Category Archives: Discovery

Apr8

There Is More

Posted on by
Standard

Teri

CAM00022I had a pretty significant moment with the Lord thirteen years ago.

I had been a Christ-follower for almost twenty years. I went to church regularly, tithed, served, read my devotions each day, taught a Bible study, and pretty much had my religious act together.

Problem was…I was bored out of my mind. Empty. Most of the time my service felt like an obligation. A burden. I  had no idea what joy or peace felt like.

I knew about God, but He felt like a distant cousin I only saw on Christmas and Easter.

I knew His Word , but they felt like dry words on a page and not the Living Word the Bible says it is.

I didn’t talk about it for a couple of reasons:

  1. People thought I had my stuff together . What would they say if they knew I was telling them stuff I wasn’t sure I believed myself? Would I make them stumble?
  2. I figured I was just doing it all wrong. It was my fault somehow and I just needed to work harder, pray harder, go to more Beth Moore Bible studies, attend more conferences, and serve in more areas and THEN my life would be fulfilling.

After another agonizing year of boredom, I did start talking. I started asking people, “Is this it? Is this all?” And, I started making my requests known to God, cause that’s what the Bible tells you to do.

What happened?

I fell apart. People starting thinking I was kinda weird and maybe didn’t have it all together. And, I felt some strange leadings in my heart I never felt before.

I thought they were indigestion, at first. Then I wondered if I really going Jesus coo-coo. And then, I thought I might actually be hearing from God.

WHAT?! God still speaks? NO way.

I thought that kind of thing was just for first century Palestine?

I mean, I had felt urges before, to pray for someone, or to call them to give them a little encouragement. But this…this was just weird.

It was like God was whispering something into the core of my being. It was still vague and fuzzy, but it stirred something in me I didn’t even know existed.

After another year of searching and seeking and asking and knocking (again, that’s what the Bible says to do), I heard THAT voice. I doubt anyone else would have heard it. But, it was as real to me as if someone in the room had spoken. Plain as day, it said,

THERE IS MORE.

Right after that, I read the verses that would forever change me. I had read them dozens of times before, but it was only after that word from the Lord the meaning made it’s way into my understanding.hope

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Far more abundantly…

I can imagine a lot. 

And that’s when I knew. There was more to this walk with Jesus. Much more. I also knew that somehow, someway I was going to have it. If there was indeed more to God than I had experienced, and much more than I could dream up, then I wanted it.

Bring it on. 

This pursuit of more has cost me everything. Sometimes it’s left me in absolute despair. Made me die to all of my selfish ambitions, regardless how noble they were.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

And God has given me true life, real, abundant, and joy-filled more than I could have asked or imagined.

It looks nothing like I thought it would. It’s very different, but oh-so-much better than I could have dreamed on my own.

I am so not saying that I’ve arrived at “more” and hang out there. Nope…

There is a war within me that rages. I find too often that the very thing I want to do is the very thing I don’t. Yet…

I know more of “more” than I did thirteen years ago. And, thirteen years from now, I know that I know that I know, I will experience even more of “more” than I do now.

That’s the promise. 

Salvation is a free gift – yours for the taking. 

Knowing the fullness and abundance of Jesus Christ – will cost you everything. 

I believe there are a lot of people out there right now asking the question, “Is there more?” I think it could be more people asking that question than ever before in history.

Yes. Yes. Yes. There is more.

I’ll talk about it in practical ways in the next post.

((Just so you’re not left hanging too much… The first step is to ASK for more of Him. Yep. It’s that easy.))

Mar7

The Drums Beat

Posted on by
Standard

Teri

CAM00022(I’ve been writing a bunch lately, just not many blog posts. Here’s something from yesterday’s journal. This is not only the cry of my heart, but the cry of almost every person I’ve coached over the past few years. Yes, there is more…)

In my heart, there is a longing…a hunger…something that lies dormant but springs to life at the slightest touch. All it takes is a whisper of wind to pass over to stoke it into flame again.

It’s the need to wander…the need to see, to learn…explore…experience.

It feels ancient…like it’s always been there…placed within me before time began.

And it lies wistful within me…waiting…longing…aching…hopeful for the time it is brought to life for more than just stolen moments of my existence.

It beats like a distant drum beckoning me to something…more.

Does everyone have this same burning within them? Or is it only a few? Is it only me?

Is it something I should continue to suppress or is it something I should fight to bring to life?

If I should allow it to breathe deeply, will it be like a slow burning fire and continually fill me? Or will it be like a shooting star and fade before I even have the chance to grab hold?

The ache within calls to me sometimes, but uses an unfamiliar name. I must know this name for it sparks something in my memory long forgotten. I strain to hear…to understand…but the cry gets drowned out by distractions and falls silent again.

Yet, the recollection of the call lingers.

If I really listened, what would the voice ask me to do? To be? Where would it tell me to go? And how would it tell me to live?

How would my world be different if I answered its cry? Would I find hardship or suffering? Would the way be fraught with danger and adventure? What would the journey cost me?

The drums beat louder as I wonder and dream. Embers of excitement begin to glow in the coals deep within me.

fire

Tiny flames of possibilities begin to ignite.

The light is not bright enough for me to see my future clearly. I can only make out dim shadows of potential and promise. Is what I see true or only the light playing tricks on me as shadows often do?

If I stay here, I am swallowed up in the soothing security of a life that is known to me. If I go, I walk into ways both uncomfortable and foreign. Will I go on to something better? Or will I ache for what I left behind?

The voice cries out again and this time I hear its call. Somewhere from the same ancient place within me, I know. The longing is bigger than me…larger than just my world…wider than just my path…higher than only my way.

There is something beyond my solitary journey.

There is something more…

Will I answer its call?

Oct23

Shadows and Sunshine

Posted on by
Standard

Roberto

 

The third stop on our tour brought us to Tampa, Florida, where we met with Ida Lopez, Project Director for World Relief Tampa.

Ms. Lopez and her team are devoted specifically to anti-trafficking efforts in the Tampa area.  World Relief has been at work in this area since 1980, and since 2006 has been targeting trafficking.  We were surprised at the gravity of the issue there and were pleased to hear that World Relief is a light of hope in the darkness.

THE PROBLEM

  • With 27 million people enslaved in the world today, 2.5 million of those live right here in the United States.
  • Florida is one of the top three destinations for trafficking in the United States.
  • Tampa is the number one destination for trafficking activity in the state of Florida.

A LIGHT OF HOPE
As these issues have recently come to light, a number of government agencies as well as NGOs have been working together to form a task force to help stop trafficking in Tampa.

One of World Relief’s main tasks is to be a first responder to trafficking raids.  They provide a source of support for the victims, beginning with basic care packages that are put together by local volunteers.

World Relief continues to act as an advocate for the victims, providing them with a wide range of services, from taking them to the laundromat to helping them navigate legal proceedings with the police and lawyers.

FUNDING THE WAY
A large portion of World Relief’s funding comes from grants via the Department of Justice and other sources.  They are required to raise about 25% of their funds, most of which come through in-kind donations from local service providers like doctors, dentists, and mental health professionals who donate their time and skills to serve these victims.

INVOLVING OTHERS
World Relief, along with professors from St. Petersburg College, offers training to many in the community to help others identify potential trafficking activity in local neighborhoods.  They even offer training for local police departments to better get involved in their communities.

MUCH TO BE DONE
While World Relief has been active in the Tampa area for quite some time, their staff remains small, and the need remains great.  They rely on volunteers to help with presentations, coordinating services for victims, and rallying local churches to come together and help with housing needs for the girls and preparation of care packages.

To learn more about World Relief in Tampa, or to learn how you can get involved, visit http://worldrelieftampa.org/anti-trafficking.

Oct22

ReThreaded: Jacksonville

Posted on by
Standard

Our Team is finishing up the Dream Tour. WE STILL NEED SPONSORS!  Please consider sponsoring Team Freedom so they finish strongly. (Click here to make an easy, tax deductible donation.)

ToniLyn

The second day of the Dream Tour was spent mostly driving to meet with our generous hosts, Danny & Heather, and attend a college Life Group led by my friend Mac. The group was a great opportunity for good discussion on the topic of freedom. Is there such thing as good or bad? Is there such thing as too much freedom?

Rethreaded: Jacksonville

Two Thursdays ago, we visited with Rethreaded.

Rethreaded is a new non-profit organization working against sex slavery in Jacksonville. Founded by Kristin Keen (who is also the founder of Sari Bari), it is an organization that will provide sustainable training, employment, and mentoring for women who are rescued from the sex industry in the Jacksonville area.

Their plan is to mentor internally, and as the women mature in the program they will mentor the new women who begin working within the organization. It’s an incredible chance for women who are otherwise unable to find employment* to have a sustainable job and truly create a new future.

During their training they will even get to explore their gifts of creativity through an intensive art therapy series. With Florida being in the top three worst states for trafficking, this is an incredible opportunity to begin to erase women’s past horrors in exchange for the beauty of creation and new life.

 

 

 

 

Rethreaded plans to begin by creating a line of children’s clothing from recycled t-shirts. They also sell items from other companies that are involved in eradicating sex slavery around the world.

 

 

Right now they have an ongoing event called 8.25 “Investing in Freedom Campaign”. For $8.25 you can support one of the women for one hour of training. It’s genius, as are their growing ideas and location facilities! To learn more visit their website listed above.

*Typically women who have been involved in sex trafficking and prostitution as a whole have a criminal record that can’t be erased. There has been movement in legislature of some states over the last few years to finally view these women as victims and not criminals, and to instead go after the pimps and johns who are enslaving and supplying the demand.

Please pray for these victims, the perpetrators, and those who are trying to rescue the captives.

Photo cred: Toni-Lyn Keller (aka, me)

Oct19

Rescue For Us All

Posted on by
Standard

The Dream Tour is heading to Chicago today. Please be in prayers for their safe travel.

ToniLyn

Roberto and I met with Jen from Beautiful Feet Ministries to discuss their story of starting up strip club outreach in North Georgia. It is the ministry Jen, Beau, and I actually brainstormed together last Spring and now is a few months old.

Beautiful Feet is an outreach that is about building friendships with women who dance in clubs for a living.

JESUS IN A STRIP CLUB

Club outreach is eye-opening, but not for the reasons that may come to mind. It was eye-opening because it was nothing that we’d always imagined. Before you are aware of what it truly looks like to work there by someone who is sharing their story, it seems that these are only places where darkness resides and fear has its dominion.

However, that is far from the case, and even in the case that it was true, that’s more reason to be present; a voice of hope, life, and freedom for women who may not otherwise hear or experience this. We have found that a steady and positive presence in their lives speaks volumes and begins breaking down walls toward growth and freedom.

It has been my firsthand experience through this ministry that it is a truly humbling thing to go out and realize your mindset is still somewhat stuck in “rescuing” someone who is “least of these” and in that realizing you too are in need of rescue still.

Recognizing my own arrogance and brokenness in my often too dignified independence. To recognize your own brokenness in the midst of it is really challenging. It’s messy to do ministry from scratch, to even call it ministry when the true desire is to honor women who are often dishonored. Beautiful Feet works to bring the knowledge and reminder that these women’s worth is far greater than they’ve been told or imagined.

So our evening was a night of revisiting dear friends at their place of work. We brought bright pink roses in a purple vase. We all laughed and shared the latest stories of life. It was a breath of fresh air.

 

SEX TRAFFICKING IN NORTH GEORGIA

Yes. There is sex trafficking that goes on in rural North Georgia.

As we sat down with Jen and her fiance Beau, they talked openly about the area and what exactly trafficking tends to look like there. House brothels in the burbs, AMPs (Asian Massage Parlors) open 24 hours, and girls as young as 14 being manipulated by traffickers who troll the middle and high schools and malls.

If this sounds shocking, it is. If you are relieved that this isn’t your city, well, it is your city. The look of sex trafficking varies from community to community but those are just some basic facts and you will want to remain educated on your own area.

These sort of facts aren’t a reason to live in fear, or without hope of change.

It is a way to protect your own children and women and kids you know by guarding them with knowledge. These aren’t kidnappings, they are women and children being coerced by people who are trained and skilled at finding their weakness. Clothes, jewelry, food, compliments, etc.

Educate yourself on your area. Find your local police station phone number and call in tips if you spot unusual activity.

Jun4

Moving from “What If” to “Why Not”

Posted on by
Standard

Teri

I met with a new friend the other night to share our stories and talk about Jesus.

I told her the biggest change in me is that God has moved me from being a “what if” gal to a “why not” gal.

Before launching the first Dream Tour, I was consistently in a state of worry, verging on neuroticism.

  • What if this fails?
  • What if we run out of money?
  • What if we don’t have a place to stay?
  • What if I misinterpreted what I think I heard from God and I’m not supposed to be doing this?
  • What if I end up looking really stupid?

During the first Dream Tour, I spent most of the time in panic mode because just about all those “what if’s” came true. I failed, we ran out of money, sometimes we weren’t sure where we were going to stay, I’m sure I misinterpreted some of the message from the Lord, and I did look really stupid on more than one occasion.

You know what?

The anticipation of those things was worse than those things actually happening.

I lived to tell the tale. I learned. And somehow, dreamers were inspired to dream bigger.

Fear of the thing is most often worse than the thing itself.

And through four Dream Tours, God has transformed my fear into something more productive. Rather than worrying about what could happen, I spend more time being excited about what might happen.

Now I tend to ask the question, “Why not?”

  • Why wouldn’t this to work?
  • Why not give it a shot and see what happens?
  • Why wouldn’t people want this?
  • Why not shoot for the moon?
  • Why not expect God to do great things?

“What if” anticipates the worst…”Why not” expects the best.

“What if” keeps you focused on obstacles…”Why not” focuses on possibilities.

“What if” keeps you stagnant until you find all the solutions…”Why not” gets you moving despite the obstacles. (It’s much easier to steer something that’s moving.)

“What if” see God as very small and practical…”Why not” believes nothing is impossible with God.

“What if” keeps you in slavery to your fear...”Why not” helps you to embrace your freedom in Christ.

Don’t get me wrong, there are good “what if” questions. Like, “What if man could reach the moon?“

But, they should always be followed by the “why not’s” rather than a barrage of “what if’s”.

“Why not” questions focus us forward; they help us find solutions not just problems.

“Why not” questions keeps our faith growing; it keeps us dreaming bigger.

What if it is really true that you were created on purpose for Kingdom purposes? What if God really could impact the world through you? What if nothing is impossible with God? What if you took the risk to believe it?

Why not?

May30

“Just” an Average Kingdom Person

Posted on by
Standard

I’ve known Barb for a long time. The amount of time it takes to really get to know and love someone. Long enough to build the kind of trust that lasts a lifetime.

Barb has always been a light in this world. She is the kind of person you simply want to be around. She will cry with those who weep and celebrate with those who are happy. And she often knows just the right thing to say at just the right time.

She passionately pursues the deeper things of God. She wants to see the Kingdom of God coming alive. And she constantly looks for ways to make that happen.

Well, I should let her tell you her own story…

Barb

When Teri asked me to write this, I didn’t know how much I’d struggle actually writing it down.

I’m just an average person. I live in the suburbs of Des Moines, Iowa. I’m a wife to a great guy, a mom to four wonderful kids, and a grandma of two wonderful little boys. I work full-time as a recruiter and am chauffeur to my youngest daughter as she manages her busy social calendar.

What’s my passion? I’m just beginning to figure that out.

If I had to put words to it now, I’d say my God given passion is to help women realize their TRUE Freedom in Jesus Christ. I long to see women coming alive to all that Jesus promises us.

What’s my Kingdom dream? I don’t know yet.

I lead some women’s Bible studies and prayer groups. I have a vision for seeing hundreds of women in the Des Moines area being transformed by Christ’s love. There just isn’t anything solid and tangible yet.

Teri tells me that I already live out Kingdom purposes in my day-to-day life. It’s hard to believe it as I just do what I do every day.

If I see someone hurting, I try to comfort them. If someone needs prayer, I pray. If people are going without, I try to help them. And if someone is believing a lie about themselves or God, I try to speak truth into their lives. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Barb and her family

Yet, God continues to call me deeper. Into a deeper, richer, and more uncomfortable level of faith.

On this journey, I am learning more about myself and God . I learning that I’m broken, wounded, selfish, but Jesus loves me anyway! Every day I can’t wait to talk with Him, hear from Him, be with Him. The more I walk with Him, the more I want to walk with Him.

And I’m learning that God is who He says He is! Faithful, patient, just, and loving. He never leaves or forsake us. He is AMAZING!

I guess I want to be even more intentional about being who God designed me to be. I know God will show me how.

I trust that God will continue to grow His Kingdom in and through my life as I seek him. I believe that a year from now, I will be less broken, wounded, and selfish and more filled with joy and peace and love. And I believe I will see more and more women grow in the freedom of Jesus’ love.

Please pray for me as Christ draws a more defined map for me and this passion for hurting women. Pray that God’s love will transform hearts and lives in the suburbs of Des Moines, Iowa. Pray that His Kingdom comes and His will be done.

You don’t have to be a missionary or a pastor or worship leader to play a big part in seeing the Kingdom of God coming alive. Barb is the perfect example of someone living out Kingdom each and every day at her job, with her family, in her neighborhood, and at her church.

Barb, you’re pretty amazing yourself!

May23

Finding Your Call

Posted on by
Standard

“What is your calling?”

At Adventures in Missions we ask that question a lot.

I use a different terms for it, “passions” and “dreams”, but it’s the same premise.

Seth Barnes, our CEO, wrote a post today that gives some excellent questions to chew on.

We’re doing this as a staff. Why don’t you join us?

HOW TO FIND YOUR CALL – by Seth Barnes

I believe you were made for a purpose and God is calling you to it. I can’t prove it to you, but if you take some time to look inside yourself and listen for God’s voice, you may begin to find it.

 

I believe you’re on this planet for a reason. God has a dream and he wants you to embrace it. He’s a creator and his creative process begins with the dreams that he shares with us. And when he does, if we’ll listen, we get to participate with him in the creation process.

 

We get to incubate his dream. It’s an incredible thing when it happens – it’s a bit of divine magic when the dream of God takes on form and becomes reality. And when we give expression to it, we join the angels in heaven as they give praise to God for his gift. I think it’s a spiritual transaction.

 

The idea that all of us have got something inside that cries out for expression is an old one. Philosophers have long identified our sense of purpose as a proof for God. They call it teleology. Because purpose and design appear to exist in nature, it points to a designer.

 

Many of us need help discovering our call. We know the world is broken and feel powerless to do anything about it. But it doesn’t have to be. The world needs us to find and commit to our call as much as we need it. And when we do, we can’t help but feel God’s pleasure.

 

Have you discovered your purpose and your call? You’ve got one; we all do. There’s little in life more important than finding it. To find your call it helps to ask and answer a series of questions in four general areas.
  • The World’s Needs
  • Your Passions
  • Your Skills
  • Your Plans
At Adventures, we try to do this with our staff. We’re committed to helping our staff discover God’s call on their lives. We do it through a conversation over time, asking and answering the questions listed below. It takes patience, but it’s so worth it.

 

If you’re looking for purpose, let me encourage you to set aside time with a journal to think about the following list of questions. What could be more important than finding the call of God?

World’s Needs

  • What needs lodge in your heart? Why?
  • Was God speaking to you?
  • How do you know?
  • How does God feel about the issue?
  • What would it feel like for the problem to be addressed?
  • What opportunities are represented by those needs?
  • What would the Kingdom coming look like?
  • How would the captives be set free?

Your Passion

  • When did you begin to feel strongly about the issue?
  • What do you need to learn about it?
  • Why did it impact you that way?
  • What is God saying?
  • What degree of commitment do you feel toward the issue?
  • What would that commitment look like if it were expressed?
  • What does it look like in terms of time and effort?
  • How have you expressed it so far?
  • What is your track record with commitment?

Your Skills

  • What relevant skills do you have?
  • How would you rate them relative to what you need?
  • What skills do you need?
  • Why do you need them?
  • What is your track record for starting something and serving others?
  • How would you use them? How would you grow them?
  • What difference would they make?
  • What is God saying?

Your Plan

  • Is it in writing?
  • What does research show?
  • How detailed it is?
  • Who should help you write it?
  • Who wants to help you?
  • What feedback have you gotten?
  • What feedback do you need?

“There are 3 stages to every great work of God: First it’s impossible, Then it’s difficult, Then it’s done.” J. Hudson Taylor

May21

40 Things in 40 Days – Part Four

Posted on by
Standard

This is the last installment of 40 Things I Learned in 40 Days. The other posts are here, here, and here.

Julie

30. Obedience trumps excellence.
For most of my life, I did not believe that these would ever conflict with each other. However, I now believe sometimes God calls you to do something and you don’t get to decide how you will make things perfect first…when he calls you, you just have to do it.

Most of my life I think excellence trumped obedience. Now, I value both obedience and the pursuit of excellence, but if I have to choose one over the other, I believe that obedience to God has to come first.

31. It’s hard to pray the prayer, “Lord, I will go wherever you want me to go” and genuinely mean it.
Many times I thought I believed I was willing, but then I started to think of some places that I hoped that the Lord never called me to settle in. One of those places is North Dakota. I don’t have one iota of desire to live in North Dakota. I know that the Lord created it, but I just struggle to see the beauty of ND. So…every time I started to think about this prayer, I was quick to admit, “Lord, help me to pray this prayer. Right now I cannot prayer this prayer because I am just not completely willing to go ANYWHERE.”

But about 35 days into the trips, something dawned on me…I would rather be where the Lord wants me than to be anywhere else. It would be better to be in His will in North Dakota than out of his will and living in Hawaii. So, finally…after much contemplation and much work being done on my heart, I prayed, “Lord, I will go WHEREVER you want me to go.”

32. Oklahoma seems to have the nicest rest stops.

33. If you are planning on having your car break down, let your car know that 5:45pm on Good Friday is not a convenient time.

34. A prophet who is not in the Word of God operates out of the flesh and out of a place of spiritual weariness.
A prophet in the word is a powerhouse of life.

35. Humble submission and intimacy with the Father needs to be at the heart of everything, or the other things we try to do become empty.

Orange City, Iowa36. There is a second Netherlands…and it’s called Orange City, Iowa.
Seriously, it is a Dutch empire.

37. When you drive the Strip in Las Vegas, you might the impression that the Strip is only about a mile long.
If you walk it, you will definitely know that this is not true. (It’s probably a mile just between The Bellagio and the Venetian Hotel.)

38. The Grand Junction Regional Airport is much like the airport that is featured in the Seinfeld episode where the man who works for the airline is also the car rental representative…and everything else.
If you don’t like the attitude of the person working there, going to another counter doesn’t help…because they work there too.

39. You can be fed at both the International House of Pancakes and the International House of Prayer…but the feeding at the International House of Prayer seems to last longer.

40. “Living a radical life” seems to be a relative concept.
Some think that jumping into a van with little money, traveling across the country, and waiting on the Lord to provide is radical. However, our team doesn’t seem to think so. We just think it’s being obedient to what God called us to. We hope to someday be radical.

May18

Let’s Get Moving

Posted on by
Standard

Teri

Exactly one year ago today, a small band of intrepid travelers set out on the first Dream Tour.

I was totally and completely FREAKED OUT…scared to death…

I had no clue what I was doing or why I was doing such a crazy thing. 
***LOONEY TUNES****

There was just that nagging….thing…inside me that said, “Go.” And I knew I had to go or else I would regret it the rest of my life.

There were misunderstandings, misconceptions, miscues, misdirection, and several screw-ups – most of which I caused.

From the inside looking out, it was a total disaster…failure…abysmal bomb.

From the outside looking in, people were encouraged, inspired, challenged, and touched.

It was like God was somehow turning the inabilities into something better.  huh.

I think I read that somewhere…

It was so compelling that I needed to keep going. Despite my failing. Despite my weakness. Despite my insecurities.

Now, I’m not so inept. I’m growing and learning and getting better at doing this crazy thing. I still have a long way to go, but it’s better than it was a year ago.

Here are the biggest lessons learned in the last year:

1. It’s not easy.
I think I expected it to be much easier, fewer obstacles, more things I did well, fewer mistakes. Nope. My American tendency to try to find the most comfortable route does not serve me in this Kingdom dream journey.

2. But, it’s much, much better.
Okay. So it sounds cliche I know. But, it’s true. Truer than I can describe in words. Living out your God-give Kingdom purposes, however inept I am at it, is much more fulfilling and satisfying than not doing it. No matter how scary it is.

3. Don’t give up.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to give up during this last year. Probably once a week or so I’d break down into an emotional tirade, “I CAN’T DO THIS!”  After I smacked the wall of my insecurity at full speed and went **SPLAT**, somehow God would give me just enough to get me back on my feet and moving again.

I’ve seen that most dreams don’t come fully alive because most people give up on them.

4. You won’t have everything you need before you begin.
I’ve learned that you won’t be ready when God calls you to do something. You will have lots of gaps between what you need to do it and what you have at your disposal. He does that on purpose. So that you have to learn to rely on him.

5. God works on your fear **AS YOU MOVE DESPITE YOUR FEAR**.
Your fear won’t be gone before you launch out. You won’t be ready. You’ll probably be scared to death. God works on breaking down your fear step-by-step, as you move, as you trust, as you go along the journey. It’s as you take action that God does his best work in you.

6. I still don’t know what I’m doing exactly. I don’t have to.
I’m still making mistakes and learning from them. I still occasionally want to quit. It’s still not easy. And I’m still a bit afraid. But, I am learning just how much I can trust a very big God who cares more about His Kingdom coming alive in and through me than I do.

When it’s all said and done, it’s God’s dream.

He is simply inviting us into the journey with him.

I’d suggest you take him up on it.

Is there a passion to do something you aren’t sure you can do? A dream stirring in your heart that doesn’t seem to go away?

Don’t waste anymore time. Let’s get moving.

If you would like some help, encouragement, or coaching, just email me. I’ll be happy to help you explore the possibilities.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37