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By Daneen James  “Love is not jealous”, another translation reads, “Love does not want what it doesn’t have.” You’ve probably seen this before, part of the infamous bible passage on love, it's found in I Corinthians 13:4-7. Although, I’ve read this verse more times than I can count, I never saw it the way I see now. When we want to be something other than who we are, want someone else’s relationship and experiences more than our own, we are not living in love. We fail to love ourselves and God by dishonoring who He made us and discounting what He gave us.
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Creativity is not reserved only for artists, writers and musicians. In the beginning God created....regardless of age, color and circumstance that same power is alive in you!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 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  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  Each of us is uniquely gifted by God. We are never happier or more fulfilled than when doing what we're made to do. So why do we make it so hard? Here are a few of the lessons I've learned. Unique on Purpose We can misunderstand our "unique" qualities. Dismiss their value and link to our purpose. Our natural inclinations offer clues about the distinct ways we are meant to impact the world. When channeled constructively, our gifts glorify God. One of my "special gifts" is recognizing when something is out of order or needs improvement. Whether it's a crooked picture on the wall, an item that has fallen from a store shelf or the misplaced cart in a store parking lot. It cries out to me and I feel compelled to fix it. Suffice it to say, my "helpful attention" isn't limited to carts and store fixtures. People (myself included) and situations get equal play. Admittedly, I've not always considered my attention to detail a positive trait. It can be exhausting. But I’ve come to understand that God created me to uplift and inspire others. So, I've learned to embrace the beauty in seeing what others miss and consider the desire to leave people and situations better, a gift. A gift that helps me do what God has called me to do. We Get In The Way That being said. The journey to embrace my calling challenges my tendency toward perfectionism and "overthinking". I push for the best possible result in whatever I do. While the pursuit for excellence is admirable. My pursuit for "the best" can be never ending. I always see how something could be better. What should take me days to complete, often takes weeks (sometimes longer) because of my constant refinement and revision. God has made it increasingly clear, that in order to effectively do what He's created me to do, I must get over myself. Greater Is He He’s helped me realize that whatever I do comes through me but is not about me. Yes, I maintain a commitment to excellence in everything I do. But there's no scenario where my efforts, talents and focus alone are sufficient. I need God. So, rather than being so consumed with doing and saying everything right, I make space for God’s Spirit to work through me. Whenever I get fanatical or feel nervous, scared and insecure, I ask God to help me refocus. He calms me. Assures me that He is with me and reminds me to trust His power. When we step out on God's assurance, become vulnerable and do the uncomfortable, He is glorified. People see God in us and reach for the God in them. That's the Creator's plan. Live Your Light Until I was willing to embrace God's plan for my life and accept that my purpose was bigger than the life I was living. I fought the process and sabotaged my progress. Fearful of what living out my potential required, I shrank to stay safe. But the light within me longed to be lived out and I lost the willingness to deny it. Each day we get to choose whether we'll live a life consistent with who God calls us to be. I don't want to leave this world without giving all I have to give. I'm hungry for everything God has for me. How about you? Here are a few ways to live your light:
Make This Your Prayer Today I can’t settle for a life half-lived. Not going to talk myself out of reaching for the dream that shouts to me in the silence. Won’t forfeit another opportunity to walk toward my potential. Refuse to be shackled by the hurdles in my head. Today, I see the truth of who I am. I don’t downplay or diminish my shine. Today, I’m going for it and I’m not leaving anything behind. “The sovereign Lord is my strength, with Him I can do mighty things. He makes me as surefooted as a deer able to tread upon the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19, Psalm 60:12. Now go for it, 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/a-matter-of-perspective |
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