Inspiring marathon team

Ever thought of running a marathon with your family? The Hoyt family - Rick and Dick Hoyt run marathons together. They are very unique. Rick has a severe form of cerebral palsy. He spoke to his dad as a youngster through a computer that helps him communicate. He told his dad that he feels as though he doesn't have a disability when he is in a race. His dad, Dick pushes Rick's wheelchair through many marathons and triathlons. They are still racing today. Google Team Hoyt and you will see their website and schedule. They are a very inspiring duo. This Youtube video chronicles their journey. They are truly living life with Passion.

Laura Story - Passion and Purpose

Singer and songwriter, Laura Story talks about her spiritual journey and about her music. She is following her purpose with passion. The song "Indescribable" that was originally recorded by Chris Tomlin was written by Laura Story.



She has a new CD that was released in 2008.

Chris Rice - The other side of the Radio

Chris Rice is making a difference through his music. In his song, "The other side of the Radio", Chris wonders if his music is making a difference. Why would anyone care what he is saying? But maybe, he thinks, he is really making a difference! He's following his passion and making a difference.



Chris Rice - The other side of the Radio

Here I am on the other side of the radio
Wonderin' why I'm here and why anybody cares what I say
No I’m not a better man cause I'm singing my songs on the radio
Cause were all the same, at the end of the day

Now I imagine you on the other side of the radio
Doin' your homework or driving with your windows down on the freeway
I see you tappin' the wheel I see you bobbin' your head to the radio
Oh and it makes my day, to see that smile on your face
And in some small way, I remember my place

Cause it's you and me singing the same song right now
And maybe this will bring us together somehow
And maybe there's a million people all singing a long
Somebody started thinkin' about the third line
And maybe someone's saying a prayer for the first time
And that's enough reason to keep me singing my song,
Singing my songs, on the other side of the radio

Crank up the volume sing at the top of your lungs with the radio
Tune it in to some good news and laughing along with the DJ
We're changing somebody's world from the other side of the radio
Oh and it makes my day to see that smile on your face
And in some small way, I remember my place

Cause it's you and me singing the same song right now
And maybe this will bring us together somehow
And maybe there's a million people all singing a long
Somebody started thinkin' about the third line
And maybe someone's saying a prayer for the first time
And that's enough reason to keep me singing my song
Singing my song, on the other side of the radio (2X)

Dah Dah dah dah dah dah dah dah
Other Side of the Radio (3X)

How Great is Our God

Chris Tomlin talks about his inspiration for the song, "How Great is Our God". Wow does he ever have a beautiful voice. I am listening to the song as I write today's post. If you want some great worship music, Chris Tomlin is one of the first that I would recommend. His music is powerfully heartfelt and moving.




How Great is Our God lyrics:

VERSE(1):
The splendor of a King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

VERSE(2):
Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

CHORUS(2)
Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise
and My heart will sing how great
Is our God
(x2)

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God


CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God


~ Live passionately for God ~

God is Big Enough

Do we really believe that God is big enough to handle things in life? Often times we put him in a box so to speak. We only want to give God part of our lives. He is a big God. We are the apple of his eye. He wants the best for us. Give him the opportunity to work in your life. Give him the chance to do something extraordinary in your life!

Ayiesha Woods is one of my favorite artists, have a listen to her song, "Big Enough"




Big Enough by Ayiesha Woods
You turned water into wine - how extraordinary
Gave sight to the blind - and still I carry
My own load when you told me
To take your yoke ‘cause yours is easy

And even though my issues seem trivial
You alone are never to imperial
Its just the way that you love me
Its enough to convince me

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't wanna believe
That you're big enough - but you're big enough yeah!

I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't understand that you're big enough
But you're big enough Jesus!

You turned darkness into light - keep my lamp burning
And you are my everything
There's no denying, your love is so amazing
And even though my problems seem typical
Nothing for you is ever too difficult
You never have reservations - love without limitations

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't wanna believe
That you're big enough - but you're big enough yeah!

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't understand
That you're big enough - but you're big enough

Oh, no matter how I try to get around it - I'm reminded
Wherever I go I'm totally surrounded
It's all about you - I can never doubt you
Even if I wanted to…

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't wanna believe
That you're big enough - but you're big enough yeah!

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't understand
That you're big enough - but you're big enough

That you're big enough
That you're big enough

That you're big enough
That you're big enough yeah!

Brandon Heath - Don't Get Comfortable

Brandon Heath talks about his CD, "Don't get comfortable." I personally really enjoy his music.



Here are the lyrics to the title song, "Don't Get Comfortable"

NA na na na na na na na nanaaah
NA na na na na na na na nanaaah

Comfortable, don't get comfortable.
I am gonna' move this mountain then I'm gonna move you in.

Yesterday, this is not yesterday.
You were standing on my shoulders; now your standing on the edge.
You've been looking for a sign all this time.

I am gonna show you what I mean
I am gonna love like you've never seen
You are gonna live like you used to dream
This is your new song

So afraid but you don't have to be afraid
Even if you make mistakes
You know that I'll remain
You've been looking for a sign all this time.
If you seek you'll find me every time.

So I am gonna show you what I mean
I am gonna love like you've never seen
You are gonna live like you used to dream
THIS IS YOUR NEW SONG

Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
NA na na na na na na na nanaaah
NA na na na na na na na nanaaah

Can you feel the call of love?
Is it moving you to be a child of God of love?
Is it reaching you?
It's everywhere the call of love.

I just want to show you what I mean
I just want to love like you've never seen
Do you want to live like you used to dream?
Then I've got a song for you

Cuz I am gonna show you what I mean
I am gonna love like you've never seen
You are gonna live like you used to dream
This is your new song

NA na na na na na na na nanaaah
You've got a NEW SONG
NA na na na na na na na nanaaah

Good self image, Joyce Meyer

Living with Passion begins with having a good self image. You need to accept who you are and enjoy where you are at. The Bible says to love others as you love yourself. Well, if you don't love yourself, how are you supposed to love others? Once you accept who you are, you can begin see a vision for your future.

Joyce Meyer talks about how a good self image will not only help you, but will help all of your relationships.




Joyce Meyer is a preacher, teacher and renowned author of many books

Happy Valentine's Day

Speaking of passion, there is another kind of passion that people think about on February 14th.


Here is an adorable commercial about a little boy on Valentine's Day.



I Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.


"Love is..." is a book about love, adapted from the King James Bible. Here is a detail of the book. "Subject of sonnets, songs, and soul searching, love is--and is not--many things. "Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful. Love is not arrogant or rude." In her adaptation of I Corinthians 13, Wendy Anderson Halperin presents the elegantly simple definition of the word "love" the apostle Paul offered 2,000 years ago. She features one of Paul's definitions on each whimsically illustrated two-page spread."

Passion and Purpose, - 33 Miles One Life to Live

Info about 33 Miles:

Members:
Jason Barton
Chris Lockwood
Collin Stoddard


Lyrics to "One Life to Live"

He never thought he cared so much about the minute hand,
Until he started playing for a second chance,
If he could only do it all again,
He'd trade the long nights that he spent behind his desk,
For all he missed,
He tells his wife,
I wish that this moment in this room, was not me dying,
But just spending a little time with you

You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance,
To find out,
The one thing that you don't wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride,
One try,
One life,
To love.

She never thought she cared so much about those little hands,
That held on tight the day she left,
Til she was scared to death,
Sitting all alone on a hotel bed,
The end of the road,
The sun has set on her big plans,
To feel young again,
She picks up the phone,
Dials the number,
Hears that little voice,
That's haunted every single mile,
Since she made that choice,

You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance,
To find out,
The one thing that you don't wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride,
One try,
One life,
To love.

You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance,
To find out the one thing
That you don't wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride,
One try,
One life,
One ride,
One try,
One life,
To love,
To love,



33 Miles talks about their passion in this video:

Live With Passion - Discover your passion

I have been reading alot about finding your passion, finding your purpose and discovering and living your dream. There are so many great books and resources on the subject. When you are passionate about something - it's generally something that you enjoy and you put alot of energy into. What are you passionate about? Sometimes we discover our passions by taking a closer look at our hobbies and interests. Take a look back at your childhood. What things did you love? One of the things that I am passionate about is writing. As a kid, I loved writing. I began a love of writing in grade two. I have developed and nourished that love of writing. While I don't write for a living, I get great pleasure out of putting thoughts on paper. Writing is a passion, but it isn't my only passion. Maybe your passion isn't writing, but something else that brings you great joy. Maybe you have a love of horses and are passionate about riding. A person who loves the outdoors might be passionate about camping, or outdoor adventures. Someone else might be passionate about helping and encouraging people. They might get pleasure out of volunteering or counseling. Passion is what drives us, energizes us and keeps us alive. Without our passions, life would be so mundane and boring. I challenge you to discover your passion.

The book, "life lessons for women" challenges us to ask ourselves, 'how can I incorporate passion and creativity into my everyday life.'

An exerpt out of "life lessons for women":
"If you are going to create a life you love and live fully, you have to make passion your middle name. Authentic passion is time-released to consistently energize your life. It's a kind of passion that nourishes and sustains you - a passion that will feed your soul."

The Pursuit of Purpose

Have you ever laid awake in bed and just wondered what your purpose in life is? What is your destiny or your purpose? What can I use my talents and abilities for? Is this all there is? There have been myriads of books written on the subject, dozens of seminars taught on purpose and a few visions realized. It's powerful when you begin to think on your purpose and your destiny. Every person has the potential of greatness inside of them.

I really enjoy Myles Munro. He's an awesome teacher/author. His personal vision is transforming followers into leaders.
Dr. Myles Munro talks about the pursuit of purpose in the utube video below. In fact, he's written a book on the subject. He says that every human being no matter where they are on earth, at some point in their life asks five questions,
1. Who Am I? - a question of identity
2. Where Am I from? - A question of heritage
3. Why Am I here? - A question of purpose
4. What Can I do? - A question of potential
5. Where Am I going? - A question of destiny

The way we answer these questions, says Munroe, is why we are where we are in life. He says that if we don't get these questions answered, we won't live a full life.

Fulfill Your Dream

Jesse Duplantis is a dynamic evangelist called to minister God's message of salvation through Jesus Christ to the world. Jesse softens the heart of those who hear him by being "real". When he preaches, he shares many of his true life anecdotes in an entertaining and rib tickling fashion. He's one of the most loved evangelical ministers with his unique and exhuberant preaching style. He's known for his tremendous joy and his funny life lessons.

The video below isn't one of his dynamic preaching, but an interview with CBN on his philosophies and beliefs.

In the utube video below, Jesse says, "I knew I had a destiny and a destination and I was gonna get there."

Fulfill Your Purpose

Definition of purpose as stated in the dictionary: The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal.

Everyone on earth has a purpose. There's a reason why you were born. You have an assignment for your life. You are not here by chance.

Psalm 139 verse 16 says,
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
Before a single day had passed.


Joel says in this CBN interview, "I feel like my message is to let people know that God is a good God, that He's on their side. And that no matter where they are in life, no matter what's happened that he's got a plan for them."

God's Love is Unconditional

God's Love is unconditional. It doesn't depend on merit. God loves us no matter what. He doesn't judge us on whether we deserve his love or not. Aren't you glad that God doesn't love us with "human" love? We would have been toast long ago. God is a God of Mercy and a God of forgiveness. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Max Lucado talks about how John 3:16 summarizes the Bible's message. He talks about the love of God. "I think God intends for us to live life in complete awe of him, anticipating the wonders that await us after this world." One of the books he has written is "John 3:16 The numbers of hope."



You can check out Lucado's book, John 3:16 The numbers of Hope:

Don't Face Your Giants Without Facing God in Prayer

Max Lucado is a well known author and storyteller. I like his illustration about the five stones. David as a boy, went out to face Goliath the giant who was blaspheming against God. He explains why David selected five stones to put in his pouch. The stones relate to our lives as we deal with the Giants in our lives.

1. The Past - dealing with our past
2. The stone of prayer - going to God
3. The stone of priority - What matters
4. The stone of Passion of life
5. the stone of persistence

Check out the video below where he explains it:



Don't let the giants in your life get the best of you. Go after Divorce, Drug Addiction, Debt and any other things that you face in your life.

Every Day Deserves a Chance

Max Lucado's book, "Every Day Deserves a chance" sounds like a great read! I found this little exerpt on Max Lucado's website:
An exerpt from the book: "A brand-spanking-new, unsoiled, untouched, uncharted and unused day! A Gift of twenty-four unlived, unexplored hours. And if you can stack one good day on another and another, you will link together a good life."

I found this awesome "commercial" on utube. It's done in the old school style of cartoon commercials from the 1950s.

You can check out information on Max Lucado's book here:





Info on Max Lucado:
He's a very well known Best Selling Christian Author
He began publishing stories in a church newsletter. His passion for writing has turned into a literal phenomenon.

Encouraging Quotes

Appreciation can make a day -
even change a life.
Your willingness to put it into
words is all that is necessary.
~Margaret Cousins~

I am only one; but still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
but still I can do something. I will not refuse
to do the something
I can do. ~Helen Keller~

Don't wait for something big to occur.
Start where you are, with what you have, and
that will always lead you into something greater.
~Mary Manin Morrissey~

If you think you're too small to
have an impact, try going to bed
with a mosquito.
~Anita Roddick~

When one door closes
another door opens; but we so often
look so long and so regretfully
upon the closed door, that we do
not see the ones which
open for us.
~Alexander Graham Bell~

It doesn't matter how many say it
cannot be done or how many people have tried
it before; it's important to realize that whatever
you're doing, it's your first attempt at it.
~Wally Amos~

Extreme Home Makeover Makes a Difference

Have you ever watched the show, "Extreme Home Makeover"? It's not your typical home design show. Every show features a deserving family who has faced tough circumstances. The families typically are living in delapitated or inadequate homes for their family situations.

The well known, Ty Pennington and his cast of designers are featured in each show. In every show, the family is typically sent on a vacation while the crew of builders, contractors and designers rebuilds the home. The crew has a time crunch of one week to complete the massive project which sometimes includes other elements such as community centres or other additional projects that have meaning to the family.

Extreme Home makeover happens to be my favourite show. It's the only TV program that I will try to watch every week. This Sunday's episode was a two hour special. The team went to the town of Chapman to help the Tutwiler family. The father of the family was shot in the neck by a sniper in iraqu while on duty there. He survived the ordeal only to be caught in the tornado that devastated the town of Chapman. Since the family of seven could not afford to rebuild their home, Extreme Home Makeover stepped in. Hundreds of volunteers were on hand to help build them a home. The team also helped out several neighbors, giving one lady a yard full of flowers, another family some furniture for their home and yet another were given help to finish their own rebuilt home complete with furnishings. This is an "extreme" demonstration of people coming together to make a difference to this tight knit community.

The video is not a clip of the Extreme Home Makeover show, but a news piece on the makeover that show's designers, workers and volunteers worked on in Chapman.

"It's not what happens to you...it's what you do about it that makes the difference." ~W. Mitchell~

Blue Ribbon Saves a Young Man from Suicide

Imagine making not only a difference, but saving a life by your actions. True Story: A teacher in New York decided to honour each of her students by telling each of them how they have made a difference to her and to her class. She gave them blue ribbons and instructed them to go out and tell someone else in the community how they made a difference. This experiment did not only make a difference by brightening the day for so many people, but also saved a young man's life as well. Have a look at the video. It's awe inspiring:

"We must overcome the notion that we must be regular... it robs you of the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre." ~Uta Hagen~