Mom Time RCB

07/10/2022

I often want to see the good God promises right now, but sometimes God’s good answer is “not yet.” This is when I have to remember there is a timing to everything.

I know how incredibly hard it can be to be in a place of wondering and waiting. But even when we don’t understand, we must trust God’s timing is perfect.

God’s promises for you are in process. Right now. Even in circumstances you can’t see any evidence of good yet. Remember, “not yet” doesn’t mean “not ever.”

Keep holding on, friend. God isn’t done with your story.

07/07/2022

Focus on God and who He says you are!

Maybe I’m On Another Sleepless Roll…. Woke up at 2:45 this morning. Last night I was awake at 1:50.

I've learned these sleepless nights run in unannounced cycles of about 3 weeks, and I am three days into what might be another one. Time will tell.

I receive no warning; they end just as abruptly as they begin. The process seems to repeat itself and has since last October. Three weeks on, three weeks off.

At least I am consistent, or perhaps.... God is.

Years ago, I decided that I wasn't going to lay in bed tossing and turning when I couldn't sleep, wrestling with the enemy and his minions about my personal fears and shortcomings, worrying about what tomorrow held for me. Nope.

I decided that I was going to take that fight to a small table in my living room, the one place in this world where the enemy never joins me.... because God does.

I sit down, the enemy retreats, and I do what I am doing now. I fellowship, I listen, and I write.

Perhaps, that is why God continues to wake me up in what has become consistent three-weekish chunks?....

"Shane, Break time is over. It's time! Time to get back to work for a bit! You know your ADD self is most productive for my work in this beautiful pre-dawn silence I have created for you. So, let’s GOOOOOO"! Sincerely, God (who never needs sleep)

Truth is, sometimes, I strongly dislike parts of who I am. The ADD part I was given, that I often joke about, can be so belittling. I see other people stay focused and consistent with their routines, their work, their life, and I am envious and jealous of the outcomes that often produces in some areas, but....

I have learned that while ADD people are often scattered they also tend to be very creative, and we are certainly more entertaining, which can sometimes present as annoying because our brains are hard to turn off.

I get it. It is what it is, and it produces what it produces, and for me one positive thing that ADD fueled creativity produces.... is "this".

"This", is the stories that pour out of me before the sun even begins to light the horizon. "This" is the product of emptiness that has been filled, brokenness that has been mended and lost becoming found, in Christ, and perhaps it is why God often wakes me up early, to squeeze it out of me before the world has a chance to so easily steal my attention.

Here's the thing….

The enemy, wants us to focus on “who I am”, and our own unique list, or perceived list, of worldly shortcomings.

God, simply wants us to focus on "whose I am"…. and Him. (Read that twice)

Focus on the “whose”, chip away at the “who”…. From Nose To Toes!

Shane / #16

06/21/2022

June 26th - June 29th 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

06/13/2022

Multiplying Your Purpose

One of the great joys of living out our God-given purpose is watching it multiply in the lives of others. Not only are we meant to pursue our purpose, but we get to help others discover their purpose as well.

Like a healthy tree or plant, our lives are meant to produce fruit. The quantity and quality of the fruit we produce is directly linked to our motivations as we seek to fulfill our God-given purpose. We can either pursue our dreams out of selfish ambition or godly ambition.

To test the motivation behind our ambition, it’s helpful to ask the question, “Why am I doing this?” and, “Who am I doing this for?” Keep in mind, Jesus is not asking for perfection. And our wholehearted pursuit of God’s purpose in our lives may not lead to worldly recognition or the spotlight. Instead, God is looking for our open-hearted availability and asking us to trust him with the process.

As we walk in our purpose, God will prune our lives and align our motivations with his will so that we are able to bear more good fruit. This process will make space for the fruit of the Spirit to flourish in us even more (Galatians 5:22-23).

Wherever you find yourself today, be encouraged that God has a divine and unique purpose for your life. Therefore, use whatever gift, role, title, talent, or ability you have to bring honor to God and enjoy the process because He is with you every step of the way.

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

(Propel-Purpose)

06/08/2022

Living on Purpose

In every season of our life—whether as a new parent, a student pursuing a degree, or as empty-nesters— we are invited to live with intentionality. Some of these seasons seem bursting with opportunity while others feel more lackluster. It’s important to remember that purpose does not start or stop at certain points in our life. Every moment we have is ripe for purpose-filled living.

But if we’re honest, I think we would admit that it can be challenging to keep a big-picture, eternal perspective as we move throughout our day. So often it can feel like we are just trying to keep our head above water. In the midst of managing work, bills, laundry, our families, and school, we are also doing our best to be involved in our churches, stay healthy, tend to our relationships, and plan wisely for our futures. All of our to-dos are more than enough to keep our plate full, even if we do not take time to thoughtfully consider how our daily life fits into our larger purpose.

Living a life filled with purpose requires discernment. We must decide what the most important things are for us to focus our limited time and attention on each day and each season of life. How we live our life matters. It’s important to use our time, talent, and capacity with intentionality.

The reality of life is that we are constantly navigating distractions, busy schedules, unexpected circumstances, and our daily needs. Living on purpose happens when we choose to be present wherever we are, no matter what’s going on around us. We find our purpose when we partner with the Holy Spirit in prayer to ask him how we can act with intentionality in everyday moments.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭

“Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians‬ ‭5:14-16‬
“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 ‭ ‭

Propel Women- Purpose

06/01/2022

When Purpose Feels Out of Reach

For many of us, disappointment, setbacks, and discouragement can make us feel like our purpose is out of reach. When we look at the path of our life, it often does not match the upward and onward vision of what we thought pursuing our purpose would look like.

It’s natural to want to avoid the setbacks and detours we experience in life, but the truth is that most of us will experience them. It may come in the form of an unrealized dream, like wanting to be married and finding yourself single at 45. Or maybe you just got let go from the job you thought was going to finally elevate you as a leader. Perhaps a health diagnosis is physically preventing you from doing what you thought was your purpose.

The good news is that God does not waste any of it. In fact, He is the One who can take what the enemy meant to derail us from our purpose and use it for good. The very challenges, mistakes, and difficult circumstances we try to rush past or hide do not disqualify us—they often cultivate the effectiveness of God’s unique purpose in our life.

So what do you do when your purpose feels out of reach? First, remember that God’s Spirit lives inside of you and equips you with everything you need to live out God’s purpose for your life. Second, remember that His grace covers our every mistake and shortcoming because of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins (1 John 1:9). Lastly, remember that the key to continuing forward in our God-given purpose is that when we fail or fall short, we get back up, talk to God about it, and keep moving forward in the confidence of the Holy Spirit.

Whatever you have faced in your past and wherever you find yourself today, you are not too far gone and your purpose is not lost. Don’t give up because the long way around with God is better than the shortcut without him. He uses the fractured pieces of our lives to create marvelous mosaics that can be used to display his goodness and his purpose.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.””
‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭

(Propel Women-Purpose)

05/31/2022

When Purpose Feels Deferred

One of the biggest stumbling blocks in realizing God’s intended purpose for our life is when we feel that our purpose has been put on hold. In our culture that values instant gratification, we can easily forget that development in the Kingdom of God does not run on our timeline—it’s often a much more gradual process than we would like.

Consider David, one of the most famous kings in the Bible. David was anointed as king by the prophet Samuel as a teenager, but it would be many years until he actually took the throne as king of Israel.

This can be true for us too. We may have sensed God calling us in a certain direction or speaking purpose over our life, only to return to work as usual. This does not mean you have missed your purpose. It means God wants to do some work in you so he can do a mighty work through you.

Never forget that God develops the character we need to fulfill our purpose over time. Growth and maturity are not instant. Our role is not to try to climb the proverbial ladder of success in our own strength so that we can fulfill our purpose. Our role is to trust God’s process and timing. And to be faithful with what he puts in front of us each day—we never know how he is using the little things to develop and prepare us for bigger things.

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.””
‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭16:7‬ ‭

“But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.””
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭

(Propel Women-Purpose)

05/26/2022

Defining Individual Purpose

One of the best parts of our individual purpose is that it is unique to us. God is not looking for you or me to become carbon copies of the people around us. Do you know the unique role God has called you to play?

We can find hints of our purpose in the things that we do that come naturally to us. What gifts and activities do you already love and find joy in? What do people affirm in you? Maybe you are often told how encouraging you are, what an amazing host you are, or how inspiring your parenting, leadership, or friendship is. This can be fine-tuned further to include specific gifts like writing, organizing, teaching, or generosity.

Too often we are looking for a big sign in the sky to tell us what we were made for while we miss the purpose-filled moments that are right in front of us. More often than not, we discover and encounter our God-given purpose in everyday moments. It may be someone who catches your attention in a coffee shop or perhaps a cause that lights something up in your heart.

God often uses humble beginnings like those as steps toward our purpose. Our purpose blossoms over time as God grows and expands our skills, our experiences, and who we are.

Remember that God created you on purpose and for a purpose. It’s not too late and there is no beginning too small when it comes to your purpose. There is nothing random or mistaken about your giftings, your passions, and the people in your life. There is a plan only you can complete. That is how valuable you are!

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:2-3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

(Purpose)

05/25/2022

Purpose from Identity

What we believe about who we are has a massive impact on how our purpose is lived out. Stop for a minute and ask yourself what makes you, you? When you meet someone for the first time, how do you introduce and describe yourself?

Our identity is very important to the heart of God. So much so, that he fills the Bible with stories that affirm our new identity in Christ. We can enter into an identity crisis when we lose sight of who Jesus is. However, when we renew our minds with the truth of God’s Word, we’re able to restore our understanding of who we are in Christ. From this place, we find power, we find redemption, and we find all that we need to live a life of godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

This is what makes the Bible so beautiful—God is constantly speaking over his people: You are mine. You belong to me. Your life has meaning. And declaring this true identity, instead of the false identities of sin and shame, is a choice we have to make every day. When we stand tall in our God-given identity, our purpose is ignited.

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:13-14‬ ‭

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,”
‭‭II Peter‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

(Purpose)