You're Not Obsolete

Whether you have...

• relocated to a new city or country
• chosen mommy life, currently
• dropped into an unfamiliar demographic
• been overlooked or side-stepped
• found a wrinkle or silver strand
• felt unqualified or disqualified
• blossomed late

Real or imagined, we all may feel a little lost. 

Recently, I felt lost and un-chosen. Rejected. I reached out to a dear friend. For several years she and I have held one another accountable randomly asking the other to spill it! On this occasion I let her know I needed to be transparent so I could move pass the disappointment weighing heavily on my heart. True to her nature, she surveyed the territory, unpacked the equipment and skillfully mined for gold. Her nuggets of wisdom spoke life into my dejected spirit.

There is still a place for your giftings and talents! Rediscovering your passions or reinventing yourself takes you into uncharted waters for your personal growth. Breathe. It will take courage. See with new eyes the creative ways to come alive and give encouragement and share your voice, grace and experience with others! Someone needs YOU.

If this has connected with you, summon your courage to share where you are or how you've come through it. Someone needs YOU.

Book Review: The Jesus-Hearted Woman

The Jesus-Hearted Woman: 
10 Leadership Qualities for
Enduring & Endearing Influence
by Jodi Detrick
Influence Resources, 2013
and in association with The Quadrivium Group

The church-world is full of broken-hearted people. What's worse? The church-world being full of broken-hearted leaders.

A compassionate leader and communicator, Jodi Detrick believes "If you have the heart, you can learn the skill." Although this book's title would suggest it is targeted exclusively for the female leader, not a single man could nor would deny the leadership pattern of Christ is for all from those just starting out to those serving for many years in any position. 

Jodi designed each chapter for the reader-leader to draw from her personal leadership experiences through humor, others' lives and God's Word. Ending with a section of coaching questions, a devotional and lesson for the newbie leader, you'll find golden boulders --not nuggets-- of wisdom to immediately put into action.

Are you open to learn? Are you willing to take on the qualities not typically discussed in secular leadership conferences? Are you prepared for that seedling sown in your heart long ago to germinate?

Ok, then! Order your personal copy or several copies for a group development ---> HERE! or at Amazon.

Learn more about a Jesus-Hearted Woman at JesusHeartedWoman.com and about the author at JodiDetrick.com.

That Which Was Lost

When Jesus spoke these words, He had just invited himself to dinner with a man who had let greed (and short-man syndrome) govern his life. During those hours reclining around the table, the savior spoke life back into a man who had lost something from the time he was a boy to just before the moment he, now an adult, climbed a tree to see the Savior walk by. 

We lose stuff daily and are not aware we have misplaced glasses, keys, cell phones and t.v. remotes until that item is needed. Frantically rushing around the house, we attempt to recall the last time we saw it.

What if we lost something more valuable? 

Hope. Dreams. Talent. Joy. Desire. Self-esteem. Creativity. Passion. (You name it.)

What if for years, because of failures or distractions we kept choking down the lie that we'll never do or become what our younger selves set out to accomplish? When did life become about surviving instead of thriving? 

Feared lost, that uniqueness which God created in us is still there, buried deep under years of numbing denial of its existence. Perhaps the only reminder being the sting of contempt for ourselves ever having thought it was possible. 

All is not lost.

I believe the Son of God came to save us from sin. I am convinced He can help us locate and reignite the spark we slowly allowed to be snuffed out. Hope. Dreams. Talent. Joy. Desire. Self-esteem. Creativity. Passion. (You name it.) I know Jesus came to find us...every part of us.

Guest Blogger: Janay Roberts

Me in the upper left-hand corner - 2007

A Weight Loss Journey

My weight loss journey began in 2007, when I was at a point in my life when I was desperate to change my health. When my girls were ages 7 and 4 and wanted me to play with them at the park, it was very hard for me as I was extremely overweight! When my younger daughter asked me to go down the slide with her, it was a big wake-up call when I climbed up and discovered that I could not really fit. I knew then I needed to change and almost broke down in tears! If I wanted to enjoy my girls' growing up years, I had to change my lifestyle.

In April of 2007, I began that journey. I knew it was going to be a very tough journey, but realized I did not put the weight on overnight, so it was not going to come off overnight. The day I chose to begin my journey, I stepped on the scale and with tears in my eyes, I stepped off. I was 30 years old and weighed 269 pounds. I prayed, "God, I can only
do this with Your help."

I drank diet pop like crazy. I ate everything fried. I did not watch my portions. I ate tons of sweets. I ate late at night. The list goes on. Many changes needed to be made so I picked a few and started there. Knowing I could not change everything at one time, I decided to take baby steps.

Wedding day - 1997

I cut down the amount of pop and drank water with flavor packets. At the time, I could not stand drinking plain water. I cut out fried foods and watched how much I ate. 

It was amazing at how much better I started feeling and how much more energy I had!

The weight started coming off! I was determined I was going to take it off without surgeries or pills. Little by little, I kept adding disciplines to my eating habits. I limited sweets and counted calories and exercised like a crazy person. Three years ago, I completely stopped drinking pop. Withdrawals? Oh yes! But, after a few days, it was easy.

Determined, I arrived at my goal weight one month before by my birthday in March 2013, weighing in at 135 lbs! I was so excited! When I started this journey, I was in a size 22/24 plus size. My Easter dress, last year, was a size 4! I was PUMPED!

Then, in May of 2013, we lost our home and everything we owned to the F5 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma.

Having to live in a hotel for over two months, we ate out for all three meals every day. I tried to be careful, but it was hard. I purchased a set of scales after we moved into our new home. Those months of dining out and stress eating caused me to gain 34 pounds. I cried.

ME, NOW - 2014!

I have started exercising and eating healthy, again. With determination, like before, the weight IS going to come back off. I hope by this summer, I am really close to where I was!

I promise you, this journey has not been easy and there were and are still times we go places where everyone around me is eating unhealthy choices and sweets. I just ask God help me with the intentness and wisdom to make wise choices. Have I splurged? Absolutely. It is okay as long as I don't splurge daily!

I give God all the glory for getting me to this size. I can't wait to get back to my goal weight by shedding those "tornado pounds!" 

I pray He gives you the determination that He gave me!

Rise Up and Be Great!

Terry & me (with my great, big boots) on "The M" overlooking Missoula, Montana
January 2013 - Almost one month from his heart attack
(photo taken by Lowell Hochhalter)

I love my honey! Few know he has written songs and poems during our marriage. Terry's creativity usually comes from his quiet times when God stirs up something from deep in his heart. If you're needing an extra shot of encouragement, then, this is for YOU!


-Spirit of Courage-

I'm the still, small burn inside you
The ember refusing to relent.
I've been placed here to encourage
I'm the one that God has sent.

Though life has knocked your wind out,
You're still a favorite to One.
You're much stronger than a dark horse,
Breathe deep, get up and run!

Hear the whisper in your spirit?
Hear me calling you to come?
Make a break for the clean air.
Shed the rags of the norm!

Climb over tragedy and average,
Don't be a victim of fate.
You were made to conquer mountains,
Rise up and be great!

Written by Terry G. Allen
2013

Resilience on A Dark Knight

Smoke and screams, bullets and bombs,

Sirens are wailing their funeral songs,

but you couldn't kill me, I've been here too long...I am Resilience.

Soldiers or teens, no one was spared

From your possessed intermission, from your insane fair,

But you couldn't kill me, I'm still here...I am Resilience.

Moms and dads are in a frantic frenzy,

It's all out panic cause they can't find their babies

but you couldn't kill me, I'm gonna hold them steady...I am Resilience.

Newscasts rehash about your show of power.

Tellin' your story to shut the door on this horror,

But you couldn't kill me, It's my finest hour...I am Resilience.  

You see I live deep. I live in the rock,

In the hearts and the faith of the people you shot.

And though they are gone, their spirit is not...I am Resilience.

I am stronger than your hate, their pain, or their fear.

I am alive and kicking in the hearts who care.

Just look around, Joker, I am everywhere...I am Resilience.

North, South. I'm world-wide. 

I'm east to west and side to side.  

I am the bounce, the comeback, the rally cry...I am Resilience.

I'm the light in the midst of a dark, dark night. 

I'm the will, the knuckles, the fist in the fight. 

I'm the resolve, the recoil, the fire in the eye...I am Resilience

I'm forever on the move.  I'm as long as it takes.

I'm the last to speak.  I'm the cape you can't shake.

I'm the steel black eyes that are forever awake...

I AM RESILIENCE

by Terry Allen - after watching the sadness on t.v. and panic of a father searching for his child after the shootings at the Century  Theatre - The Dark Knight Rises midnight show in Aurora, Colorado

Saturday, July 21, 2012 -  2:51am