Leaving Boldly (Day 20/365)

This is my last entry referring to “One Month to Live..Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life” by Kerry & Chris Shook.

The authors refer to how much of our life is like a sandcastle washed away by the tide. Once we are gone, our possessions and much of what we’ve done will disappear and be forgotten. Do we ever look at the scene like children playing on the beach and just enjoy what we have been given to play/work with before the inevitable wave comes?

After our death, we will be forgotten. What we do for God to fulfill our purpose will remain however.

How are we using our resources to build the kingdom?Are we meeting just our own needs or the needs of others? Are we planting and harvesting generosity, grace and compassion?

We need to have conviction, character and work together in community.We need to be present in other people’s lives. We need to realise that life is preparing for eternity.

We need to be able to ignite and restore passion, to have life that is meaningful. We need love, integrity, forgiveness and enthusiasm. Only when we give, do we truly open ourselves up to receive.

My desire is the same as the authors. That if we were to be told we had a short time to live, we wouldn’t change any of the things we do because we already live intentionally; loving, forgiving, learning and releasing what we’ve been blessed with.

Learning Humbly (day 19/365)

As I continue to read “One Month To Live…Thirty Days To A No-Regrets Life” by Kerry & Chris Shook, I am developing a new excitement to live my life the way I know it should be.

Today we are encouraged to consider learning humbly the things we need to know to truly be ourselves.

I think many of us can identify with the age old questions, “Who am I and what is my place, what is my location, my niche, my position in the grand plan of life? Who am I created to be?”

We need to look up to the Source of our creation. We are God’s children; children of the king. Forgetting this vital information, many have missed out on the purpose and meaning of life and have felt lost.

Disasters can have two very different outcomes. We can choose to learn from an experience by asking, “What can I change about that next time?” or “What have I learned from that experience?” or “How could I have dealt with that in a more responsible way?”

The other immature option is to let an experience destroy you.

It’s time we took responsibility for our own growth. It’s not about what happens around us or to us, rather it is about what’s on the inside of us and how we react.

Also when we get real with God and others, when we are being who God created us to be rather than trying to pretend to be someone else, then our distinct beauty emerges.

I hope you’ve learned something today. There are more things to learn from the book. Why not get yourself a copy?

Loving Completely (day 18/365)

As we continue the journey into “One month to Live..Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life” by Kerry & Chris Shook, we are encouraged to love completely.

If we only had a month to live we would want to do that I’m sure. So what’s holding us back now?

Consider the following:
# Our investment in the people we care about is the only legacy that has the power to endure beyond our lifetime.
# Why do we wait until people are dead to give them flowers?
# Is there someone we need to apologise to? NOW not later!
# Who do we need to forgive OR ask forgiveness of?
# The number one rule for diving deep into life is not to hold onto bitterness.
# In conflict are we committed to helping the other person and coming to a mutual decision that both feel is the best?
# Do we value relationships and want to preserve them?
# God allows “sandpaper” people into our lives to smooth away our sharp edges.
# Do we take things for granted and forget to thank others for what they are doing?
# Communication (spending time) with others is essential.
# Are we willing to express to others that we are vulnerable and admit that we have needs?

Some statements, some questions. All worth a little thought!

Living Passionately (day 17/365)

Blog one for a brand new book “One Month To Live, Thirty Days to a No Regrets Life” by Kerry and Chris Shook.

Here’s a good question to ask yourself. What would the priorities in my life be if I only had one month to live? Kerry and Chris believe we would be living more deliberately, passionately and purposefully.

Today’s entry is about living passionately. Here are a few things to think about.

Considering life is a dash (and over in a flash), do I live with clarity of purpose and passion for the things that really matter?

Do I operate on the basis of faith? (Relying on God to slay the giants, rather than being overwhelmed at the sight of the giants.)

Do I understand that when I waste time, I waste life?

Can I understand the importance of spending time with God, my maker, the one who knows me intimately, to draw strength from him?

Do I attempt to get my life in order so I can help others to succeed also? Do I realise that my past failures can be turned into good? What have I learned from my crashes?

Do I really know my dreams, my goals, what I really want in life?

Do I understand that when I look to God, he supplies all the power and strength I need to achieve my purpose?

I hope you agree that these are good questions to think about and find answers for.