God's Precious Gift...An Encouragement Cafe Guest Post

“Holding on to Jesus and knowing He is good.” 

Those are the words my mother has spoken to many people since the beginning of 2013. 

Her reason for this statement being her current mantra all started on December 29th. 

To learn more about Mom's mantra and how God gives each of us a story, come over and see my guest post at Encouragement Cafe:

God's Precious Gift...

Photo Credit: Dew Photography VA

The picture above is one of my Mom's favorite pictures. I took the picture in 2011 before they tore down this barn out on the Etheridge property in Spotsylvania County. After all they have been through the last four months, it was only appropriate for me to give her a framed version of it for Mother's Day.

I love you Mom.

 Jesus is using your story to touch lives.  

Lifestyle of a Prophet: A Book Review...

"Wasted on Jesus" was my first introduction to James W. Goll. Ever since then if Goll has a new book, I have to check it out. His newest offering, "The Lifestyle of a Prophet"is definitely a journey and in true Goll fashion, he focuses on the Father and explains this should be the lifestyle of prophet. 

"Yes, the true heart of the prophet is the testimony not of how great you are, but of how

 awesome He is!!!" (emphasis mine)---James W. Goll

Goll further explains prophets need to 'worship God passionately' and 'build His kingdom.'

Prophetic ministry is so misunderstood in today's church. Goll's book should be studied by anyone in prophetic ministry. Church's focusing on prophetic ministry should pick up a copy. 

Goll discusses how at the Last Supper John leaned on the chest of Jesus and heard Jesus' heartbeat. Yet, the amazing thing is John, "would have heard something else: the Messiah's very breath as He inhaled and exhaled."

Let's take the 21 day journey and then maybe each of us, like John, will be able to say:

"I hear Him breathing"

**The book's publisher provided a preview copy of the book in return for an unbiased review of the book**

Home Run: A Book Review....

Yes, I freely admit it, I am a Travis Thrasher fan. Have been ever since meeting him in Beaufort, NC many years ago. However, this will not cloud my observation and review of his novelization of Home Run. Home Run, the movie released on April 19th. 

The story is one told before... hot shot player is sent to be the coach of a little league team as punishment for their continued bad behavior. Thrasher, at points, even references some of the other titles out there within the book. I found myself wrapped up in the story of Cory Brand, his family and his hometown. You will find yourself rooting and being angry with Brand's character all at the same time throughout the book. 

Speaking of hometown, my advance electronic copy had two different spellings throughout for Brand's hometown. Therefore, I am not sure of Cory's hometown. 

Celebrate Recovery is featured in the story. 

Celebrate Recovery, according to their website, 

"is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits.  It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory.  20 years ago, Saddleback Church launched Celebrate Recovery with 43 people. It was designed as a program to help those struggling with hurts, habits and hang-ups by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through a recovery process."

Without being a spoiler, this blogger liked the ending of the novelization of Home Run. 

***An advanced copy of the title was given for this honest and unbiased review***

Stressed-Less Week 4: My Wee Step into Transformation

My Wee Step into Transformation began with a blog titled simply "Hi, My Name is Dawn."

 I am resharing it here with all of you to help me be accountable. 

Accountable to live and celebrate who God created me to be. 

Hi My Name is Dawn...

In August 2011, I had what would be termed as a mental/emotional breakdown.
The events leading up to the break down are not what is important at this time. 

What is important...

I have learned a lot about myself and my JESUS since then. 

Jesus has shown me ...the breakdown does not define me but it has changed me.

Jesus has declared on multiple occasions:

My status as His Yahweh Young-un is what defines me. 

Therefore, the question becomes how have I changed? Are they good changes or bad changes? 

The answer to these questions may differ depending on who you ask.

These are some of the changes Jesus has revealed over the last few months:

~I am not STRONG. 

It is Christ who is STRONG.

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, 

so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2nd Corinthians 12:9 ESV

There will be no more of me always being the strong one. The one who has to handle everything. I will admit to my weaknesses and let Jesus handle them. 

~ I am a DIFFERENT person. 

This has been the most difficult aspect for people to come to grips with over these last 18 months. 

Even after moving back to VA, reconnecting with friends here has been challenging. 

Plugging in with people, talking to strangers, or even socializing is no longer easy and simple. Actually, it never really was but I played an "extrovert" role for so long that I almost lost who God created me to be. For now on there will be more embracing the personality to God gave me.

Upon telling my Sweetie, since I am no longer the woman he married it would be totally understandable if he left me.

 His response, "I meant the vow spoken when we married and am here until death do us part." 

Yes, my Sweetie is a GREAT GUY!!!

~ I am an Introvert

For years, I saw this as a weakness and did everything in my own power to be an extrovert. Our society looks down on introverts. Jesus is showing me there are introverts in the Bible. He wants me to be who He created me to be. This means I am not at every event anymore. I take time alone to refuel. 

As I learn about being an introvert, it is becoming clear why the perspective and passion of this blog, "Connecting in a Communcation-saturated World" is so dear to me. 

Jesus is teaching me everyday what He is doing in me. He is preparing me. My job is to trust Him. 

Thanks for being here as I journey through this adventure with my Jesus on Dawn's Dialogue.