The Extra Mile

I will do more than belong - I will participate.
I will do more than care- I will help.
I will do more than believe- I will practice.
I will do more than be fair- I will be kind.
I will do more than forgive- I will forget.
I will do more than dream- I will work.
I will do more than teach- I will inspire.
I will do more than earn- I will enrich.
I will do more than give- I will serve.
I will do more than live- I will grow.
I will do more than suffer- I will triumph.
- Williams Arthur Ward

From Putting Your Dreams to the Test by John C. Maxwell

So Awesome I Had to Share

As a writer I marvel at the ability to draw power from a word. Max Lucado has done just that, and then some with this amazing devotional. It is so awesome that... well you get the point. Enjoy!

ALIVE!
by Max Lucado
ROAD. DARK. STARS. SHADOWS. FOUR. SANDALS. Robes. Quiet. Suspense. Grove. Trees. Alone. Questions. Anguish. "Father!" Sweat. God. Man. God-Man. Prostrate. Blood. "NO!" "Yes." Angels. Comfort.
Footsteps. Torches. Voices. Romans. Surprise. Swords. Kiss. Confusion. Betrayal. Fearful. Run! Bound. Wrists. Marching.
Courtyard. Priests. Lamps. Sanhedrin. Caiaphas. Sneer. Silk. Arrogance. Beard. Plotting. Barefoot. Rope. Calm. Shove. Kick. Annas. Indignant. Messiah? Trial. Nazarene. Confident. Question. Answer. Punch!
Peter. "Me?" Rooster. Thrice. Guilt.
Proceedings. Court. Rejection. Prosecute. Weary. Pale. Witnesses. Liars. Inconsistent. Silence. Stares. "Blasphemer!" Anger. Waiting. Bruised. Dirty. Fatigued. Guards. Spit. Blindfold. Mocking. Blows. Fire. Twilight.
Sunrise. Golden. Jerusalem. Temple. Passover. Lambs. Lamb. Worshipers. Priests. Messiah. Hearing. Fraud. Prisoner. Waiting. Standing. Shifting. Strategy. "Pilate!" Trap. Murmurs. Exit.
Stirring. Parade. Crowd. Swell. Romans. Pilate. Toga. Annoyed. Nervous. Officers. Tunics. Spears. Silence. "Charge?" "Blasphemy." Indifference. Ignore. (Wife. Dream.) Worry. Interview. Lips. Pain. Determined. "King?" "Heaven." "Truth." "Truth?" Sarcasm. (Fear.) "Innocent!" Roar. Voices. "Galilean!" "Galilee?" "Herod!"
9:00 A.M. Marchers. Palace. Herod. Fox. Schemer. Paunchy. Crown. Cape. Scepter. Hall. Elegance. Silence. Manipulate. Useless. Vexed. Revile. Taunt. "King?" Robe. Theatrical. Cynical. Hateful. "Pilate!"
Marching. Uproar. Prisoner. Hushed. Pilate. "Innocent!" Bedlam. "Barabbas!" Riot. Despair. Christ. Bare. Rings. Wall. Back. Whip. Slash. Scourge. Tear. Bone. Moan. Flesh. Rhythm. Silence. Whip! Silence. Whip! Silence. Whip! Thorns. Stinging. Blind. Laughter. Jeering. Scepter. Slap. Governor. Distraught. (Almost.) Eyes. Jesus. Decision. Power. Freedom? Threats. Looks. Yelling. Weak. Basin. Water. Swayed. Compromise. Blood. Guilt.
Soldiers. Thieves. Crosspiece. Shoulder. Heavy. Beam. Heavy. Sun. Stagger. Incline. Houses. Shops. Faces. Mourners. Murmurs. Pilgrims. Women. Tumble. Cobblestone. Exhaustion. Gasping. Simon. Pathetic. Golgotha.
Skull. Calvary. Crosses. Execution. Death. Noon. Tears. Observers. Wails. Wine. Nude. Bruised. Swollen. Crossbeam. Sign. Ground. Nails. Pound. Pound. Pound. Pierced. Contorted. Thirst. Terrible. Grace. Writhing. Raised. Mounted. Hung. Suspended. Spasms. Heaving. Sarcasm. Sponge. Tears. Taunts. Forgiveness. Dice. Gambling. Darkness.
Absurdity.
Death. Life.
Pain. Peace.
Condemn. Promise.
Nowhere. Somewhere.
Him. Us.
"Father!" Robbers. Paradise. Wailing. Weeping. Stunned. "Mother." Compassion. Darkness. "My God!" Afraid. Scapegoat. Wilderness. Vinegar. "Father." Silence. Sigh. Death. Relief.
Earthquake. Cemetery. Tombs. Bodies. Mystery. Curtain. Spear. Blood. Water. Spices. Linen. Tomb. Fear. Waiting. Despair. Stone. Mary. Running. Maybe? Peter. John. Belief. Enlightenment. Truth. Mankind. Alive. Alive. Alive!

From No Wonder They Call Him the Savior
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2005) Max Lucado


http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/

Judas Love

John 12:1-8
Jesus knew exactly who Judas was. He knew exactly what he would do, the role he would hold in His own perceived demise, and yet he loved him. Walked, talked, shared his secrets, time, and money with him. That is amazing love to me. To know someone's whole story, to see the not so happily ever after and still dote on them. Still allow them access to your most intimate circle of friends. What is even more amazing is that since Jesus said we would do even greater things than He has done (John 14:12-13), then how many people who cause strife in your own life should you be loving right now? Whew, talk about a hard act to follow!
A great resource to strengthen your love for family, friends and even enemies is Garry Chapman's The 5 Love Languages one of the most helpful reads I have ever undertaken. I hope this helps,
Love Well,
Ina

My Easter Soundtrack

So here are a few songs that put me in the right mind to celebrate the reason for the season:
1. Jimmy Needham "Forgiven and Loved"










2. Switchfoot "Always"










3. Amy Grant "Better than a Hallelujah"











4. Kid Syc "Victory"











5. Mali Music "My Heart"











6. Sanctus Real "Forgiven"











7. Joann Rosario "Joyous Salvation"











Bonus Track
8. KeKe Sheard "Jesus"









Happy Resurrection Day and Happy Listening,
Ina

Goal #3 for Lent

Choose what I want for my life instead of waiting/allowing it to choose me. Happiness, love, peace, joy, fun! Each one starts not with an event, but with a choice.

I did not realize the weight of what I was writing when I first wrote this goal. Happiness is not just about what you choose, but also what you choose to turn away from.

The greatest struggle of turning over a new leaf is how familiar that old side is. Choosing something new feels weird at first. Too weird, almost wrong sometimes, but that is only because it is something you have never felt before. It takes practice.

Whether with affirmations or a visual reminder, make sure that you understand that your habits are a string of choices that either lead you towards, or away from the things that you want most in life. So choose what you say yes and no to, wisely.

Sorry I'm Late...

I just spent three of the most amazing days with the four incredible women in the picture above.
After three days of much needed rest, relaxation, girl talk and laughter I have learned three very important lessons. They're good so make sure that you are reading to remember. Ok, you ready? Here it is; one , show me someone who does not value vacation and I will show you a driven person who will never truly enjoy success. Rest for brilliant people only breeds more brilliance, but an exhausted mind, brilliant or not is a car with no gas. Make sure that you are sowing into your success by resting. Your dream won't be any fun if you're spent by the time you get there.

Two, good friends are a greater asset than real estate. So invest. The women in this picture have inspired, wowed, convicted, and educated me in ways that I didn't even know I needed. Thank you. Remember: good friendships add, they don't take away.

Three, if you want something call it to you. Create a welcome environment with positive thoughts, feelings, words, and actions and all that you truly desire can and will be yours. Its not a secret, God told us that in Hebrews 11, and a dozen other places in the bible. So warm up your inner voice and call all your dreams and loved ones to you, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Peaceful Rest,
Ina

A Cure for Lack

The greatest cure for lack is giving. It is not the logical answer, but giving is the key that unlocks any closed door. It is a lesson that I've learned and relearned a million times before, but a nice refresher course seems in order.

In addition to being extremely helpful to the receiver, the saying “it’s a blessing to be a blessing,” is the most amazing truth. The actual act of giving heals and renews something inside the giver, especially when it is done in a spirit of humble gratitude.

Give of yourself, and it doesn’t have to be money. Give time, clothes, energy, your heart, these things are usually more valuable to the receiver anyway.

When it seems as if there is nothing at all to be thankful for. When the landscape around you only seems to be made up of loss and sadness, whisper thank you. And don’t stop saying it until you feel the gratitude well up inside you and overflow into the lives of everyone around you.

Remember: Anyone can be grateful when they have what they want. True faith is saying thank you when you don’t have much at all.