICTORY AND TOTAL PROVISION. To be one with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is to be free from every bondage of sin and to be free to experience the fullness and abundance of life in Christ Jesus. JESUS IS THE DOOR TO FREEDOM AND TOTAL FULFILLMENT.

Jesus’ arms are open wide and ALL THAT BELONGS TO THE FATHER OF LIGHTS IS YOURS WHEN YOU SAY “YES” TO JESUS who is the express image and likeness of God, and His Kingdom of Love becomes yours!

IT IS A SUPERNATURAL GIFT OF DIVINE INFUSION AND PROPORTION AND IS THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL! Become one with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. ALLOW THE PRINCE OF PEACE TO RULE IN YOUR HEART FOREVERMORE, for God set eternity in the heart of man. He loves YOU so much and nothing will ever separate YOU from His love.

LET THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD LIGHT YOUR PATH AND BE A BEACON OF HOPE TO ALL MANKIND. THE KING OF GLORY HAS CHOSEN AND MADE A WAY TO TAKE UP RESIDENCE IN YOUR HEART AND BE YOUR KING AND PRINCE OF PEACE. SAY YES TO HIM AND THE KINGDOM IS YOURS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL. The Redeemer wants to take all of you in your imperfection and transform you into the likeness of Christ. RECEIVE THE GREATEST GIFT KNOWN TO MANKIND AND LIVE “THE GREAT ADVENTURE” IN CHRIST. NOTHING CAN COMPARE TO THIS INDECSRIBABLE GIFT OF PURE AND PERFECT LOVE. It is greater than anything you ever wanted for Christmas for it is the desire of your heart. RECEIVE GOD’S GIFT AND SPEND THE REST OF YOUR NATURAL LIFE AND ETERNITY UNWRAPPING JESUS, GOD’S GIFT OF HIMSELF WHO IS PERFECT LOVE. THERE IS NO END TO LOVE. REJOICE AND BE AT PEACE. IMMANUEL HAS COME!

RECEIVE ALL OF THE GREATEST MIRACLE WHO EVER WAS OR IS TO COME! Let Christ have free reign in your heart and become His walking talking miracle and witness to all mankind. Your light has come. BE GLORIFIED IN HIS ETERNAL PRESENCE.

I LOVE YOU, MY CHILD. BE MADE WHOLE. ENTER THE JOY OF THE LORD. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE PERFECT LOVER OF YOUR SOUL! BE SATISFIED IN ME. I AM YOUR FULFILLMENT AND HEART’S DESIRE. SHALOM.

Love in Jesus,

Nancy Slocum
“A pen in God’s hand giving LOVE a voice”
The Bellows of God
www.Nancy777.com

Prayer Power

If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please say this prayer out loud from your heart and you shall be saved and come into God’s Kingdom of Love.

Father God, I believe in my heart that you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for me. I believe Jesus paid my sin debt in full. It was a debt I could not repay and it was a debt Jesus did not owe. Thank You, Jesus. I accept your perfect gift and sacrifice. Come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. Baptize me in the power of your Holy Spirit and I will serve you all the days of my life! I am saved! I am free! Thank you, in Jesus name. Amen.

May you allow the God of all hope and the Prince of Peace to rule in your heart this day and forevermore. May this truly be your most significant Christmas ever as the FULLNESS of the gift of God’s LOVE FOR YOU, becomes an everyday reality in your life!

I BLESS YOU with the joy, laughter, and peace of God! I BLESS YOU with God’s amazing grace! I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

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Come experience the excitement of our vibrant, online, world-wide community (TRIBE) that is changing lives to disciple nations.

Webinar Details

• Title: The Miracle of Christmas
• Series: Words From Jesus: How to hear God’s voice
• Date/Time: Saturday December 19, 2009, 8 am EST
• Facilitator: Holy Spirit
• Host: Dr. Joseph Peck
• Panelists:
  1) Abigail Slocum – founder of God Whispers
  2) Bertha Hinson – founder of Beauty From Ashes TV and His Gateway
  3) Deb Smith – founder of Connect 7 Coaching
  4) Lynne Lee – founder of Christian LIFE Coaching
  5) Richard Mayhan – founder of Prodigan Returns; leader with Worldprayr

Here is what we covered …

1. What is the Miracle of Christmas?
2. What is the significance of Isaiah 9:1-7 ?
3. How do YOU come into the LIGHT of Jesus?
4. What can YOU do to experience your most special Christmas ever?
5. Prayer for a UNCOMMON Christmas blessing

Watch Team Destiny’s complete webinar “The Miracle of Christmas!”
Click on the image below to watch this 116 minute Camtasia video

RIGHT CLICK HERE and choose “Save Target As” to download the 116 minute MP3 recording of this webinar.

BREAKTHROUGH RESOURCES

• #WFJ: THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS IS CHRIST! (Dec 19, 2009)
• #WFJ: The $14,400 Miracles (Dec 12, 2009)
• #WFJ: The Spiritual Triangle Between Virginia, the U.K., and Italy (Dec 5, 2009)
• Opportunities to invest in yourself and the Kingdom of God (Nov 4, 2009)
• The Angel Breakthrough and the $14,400 Miracle (Sep 14, 2009)

For those of you who can afford it, we encourage you to SOW A $144 SEED (= 12 x 12 = 1% of $14,400) to bless someone in need – the poor, the hungry, widows, orphans, prisoners, or the persecuted. Thank you!

Blessings to TAKE ACTION to make this your most special Christmas season ever!

Joseph

Joseph Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
THE CONNECTOR and The Journal Guy
Breakthrough Life Coach
Creative Marketing and Communication Specialist

Empower 2000, Inc.
“Raising the Bar of Leadership to Empower People, Businesses, and Communities”
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations
www.empower2000.com
540-445-1GOD (540-445-1463)

TEAM DESTINY

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;” (John 15:8a)

P.S. At the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders in the U.K. earlier this year, the primary word received was “no more business as usual.”

P.S.S. We want your feedback. We encouarge each of you to share your thoughts below.

P.S.S.S. Please help us share this wealth – “The Miracle of Christmas!” – with the world! THE TIME IS NOW! Here are Sample Tweets

• What is the Miracle of Christmas? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What is the significance of Isaiah 9:1-7? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• How do YOU come into the LIGHT of Jesus? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What can YOU do to experience your most special Christmas ever? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Prayer for a UNCOMMON Christmas blessing http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What do you want for Christmas more than anything else? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What is your greatest heart’s desire? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What is the greatest miracle of all? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What is the GREAT EXCHANGE? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Where is the door to freedom and total fulfillment? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What is the way of LOVE? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Allow the Prince of Peace to rule in your heart forever http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Let the Light of the world light your path http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• BE a beacon of hope to all mankind http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Merry Christmas to all http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Receive the greatest gift know to mankind http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Live “THE GREAT ADVENTURE” in CHRIST http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Enter the joy of the LORD this Christmas season http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer

then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9)

Who do you know that will benefit from participating in this new online community to experience God in fresh and exciting ways?

Will you invite them? If so, when?

I’m thrilled to report what the Holy Spirit birthed this morning. The outcome from this will be extraordinary.

Tomorrow (March 24) I’m launching a brand new, 12-week series of webinars on Tuesday evenings covering much of the material in Henry Blackaby’s book Experiencing God. You, your family, and your friends are invited to participate in this world-wide, online LIFE group. This is free and will be inspirational and transformational. To learn more and register, see today’s Blessings of the Day.

What makes this LIFE group different than most, if not all, previous Experiencing God life groups around the world is that this one is online and will integrate online journaling. Because it’s online, people from different countries will be able to interact live during each webinar. God will use this venue to build and unite a vibrant online community of disciples of Jesus. And through the life and leadership coaching by Jerry Graham and me, participants will be propelled forward into their destinies.

In his outstanding book “Experiencing God,” Henry Blackaby writes, “In the mind and teaching of Jesus, a church was a vital, living, dynamic fellowship of believers. The Greek word “koinonia,” most frequently translated “fellowship,” is the best way to describe what a church ought to be.”

Henry Blackaby writes, “When God speaks, it is important to write down what He says.” While Henry talks some about journaling in his book, he doesn’t go into nearly the depth we will. Bruce Wilkinson, in his book “Secrets of the Vine,” shares how journaling played a key role in him breaking through to a deeper abiding in Jesus and a life filled with fruitfulness. Yet, Bruce doesn’t explain how to journal strategically.

On several occasions during my 2-way journaling, Jesus has told me, “Coaching people to journal to hear My voice is your sweet spot.” The LORD has wired me to be an UNCOMMON Journaler, spending hours each day journaling strategically. Why? Mark Jarvis says if a leader must jump six feet if he wants his followers to jump six inches.

There’s a huge miracle story behind the Experiencing God Through Journaling series. I’ll share more about that later this week.

Prayer Power
Most gracious and merciful heavenly Father, we praise You as the Master with the master plan. Thank You for birthing this UNCOMMON idea and opportunity today. May you bless the launch of this new online community. Thank You for the many, many people around the world who will be transformed as a result. Jesus, we humble ourselves before You acknowledging that You are the King of kings and the LORD of lords, the Holy One of Israel. Amen and hallelujah!

Blessings of the Day
1) “The Birth of Life Skills Coaching” [http://webinars777.com/the-birth-of-life-skills-coaching/] – free webinar at 11 am EST on Tues March 24, featuring Ben Stewart, my top business coach

2) “Experiencing God Through Journaling” [http://webinars777.com/gods-will-and-your-life/] LIFE Group – Tues March 24 (8 pm EST) is the launch of a vital, living, dynamic fellowship of believers, featuring a 12-week series of webinars

3) Download free Intro to UNCOMMON Journaling For Breakthroughs

4) Invest in my “UNCOMMON Journaling For Breakthroughs” ebook with audio

5) Begin 45 day free trial of The Journal software

“If we don’t act on a good idea within 24 hours, we are less than 50% likely to ever act on it. If we haven’t acted on it inside of days, then we are less than 2% likely to ever act on it.” – Bill Gates

Blessings to learn to discern God’s will as you live your everyday life!

Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” (1 Kings 17:9 )

Is your life so messed up, it seems there’s no possible way out?
Are you feeling hopeless about the future?
If so, then participate in one of today’s two webinars.

On June 27, 2008, I wrote a devotional titled “Attention Grabbers” [http://yourdailyblessing.com/attention-grabbers/] talking about times in our lives when God reaches out in an extraordinary way to grab our attention.

Well I had one of those “Attention Grabbing” days on Sunday January 25. I believe that when this happens to me, God wants me to share His message with the world. So here you are. This is a wake up call for many of you too.

In the early morning on Jan 25, I had one of the richest 2-way prayer times of my life. Some of it is too personal to share with all of you, so I’ll just share a few snippets.

My prayer began like this, “Lord Jesus, thank You for the financial wake up call yesterday at the SPC Financial Workshop that Matt led.” When I wrote out … I realized my behavior must change dramatically.”

After several more paragraphs of pouring out my heart to Jesus, He responded, “Randy, you’ve been like Elijah at the Brook Cherith watching the stream dry up. Now the stream is dry and it’s time to move on. I bless you with joy and peace and love that won’t let go. I bless you with deeper knowledge of the Father’s love. I bless you with a steadfast faith. I bless you with the dreams and visions your heart goes after.” That prompted me to find the scripture (1Ki 17:1-9) about Elijah being at the Brook Cherith and being commanded to a poor widow to be provided for.

1Ki 17:1-9 And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”

After pasting that scripture into my two-way prayer entry, I continued my fruitful dialog with Jesus. Then I go to Soul Purpose Church (SPC) for the 10:30 am worship service and Matt preaches a fantastic sermon titled “Giving ALL The Props Away.” In that, he talks about giving everything we have to God and then shares these “4 P’s of Giving” from Andy Stanley’s book “Fields of Gold:”

1) Priority giving – Giving to God before anything else
2) Percentage giving – 10% is a good start
3) Progressive giving – Keep growing as a giver
4) Prompted giving – Additional spontaneous giving as God leads

Who shows up at SPC for the first time in a long time? Beth Spangler, Ryan (her boyfriend), and Beth’s two kids. Now Beth happened to be one of my first 3 JIREH Marketing (Web 2.0) apprentices who began a 3 month commitment on Sat Jan 11 along with Matt. God is making Beth a trophy of his redemptive and restorative power. She has a phenomenal testimony of deliverance after 10 years of addiction.

During his sermon, Matt told a story of a guy walking in a desert by himself. Everywhere the man looks is sand. It’s impossible to tell distances. He has completely used up his water supply and is quickly becoming dehydrated. All of a sudden he sees what looks like an oasis in the distance. But he’s not sure if it’s real of a mirage. As he gets closer, it becomes apparent the oasis is real. When he enters the oasis with Palm trees, he finds a well with one bottle of water and a note that reads, “Read this and follow the instructions before doing anything else.” The note instructs him to pour the entire bottle of water down the well, which will prime the pump, make the well work, and supply all his water needs and the needs of the next traveler to come this way.

What would you do? You’re dying of thirst. You have a bottle of water which you desperately want. And you have this note from someone you don’t know asking you to trust him. Well, the man pours all the water down the well and sure enough, the pump gets primed, and all his water needs are met.

Around 2 pm I got home from SPC, ate lunch, and then decided to watch TV for 30 minutes. That’s very unusual for me on a Sunday. When I turned on the TV, I was prompted to switch to TBN (Trinity Broadcast Network). I ended up listening to a 30 minute message titled “When The Impossible Meets God” by a pastor I’ve never seen before in my life. That pastor shared the same story about the man and well that Matt had just shared a few hours earlier. The scripture he used was 2 Kings 4:1-7 about Elisha (Elijah’s disciple) and a widow.

2 Kings 4:1 A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors-empty vessels; do not gather just a few. “And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.” So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, over the past 8 years since committing my life to Jesus, I’ve given everything I have to You. I’ve watched my retirement account dwindle down from $1.6 million to practically nothing while loving You with all my heart, my mind, my soul, and my strength. I’ve followed and obeyed You to the best of my ability, trusting in You completely. I’ve sought Your Kingdom and righteousness first nearly every day for the past 8 years and I’ve shared the love of Jesus in a transparent everywhere I’ve gone. Julia and I have manifested strong faith for tough times. Now we’re desperate for a financial miracle and depend on You to lead us to a widow to provide for us. Jesus, thank You for bringing me to your city of refuge. I love You so much. Amen and hallelujah!

Blessings to surrender all you have to God!

God’s Blessings of the Day

1) When The Impossible Meets God -outstanding video sermon by Pastor Jeff Schreve

2) “SEO Is Simple” FREE webinar at 11 am EST today (Tuesday January 27, 2009)

3) “Experiencing God Through Journaling: Write The Vision Down” FREE webinar at 6 pm EST today (Tuesday January 27, 2009)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself in each of the 9 fruits of the Spirit?
How would those closest to you rate you in each of those 9 fruits?

Yesterday I became aware of several storms that are brewing. Storms in life are inevitable. Rick Warren says you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or getting ready to go into a storm. But the real question is, “How do you react when you’re in a storm?” Who or what is your rock? How can others tell?

It’s easy to be good and look good when most things seem to be going your way. But it’s during the tough times in your life or family – when things seem to be falling apart or blowing up – that the real you shows up. That’s when your true character manifests.

What character traits matter most? Clearly, based on Jesus’ teaching about the Greatest Commandment, love is the most important one – love of God first and foremost, and then love of neighbor and self. However, the other 8 fruits of the Spirit – joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control – are also very important.

What are some of the best ways to intentionally grow in the fruit of the Spirit? For me, rest, reflection, meditating on the Word of God, praying, journaling, coaching (accountability), and serving others are all helpful. The latter is extremely important. It’s the real deal. Taking my focus off myself and serving others allows me to manifest the love of God in tangible ways.

Booker T. Washington, American educator and civil rights activist (1856-1915), once said “Character, not circumstance, makes the person.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, philosopher and poet (1803-1882) is quoted as saying, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for the storms you bring into my life and my family. Jesus, thank You for being my Rock – a firm foundation to stand on and trust. Thank You for being my good Shepherd who “makes me to lie down in green pastures and leads me beside the still waters (Psalm 23:2). Thank You for the opportunity and privilege to share my heart with those who read these messages. Bless them LORD. Have mercy on us! Thy will be done Jesus. Thy will be done! Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Quotes on character – Josephson Institute of Ethics

Blessings to intentionally grow in the fruit of the Spirit this year!

Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him (Proverbs 8:30)

In what area has God designed you to be a champion?
What easy things can you do each day to compound and make you a champion for Christ?

In the process of doing a Google search yesterday morning to find the date for the U.S. Olympic trials in 2008 for the women’s marathon, I came across the story of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the Men’s Marathon that took place on November 3, 2007.

From that search, I learned that the U.S. Olympic Committee awards different cities the right to host different Olympic events and that the location can be different for men and women spaced out quite far in time.

Here are some excerpts from today’s exciting Link of the Day:

Ryan Hall wins Olympic Trials in record time in the most exciting and emotional men’s marathon in American history.

New York, November 3, 2007
Is American distance running making a comeback? Today in Central Park, Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, and Brian Sell convinced the world that American marathoning is not only entering a revival, but its top contenders are well equipped to dominate.

Under skies clouded by the threat of Hurricane Noel, history was made at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Men’s Marathon on a hilly multi-loop course. Hall, already the American marathon debut record-holder (2:08:24) and half-marathon record holder (59:43), broke yet another record with his 2:09:02 win—the fastest Trials time ever. Following Hall’s near two-minute lead, Ritzenhein and Sell completed the team.

Hall, of Mammoth Lakes, CA, later said he was “surprised by his [fast] splits.” (After the first half) he maintained a serene expression for the remainder of the race. His second half was an astounding 1:02:45, which is unofficially the fastest half-marathon ever run in Central Park. His 18th mile was his fastest (4:32). After the race, Hall called the day a “dream come true” in which, after taking the lead, imagined himself “at home in Mammoth on a training run with [his wife] Sara riding her bike beside me and encouraging me.”

Shortly after the race concluded, it was announced that (28 year old) Ryan Shay of Flagstaff, AZ, who had collapsed at 5½ miles and was rushed to the hospital, had died. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Shay family, and ask that everyone please give them the respect and space they need right now,” said Mary Wittenberg, race director and New York Road Runners president and CEO. Read more… [http://www.nyrr.org/races/pro/mens_trials/story_08.asp]

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for the new breed of American champions you are raising up for the Olympics in China in 2008. While I don’t fully understand the purpose, I sense You’re up to something really BIG. We ask you to bring comfort and peace to Alicia Shay and her children after the recent death of her husband Ryan. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
The Next Generation of Champions – complete story about the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the men’s marathon
[http://www.nyrr.org/races/pro/mens_trials/story_09.asp]
Blessings to do the easy things each day which compound to give you the slight edge to be a champion for Christ!

I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. (Psalm 16:8)

What easy things can you do each day to leave the legacy of a champion?

Great news! Yesterday, Briana Whaley qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic team trials with a time of 2:46:20 in the Philadelphia Marathon. Briana ran the best marathon of her life, narrowly beating the Olympic qualifying time by 40 seconds. What a tremendous achievement. Briana ran the first half of her marathon in an amazing 1:21 despite a cold and rainy day resulting in slow overall times. For example, the male winner in this marathon was 8 minutes slower than the winner in 2006 and the female winner was 1.5 minutes slower.

This was a big answer to prayer. On Saturday afternoon November 17, Julia (my wife) happened to send an email to some friends inviting them to join her for a bike ride the next afternoon. Briana quickly responded to Julia’s email informing her that she was competing in the Philadelphia Marathon on Nov 18 in her bid to qualify for the Olympic trials. When Briana asked Julia to pray for her, Julia promptly forwarded that prayer request to me.

After receiving the prayer request from Julia, I felt strongly led to send a devotional later that evening asking my network of supporters to pray for Briana. Despite having lots of other things on my plate, I sensed an urgency from God’s perspective.

Briana’s story has been an amazing one to watch unfold. It clearly has God’s signature all over it. Julia first met Briana the week before the 4th of July 5k run in Culpeper in 2007. After seeing Briana “clean clock” at that event, Julia didn’t see Briana again until October 17 when Briana came up to her coffee table at “Taste of Culpeper,” a huge business event in downtown Culpeper. God used Julia to speak words of encouragement to Briana.

Many people want what others have, but aren’t willing to pay the price for that success. In my October 16 devotional, I mentioned that “as in a marathon, the secret lies not in trying harder, but in training consistently.” It’s the little choices we make each and every day that give us a slight edge.

Now begins a 5 month journey as Briana trains ever harder to qualify for the Olympics. The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials—Women’s Marathon was awarded to the Boston Athletic Association on June 22, 2006. The event will be held in downtown Boston and Cambridge, MA, on April 20, 2008. Julia and I plan to go to Boston to support Briana. While I’ve never been to Boston or Massachusetts for that matter, we’ll make this a ministry vacation and see what God has in store.

We ask for your support in praying for Briana regularly. To learn more about the U.S. women’s marathon Olympic trials, see today’s Link of the Day. If you’d like to send a prayer of encouragement to Briana, please reply to this email with your prayer and I’ll forward that to Briana.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the answered prayer to have Your pillar of cloud go before Briana yesterday to allow her to qualify for the Olympic trials. I am so thankful and humbled that You have crossed her path with that of my wife. Now I come boldly into Your throne room of grace beseeching You to bless and encourage Briana daily over the next 5 months as she prepares for the Olympic trials. Prepare Briana physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to be one of the top 3 qualifies in the marathon in Boston on April 20. Thank You Jesus. Amen and Hallelujah!

Link of the Day
2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials—Women’s Marathon [http://bostontrials2008.com]
Blessings to Briana in her quest to qualify for the Olympics and bring God the glory!

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Titus 1:17)

What kind of impact will a victory by Briana Whaley have on Culpeper and Virginia?

In my Oct 23 devotional titled “Training vs. Trying,” [http://www.yourdailyblessing.com/content.cfm?id=2451] I shared how God connected my wife with Briana Whaley, an American Olympic hopeful in the marathon.

At 7 AM on Sunday November 18, Briana will start running the Philadelphia Marathon along with more than 10,000 other competitors. She needs to knock off less than one minute off her best time to qualify for the Olympic trials that take place in April 2008.

Briana’s husband moved his family to Culpeper Virginia in the Spring of 2007 to pastor a local church. Briana quickly received a lot of publicity in our local newspaper. I first met her at the 4th of July 5k run in Culpeper.

To qualify for the upcoming Olympic trials, Briana needs to beat the qualifying mark of 2 hours, 47 minutes. Just two months ago, on September 3, 2007, Briana ran the “Arlington Cooperation Foundation Abebe Bikila Day International Peace Half Marathon” in 1 hour and 21 minutes. The online results [http://www.marathoncharitypartners.org/bikila/20070903.html] state, “Briana Whaley from the hills of Culpeper VA finished about 3 minutes ahead Teyba Naser of Ethiopia to win the women’s race.”

Please join me and many others in praying for Briana’s success. She will give God the glory. Please do what you can to help rapidly spread this message around the globe.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for how You have sovereignly worked in Brian’s life to prepare her for such a great moment and opportunity as this. May Your pillar of cloud go before her, allowing her to run her best race ever in the Philadelphia Marathon. And then may she have numerous opportunities to give you all the glory. Thank You Jesus. Amen and Hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Philadelphia Marathon [www.philadelphiamarathon.com]
Blessings to see God to use Briana to bring his cloud of glory to Virginia!

 

“He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” (2 Corinthians, 1:3-5, The Message)

Who has God brought into your life at key times to pay it forward to you?
Are you in a major slump in your life? If so, how can you get out?
What things of value do you have to share others?
Who is God asking you to pay it forward to?

At 4:30 AM in the morning on October 15, the same day that Sharon Graham received her two bouquets of flowers, Nick Chaconas sent a daily devotional titled “Pay it Forward” on behalf of Jeff and Jill Williams, co-founders of Grace and Truth Relationship Education.

Apparently, Jeff and Jill asked Nick for help in writing the October 15 devotional because they were away at a weekend retreat for life coaches sponsored by Tony Stolzfus on October 12-14. Incidentally, I learned about this from Jerry and Sharon Graham, who were also at that retreat. I’ve never met Nick and didn’t know anything about him until talking to Jerry.

Diane Peck, my sister-in-law, was the first person to encourage me to watch the movie Pay it Forward. After renting the movie on DVD about 1-2 years after it came out, I ended up buying my own DVD and watching the movie several more times with various friends. The principle of paying it forward – multiplication through uncommon generosity – subsequently became a guiding principle for me in being a catalyst to expand God’s Kingdom.

In his outstanding and transparent message, Nick shares the history of the phrase and principle “pay it forward.” He also shares a transparent message about a major personal slump he was in last year and how God delivered him from that. Visit today’s Link of the Day to read Nick’s message.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for Nick Chaconas and his wonderful message. Bless him, his family, and his marketplace ministry. Thank You all the people You have brought into my life to help me through difficult challenges or slumps. Thank You for each and every person who has payed in forward to me. Forgive me for the times I have sorry for myself or have been focused on my own advancement instead of Yours. Bless my readers to be people who pay it forward. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
Pay it Forward – outstanding message by Nick Chaconas  [http://www.yourdailyblessing.com/content.cfm?id=2443]

Blessing to live a life paying if forward and enjoying the fruit form that!
 
From: Jeff Williams [mailto:jeff@graceandtruthrelationship.com]
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 4:30 AM
To: randypeck@gmail.com
Subject: Pay It Forward [Daily Grace & Truth]

Purpose
The purpose of this devotional is to catalyze reflection and action to strengthen and heal marriage, family, social, ministry and work relationships.

Highlighted Resource
The New Rebellion Handbook, by Jerome Daley, is a wealth of resources to awake a generation to its heavenly destiny. It addresses 24 real world, cutting-edge themes of life with fresh ideas, biblical insights, and life applications.

Devotional Author’s Bio
Nick Chaconas – married with 3 boys, serves vocationally as a realtor in greater Washington, D.C. His avocation is to sharing his faith and relationship/business principles and skills that are helping him to enjoy meaning, pleasure and success in all endeavors.
 
Pay It Forward

A recent TV commercial for a national insurance company portrays a series of good deeds witnessed by different men and women, who in turn are prompted to perform good deeds for others. This ongoing series of doing for others as it has been done for them has been described as, “Paying it Forward.”
 
“Many people mistakenly believe the phrase “pay it forward” as a moral philosophy first appeared in Catherine Ryan Hyde’s novel Pay It Forward, which in 2000 was adapted into the film, Pay It Forward. Science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein, however, used the phrase in Between Planets, a book published in 1951, almost 50 years before Ryan Hyde’s novel.”*
 
Paying it Forward was recommended much earlier than 1951. The Apostle Paul wrote about it in his second letter to the Corinthians: 
 
“He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” (2 Corinthians, 1:3-5, The Message)
 
There was a time last year that I was going through some difficult times both personally and professionally. I often struggled to just make it through the day. Helping others wasn’t on my mind. It took every ounce of energy to focus on myself, I wasn’t interested in helping anyone else, and even if I did want to help – I resigned myself to the belief that I could not be helpful to anyone else. 
 
Have similar thoughts or questions gone through your mind?
• I don’t have anything of value to share with anyone else.
• I’ve got my own issues – who would want my input/support?
• I’ve done too much harm to too many people to warrant helping someone else.
• I don’t have it figured all out – who can I help?

As I continue to recover from my struggles, I have been stunned by the number of opportunities to support and encourage friends going through hard times. Once it meant being available to listen and act as a sounding board. Recently I’ve been investing time to disciple a friend to develop and strengthen his love for Christ.
 
It is humbling, surprising, rewarding and right to give to others. Sometimes I don’t feel qualified, but I now believe that this is God’s plan for me; that I should live a life of continually “paying it forward”, and that I am to selflessly give to others out of what I have received from Him.
 
How have others come alongside you? What have you learned in difficulties that you might not have learned otherwise? How are you “paying it forward”?
 
Zig Ziglar, a well known contemporary motivational speaker says, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great.”
 
Can you start simply by holding a door open for someone at the office? How about doing the dishes or folding the laundry for your spouse?
 
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for your Son. Thank you for the trials and tribulations of our lives. I recently heard someone say “if the mountain were smooth, you couldn’t climb it”. Father, I pray that you would open my eyes and my heart to be increasingly more aware of opportunities to pay it forward, to give back a portion of what I have received. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
 
*Website Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward
 

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Am I frustrated with trying to change my life?
What are signs that I’m trying to change my life rather xthan allowing God to transform me?

In Session #1 of “The Life You’ve Always Wanted,” John Ortberg says, “The good news as Jesus preached it is that now it is possible for ordinary men and women to live in the presence and under the power of God … It is not about the minimal entrance requirements for getting into heaven when you die. It is about the glorious redemption of human life – your life. It’s morphing time.”

The following is an excerpt from a message preached by Pastor Matt Gregory on October 7, 2007.

Trying to change my life leads to failure and frustration! (Luke 11:24-26). Signs I’m trying to change, include:
1) Measuring spiritual success in superficial ways (Matt 23:27-28)
2) Needing to impress and compare
3) Judgmental, exclusive, proud
4) Getting weary of pursuing spiritual growth
5) Looking for the latest spiritual fad
6) Relying on feelings

In Galations 6:15 (NLT), God says, “What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.” But what kind of “new creation” am I suppose to be transformed into? Romans 8:29 makes it clear that I am to become Christ-like – “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”

Q: Is transformation instantaneous or a process? A: Both

Q: Whose responsibility is it to transform my life – God’s or mine? A: Both. As 2 Peter 3:18 states, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” That’s a command.

Q: What do I do to be transformed? A: 1 Timothy 4:7 says “exercise (train) yourself toward godliness.” Spiritual disciplines are any activity or tool (e.g. prayer, Bible reading, confession) that can help me be transformed and life the life that Jesus intended for me.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, I praise You as a sovereign God. You have been at work in my life before I was born. I didn’t choose who my parents were, where I was born, where I was raised, or who crossed my path to influence me. You created me with unique gifts, talents, abilities, and experiences to solve a unique problem. Guide me to die daily to myself and rise to new life in You. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
“Transformation” by True Passion Media

Blessings to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!” (Joshua 24:24)

What would you do if there was no way you could fail?

A few weeks ago, Rick Heeren referred me to Richard Gazowsky, founder of Christian WYSIWYG Filmworks, as a possible web client. Subsequent to that, I began receiving periodic emails from Richard, who lives in San Francisco, CA. Richard’s message below (sent 11:57 PM on Oct 5) was too rich not to pass on.

Hey guys, just back from Argentina.

My family and I were invited by Ed Silvoso to attend his annual  conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  I was totally blown away by the quality of people who attended this conference. They definitely had substance where it really matters.  The Apostle Paul once made the observation that the kingdom of God was not filled with blue bloods and highly educated folks but that God has chosen the simple, weak and despised people to provide shock and awe to the gospel message.  That is the very group I met and hung out with this week.  Now I would like to make some observations about the selection process that God seems to use when He picks the people He is going to use to change the world.

The first element I have noticed is that they are risk-takers.  Now let me clarify what I mean when I say risk.  I know many businessmen that take risks on making large sums of money but this usually involves bending the law or using some unethical advantage.  These tactics are even used by some Christian businessmen.  Other Christians often praise them for being wise as serpents but harmless as doves. No, no, no this is not who I see God choosing, for when God calls on people to become risk-takers, He is looking for men to be willing to rip their own personal reputations into shreds for the purpose of obeying God.  One CEO of a large construction company in South Africa demanded that his company quit over estimating their government construction projects even though this practice had been going on for years.  Of course secular competitors and even government officers mocked him and said he was losing his mind.  King David said that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and I personally feel that a man’s inward fear of the Lord determines if God will place him in a place him in a position of influence and power.  For example, Moses was really a social reject by his own confession (I can’t speak, they won’t believe me, etc.) and his reputation was totally inappropriate as a spiritual leader since he had a first-degree murder rap on his Egyptian police report.  So why did God use him?  The reason is that Moses feared the burning bush more than the burning anger of Pharaoh. 

Being a risk-taker is a pretty big element when it comes to determining who among us is going to change the world.  The church is filled with wimpy guys who have no guts and are constantly overly sensitive in building and establishing a clean, spotless, and sterling silver reputation.  You know what, I have found out they can even spray gold leaf on plastic.

Something else stood out at this meeting in Argentina. This was the transfer of power that occurred during very short meetings.  For a lack of knowing how to say it, I will call it the “force of gravity”.  When leaders who have gone through layers and layers of resistance in trying to find the place of obedience under the hand of God, it seems that God gives them an force of attraction that works much like gravity works.  Things come to them with force and power and very little time is spent in negotiation.  The scripture kept coming to me from the words of Moses, “forget not that it is the Lord that giveth thee power to make wealth”. 

Most of the men that I know feel that the only thing they lack is the proper finance and then they can do the work of God.  But I am convinced that nothing could be further from the truth.  What you need is this…element…or thing…maybe it is a force…I don’t know but I know that it is from God…for now I will call it gravity.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for men and women like Richard Gazowsky, who seek to walk in a step by step obedience to Your Word and Holy Spirit. Bless Richard, his family, and Christian WYSIWYG Filmworks. Thank You for the awesome Harvest Evangelism conference that just took place in Argentina. Now water and fertilize the good seeds that were sown with your miracle grow. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
Quotes about risk taking [www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_risk.html]

Blessings to be willing to be a risk taker when it comes to God’s leading!