Fresh Perspective

How we view our problems makes all the difference in the world

Written by Merel Magill

There was a time when everything in life seemed to be going good. It wasn’t perfect, but I was making progress. My loved ones were healthy and thriving, I had great friendships, a job I enjoyed, and loved serving God where I was planted. Then it seems like in a flash, without any warning, my world as I knew it was rapidly changing around me. My work had become extremely difficult and challenging. False accusations were being made about me, and I found myself in tears driving to work each morning. I was sad, discouraged, disappointed and desperate for something to change. Why is this happening to me? Lord, where are you? How can this be?

You see I was always the compliant one. I was a dedicated, loyal employee and had given my all to my place of employment. I had seen the practice through many turnovers and transitions. But now it seemed like no matter how hard I worked it wasn’t enough. There was no pleasing my boss. I was betrayed by a friend at work, hurt by my boss’s lack of confidence in me, angry at the untruths that were being spoken about me.

In the beginning I was crying out to God for help. I needed His wisdom for the solutions to my problems. I would pray, as well as asking anyone who would listen to pray for me. My prayer request was always the same. Lord, bless me with a new job. Lord “I” have to get out of this place. Things went from bad to worse. “I” wanted God to lift me out of this very bad no good place. I would ask myself “Can’t God see how difficult this is for me?”

Now I know none of you amazing women of God would do this…But in my compulsion and the need to control the situation I decided since God wasn’t moving fast enough for my comfort to deliver me from this place, “I” would help Him. “I” prepared my resume, “I” met with a recruiter, and “I” started going on interviews. “I” did everything “I” knew how to do. But guess what… “I” never got a job offer out of any of the interviews. As most of you have already noticed…there was a whole lot of “I” going on. “I” wanted to God to answer my prayer my way. Note to self… We can make our plan, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9

I shared my struggle with my “truth telling” friend. You know, the one who tells you to put your big girl panties on because I’m going to give it to you straight, friends. She suggested I go back and ask God for a fresh perspective. You see, my problem wasn’t the problem, how I was seeing my problem was the problem. Ladies, if you don’t already have someone in your life like this; I encourage you to ask the Lord for one…trust me they are life savers. So I went back and was quiet before the Lord with an open heart and open ears. During that time I had a shift in my perspective. God was not surprised by what was happening in my world. His Word says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 4:10

Perhaps it was a time for personal growth. Maybe, God was more interested in building my character rather than letting me have my way. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5(NLT)

We often want to take the easiest path or the path of least resistance. Easy does not necessarily mean it is God choice for us. Truly trust in God and yield to Him to do things His way. Remember He is a gentleman. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, “declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Sometimes we are in the tough places because the pressure is needed to create the beautiful facets of our purpose. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 2 Corinthians 4:8 NLT As I look back now I can see how this was a time of personal growth and healing. I am still at the job, and God truly changed me. My heart and attitude towards my boss and co-workers shifted. Be encouraged! When change starts happening to Count it all Joy! Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds

God’s Tunnel Vision

You can see your Goal, but how do you get there?

Written by Tina Cobian

…but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord Save Me!” Matthew 14:23

There are so many negative connotations related to the expression “Tunnel Vision” but when you think about what it actually means in the spirit, it’s an amazing concept. In fact one natural cause of Tunnel Vision is through extreme elation or a surge of adrenaline. How many times have you caught hold of a dream or a vision God has for you and you take off towards your goal with His tunnel vision? All you can see is that finish line God has placed at the end. God’s Tunnel Vision is not dark and gloomy, like one would picture in the natural. In God’s tunnel vision, His light surrounds you and marks your goal. However, when you become distracted by life, storms, fear, people and false visions, that tunnel can quickly turn into a dark and gloomy place.

Are you lost in the dark tunnel vision? Do you feel weak, lonely and scared? Is the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel now so far off that you can barely remember the dream or the vision much less see it clearly? Maybe you have somehow exchanged God’s tunnel vision for the wrong vision. I have to think about Joseph and the dream that God gave him. He saw the sun, the moon and the stars bowing down to him. In the pit he had to remind himself of that vision and recognize that where he was at that moment was not his final destination. Each time, through every trial, he reminded himself of the higher purpose of God in his life. Even the day he looked out over all Pharaoh had given him charge over, at all of his possessions, the treasures and even his family. He must have gazed out at the night sky from his bedroom in the palace and said to himself. “I see the sun, the moon and the stars and THIS is not my final destination. He knew that God had further purpose for him and his dream had not yet been realized.

I would love to say that on every one of my trips through that tunnel, I slid happily through it on a rainbow where puffy clouds of cotton candy (with no calories) met me at every twist and turn until I finally arrived at my destination. The truth is that there are struggles along the way and realizing your dreams will not always come easy. I can compare one of my journeys to a trip our family took to a water park. I decided to take a ride on a giant water slide. I sat down at the top and as I let go, I realized how high I was and how fast I was going. I became fearful and put my hands out to slow myself down. Have you ever tried to pull a water balloon through a tube? (Please don’t camp there in that visual, you may never reach the end of this story.) Well that was me inching my way to the bottom of this long winding water slide. In an attempt to save some portion of my pride I let go of the walls right before my triumphant exit. I pictured my children’s applause, heard it, and envisioned the moment. The problem was that I had just enough time to gain enough momentum, get scared, and make a failed attempt to stop myself as I shot out of the tube flipped over and landed face down in the water. Yes, my children saw me. No they did not applaud.

Have you ever asked God why it isn’t just a straight shot from vision to end goal? Here is what happens in these times of trials or times when you see the goal but don’t know how to get there. You turn to Father and ask. There will be plenty of questions on the way and He has all the
answers. As an example, I started a new job about a year or so ago. The work can be difficult and every day I am met with one or more questions or problems I simply cannot answer or fix on my own. The company placed me right next to a mentor and when I get stuck, I go to her for answers. Throughout this year, I have had the great pleasure of getting to know her beyond the relationship of “co-worker”. She is my friend and the process I have gone through daily with her has allowed me to build that relationship…are you getting it?

So we catch the vision, we are awakened to a dream, we get God’s tunnel vision and take off. Remember that we can take and keep hold of His hand the entire time. He knows each step we need to take and when each step needs to be taken. He delights in the journey with us and will impart wisdom in the process. It can be exciting to try and run ahead but the dream will only be realized in His perfect time. If you get lost, stop and listen for His voice to get you back on track and back into HIS tunnel vision…Be encouraged for hasn’t He declared to you that He KNOWS the plans that He has for you…? (Jeremiah 29:11)There is such power in that scripture. God, Himself is speaking purpose over our lives, we just have to keep focused.

Say Something Positive

7 things God says about us that we should say to ourselves.

Written by Kim Gutierrez

I started off today thinking “Say something positive about yourself” Why? Because I need to remind myself who I am! You need to remind yourself who you are! You are a good housewife, you are a good mom, you are beautiful, you are smart! The world is full of so much negativity, and if we really paid attention to our days we would notice more negative than positive.

Just yesterday I walked into the Tea House and my favorite Tea-rista said “You look nice today” I was going to disregard the comment but I quickly caught myself, and I said “Oh, Thank You!”
At that moment I thought about writing this blog,
because we do this so often!

We disregard who we are and we disregard compliments from others.
Someone says “Oh, I love that sweater!”
and we say “Oh, this? It’s so old..” blah blah blah…

I remember in high school we had a Life Skills class and the teacher taught us how to accept a compliment. It took a lot of practice for us, and I remember we would laugh and giggle each time because it was so abnormal for us to accept a positive compliment.

I don’t know about you but I can’t think of any successful Olympians or business women that achieved due to negative thinking about themselves. I’m sure they had to pump themselves up at times, by saying positive things.

I believe that God is calling us to step up and believe in who we are! He wants us to think positive of ourselves! We can’t wait for someone to say positive things to us but we have to be able to see it for ourselves, know it and say it!
If we aren’t use to it, we need to start now!
We need to start proclaiming who we are! The word of God says..

I am able..Philippians 4:13
I am beautiful…Psalm 149:4
I am a Conqueror…Romans 8:37
I am a delight…Psalm 147:11
I am enriched…. 1 Corinthians 1:5
I am Favoured….Job 10:12
I am a heir of God…Titus 3:7!

Wow! That should jumpstart you! I am an heir of God! You are Royalty! You are marvelous! You are all things! Just proclaim it!

Repeat this:
“I will walk tall, I will accept all compliments and I will Praise God for He is the one who formed me and He Believes in me and I will Believe in me too! I will speak positive words over my life everyday! Amen!

LifeBuilder Seminars Reach continues to Grow

LifeBuilder Seminars adds a New Chapter

LifeBuilder Seminars reach expands as a new chapter is opened in El Paso, Texas. Read the message written from the founder of LifeBuilder Seminars El Paso, Dawn Calanche-

What a bold and dynamic step we are taking as a team this fall! As John wrote, “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work'” (John 4: 34). So may it be with us that we are fulfilled as we accomplish our Father’s work of ministering life, hope, and encouragement to the women in our spheres of influence.

Our mission is to touch and encourage women from every walk of life. We will comfort the single mom, be a source of encouragement to the working woman, and inspire the women in government in our region.

This mission will be accomplished through a TEAM! We are stronger and more effective TOGETHER! Our team leaders are: Nicole Alvillar—Seminar Team, Laura Iaeger—Hospitality Team, Brenda Lopez—Prayer Team, and I would also like to acknowledge Pastor Emma De La Cruz and Pastor Connie Howard, who are a vital part of the Life Builder Seminar Team—El Paso. Each team consists of volunteers who are serving with JOY. As the chapter leader I thank each of you for giving your time and heart to see this ministry launch and blossom. May God reward each of you with His rich blessings! May all we do be for the Glory of His Name!

Dawn Calanche

LifeBuilder Experiences

How LifeBuilder Seminars affected one woman’s life for good

Written by Lynn Waters

The May LifeBuilder topic “Sharpening Our People Skills” made me aware of the various personality types and how to relate to people that have a different personality type than my own. This has been very helpful as we cannot always choose the people that we encounter on a daily basis. Since this teaching, I now see that one of the people around me has the same personality as my niece, whom I have had a difficult time understanding. Now I better understand my niece’s personality and how she expresses herself. Her outgoing personality is perfect for her profession of working with pre-school children. The children love her.

The July seminar covered self-discipline and how to be more productive. I think I am very self-disciplined because I make a list every day of about 15 things I plan to do that day. Whatever I do not accomplish is added to the next day’s list. Even so, there are people more disciplined than I am, however I was very encouraged by what I learned that day at Life Builders.

As women, it seems that we need to be Superwoman to accomplish all the tasks we have to do every day. We have work, taking care of children and their needs, a husband to take care of and his needs, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, and buying groceries. These all take our time and energy and sometimes it seems that we have no time for anything else.

I used to work 10 hours a day, take one hour to get there and an hour and a half hour to get home to my husband who was waiting for dinner. I had no time for anything else each and every day. It stresses you out. Since I had to leave so early in the morning, I began to have my time with God on the way to work. This was the best thing I ever did. I listened to teaching CDs and music CDs so that when I got to work I was floating. I did the same on my drive home so that when I got home I was free from the stress of the day and I could go into the house feeling great.

Now that I am retired I have been day dreaming about doing different activities like exercising, to break the routine I have been in. I would like to get out of the old rut I seem to have gotten into.

I discovered a book on the bookcase I had never seen before. I showed it to my husband and he does not remember the book either. I think God put the book there. It is authored by a woman who coaches people to reduce stress by making changes and scheduling ME time. One woman hired a nanny to make the meals and clean the house. That gave her more time to spend with her children and on herself. She decided to spend one day by herself doing something she wanted to do, like go out to dinner, get her nails done or simply and enjoy quiet time to think.

I am still reading this book and planning to use it to have more ME time that will reduce stress and anxiety. I know this will help me in my spending time with the Lord every day.

LifeBuilder seminars have taught me how to deal with the everyday problems and situations that I come across. The seminars also help me to understand other people and what they must deal with every day.

No matter the subject at Life Builder’s, I have always learned something that I am able to use in my life. I love going to Life Builders and I look forward to every meeting.