“I don’t need easy, I just need possible."

“I don’t need easy, I just need possible."

One of my favorite quotes from the movie, Soul Surfer. Bethany’s journey after her accident didn’t make her weak, it made her stronger, not only in her strength, but in her faith as well. 

“…It’s your life—what you gonna do? The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who your heart beats for It’s an open door It’s your life…”
(Francesca Battistelli)

Soul Surfer

The true and inspiring story of a young girl who through her encounter with a shark, had a life changing experience. Through it all, she didn’t let anything stand in her way.  The process was difficult and the work was hard but through persistence and dedication, she overcame the odds and pushed through her fear to become even better than before. When Bethany learned to trust the process of her healing and rely on God’s strength instead of her own, she was able to do so much more.

Through these challenges, trials, and even wanting to quit Bethany kept right on doing what she was being called to do.  She had an amazing support system with her family, friends, and church family who stood by her side and was there for her through the good and bad times.
When it comes down to these tough moments it’s our relationship and faith in Christ that gives us all the strength in the world to make it through anything we are facing.

Have you ever been through something you thought would change your entire world completely and your life would never be the same again?

Have you ever quit something because you kept failing at it?

What gives you the strength and motivation to keep going even when life’s circumstances get difficult and hard to manage?


Through out all of this Bethany was given the incredible opportunity to minister with World Vision in Thailand, she was able to reach out to a young child who was afraid to get back in the water after the tidal wave hit their country.  When Bethany was afraid that she wasn’t going to be able to surf the same again, she eventually got back up again and again after falling. Then after several attempts she was able to stand back up on her board and ride out the waves of the ocean.  Bethany followed her dreams and she wasn’t going to let anything get in her way.  

As it says in Jeremiah 29:11, “for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I love the Bible story in 1 Samuel 17 of a boy who wasn’t very big, he wasn’t very strong, he was always picked last, and he wasn’t chosen first for anything.  He was often overlooked by people in this world.  Nothing stopped him from doing what God had called him to do. David persisted, he kept going, now his life was far from easy and he had tremendous challenges that tested his faith in God, he was far from perfect but when he stood strong with God by his side he was able to accomplish far more than he could ever do by himself.  Even when I’m sure he stood against this giant, this Goliath, trembling at what was in front of him, David stood against his giant, facing his fears, and conquering what was set before him.


God is writing our story and our plans are in his hands, He knows what we are and who we are to be. 




“I've learned life is a lot like surfing. When you get caught in the impact zone, you need to get right back up, because you never know what's over the next wave...…and if you have faith, anything is possible, anything at all.” Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer.

What’s over the next wave for you? What do you need to conquer? Knowing that God is there beside you in all you do, how can you strengthen your faith?Father God, Thank you for standing beside me. Thank you for loving me and always being there, providing a team around me of loved ones who are my biggest fans. When  afraid, I put my trust in You! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

Calling all hearts!

Music Video:  Be One
   (Natalie Grant)

“It's time to get our hands dirty
Be love there's a whole lot of hurting
Calling all hearts
Calling all hands
Calling all feet to take a stand
Why sit around and wait for a miracle to come
When we can be one
When we can be one
When we can be one”

Hey there!  Hope everyone is doing great out there!  I just love our coffee chats on here.

I recently attended the movie debut of the Dare to Be movie.  It was amazing and inspirational.  Sitting in the theater and listening to these women share their story and why they do what they are called to do and how they work with God through it all.  Natalie Grant presented some powerful songs from the beginning of the movie.  Then it came time for her to sing the song, Ever Be.  I love this song, "your praise will ever be on my lips"  and that's what it should be...always.  God's praise should be upon our lips.  It's hard though, right.  Circumstances through out our day get us down and it's hard to sing that praise.  God can help us through that, taking our mind off our own circumstances and situations and putting our focus solely on God and his presence in our lives.  
It's not about who we our in our life, it's about whose we are in God's family and what God has called us to do.  

"...Faithful you have been and faithful you will be..."

As I was listening to Charlotte Gambill give a message in the movie, she talked about not letting the misunderstandings of your past claim your future. Isn't that the truth?  So often we feel so dragged down by the past hurts in our lives that we stomp out all the good that is awaiting for us in the future.  Our destiny is far greater than our past. 

I love how Matthew 11:28-30 states this passage in the Message Bible,  "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?  (Hand raise in the air) Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. (Amen) I'll show you how to take a real rest.   Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. (YES!)  Learn from unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Have you ever felt like this?  You can work for God, you can work with God and these two are far different from each other.  God tells us to walk with Him.  Walk with Him and He will be with us and help us.  

I love the saying, “all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage.  Just literally 20 seconds of just embarrassing bravery.  And I promise you, something great will come of it."

What happens when we take that 20 seconds and do something so incredibly brave that our lives could just possibly change forever.  What if we dared to be fearless?  What if we set out to do that one thing that we have been scared to do?  What would happen?  How would you help someone?  What would you do?  How would you feel after it was all over? You may go out there wanting to be able to bless someone, but just maybe you'll find yourself just as blessed by them. 

What would it take for you to get out there and Be One for Someone? To recognize there is a need that you can help out with.  To be able to share the love of Christ with someone else.  What would happen in your 20 seconds of courage? 

Dare to be what God is calling you to be!  What are you daring to be known as?

Here's a little take home. Leave a comment with your dare to be answer.  

I Dare to Be known as __________________.  


Praying for you!


Blessings, 

Greater love....

Today as we reflect on Veteran's Day, we remember those who have served our country in some form or another.  They gave up their lifestyle with their family and friends to defend our rights.  While few have made it home, back to their families, many have lost their life in service.
We are forever grateful for those who have served and have given their lives to serve.  

As we remember those people we are reminded of how much God loves us as well.  To have a Heavenly Father who would give up His Only Son; so that we may be free and forgiven from our sins, so that we may live forever in eternity with Him.  John 3:16 says that, God loved the world so much.  
Can we even fathom how much those words that mean, so much, in this verse?      Someone who loves every part of everyone.   No matter who they are or what they have done.  Sometimes I think we think we know how that feels, but sometimes I think we don't even know the half of how that really feels to love that much.  (The way God loves us).  It's that close, eternal, infinite love that we can come as close to as we can to show that kind of love.  
We strive to be like Christ.  To show love to our fellow people in this world.  We have God's Word to help guide us in that love.  A love letter to us to share with the people we come into contact with in this world.  So because God sent His Son to save us, we have so much freedom and a reason to share our faith with others.
And, we want to thank those who have served and fought for our rights to be able to keep sharing our faith and God's Word.  Because we have these people in our lives we have the freedom to keep sharing openly about our Christ.

I saw this verse earlier today......

John 15:13 (NLT) There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:11-15 (MSG)  “I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.

Keep on sharing Christ's love with everyone in this world.

Blessings, 

Give it your very best….Never Give Up!

I’ve seen Facing the Giants so many times but this is probably one of my favorite motivational scenes.  I’ve seen the clip below used many times and at various times through out inspirational messages that I’ve listened to as a way to motivate us into doing our VERY BEST!  Isn’t it true though?  Sometimes we think we ‘can’t’ do something, and we convince ourselves it’s ‘too late’ or ‘too hard.’  Check out my previous post, Defying the odds, because a bumblebee was never meant to fly, but it did anyway!

It’s probably one of the hardest things to do, to force ourselves to keep going when things get hard or tough.  It may seem like it’s too difficult and it’s easier to do what we need to do ‘to just get by.’  You think, 'I’ve done just enough to meet my minimum goal.’  And, the minimum goal is all you think you can do, but what about that Big Hairy Audacious Goal you have set for yourself?  How are you going to ever meet that if you never get past that small goal?  So many times we find ourselves sitting by the sidelines when we should be out playing the game.  I know you’re probably thinking, “but the game’s pretty scary, I could get hurt, I can’t make it though the entire way.”  I have those exact same thoughts at times.  What if I get in the game, and I totally…well, ‘mess up?’ “What if I get out there and people laugh at me and think I’m crazy?”  Well, we all make mistakes, we’re human.  If we never take risks, we can never mess up and we can never learn from our ‘mistakes.’  It’s the ‘mistakes’ that make us stronger and help us grow.  Also, if we never step out of our comfort zone because we are afraid of people laughing at us or making fun of us, we will be missing out on so much more that God has planned for our lives.  Like it says in, Joshua 1:9, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” If we let God in and give him control of our life, He is with us where ever we go and we don’t have to be afraid. 

If you really give it your all and step out of your comfort zone and really push yourself….yes, people are going to watch you, but it’s the people who are really seriously watching you who are going to be ‘in awe’ of the courage and strength you have to do something so insanely courageous.  It’s the same people who want to do something courageous as well, but needed to see you as an example. I can remember this quote from, We Bought a Zoo, ‘all it takes is 20 seconds of insane courage’  and your life could completely change.

What if everyone took 20 seconds to do something insane and incredibly courageous?  What would that look like?  How would you feel?
Take a few minutes to watch these short clips from Facing the Giants and We Bought a Zoo.

Just when something may seem really, really hard to start and even harder to finish, just remember when you finally make it through it’s all going to be worth it! Then, it’s time to start something NEW again!

What’s your 20 seconds of insane courage?  Please feel free to share your thoughts below.

Motivational Scene from “Facing the Giants” -- Give it your VERY BEST!

20 Seconds of Insane Courage

Blessings,