Too often we let the enemy make a merry go round of our minds. But God says we don’t have to ... Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting
products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. Subscribe and enjoy previous DAILY DOSE episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihR688-4gEdyIThvEtIJ1g Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Connect and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html
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Seek God above all...what does that mean? I thought I knew, do you? Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting
products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. Get More Subscribe and enjoy previous DAILY DOSE episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihR688-4gEdyIThvEtIJ1g Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Connect and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Instead of second guessing and trying to negotiate with God, what if we just said, YES. Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting
products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. Get More Subscribe and enjoy previous DAILY DOSE episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihR688-4gEdyIThvEtIJ1g Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Connect and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html By Daneen James My family and I love watching the Olympics. Track and field, gymnastics, and swimming are some of our favorite events. The athletes amaze me. Their dedication is unrivaled. They challenge themselves in unimaginable ways for the chance to compete and do what they love.
Give it all. Have you ever wanted anything that badly? It’s courageous when you think about it. To put it all on the line, challenge yourself without excuse or exception, and channel your energy in a such a singular, solitary way. If we're honest. That’s exactly what living well requires. In order to experience the best from life, we must be willing to become our best. It comes down to actions not words. Admittedly, I haven’t always been willing to extend myself. Instead I just meandered through life, content not to be pushed or pinned down by anyone or anything. But overtime, such a superficial and shallow existence was no longer sufficient or satisfying. I wanted more, not more stuff, more substance. Extraordinary is available. So often we settle for a “good enough” life. We don’t contemplate, or worse yet, even expect amazing in our work and relationships. We tell ourselves it’s unrealistic. Culture would have us believe that exceptional is few and far between and great isn’t always attainable. But what if the world is wrong? What if the passion, fulfillment, and significance we imagine is not only accessible, but it’s fundamentally the life intended for us? When we align with our creator and endeavor to be everything, He created us to be, we can experience extraordinary, on every level, in every aspect of our life. Are you ready? There is nothing that God doesn’t improve or elevate. There’s no area of our world that eludes His influence. So, if we desire to live our best life, shouldn’t it begin with him? Determine to put God at the forefront and center of everything you do. Decide that pleasing Him is paramount. Be convinced that He’s worthy to Lord your life, not because of what you’ll get, but because of all He gave. Make God your reason, rather than the means to your end. When you do, He will come alive in your life in ways that blow your mind. Are you ready? Consider this prayer: Father, I want you. Show me what you want from me. Help me please you. Help me bring you glory. Reflect:
For more inspiring messages: Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Watch a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM Connect, subscribe and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/keep-it-fresh By Daneen James Do you ever find it difficult to engage the good in your life? You see it, know it’s happening, but it’s like there’s something blocking you from fully feeling it. I can relate. Over the last few months, issues I thought had long been laid to rest, reminded me they were not dead. So even when I had every reason to be happy, I wasn't. Instead feelings of resentment flooded my mind and smothered every other sentiment. Unresolved emotions cover your life like a residue and hamper your ability to authentically access and experience feelings in the moment.
Pain often has levels. Sometimes what seems like resolution is really an invitation to go deeper until you dig up and disect the root. Here’s a quick test. Say the name of a person (including yourself) associated with a painful memory. What do you feel, what happens when you replay the experience? Your reaction lets you know whether the issue is healed or just hiding. If you can acknowledge the person, subject or event, without a real change in your mood or emotions; even recognize and appreciate how you’ve grown through the situation. Then the issue is likely resolved or at least has been disarmed and is no longer destructive. But if when you hear that name, see the person, recall what they did or are reminded of what happened, your mood shifts, you become anxious or angry, sad or sullen, that’s a pretty strong indicator that the issue remains unresolved. What it means to move on. We have the right to mourn and process our feelings at our own pace. But, if we’re honest, there comes a time when our response is less about what happened and more about, what happens to us, if we let it go. Sometimes, we can become attached to our pain, treating it as part of our identity, unsure of how to act without it. One situation, one step, one moment at a time, you can decide to stop allowing pain to be the reason for not progressing beyond past experiences. Each day, often throughout the day, we get opportunities to do life differently. It’s what we do in those moments that matters most. Either we learn to recognize sabotaging behaviors, step outside of destructive patterns and side step triggers or we opt to remain stagnate. For the most part, we know what to do, but don't always want to do what we know. Growth is hard work and requires conscious, consistent effort. But if you persist, do what you can and know to do, you'll be proud of who you become and well on your way to creating a life that exceeds your best expectations. Here’s a scripture to encourage you: Let the Spirit renew thoughts and attitudes. Ephesians 4:23 For more inspiring messages: Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Watch a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM Connect, subscribe and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/fight-to-win By Daneen James We crave our father’s adoration, acceptance and affection. Every woman, at some point was or wanted to be “daddy’s little girl.” And the boy in every man, mimics or mourns the connection with his father. Whether absent or present, dads make an undeniably difference in the lives of their children. As adults we become more adept at disguising it. But the relationship with our father (good, bad, or nonexistent) colors every part of our lives.
From the Beginning I grew up missing the presence of my dad. As a little girl, I longed for him to spend time with me and make me a priority. But the more he disappointed me and didn’t come through, the more detached I became. Most of my life, I’ve kept people at a distance. Making sure not to get too close or become dependent, so if and when they left, I could easily adapt. The Grace Gap Ovetime my dad and I reconciled, but the pain didn’t just disappear. It takes work not to allow past hurts to undermine the present good. I couldn’t do it on my own. But as I was willing, God helped me put aside my pain (long enough) to see my dad as a man. A man working through his own issues and experiences. Although my father’s choices affected me, I began to understand, they had little, if anything, to do with me. So we both needed grace. It's grace that builds the bridge between where you are and where you need to be. Reach for Better My dad died earlier this year. Admittedly, there was a time when this article would have been a barrage of anger about his missteps. But in the days leading up to my dad’s death, I found myself grateful for the time we had, not angry about how much we had missed. At some point, we must learn to resist the reflex to respond based on what was and choose to reach for what could be. Most times it’s not easy, but it’s always worth it. For more inspiring messages: Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Watch a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM Connect, subscribe and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/bridge-to-breakthrough By Daneen James Years ago, Nike introduced a marketing campaign, that became a motivational rally cry. Even today it evokes a spirit of drive and determination. “Just Do It.” It sounds so simple. But, if we’re honest, we can admit that every day is a battle. A fight to become better than we’ve been. We wrestle within ourselves to prevent past habits and hang ups from sabotaging our path forward. It’s more than physical, this is a spiritual war. Our enemy is formidable and focused. He aims to capture your heart and mind.
Here a some strategies to help you fight to win. Know your enemy There is nothing made up or mythical about Satan. He’s very real. You won’t find him walking around in a red suit, carrying a pitch fork. He doesn’t typically advertise his presence. Instead he operates more covertly. He can’t make you do anything, so he floods your heart and mind with suggestions about what to believe and how to behave. Satan’s suggestions always seem to satisfy a desire, fulfill a need or settle a perceived injustice. He works to convince you that acting on his suggestions, though contrary to Christ, is reasonable and right because you “deserve” it and have a “right” to… Check your blind spot Satan studies us and finds our vulnerabilities. The areas where we’ve been hurt or wounded. He looks for the places where we are the most accessible. His attacks are specific and uniquely designed to make it difficult for you to resist. He only needs to infiltrate enough for you to ask, what if…, maybe… or, I wonder. That’s why it’s crucial for you to know the condition of your heart. What are you insecure or unsure about? Where have you been hurt? What worries you? What do you want, crave or covet? Where do you feel unfulfilled or unsatisfied? It’s different for each us. Satan is savvy and patient. He’ll wait for the right condition, the right time to set his scene. So, learn your habits, what triggers you? With what and when do you struggle most? Are there certain times of the day or year that pose particular challenges for you? Do you find it hard to be alone or feel easily overwhelmed by the pressure of other people? Satan watches and waits; his whole goal is to see you fall and be less than you’re capable of being. Don’t let him get away with it. Actively survey your thoughts, emotions and actions. Learn to recognize and sidestep his traps. Choose the right weapons Reinforce your life with the only power greater than Satan, the sovereign God. God’s word is true and eats up Satan’s lies. Commit to learning scriptures that speak directly to your life. So, however Satan comes to challenge, you have a response. You can’t do this on your own and you don’t have to. God knew you’d need help. Use God’s word to invoke the same Spirit that resurrected our Savior from the dead. Don’t wait to feel weak, act now to stay fueled up for the fight. Apply God’s word to every area and situation in your life. Personalize God's word, He's talking to you. So when Satan talks, talk back and not just in your head. Say God's word aloud to force Satan's lies to the light, he can't live in the light. Hold your ground Satan doesn't stop, but the fight gets easier. The more you let God in, the more God gets into you and the more your win. These are a few of my favorite scriptures, they are a source of strength for me. I believe they would be the same for you.
For more inspiring messages: Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Watch a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM Connect and sign up to receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/keep-it-fresh By Daneen James When Dreams Don't Come True
You can be whatever you want. If you believe it you can achieve it. Dreams come true. If it’s to be, then it’s up to me. If at first you don’t succeed, then try, try again. The race is not given to the swift, but to the one who endures to the end. I’m sure you’ve heard some, if not all of these phrases. Motivational marvels meant to encourage and propel us forward. As time passes, however, they can become piercing reminders of what wasn’t done and the dreams that weren’t realized. We may still repeat the words, even say them to others. But we secretly think, that ship has sailed. Making Space Now that I’ve sufficiently sucked all the air out of the room and created such a positive and upbeat mood…let me explain. Life has a way of beating you up. We start off hopeful, blooming with potential. Brimming with the beauty of possibility. Then little by little we lose our luster. Disappointment and disillusion can replace our optimistic outlook. We can become frustrated and resentful that the life we wanted, even deserved, may be out of reach. We’d could never stand to admit it and instead camouflage our feelings in pretense and indifference. Resigning ourselves to a routine existence that never allows us to want or expect more. My Life, But Not For Me I can relate. Life seems cruel and limited unless we understand that our life is not for us, but for the one who made us. We’ll stumble around flustered and angry until we’re willing to forgo what we had in mind and accept His plan for our lives. I tried to do it my way. Never really considered or recognized the importance of asking what God wanted from me. But after continually coming up short, I was just tired of fighting. There had to be another way. Open and willing to try life differently, I was ready to say yes to God. Yes, Means Progress Saying yes to God means He has the final say in everything I do. Whether I want to, feel like it or disagree, I follow Him. It means trusting that He loves me, without exception. No matter what it seems like, I know He always acts to make me better, stronger and bring me closer to Him. Because the closer, I am to him, the more fulfilling my life will be. When I let Him lead my life, I experience His promises, which far exceed anything I’ve read or heard. They sustain and elevate me in ways I could never imagine or create on my own. Many of us are frustrated because of what our life is not. But if we’re willing to shift our perspective and open ourselves to ask, God what do you want from me and my life? We’ll find our way to the significance we crave and the fulfillment we seek. Reflect
For more inspiring messages: Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Watch a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM Connect and sign up to receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/live-your-light By Daneen James When I think of all the ways my mom has influenced my life, I am overwhelmed. Evidence of her character and courage is abundant. The strength and integrity I so admire in her is alive in me. She gave me an incredible foundation. Yet, I look back at my childhood and wish some things were different. My mom does too. But one indisputable fact remains. My mother loves me and I know it.
Parents Are People After becoming a mother, I came to better understand that parents are people. We have needs and wants and pain that can color the relationships we have with our children. For example, I didn't have the relationship a daughter should have with her father. So, I was determined to ensure my daughter experience everything that I didn’t. While a healthy father-daughter relationship is critical. My feelings were more about me than my daughter. I was projecting my pain on to her. I needed to accept that my daughter was not me. Living vicariously through her wouldn’t fix my broken places. Let Love Lead As women, we've likely had experiences that have hardened or calloused our hearts. Disappointments that make us more distant than we care to be. But once we become a mother, our responsibility is to become the best version of ourselves. We’re called to deal with our stuff and not project it on to our kids. It's our job to give them a better starting position than we had. Ironically, releasing our kids to become who they are activates the power of love to heal the splintered places within us. To every mother, caretaker and woman who answers the call to give a child her best. We CELEBRATE you! For more inspiring messages: Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Connect, subscribe and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/bridge-to-breakthrough By Daneen James “Live by grace, not perfection”, the words of the sign posted on the back wall of my office. I have a tendency toward overthinking and perfectionism. The sign reminds me not to take myself too seriously and to extend myself grace. Whenever I obsess over something being less than "perfect" or I'm paralyzed by the fear of making a mistake. I look at the sign and literally breathe a sigh of relief.
The Good News Though it's taken me some time to understand. No matter how hard we try, our talent and effort aren't enough. They were never intended to be. Our role is contribution. We can choose how to focus our energy, effort and attention. But God controls the outcome, He's responsible for the results. When we try to operate in God’s territory, we get frustrated, feel stressed and become overwhelmed. Anytime I feel myself drifting into God’s realm, I laugh. It helps me release and reset. In fact, I’ve found humor to be a wonderful tool for maintaining balance in my life. When did you last laugh? Do you remember the last time you laughed? I don’t mean a giggle or a smile. But the kind of laughter that erupts from a place deep within. Forces you on to your side. Tears come down your face. Your stomach muscles hurt and your cheeks ache, but afterwards you feel lighter, like a weight has been lifted. Everything seems just a little better, a little brighter. Do you remember, was it recent? The research is clear, laughter offers a host of mental and physical benefits (https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm):
Here's a little encouragement...
Explore and experiment. Do something every day that lightens your mood, then repeat. For more inspiring messages: Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Sign up for Daneen's newsletter and receive updates about her upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/live-your-light |
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