Rich Dixon, Author/Speaker
www.relentlessgrace.com

I wonder how I’d respond if Jesus walked up my driveway and said, “Come, follow me.”

I’m afraid I wouldn’t offer a reply worth of permanent preservation in Scripture. “Right now? But dinner’s almost ready, and I need to finish this project. I told a friend I’d stop by later, and I need to pay some bills before I can go anywhere.”

And on and on and on—schedules to keep and commitments to honor. How can Jesus just expect me to drop everything with no advance warning or planning to journey with Him?

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1: 16-20

The title of the summer sermon series is TAKE A HIKE. The pastor’s invitation: take a journey with God.

The premise of the new series fits perfectly with the culture of my hometown. Located at the base of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Fort Collins is a city of hikers and backpackers. The metaphor of taking a hike with God, trusting His call to journey with Him to a new place, resonates with folks in this active community.

I listened to the challenge of the initial message—take a hike to Horsetooth Rock, a prominent landmark overlooking the city, and see what God might say to you about the experience. Of course the speaker was sensitive to differing ability levels within the audience, and took great care to emphasize the metaphoric nature of his challenge.

However, something about this concept intrigued me. I felt an attraction, as though God really wanted me to undertake this journey with Him to a new place. As a wheelchair user, the actual hike wasn’t an option for me, but that didn’t diminish the sense that I was supposed to take this challenge seriously.

The road that rises into the foothills near Horsetooth Reservoir is a steep switchback with a six per cent grade. I attempted the climb before on my hand cycle, but abandoned before reaching the first corner. Now I felt that God called me to try again.

Frankly, this journey frightens me. It’s nearly ten miles, mostly uphill, from my home to the base of the road. I know how tired I’ll be even before I begin. What if I can’t do it? What am I supposed to do if I manage to reach the top? What if I crash on the steep descent?

Objections, excuses, roadblocks—that’s what I offer in response to God’s simple call to journey with Him. But SetFreeToday is about claiming freedom in Christ to answer God’s invitation to go to a new place. We’re free to release the past and its stranglehold on our future, but we’re also free to step away from fear, from schedules and calendars, from the dreary routines that prevent us from walking with Him in the garden.

I’m free to leave this moment with a new beginning. I’m going to make that climb and see if I can hear what God has to say to me. I want freedom—freedom from fear, from routine, from anything that diverts my attention from God’s call.

Assuming that I don’t crash, I’ll write next week about the experience. Perhaps you’d like to accept the challenge as well. Choose a destination, take a hike with God, and see what He has to say.

Rich Dixon, Author/Speaker
www.relentlessgrace.com

I’ve recently been blessed with the opportunity to speak to some inmates at our county detention center.

Initially I wondered what I could possibly say that could be useful to young men and women with whom I have so little in common. It’s not that I felt superior, because I’m not. But I questioned how I could connect to these folks in a way that would make them care about anything I might say.

It’s that “comparison” issue once again. I looked at orange jump suits and tattoos and saw only differences. But I think God is calling me to ignore superficial disparities and seek instead the common experiences we all share.

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” Matthew 25:44-45

We’ve all been hungry and thirsty, felt like the outsider, and experienced illness and financial pressures. We’ve all been prisoners of greed and discontent. And we’ve all wondered who would possibly stand beside us when poor choices bring us before the judgment of our own conscience.

I still wonder whether this unique audience will connect with my story. That’s the same question every speaker confronts. But I’m also certain that God can help me to say something powerful and meaningful. He wants to touch the hearts of these hurting individuals. If I don’t connect with this audience, it’ll be because I failed to allow God to speak through my story.

One recurring theme of SetFreeToday is that God uses broken people to accomplish His purposes. He will use me, and you, in powerful ways we can’t even imagine. We simply have to remember that it’s about Him, not about us. Then we can get out of the way and allow His light to shine through in our imperfect lives.

I’m free, but that has nothing to do with the fact that I’ll leave the jail at the end of my presentation. My freedom is a gift, secured through Christ’s sacrifice.

The folks who return to their cells can claim that same freedom. They’ll still experience hardships and they’ll still face the worldly consequences of their actions. But even in a jail cell each of them can claim hope and a new beginning.

I wonder how many times each day I unconsciously pass “one of the least of these” and leave my Lord to suffer alone? How many times do I fail to see Jesus in the face of one who appears different from me?

I’m thankful for the grace that forgives my blindness, but I pray that the Spirit will open our eyes so that we see a child of God whenever we encounter “one of the least of these.”

Enséñanos de tal modo a contar nuestros días,

Que traigamos al corazón sabiduría. (Salmos 90:12RV).

            Nuestra vecina murió la semana pasada, una señora que era solamente tres años mayor que yo.  Te pone a pensar ¿verdad? ¿O no…?

            La muerte, en cualquier etapa de nuestra vida terrenal, nos debe de hacer pausar y pensar acerca de las cosas que realmente importan.  Sin embargo, con mucha frecuencia, no sucede así.

            Una de las cosas más comunes – y trágicas – que yo oigo cuando alguien muere es, “Esto es sólo un recordatorio que deberíamos disfrutar de la vida mientras podemos.”

¿Qué miope y egocéntrico es esto? Y sin embargo, en nuestra cultura cada vez más narcisista, esto es muy representante de nuestra mentalidad que “todo es acerca de mi.”

            La muerte de alguien – sin importar edad ni circunstancias – debería de hacer algo más que hacernos recordar que gocemos de la vida mientras podamos.  La única verdad con ese tipo de pensamiento es que la vida definitivamente es temporal. Que la debemos de perseguir con gusto para nuestro propio placer y gozo es defectuoso en lo mejor y fatal en el peor de los casos. 

            “Dice el necio en su corazón, ‘No hay Dios’” (Salmos 14:1 RV).  La Biblia considera a aquellos que viven por si mismos, como si ellos estuvieran encargados de sus propias normas y reglas, unos necios. Aunque éstos “necios”  digan o no digan creer en Dios, y aunque ellos guarden una esperanza de que si hay una gloria y que alguna vez ellos estarán allí cuando se mueran, la verdad es que solamente si ellos se arrepienten y reciben el perdón de Dios y un renacimiento por medio de la aceptación de Jesús como su Dios y Salvador, la esperanza de ellos por la gloria no es más que un simple sueño. 

            Hebreos 10:31 nos avisa que “¡Horrenda cosa es caer en manos del Dios vivo!” La Biblia también nos dice que “está establecido para que los hombres mueran una sola vez, y después de esto el juicio” (Hebreos 9:27 RV).

            Algunos de nosotros moriremos jóvenes, mientras otros viviremos a una edad madura.  Algunos vivirán vidas saludables, llenas de prosperidad, vidas llenas a plenitud, mientras otros tendrán muy pocos de los placeres de éste mundo. Pero sin importar nuestras circunstancias o los avances de éste planeta, y sin importar la cantidad de tiempo que pasemos aquí, todos nosotros con certeza nos vamos a morir y nos vamos a enfrentar a Dios, - un Dios amoroso y misericordioso, si, pero un Juez con justicia también.  Y una vez que hayamos tomado ese último suspiro del tiempo que pasamos aquí,  ya será muy tarde para arrepentirnos y apelar por Su amor y misericordia.  Habrá solamente justicia muy horrible para imaginarnos, si todavía no hemos aceptado la justicia y el perdón de Cristo por el pecado que está en el mero centro de nuestro ser y de quienes somos como seres humanos con mancha. 

            Así es que el salmista le pidió a Dios  “Enséñanos de tal modo a contar nuestros días” para que “traigamos al corazón sabiduría” y no nos comportemos como los necios que viven solamente para ellos mismos e ignoran la justicia venidera.  Ésta es mi oración para cada uno de ustedes hoy, que reconozcamos el poco tiempo que nos queda antes que el numero de días en la tierra se nos termine, y nos paremos ante el gran y poderoso Juez del universo, sin defensa y condenados.

            ¡No esperes hasta tarde para saldar tus cuentas!  Apela a Su merced ahora – y entonces vive los días que te quedan con sabiduría, sirviendo a Aquel que murió en tu lugar.  Si tú ya saldaste tu cuenta con Dios, entonces no te quedes satisfecho viviendo una vida complaciente y con tibia devoción.  Pídele a Dios que sabiamente enumere tus días dándote valor y obediencia en tu corazón para seguirlo a Él a donde sea que Él te lleve… desde la tierra a toda una eternidad con Él. 

Kathi Macias

Author/Speaker

So teach us to number our days,

That we may gain a heart of wisdom (Ps. 90:12).

            Our neighbor died last week, a lady only three years older than I. Makes you think, doesn’t it? Or does it…?

            Death, at any stage of earthly life, should make us pause and think about the things that really matter. All too often, however, it doesn’t happen that way.

            One of the most common—and tragic—things I hear when someone dies is, “That’s just a reminder that we’d better enjoy life while we can.” How short-sighted and self-centered is that? And yet, in our increasingly narcissistic culture, it is so representative of our “all about me” mindset.

            Someone’s death—regardless of age or circumstance—should do a lot more than remind us to enjoy life here on earth while we can. The only truth in that type of thinking is that this life is most definitely temporary. That we should pursue it with gusto for our own pleasure and enjoyment is faulty at best—fatal at worst.

            “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps. 14:1). The Bible considers those who live for themselves, as if they are in charge of their own lives and can set their own standards and rules, to be fools. Though these “fools” may or may not give lip service to a belief in God, and though they may harbor a hope that there really is a heaven and that they will somehow end up there when they die, the truth is that unless they repent and receive God’s forgiveness and new birth through the acceptance of Jesus as their Lord and Savior, their hope for heaven is nothing more than a pipe dream.

            Hebrews 10:31 warns us that “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” The Bible also tells us that “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27).

            Some of us may die young, while others will live to a ripe old age. Some will live healthy, prosperous, and fulfilled lives, while others will have little of this world’s goods or pleasures. But regardless of our circumstances or achievements on this planet, and despite the length of time we spend here, each of us will certainly die and face God—a loving and merciful God, yes, but a righteous Judge as well. And once we’ve taken that last breath, it will be too late to repent and appeal to His love and mercy. There will be only judgment too horrible even to imagine, if we haven’t already accepted Christ’s forgiveness and atonement for the sin that is at the very center of who we are as flawed human beings.

            And so the psalmist asked God to “teach us to number our days” that we would “gain a heart of wisdom” and not behave like fools who live for themselves and ignore the coming judgment. That is my prayer for each of us today, that we recognize how little time we have left before the number of our days on earth runs out, and we stand before the great and mighty Judge of the universe, defenseless and condemned.

            Don’t wait to settle accounts until it is too late! Appeal to His mercy now—and then live the days you have left in wisdom, serving the One who died in your place. If you’ve already settled your account with God, then don’t be satisfied to live in complacency and lukewarm devotion. Ask God to help you wisely number your days by giving you a courageous and obedient heart to follow Him wherever He leads…from earth into eternity with Him.

Jan Coates, founder and president, www.setfreetoday.com

Jan Coates, Author/Speaker/Consultant, www.jancoates.com

My family and I took a day trip last week. As we drove to our destination, an 18-wheeler truck drove behind us, leaving a distance of less than two car links between our vehicles. The four-lane highway, like many of us, is under construction. Workers with orange vests, cement trucks, large construction trucks were lined up on both sides of the road. In other words, this highway is a very dangerous stretch for more than ten miles.

Each time we’d cautiously speed up to allow more room between our car and the 18-wheeler tailgating us, the trucker speeded up too.

“Why doesn’t that jerk just pass us?” I blurted out to my husband.

Hubby replied, “Oh honey, it’s too dangerous for him to pass us in the left lane, he might hit a worker on the center median.”

“Well, he may not hit a worker,” I said, “but he’s going to run into the back of us soon,” I said.

I looked out the back window again, and noticed the creep had inched even closer to us. Without consulting my husband, I lowered my window and stuck my head out, motioning with my hands to back off. The disrespectful, careless truck driver flashed an evil grin and just waved back at me.

Even in my highway wind tunnel, I heard my daughter loud and clear as she yelled “Mother, what were you thinking? Get your head back in the car. You’re only going to make that guy angry.”

Hmm, guess my response was not the best. Not to mention my windblown hair looked like an “afro do” from the 70s. Ah, you got me: My attitude toward the truck driver was less than Christ like. Ouch.

I doubt seriously that this dude saw Christ in me. What he saw was a crazy lady. I’ve told you many times that I’m a work-in-progress and that God ain’t done with me yet. And so it is with you.

Jesus always maintained a perfect attitude in every situation because He prayed about everything and worried about nothing. Prayer was His lifeline. Jesus never became defensive, discouraged, or yelled at people from a mountaintop. In the midst of trials, He was patient. In the midst of suffering, He was hopeful. In the midst of blessing, He was humble. Even in the midst of ridicule, abuse, and hostility He “made no threats . . . and did not retaliate. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly” (I Peter 2:23).

We are to be imitators of Christ in all things, including our attitudes. Jesus taught us that we can’t control what happens to us, but we can control our response.

Ten minutes after the crazy lady episode, the construction zone dangers were behind us. As the truck driver finally passed us in the left lane, I noticed a bumper sticker on the back of his 18-wheeler that read: “How’s my driving?”

I’m thinking these kinds of drivers need a bumper sticker that reads: “How’s my attitude?”

I know what you’re thinking. Duh, Jan, you need this bumper sticker too. I agree with you, and if I see one I’m buying it.

Okay, I’ve learned a valuable attitude lesson. How about you? How’s your attitude?

Your work-in-progress leader,

Jan

Rich Dixon, Author/Speaker
www.relentlessgrace.com

The notion of “comparison” keeps popping into my world lately. It seems that God has something to say to me, and I’m trying to listen.

We equate competition with comparison. It’s a natural connection, since competition means winning and losing, but I’m not sure it’s a Scriptural connection.

I suspect that the key lies in our tendency to move from “winning” to “being a winner,” which also leads to the analogous move from “losing” to “being a loser.”

Jesus wasn’t much of a sports fan, so He didn’t talk a lot about winning and losing. But I can’t imagine that He’d endorse the labels “winner” and “loser.” A winner is better than others, but Jesus taught that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness. A loser is somehow less worthy, but Jesus claimed that the last would be first.

Does this imply that Jesus opposed excellence and high standards? In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), Jesus told of servants who wisely used the gifts entrusted to them. The servant who earned two talents received the same reward as the one who earned five.

“His Master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.’” Matthew 25:21 and 23 

Jesus didn’t compare these two men. Each did well with the its entrusted to him, and each received the same praise and reward. In this context, Jesus encourages doing our best rather than being the best.

How much pain and sorrow arise from our obsession with being number one? How much effort is wasted in comparing results rather than simply doing what we can wherever God has placed us? Notice that Jesus doesn’t bother justifying the Master’s decision to entrust different servants with different gifts.

Though Jesus doesn’t address this possibility, it’s interesting to speculate how the story might have gone if the servant blessed with five talents had returned the same five upon the master’s return. He would have handed over the largest account, but my guess is that his reward would not have been the same.

How different would this world be if each of us invested our energy and gifts in doing our very best rather than ranking outcomes? What would happen if we focused on process and allowed God to be responsible for results?

I’m pretty sure of one thing. If that happened, heaven would celebrate and the enemy would lose his chokehold on us. We’re imprisoned by our desire to be better than others.

When we concentrate on doing the best with our gifts, we’re free to do God’s work and hear Jesus’ words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Kathi Macias

Author/Speaker

Porque yo se los pensamientos que yo tengo acerca de vosotros, dice Jehová,

Pensamientos de paz y no de mal, para daros el fin que esperáis.

(Jeremías 29:11).

            Aunque es claro que la promesa de Jeremías 29:11 es citada con frecuencia se le fue dada a la nación de Israel, pero todavía se aplica a aquellos de nosotros que hemos sido “injertados” por medio del nuevo nacimiento espiritual que viene cuando nos arrepentimos y aceptamos al Mesías Judío como nuestro Señor y Salvador.  Esta semana, mientras nosotros celebramos nacimientos en nuestra nación y en nuestros hogares, ese versículo mantiene un significado especial.

            Primero, por supuesto, celebramos el nacimiento de nuestra nación, “concebida en libertad y dedicada a la proposición que todos los hombres son creados iguales,” el 4 de Julio.  En un año de elecciones presidenciales, es especialmente vital que reflexionemos y oremos acerca de los principios Judeo-Cristianos sobre los cuales nuestra nación fue fundada.  Pero sin tener en cuenta el resultado de ésta o cualquier elección, el destino de nuestro querido país – y todos los países – está en las manos de Aquel quien nos ha prometido un futuro y una esperanza. 

            El 2 de Julio también fue el cumpleaños de mi mamá – sus 87 años, para ser exacta – y lo celebramos con un pastel de duraznos y helado de vainilla.  ¡YUM!  Llegar hasta esa edad es un logro verdadero, y muchos amigos y familiares escribieron o llamaron por teléfono para ofrecer congratulaciones.

            Finalmente, el 5 de Julio es mi cumpleaños, el día que marca 34 años desde que recibí a Jesús como mi Salvador.  ¡Wow!  ¿Ha sido en realidad tanto tiempo?  ¿Y como los pude sobrevivir (excepto por la asombrosa gracia y misericordia de Dios) por los 26 años anteriores?

            Por supuesto, esos 34 años no han sido una navegación sin dificultades con momentos llenos de alegría. Y sin embargo, ya sea que los golpes a medio camino hayan sido causados por mi mal juicio y las cosas que he escogido egoístamente o la culpa haya sido de otra persona, yo te puedo asegurar que Dios ha sido fiel por todo el camino.  Ya sea en los buenos tiempos o en los malos, en enfermedades o en la salud, en necesidades o en abundancia, Dios no ha cambiado.  Él es “el mismo ayer, hoy, y por los siglos” (Hebreos 13:8), y “Su misericordia es eterna” (1 Crónicas 16:34). El haber comprobado esto una y otra vez durante los últimos 34 años – en mi propia vida lo mismo que en la vida de los demás – ¿por que voy a dudar que Su promesa de darnos “un futuro y una esperanza” no se cumplan? 

            A pesar de tu situación personal o tus circunstancias de hoy, y a pesar del estado de nuestra nación y del mundo a nuestro alrededor, la Palabra de Dios permanece verdadera, mis queridos amigos(as).  Él nunca nos ha fallado, y nunca lo hará.  Él es nuestra Roca y nuestra Salvación, nuestro Refugio en medio de la tormenta – y Él estará con nosotros hasta el final para cumplir Sus grandes promesas.  Aunque podamos perder todo y aún a las personas que amamos – y aun nuestras propias vidas – recuerden la gran declaración de Job – “Aunque Él me matare, en Él esperaré” (Job 13:15). Su misericordia en realidad dura para siempre – y Él será fiel en darnos un futuro y una paz. 

Kathi Macias

Author/Speaker

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord,

thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11).

            Though it’s clear the oft-quoted promise of Jeremiah 29:11 was meant for the nation of Israel, it still applies to those of us who have been “grafted in” through the new spiritual birth that comes when we repent and receive the Jewish Messiah as our Lord and Savior. This week, as we celebrate birthdays in our nation and our household, that verse holds special meaning.

            First, of course, we celebrate the birth of our nation, “conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,” on July 4. In a presidential election year, it is especially vital that we reflect on and pray about the Judeo-Christian principles on which our great nation was founded. But regardless of the outcome of this or any election, the fate of our beloved country—as all countries—lies in the hands of the One who has promised us a future and a hope.

            July 2 was also my mother’s birthday—her 87^th, to be exact—and we celebrated with fresh peach pie and vanilla ice cream. YUM! To reach that age is quite an accomplishment, and many made it a point to write or call to offer congratulations.

            Finally, July 5 is my birthday—my spiritual birthday, the day that marks 34 years since I received Jesus as my Savior. Wow! Has it really been that long? And however did I survive (except for the amazing grace and mercy of God) for 26 years before that?

            Of course, those 34 years haven’t all been smooth sailing and joy-filled moments. And yet, whether the bumps along the way were caused by my own poor judgment and selfish choices or someone else’s, I can assure you that God has been faithful through it all. Whether in good times or bad, sickness or health, want or plenty, God has not changed. He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8), and “His mercy endures forever” (1 Chron. 16:34). Having proved that great fact over and over during the last 34 years—in my own life as well as others—why would I doubt that His promise to give us “a future and a hope” would be anything but completely fulfilled?

            Regardless of your personal situation or circumstances today, and regardless of the state of our nation or the world around us, God’s Word remains true, loved ones. He has never failed us, and He never will. He is our Rock and our Salvation, our Shelter in the time of storm—and He will be with us to the end to fulfill His great promises. Though we may lose everything and everyone we love—even our own lives—remember the great declaration of Job: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). His mercy truly does endure forever—and He will be faithful to give us a future and a hope!

Last time, you read a chapter from my book Love Letters to God, which had the same title. Perhaps you wrote your first love letter to the Lover of your soul. I want to continue this train of thought, considering prayer-journaling as a deeply spiritual, honest, and intimate connection with God. God is always with you, as near as your heartbeat, as close as your breath. But because He is invisible, He can seem unapproachable. By putting pen to paper, in a metaphoric sense, you reach out and touch the heart of God. As author Michelle Lovric expressed, “In the absence of eyes to tell and feed upon, . . . words are all we have to say: ‘I love you this much!’” Words are important to God. He has written of His love for you in the Bible. And He has given you the gift of language with which to communicate the longings of your soul to Him. God treasures your soul because it is stamped through and through with His own divine image. He has embossed your heart with His acceptance, and now He invites you to imprint His heart with your own written words.

Throughout our journaling journey together, I’ll often use writing prompts to facilitate your writing and thinking. Why not grab your journal and explore on paper your responses to the following questions.

1. How do you, personally, define intimacy? Do you long to experience intimacy with others, or do you avoid it? Please explain.
2. Describe your relationship with God. Is it intimate or not? Do you long for intimacy with God or do you avoid it? Please explain.
3. What do you think that John Donne meant my his statement: “Letters mingle souls”? Why do you think he particularly mentions letters? Do you agree with his statement? Why or why not?
4. In my book, I observe, “True love expresses all emotions, and true love—God’s true love for you—accepts them.” Keeping this in mind, how might you “re-define” what we typically describe as a love letter?
5. Describe actual love letters or letters of admiration that you have written. Generally, what emotions or sentiments did you express? In what ways did you feel closer to the one to whom you wrote?
6. How did you feel when you bared your soul?…empowered?…vulnerable?…joyful?… intimidated? (Please note: When we write love letters to others, it is natural sometimes to feel vulnerable; there is always a possibility of rejection. It is possible to project that same sense of intimidation when writing a love letter to God. However, it is important to remember that God loves you unconditionally and will never reject you. He treasures all you say to Him).
7. Describe how it makes you feel to receive a love letter or letter of admiration. What kinds of emotions surface as you read it? How does it make you feel towards the person who wrote the letter?
8. What significance does a letter hold for you? What is the value of a letter, which preserves the sender’s sentiments so you can read them again at any time?
9. If you have never received such a letter, how does that make you feel? What sentiments do you long for someone to write to you?
10. In reality, we all have received a remarkable love letter from the Lover of our soul. Have you ever considered that the Bible is really God’s “love letter” to you? How could thinking of it in this way affect how you think about God? … about what you think He feels about you? What does it mean to you that a perfect God loves you unconditionally, despite your imperfection and sinfulness?
11. How do you react to thinking of God as the “Lover of your soul”? Do you welcome this description, or does it make you uneasy? Please explain.
12. Write a brief bullet-point “love-line” representing your relationship with God. Include dates, if you remember them. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
a. Describe the first time you actually understood how much God loved you. What emotions and realizations surfaced?
b. Write about the first time you knew you really loved God. What did it feel like to have a passion for Him? How did you spend time with Him? What things did you tell Him?
c. Describe important milestones in your relationship with God. What are the significant events and memories that have deepened your love for Him over the years? What were the times of difficulty or sorrow which drew you closer to Him?

After exploring these ideas in your journal, some time today, writer another love letter to God. I’m going to include an example to prompt your heart.

Dear God,
As I embark upon this intimate journey-of-my-heart, a journey that will touch your heart, I am excited and apprehensive all at once! It is exhilarating to realize that I can truly know You and communicate with You—You, the creator of the universe—in an intimate way. Lord, I admit to you that I don’t always know the way. I’m launching upon an adventure headed for the interior landscapes of my heart, places I may never have explored before—even places I may not want to go. But to think that You love me enough to journey with me is all that matters. With You as my traveling companion and my guide, my only ultimate destination can be joy! So let’s get started. I love You, Lord!

Jan Coates, founder and president, www.setfreetoday.com

Jan Coates, Author/Speaker/Consultant, www.jancoates.com

Always remember that what you do matters. In fact, your actions and deeds today could change a life tomorrow. 

I’ve probably met thousands of difference makers. Sometimes a song, a fragrance, or even a gesture reminds me of an individual who offered a gentle smile, a warm embrace, or a simple prayer. Difference makers in the life of people like you and me are everywhere. The cool thing is they probably don’t even realize that they are indeed making a difference in the life of an ordinary, everyday person.

For me, it’s sometimes through the rear-view mirror of my life that I actually realize the depth of the impact a difference maker made within my life.

Several weeks ago while speaking for a large group of women in New York I shared a true story about a photographer’s assistant who made a difference in my life, and I’m guessing throughout her life she continued to inspire many others.

I believe I was in second or third grade, when this lady touched my heart and impacted my life forever.

I remember “picture day” very clearly. As I stood in the line with the other kids, I felt rather embarrassed. My hair was messy. In fact, I couldn’t get a comb through it before leaving home so I grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the tangles off and plopped the them into the bathroom trashcan. The other girls in the line were dressed in freshly ironed, cute dresses. Their hair was nicely groomed. Really, I didn’t fit in.

Each time the photographer’s flashbulb popped, I moved one step closer to the front of the line. I tried to blend in with the other kids, but that didn’t happen. The photographer’s assistant walked up to me, knelt down, sighed, and looked me in the eye. I trembled with fear and hoped she wouldn’t make a scene, or tell others about the way I looked.

“I’ll be right back, sweetie,” she whispered.

I watched as she walked across the room to a brown metal table. She opened her purse and took out her comb, and then smiled at me as she walked towards me.

”It’s almost time for you to get your picture taken, honey, and you have a few hairs sticking up. Do you mind if I comb your hair?”

My heart melted as this beautiful lady licked her fingertips and ran them through my hair. She gently combed my hair and did the best she could to make my fine, short hair look nice.

More than 45 years later I still remember the kindness and compassion of this lady. She loved on me. She made me feel special. She definitely made a difference in my life.

Like the photographer’s assistant, difference makers are God’s chosen people. They generously share compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience even when no one is looking (Colossians 3:12 paraphrased).

Thank you to all the difference makers of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Jan