Re-set, teaching 2

What is a soul inventory? Our soul is our mind, emotions and will. A soul inventory would include checking on what thoughts are on ‘repeat’ in our mind, what emotions might be out of control in our responses and if our will is lining up with the God, if that is your belief system. All of us have work to do in this area. All of us can find areas to improve on. Many times we are unaware of reoccurring thoughts that plague us. Often our emotions lead us down roads that we would not have chosen if we thought more about the path. Take time to do a self inventory.

Re-Set, The Challenge of Soul Change Teaching 1

Here is the first teaching from Re-Set Chapter 1.

I have found over the years that there is something to learn each time the familiar in my life shifts. I can choose to ignore the changes or I can dissect them and learn from them. It is often much less difficult to continue on and ignore the glaringly obvious rather than do the hard work of change. What do you do when you realize that a relationship you have is unhealthy for you or even damaging? You could choose to stay in the relationship. You could choose to end the relationship. You could choose to confront the dysfunction and work through it. Whatever path you choose, an important consideration is to make the changes that are the right changes for you. What path do you choose when you realize that you are in a job that is unfulfilling or even stifling? Do you stay because the money is good or it is simply easier to stay than start over, mean while your soul is in atrophy mode? Daily we have lessons that impact our lives. What are you learning from the lessons? Which lessons need attention first? What is your best approach to making the changes you need to make?

Re-Set, The Challenge of Soul Change

Hi all you fellow sojourners. I have updated my website to reflect the launch of my new book called, Re-Set, The Challenge of Soul Change. This book has been a 2.5 year process of writing, rewriting, editing, wrestling with concepts, learning about being a better writer and having fun with the process. This has been perhaps one of the most difficult and most rewarding parts of my journey to this date. I hope you will take a moment to check out my updated website and my new book. Here is my opening statement in chapter 1:
"The hardest work you will ever do is work on you. I live, I love, I try, I fail, I fall down, I get up, I get up, I get up." If life has knocked you down repeatedly this book offers you encouragement and ideas about getting back up. You will be encouraged as you are exposed to the difficult life journeys, tragedies and triumphs of 3 people who continue to become, 'more like Jesus one day at a time.' Blessings on your path...

https://www.amazon.com/Re-Set-Challenge-Change-Brenda-Vanderpool/dp/1540492982/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490311826&sr=8-1&keywords=re-set+the+challenge+of+soul+change

So I have been busy getting a couple books published on Amazon. I am going to be posting excerpts from these books for a few weeks for your enjoyment and edification. The books are available on Amazon.

Here is the first entry from Intentional Pauses Volume I.





ABANDONMENT



Some will associate this word abandonment with a negative event that may have occurred in their life at some point. Others will find solace in this word. It is interesting to consider one word with two very different connotations. If this word is associated with distress in your vocabulary I will offer you an alternative association to bring balance to your struggle. The waves in this picture abandon themselves to the greater force of the sea. They are at the mercy of the great body of water that tugs them from shore to shore. Their beauty is not diminished in their abandonment, rather it is increased as each wave yields itself to be formed and absorbed as the sea would choose. As you yield yourself to your Creator and abandon your will to His will He is free to shape you and use you as He chooses. He forms you into a beautiful creation that you cannot yet imagine or fathom. His desire is that in your abandonment you can be conformed to His image and reflect His glory. When you consider this word abandonment in the future consider a ‘free-fall’ into His waiting arms of grace and allow Him to conform you more deeply into His image. Romans 12:2…be transformed (NLT)

Destiny: DO IT NOW

I heard someone speaking Sunday and he said, “Do It Now.” That “it” may be different for each of us with our differing talents and interests. Regardless of our “it”, the time is now for some to move toward their “it”.


I have been waiting for the timing to pursue my “it” and the revelation of what that would be for me. I have known for eons that I have something to do, a destiny calling to me, a greater work to be done, more lives to impact. I have felt like Moses wandering in the desert for 40 years. Some of us take a long time to train! All I had learned previously had to be unlearned so it could be relearned correctly or at least at a deeper level and more accurately. During my desert wanderings I have experienced heartache and loss of loved ones, changes in career, changes in location, a dismantling of my pride and arrogance, agonizing periods of silence longing to hear the voice of my Father calling to me in His still small voice. I have asked God for great things not realizing that the prep time would require such obliteration of me at my core.


So you may be asking what is relevant to you if you have stopped by my blog to check it out. You may be wondering how I have described a chapter from the book of your journey. You may be glad that you have not had to walk my path. Here is some great news, not everyone has to live in the desert to get the deep things that God wants to implant in you. Some of us, however, must take that path so that all that is not of God is decimated and replaced with His character. Is the work done, certainly not. Has the surrender to the process moved me toward my destiny, a resounding yes.


I called this post, “Destiny”. There are many books about this topic, many articles written, self help books and programs and a litany of other information. Unhesitatingly I say that 5 steps of this or 10 changes here or there will not reveal your destiny, nor change you enough to move you into place in your purpose. I have written a book, not yet published, with a chapter dedicated to discussing the purpose of our lives being the process we go through to transform into Christ likeness. Our destiny is using what we have learned in the process to make a difference where we are directed to go.


I started a blog a couple years ago just to test the waters and determine if I enjoyed blogging. After a few entries I let it set. I started different blog a year ago and again after a few entries I let it set. I am revisiting the venue of blogging because of the “Do it now” message I heard today. Of a few things I am certain: I like to write, I enjoyed setting up the blog space, I still had much to learn before I became a regular blogger, I still have much to learn, I am beginning to have glimpses of what I was created to do, and lastly for now, I have never given up, only sought different paths to move toward my destiny.


Today I leave you with some questions:

What is your destiny? What hope or dreams burns in you that you have never let go of?
What are your gifts and talents that could be used in that area?
Have you surrendered yourself to the Creator to let Him form in you what only He can?


We will talk more next time about Destiny, Purpose, Process and possibly some other things. Until then, keep your forward momentum!

Brenda

Right Reason

I just returned from an incredible training that provided me with an opportunity to learn more about adding value to others. On the way home I was reading a book by John Maxwell and came across this statement: The right thought plus the right people in the right environment at the right time for the right reason = the right result. That is a lot of things to get 'right' at the same time. If I had to sum it up with one statement I pick "Right Reason" which I believe encompasses all the the others. I wonder, do you have a 'right reason' that is driving you in this season of your journey? Many people have good reasons; less have the right reason. I have spent much time pondering my motivation in life. Think for a moment about your response to: What is your reason for doing the things you do? Don't answer too quickly. We would all like to say it is to add value to others, but really think about it. Go below the first few layers of reasoning and surface responses to look deeper inside. As you peel back layers you will eventually get to your core and to the real answer to the question. Until we all deal with our humanity at our core level it is difficult to define an impeccable, altruistic 'right reason'. I challenge you today to begin exploring your 'right reason' if you have not done so and if you have looked at it, I challenge you to take it a little deeper. Never stop probing, never become lax in your search, never stop stop looking inside. It may scare you but ultimately it will bring the peace and freedom you and I long for. Have a great weekend!

It has been a while since I have posted a blog in this space. I have been busy setting up a website for Navigating Authenticity that you can access at: www.navigatingauthenticity.com. I have also been finishing a book that will be a teaching tool I will use on the website. The book is about how life events over time cause each of us to build layers of protection for our core being. At some point in the journey we can even lose touch with our core. The book will give you snippets of life from a couple who experienced life's harshness and from a season in my own life. You will learn to navigate the hidden fortresses of your soul and reconnect with your authentic core. I am currently putting the finishing touches on the book and will be hosting a book launch team in the spring. I look forward to sharing this book with you and believe it will be a tool to assist you in your life journey. Blessings! Brenda