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We Give Honor

5/27/2013

"There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."
~John 15:13 (NLT)

In honor of the men and women in the U.S. armed forces who have "laid down their lives," we say, Happy Memorial Day!

Because of them we have the right to pursue our dreams and passion, safe on U.S. soil. Yet their sacrifice ensures that Americans all over the world have peace of mind that most nations in this world don't have. The peace of knowing that the American people are covered by a military that is second to none! These brave and selfless individuals have paid for my Peace, Freedom, and Voice with their lives. There is truly no greater Love!

Thank you to our fallen men and women for paying the ultimate sacrifice for my family and I.

God Bless,
The Costly Oil LP Family, Writers, and
Dawn L. Bedingfield, Inc.

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Purpose with Perspective

5/20/2013

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“So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase.” 1Cor. 3:7 (King James 2000 Bible)

I think everyone who knows me knows that I am committed to living and encouraging all those around me to live a life of passion and purpose. I’ve lived most of my life walking without direction and no sense of innate greatness until God showed me who I am and gifted me with a sense of purpose almost 10 years ago when I completely surrendered my life to Him. That purpose gave me a reason for living, and in 10 years, my zeal has diminished little if not increased with greater transformation, closer intimacy with Him, and His boundless faithful love flowing in and through me. Yeah, I'm passionate about passion and purposed to fulfill my purpose!

Periodically I have to remind myself of something: What I do is not nearly as important as who is working in and with me. Knowledge can be purchased (nothing against education, it is often a necessity, and the Bible instructs us to gain knowledge); wisdom can be gained eventually by living long enough; gifts and callings are given at conception. So it is always important to remember that planting and watering and living a life filled with passion and purpose is not enough...and not even the most important thing. The most important aspect of both is this: Is GOD working FOR me? My gift is nothing and my zeal is nothing if God's anointing is not endorsing my works by producing fruit that is beyond my own capabilities.

My purpose and passion in life is to encourage and inspire women to live a life of purpose using my gifts of mercy, teaching, writing, and my words of wisdom and exhortation. I was redeemed from a walk of shame and a life of guilt and regret when I discovered my purpose was more than escaping hell fire. I will never be able to write enough words to express my gratitude to God for the gift of purpose! But purpose without power to impact lives and effect change is a waste; and, power belongs to GOD! So not only must we make sure that He is working WITH us, but we must work with the complete understanding that the results lay in His capable hands and providential timing. We should never allow ourselves to carry the burden of thinking that our doing is what makes our work successful.

Doing is commanded, but looking to God and trusting Him IN our doing is what makes everything we do fruitful. Marrying our gifts and passions with the power of God guarantees that we will see unusually abundant fruit come harvest season.

Make Monday Matter by inviting Christ and God's Holy Spirit to work with your gifts and passion! Let's see uncommon increase in all of our labor from this day forward!

Dawn~

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The Choice is Yours

5/13/2013

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“A man without a plan for the day is lost before he starts.” ~ Lewis K. Bendele

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

It’s Monday Again! You survived the weekend and now it is time to get back into the grind of another week. Whether you are self employed or employed by corporate America, the results, responses, actions, and reactions of this day are all YOUR choice. You get to CHOOSE how your day will go, not your boss, not your co-worker, not your husband, not your wife, not your children, not your parents, not your siblings, not even the person that cut you off in traffic this morning! The choice is yours in how you “CHOOSE” to respond…and keep in mind; the way you respond will determine your mood and in turn will most likely determine your day!

Today CHOOSE to make it a GREAT day in spite of yesterday, the other day or just this morning for that matter. What’s past is past and cannot be changed. When you set your mind on “I get to” instead of thinking “I have to”, oh what a difference it will make in your day! One of my best friends and I set personal goals each Sunday of simple goals that we want to achieve or work towards during the week. We check back in with each other mid-week to hold each other accountable for completing those goals. We then go over them the following Sunday and discuss our progress before we give each other our new goals for the upcoming week. Our goals are simple such as; reading God’s Word at least 20-minutes a day, smiling more, walking at least one day, getting out to enjoy nature, watching our attitude, complimenting someone daily, or even helping a stranger in need. Being able to strive for these small daily goals makes a difference in the choices I make during the week.

It really IS up to you. You can't control the external circumstances of your life…the bad news, the interruptions, the unexpected problems, various quandaries, etc. But you can control your response to them. So each morning when you wake up CHOOSE to have a good day, announce it out loud! Tell whoever is listening…today is a good day because I CHOOSE it to be!

If you are not sure how to start, see the Life’s Daily Menu by Ed Foreman below…then you CHOOSE which day you want to have!

~ God Bless,
Angela

MENU
HOW TO MAKE A “TERRIFIC” DAY

APPETIZER
Awaken Early
Inspirational Reading
Early Morning Walk or Run
Devotion & Thanksgiving
Brief Regular Exercise
Positive Cassette Tape Message
Shower & Readiness

ENTREE
Nourishing Breakfast (25%)
Multi-Vitamin + E + C + A
Wholesome, Positive Thoughts
Pleasant Greetings to All
Give Sincere Appreciation
Listen More, Talk Less
Plan for the Day & Future
Do One Task at a Time
See Your Work as Pleasurable
Moderate Lunch (50%)
Work/Rest/Work/Rest
Count Your Blessings
Play & Relaxation
Moderation & Temperance
Reasonable Dinner (25%)

DESSERT
Review Your Accomplishments
Prayer
Relax & Sleep

FARE
Appreciation for Life
Good News Immediately
Smiles & Enthusiasm
Recognition & Expectation
Vibrant Health & Strong Body
Vision & Encouragement
Freshness & Anticipation

FARE
Alertness, Energy, Vitality
Energy, Vitality, Immunity
Accomplishment & Wealth
Many Friends & Happiness
Love, Honor & Cooperation
Respect, Approval, Knowledge
Creativity & Organization
Accomplish Greatly
Outstanding Achievement
Alive, Alert & Awake
Prosperity & Satisfaction (MCR)
Abundance, Love & Serenity
Happiness & Enjoyment
Clear, Calm & Organized
Comfortable & Relaxed

FARE
Peace of Mind & Success
Homage & Self-Confidence
Sweet Dreams & Full Life

MENU
HOW TO MAKE A “TERRIBLE” DAY

APPETIZER
Awaken Late (Have to Rush)
Go Get Newspaper (Like a Dog)
Digest Bad News on the Run
No Devotion or Inspiration
No Exercise
Radio or Television Report
Too Late to Get Bath

ENTREE
No Breakfast or Coffee & Donut
Cigarette, Candy, Cola
Negative, Derogatory Thoughts
Unfriendly & Ugly to Others
Criticize, Condemn & Complain
Dictate, Direct & Demand
No Plans for the Day or Future
Tackle Everything at Once
See Your Job as Necessary Evil
Lunch-Greasy & Hurried
Work/Work/Work/Work
Curse Life & Gripe
No Play & No Relaxation
Indulgence & Dissipation
Dinner-Drink & Eat Heavy

DESSERT
Worry, Fret & Be Tense
No Prayer of Thanksgiving
Stay Uptight & Poor Sleep

"Life’s Daily Menu" created by Ed Foreman, All Rights Reserved

FARE
Anxiety & Bitterness
Mostly Bad News
Feel Bad & Get Mad
Low Spirit, Easily Offended
Sluggish, Tired & Run Down
Disaster, Trouble & Despair
Sleepy, Stinky & Unkempt

FARE
Hungry, Mean & Nervous
Hacking Cough, Indigestion
Problems & Depression
Few or No Friends
Condemnation, No Love
Disrespect & Ridicule
Disorganized & Sour
Confusion & Disorder
Barely Get By
Drowsy, Gassy & Dull
Little Money & Fatigue
Poverty, Hate & Worry
Tension & Frustration
Illness, Tired, No Confidence
Burp, Barf & Nightmares

FARE
Sickness, Fear & Failure
Selfish, Resentful & Jealous
Bad Dreams & Half-Life

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Costly Oil

5/6/2013

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“A woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil…she broke the flask and poured it on His head.”
Mark 14:3 (NKJV)

^^^I Want To Live Like That^^^

Last Sunday a co-worker sang this song, and I was overwhelmed by the words and the anointing by which it was sung. In the passage above, the woman who poured her costly oil on Jesus' head lived like that! She loved extravagantly and recklessly because of the gratitude she had for The One who had forgiven her much.

Sometimes it is not easy to live out the life God has planned for us. It is often even more difficult to live that life with reckless abandon, such as the woman at Bethany. The self righteous will criticize your past, and even your present [reality]. The insincere will question your judgment. And those who don't realize that they have been forgiven much will be offended by your brazen living sacrifice...not because they have been forgiven little, but because they don't see that whatever they have been forgiven is much.

But JESUS will always stand up for you, and use your offering to:
1. Bring God Glory – He declared to all that this woman had unknowingly prepared His body for burial. Even His Disciples were still in denial about Jesus' approaching death. No one was making preparations to care for his physical body upon His death. But this woman's offering, her reckless worship, became the very thing that Christ needed most at that time. She anointed his head and became a vital part of His finished work on earth.
-and-
2. Bring YOU Good – Jesus then declared that because of her offering, her name and her act of worship would be mentioned where ever the Gospel was preached. Her one act of abandoned worship sealed her legacy for all eternity!

Let us set our face to Jesus daily, and live a life for Christ out loud and in living color. Let us not hide out lamps under a bushel, or let our oil burn low. Let's be courageous and loving, and let us empty ourselves into the hands of Jesus! Let's live like Mary, and give it all we have!!!

God Bless and I Love you!
Dawn~

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We Give Honor

Purpose with Perspective

The Choice is Yours

MENU
HOW TO MAKE A “TERRIFIC” DAY

MENU
HOW TO MAKE A “TERRIBLE” DAY

Costly Oil

^^^I Want To Live Like That^^^

Make Mondays Matter

~dlb~
dawnlbedingfield

Archives

Categories

We Give Honor

Purpose with Perspective

The Choice is Yours

MENUHOW TO MAKE A “TERRIFIC” DAY

MENUHOW TO MAKE A “TERRIBLE” DAY

Costly Oil

^^^I Want To Live Like That^^^

Make Mondays Matter

~dlb~dawnlbedingfield

Archives

Categories

MENU
HOW TO MAKE A “TERRIFIC” DAY

MENU
HOW TO MAKE A “TERRIBLE” DAY

~dlb~
dawnlbedingfield