How I hope to S.T.R.E.T.C.H. in 2016 - Ruth L. Snyder

The beginning of a new year is a logical time to set goals. I recently shared my key word and some of my goals for 2016 on my own blog. Naturally speaking, I'm the type of person who likes the stability and security of routine. God has been pushing me into more and more areas where I'm not totally comfortable. This year I want to continue to S.T.R.E.T.C.H. with God:

S - STEP FORWARD IN FAITH

My life verses are Philippians 3:10-14 (NIV):

" I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

T - TRUST GOD

After my second year of Bible School as my best friend and I parted ways for the summer, we claimed Proverbs 18:10 (The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.), agreeing to pray for each other when we felt afraid. This verse still comforts me when I am afraid. I'm thankful we serve a trustworthy God!

R- REACH NEW LEVELS

Lately I've been reminded of the importance of celebrating even small steps in the right direction. It is all too easy to get discouraged. Whether I exercise when I don't feel like it or have a successful book launch, I will choose to celebrate this year. When I take time to celebrate and thank God for working in and through me, I bring Him glory. Psalm 145:3-7 (NIV):

"Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise: his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty - and I will mediate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works - and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."

E - EVALUATE AND PIVOT 

Life is like the first drafts I write - messy, confusing, and a process. I usually don't get it right the first time I try something. Some people refuse to set goals because they don't want to "fail" by not achieving the goals. I see goals as flexible. I try to set realistic goals, but many times I don't achieve what I set out to do. That's where evaluation comes in. What progress did I make? Was the goal realistic? Did I need more time? Can I readjust the goal so that I will be able to achieve it, or should I just scrap it? 

At our 2015 Fall Conference, Jeff Goins talked about pivot points:

"A pivot is powerful because it takes away all of your excuses. It puts you back in control of the game you're playing. Pivoting isn't plan B; it's part of the process. Unexpected things will happen; setbacks do occur. Whether or not you're prepared to pivot will affect how well you weather those storms and find a way to survive...we all face times of irrelevance; of falling on our faces and thinking we have no business doing any of this. But pain is the great teacher and failure a faithful mentor. You can use all of this to your benefit if you are willing... The message of the pivot is that what looks like failure now is preparation for what's to come, as long as you don't give up." (from The Art of Work)

T - TRY NEW THINGS 

If I remember I don't have to get it right the first time and I give myself permission to "fail," I will be more likely to try new things. Psalm 40:2-4 (NIV):

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him."

C - COACH OTHERS 

One new thing I'm trying this year is offering coaching to other writers. If you're looking for help in your personal life, writing, marketing, technology, branding, or with accountability, contact me for more details.

H - HARVEST RESULTS

Only God knows what lies ahead this year. My job is to be faithful and trust the results to HIM. I'm looking forward to what God will do in and through me this year.

What about you? How are you going to allow God to stretch you in 2016?

Life and Legacy by Sharon E. Espeseth

To say God has been good to me seems an understatement, but let me try to count the ways. First I am thankful for the Christian heritage and upbringing I received from my parents, grandparents, and a host of aunts and uncles. I am thankful for my education and the opportunity to teach young children. I was blessed to find Hank or have him find me. I wanted a good man committed to his faith. Hank worshipped God in the Roman Catholic Church and I joined him there.

After a year and a half of marriage and no children, we applied to adopt a child. Six months later, we got notice of a baby boy awaiting us in Calgary. Can you imagine our joy! A young woman had carried a baby nine months and given him the gift of life, but she was young and felt she wasn't ready for parenting. What a gift our Michael was to us! Thirteen months later we were blessed with a baby girl, Christie. Fourteen months passed and we received another infant girl, Jenny . Three young women had each asked for a Catholic home for their children. We thank God for his goodness and for the teens who chose a life-giving solution to their situations.

I have written stories about my birth family, my extended family, and the family my husband and I raised together. I plan to write more stories about our backgrounds and our own family, which has now

Family Holiday in the Mountains

grown to include six grandchildren and two sons-in-law. Like other families, we've had our struggles, our mountain-top and valley experiences, but through it all we've grown in our faith and in our love for one another and of God.

In total, I've written about 150 stories, articles, poems, and blogs. Most of these writings would fit under categories of family, faith, and life in general. I lean strongly toward non-fiction and I try to tell "it" like it is. Honesty can include humour.

Like Jesus' disciples, I am aware of my ordinariness, my weaknesses, and my human foibles, but still God seems to use my writing to meet the needs of others. Often throughout my journey, I have taken over the steering wheel and driven myself through narrow passages and dark tunnels. Gradually I have learned that life goes better when I let the Lord do the driving. Sometimes that recognition comes only in hindsight.

If writing is a gift, I must use it. Although I've always struggled with finding time to write, I now ask God for help in this area of my life. If God has given me a talent for writing, if God gives me something to write about, then he will help me carve out time to write and he will help me with the details of publishing. Then, if God is working through my writing, he will grant that my words, like Samuel's, do not "fall to the ground." (I Samuel 3:19 NIV)

As for writing being a special calling, Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest says, "Our

Lord calls us to no special work--He calls us to Himself. 'Pray the Lord of the harvest,' and He will engineer your circumstances to send you out as His laborer."

Although I want to write and I intend to write, some days God may require me to work in another part of the vineyard. Jesus says, "Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. (John 13:16 NIV)

I pray for God's guidance in my writing, my time management, and my sphere of influence so that I may be where he wants me to be, doing what he wants me to do. This would be the legacy I would like to leave.