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| Abundant Living News | February 2011 | |
Greetings!
Wow! It has been such a long time since we've connected with you.
We have missed you terribly. During this time, Breath of God has always remained in our hearts, swirled in our mind and our prayers.
After a brief time of reflection, regrouping and retooling - we are determined to continue with the vision that God gave us several years ago. As some of you may recall, the vision of BOG is to inspire, enlighten and encourage women. We have been reminded that God's vision doesn't change - even if we do. As we continue to grow and struggle, God constantly reminds us to keep going.
And we want to encourage you to do the same. Put one foot in front of the other... and keep moving. Keep going.
What is the vision that God has placed in you? The dream? It is still there. God is not surprised by the changes and struggles we encounter. He realizes that sometimes it is a process. And we must go through it. Go through the process sisters! And keep your eyes not only on God, but on the vision, ministry or dream He has given you.
Sometimes we are hit with things that blind our vision for a moment, it may even take our breath away. But we are thankful, that God tells us that He is able to "keep us from stumbling..."
Go girls, keep it moving...
~Lee Watts |
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There is a lie that goes like this: "I can have my cake and eat it too."
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FOCUS
by Lee Watts
Three Words Back I love this worship song: How He Loves Us by John Mark McMillan. A few months ago, I googled the words and came across this letter to God by a blogger named David. I feel compelled to share it. It accurately describes a season that I encountered. I pray you are blessed... 
Dear God,
I'm gonna write this like you don't already know. And thoughts that don't line up neatly might make a little more sense on this screen.
I know we don't talk much these days. You're mostly ignored, save for some unguarded moments right before sleep. I've been busy dodging your calls and looking for hurdles to put in your path. But thoughts of you still slip in quiet, like when traffic surprisingly opens or gets out of my way. And you came back to mind in the middle of a movie today.
I don't have big reasons like war or the poor to stubbornly push you away. If we all sat and counted our hardships mine wouldn't stack up that tall. And that says more than a little about how easy I find it to fall. I've just got me and my everyday problems, and they don't even hold up that well. So I don't understand why I don't boomerang back to your side. Even when my head's alright with the thought, my heart is just shrugging and not really up for the ride.
Most of the folks that I love in this world have you in common. And if not for your church then we'd never have met. So when they ask how I'm doing it feels like I'm betraying some confidence. I used to sing songs with my hands held up high, but these days it's like scheduling time for the dentist. For the life of me I can't find one good reason to have lost trust in you. But that's how it is, and I was hoping we could do something about that.
I miss the looking forward to you. With all these feelings of falling and changing, I miss the gravity of you.
david
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane - I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy
When all of a sudden I am unaware
These afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful you are
and how great your affections are for me
Oh, how he loves us so Oh, how he loves us how he loves us so
Yeah, he loves us Whoa how he loves us Whoa how he loves us Whoa how he loves
we are his portion and he is our prize
drawn to redemption by the grace in his eyes
if grace is an ocean - we're all sinking
so heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
when I think about the way that he loves us
~
How He Loves Us, John Mark McMillan
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 SINGLES
Dating & Mating
by Bridgette Bell
As we begin another year, so many of my single friends are not looking forward to another year of singleness. On the flip side, so many of my married friends are not looking forward to another year of marriage. I can remember what it's like to be grateful for the gift of life and the opportunity to enter a new year and at the same time feel the sadness of not having that "special someone" of the opposite sex to share my life with. I remember being  glad that God allowed me to see yet another year but at the same time I remember being sad because I was not involved in a romantic relationship and if the future was based on the past, there was not even a small glimpse of hope that someone was or would be interested in me.
Well, those days are gone! I am still single in January 2011 and I must say I am happier and more whole than I have ever been. There are
romantic interests
"hanging around" but my happiness has absolutely nothing to do with them. I discovered happiness when I began to walk out my faith in ALL areas of my life. It's easier to believe God for financial, physical, and spiritual blessings than it is to believe God in the areas of dating and mating? Can we trust Him to remain sexually pure while we are single? Can you trust Him to be that dutiful wife when your husband is not walking with God? Can we trust Him in the areas of dating and mating?
Well, several years ago, I made a conscious and deliberate decision to trust God in ALL areas of my life. I decided to live my life to the fullest and to stop waiting for some mystery man to join me in doing all of the things I wanted to do. I decided to be content and happy in whatever state I found myself in. If I am not happy, it is up to me and my faith in God to "be" happy. As a Christian, I have the power within me to live out the life that God has ordained for me.
I have always wanted to travel to
Europe but felt I would not enjoy my travels without a "special someone". Well, in 2001 I threw caution to the wind and took a 10-day trip to Europe that included nights in Prague, Budapest, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Austria, and other cities. In 2006, I did it again. I traveled to Europe and spent eight days in and around Paris, France. In 2009, I took yet another trip to Italy and explored Rome, Pisa, Florence, and Each trip included a "special someone". They included my best and closest friends. I had the most awesome time on each trip!
No longer will I put off living my God-given life to the fullest. What kind of boldness is it to tell God that I will not live for today? How presumptuous is it of me to assume I will live to see tomorrow or next year?
What I am learning is that we have one chance at life on earth. Once our time on earth ends, we do not get a "repeat" to do all of the things we should have, could have, and would have done. As we begin this New Year, let's commit to living our lives (in ALL areas) in a way that brings
Glory to God and demonstrates our faith in Him, His timing, and His will. Whatever state you find yourself in, be content. Pray to God for direction and then move in that direction. The past is gone, tomorrow has not come, and all we have is today. Therefore let's live today to the fullest by seizing the moment. Do what God is calling you to do and be who God is calling you to be. Whatever state you find yourself in, whether it is as a single person and you don't want to be single, or as a married person and you don't want to be married, be content. Today and right now are gifts from God so let's show our gratitude for these gifts by living each day in a way that honors Him.
...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
(Philippians 4:11b-13 NIV)
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:11-13 NASB) |
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Our Favorite Websites
Do you have a favorite website that always gives you what you need, when you need it? Whether is it information, inspiration or just FUN, we are sharing ours. If you have one that we need to highlight and know about - please email us and let us know!
Latisha's Favorite:
Lee's Favorite:
Pandora.com
weather.com
linkedin.com
lproof.org
biblegateway.com
womenetics.com
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| EXHALE
Your First 5K, 10K or beyond:
5 Tips to Get You Started.
by Latisha J. Lee
1. Visit a reputable running shoe store.
A good store will test your shoe size, observe your foot landing on a treadmill or in store track, and look at your feet. Before you go be sure to wear synthetic socks (not 100% cotton), maybe even a pair you will wear during the race.
2. Find a trainer
There are some free online training programs, but nothing beats a trainer that will coach you through the process of preparing for the big race.
3. 10% and nothing more.
Never increase your distance or time more than 10% each week. Your body will adjust to longer runs quickly, but to avoid injuries use this number as your guide. For instance 30 mins. this week, 40 mins. next week. Before you know it you'll be running for hours!
4. Run through the wall.
You will hit a wall. My wall use to be as soon as I hit the 6 min. mark. I'd feel like I was being pulled in the other direction. Even seasoned runners hit it, so don't let this discourage you. Push past it and you'll feel the road and lungs open for you.
5. Team You.
Marathon training and running doesn't have to be a solo sport. Enlist the support of family, friends, neighbors or that lone person on the treadmill next to you in the gym. Go to running sites and copy those inspirational quotes when your team isn't available. There will be times when you want to give up, you'll need those people and quotes to encourage you. |
| Short Breaths
Have you tuned into breath of God Talks!? Be sure to tune into our radio program. Each week we discuss relevant issues that affect your Christian growth. Tune in today for a 15 minute encouraging discussion about living life abundantly in Christ!
Also, join Co-Publisher Latisha Lee for an Inhale Moment on WNUR- Chicago's Sound Experiment Sunday mornings at 9:00 (CST). Gospel music host, Renay Brown opens the air for this 5-minute refreshing Word from God. Listen online or on your stereo, if you're in the Chicago area.
GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION. Are you interested in being a sponsor of the Living Abundantly newsletter? If you are interested in getting information out to hundreds of readers about your company, church or upcoming event, contact us at publishers@breathofgodmag.com.
Women of Faith and other Awesome Conferences for Women. If you have never experienced a Women of Faith Conference you are missing an awesome time of laughter, fellowship, worship and Word. WOF has been blessing audiences all over the country with their sister-girl, Godly, love for years. Below is a link to their event page as well as other dynamic women's conferences.
Do you know of an upcoming Women's retreat, seminar or workshop in your area? If so, let us know. We want to let others know the resources available to help women grow in the Word of God.
Join Us! BOG is now on Facebook. If you are a Facebook user stay in touch and join us!... |
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INHALE
Which Path Will You Choose?
by Laura Williams Harris
Straight is the path I have called you to. Narrow is the way. You CANNOT go through this life the same as others; you CANNOT go another day caught between two opinions. Your destiny is contingent upon you lining up with MY will, MY purpose and MY plans. They are not at all similar to anything you have seen and they are not comparable to anything you have imagined. Your mind in its finality cannot take in what I have designed for your life! I have revealed some of it to YOUR Spirit, but YOUR MIND cannot take it in. The distractions of life cloud your ability to GO! Talk to ME in your heavenly language so I can impart to you without disturbance! I have a gift to impart that YOUR mind cannot comprehend. Sit with ME, listen to ME, and write what you hear. The next season of YOUR life is upon YOU, but YOU must press into the SPIRIT to get it!! There is demonic interference in the air so you must come UP to where I AM high above all principalities and powers! Come to ME and get the strategy of YOUR future! The time is NOW!
Matthew 7:14 AMP But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.
Romans 1:11 AMP For I am yearning to see you, that I may impart and share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen and establish you;
Ephesians 1:19-21 AMP 19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, 20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.
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