Author: livingwholecoaching

My ministry is to inspire and equip hearts through teaching, writing, and encouragement, leading others into a deeper relationship with God. I seek to awaken faith, nurture spiritual growth, and empower individuals to know God intimately, walk in His purpose, and reflect His love in every area of their lives.
change, destiny, Faith, God, journey, prayer, purpose

Enjoy the Journey

livingwholecoaching

This week has been a whirlwind of excitement!  I met with my editor for the book (The Butterfly’s Journey) and she said the book is awesome!  I started to cry because I never dreamed of writing a book, but when God put it in my spirit to share my testimony in a book I felt unworthy to do so.

I am no Toni Morrison to say the least, but I really want to produce a product that is life-changing for women all over the world.  But as I began to think about the task at hand each week and each month that went by, I started to convince myself that it wouldn’t work.  I couldn’t do it.

The rollercoaster of emotions that I felt along the way were hard to handle.  Almost everyday I had to ask God to give me direction and clarity.  I began learning to walk in faith last year (for real this time) and it has been one of the hardest things that I have taken on in my life!  It seemed as if one thing would be working out and then something different would come along to squash my confidence and joy.

But I am learning each day to trust in Almighty God for every aspect of my life and it has been an amazing journey thus far.  I decided this year I would start a journal of my experiences with learning to walk by faith and not by sight with the Lord.  (just a little secret. . .this will be the base of my second book)!

As I challenge myself to live the best life that I can live; I want to also challenge you to do the same.  Tackling this project is not for the weary at heart.  It is going to require a lot of dedication, commitment, and praying in order to make it through.  I know that if we keep God first and focus on Him we shall be victorious.

My prayer for you and I is to keep our faith strong and never allow the doubts and fears of life stop us from accomplishing the greatest things that God has for us to do.  I pray that whatever comes to slow us down from making the necessary positive changes for a better life, will dissolve before our eyes as we lift up prayers to God.  I pray that every day brings us closer to working in our purpose and walking delightfully into our destiny.

Always take the opportunity to learn life lesson from your every day experiences and enjoy the journey!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

 

be all you can be, destiny, God, New, spring cleaning

Spring Cleaning

livingwholecoaching

It’s time to do some spring cleaning!  I love spring, the time when everything comes to life again.  The trees start budding, the flowers begin to pop up from under the ground, and we get more sunshine as the last few weeks of winter start to fade away.

Every year I would take a week off of work just to stay home and organize, purge junk and clean everything from the floor to the kitchen cabinets.  It was wonderful therapy for me to get rid of stuff and get everything fresh and new!

Well this year I am spring cleaning my life!  I am taking inventory of the habits (good & bad), my relationships, my career,  my health (emotional & physical), and my finances so I can make changes for a better self.  Yeah I know it is easier to just clean the refrigerator out or donate a bag of clothes to the Salvation Army, but self-cleaning is necessary.  I want to live the best life that I can live and if I have stuff that is not doing me any good to reach that “best life”; guess what. . .it has to go!

I am always praying and asking God for divine wisdom and guidance for my life as I desire to be everything that He ordained me to be.  Sometimes the changes are hard, but I realize in the end the reward is greater.

I am going to start a journal of my experience as I blossom into the person that God wants me to be.  Perhaps this will be the making of my second book!

I think that it’s necessary to evaluate the present state of your life in order to reach your full potential.  Asking God the whys of your life and listening for clarity are lessons well learned.  He will give you everything you need to push past hurt, pain, and unforgiveness and give you the desire to walk in your destiny!

This spring will be the best start for my new life!  I pray that you will do the same.  Happy spring cleaning!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

blessed

Be Thankful!

livingwholecoaching

I had a wonderful conversation today with my co-workers about “being thankful”.  As we mulled over our complaints about everyday things we began to talk about the disparity that some people face each day of their lives.  These people are not too far removed from us.

I recalled a story that I saw on television about a small poor village in another country that had to survive from the discarded food from local restaurants for food.  One man and his family actually started a business rummaging for the food, cleaning it up, adding seasonings and making a highly popular soup that the locals would buy as their one meal for the day.  They took the little resources that they had to use and not only started a business but provided a way to help others survive.. . literally.

One co-worker told us a story about a place in her native country of El Salvador where the older people whose family didn’t want them or have any means of taking care of them would drop them off and just leave them.  Thankfully, a woman and her young son began to take care of the elderly people left there by feeding them with whatever they had to offer.  My friend’s family visits their native country once a year and always goes shopping for the shelter.  The caregiver is always so overwhelmed with happiness to have chicken to fix the people.  It was like having a feast!

As we all became a little somber of the visual of people struggling to survive the necessity of living we all said that we needed to do  a better job of being thankful for all that we had.  I recalled in my own life that I never had a lot of money, just enough to pay my bills, but yet I have never went to bed hungry, I never had to sleep in the cold and my health (although not the best) is still better than some.  I had to stop for a moment to get myself together after thinking about this.

I need to be more thankful!  We all do.  Just look over your life and take a serious look at your blessings.  It may not be the life that you want right now, but you have a chance to make it better.  God is forever blessing us and we need to be thankful just for the little things that someone, somewhere wish they had.

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

depression, destiny, God, prayer, purpose

It’s Not About Me

livingwholecoaching

My challenge this year was to post new blogs everyday of the week.  Unfortunately, life comes at you and changes things.  More important things have arisen to take my attention.

As I begin to understand the full spectrum of this ministry that the Lord has me involved in, it is not going to be easy.  I didn’t believe that it would be, but I know that God is with me every step of the way.  And so I push on.

This ministry – The Butterfly Journey; is not about becoming famous and living in the lime light of TV or books or anything else.  It is about helping women become healed from the hurts of life and move into a new place of purpose in God.  It is about interceding in prayer for the women that come to me with their hearts broken and their fears magnified.  I want the women that come to this ministry to be drawn by the love of God that is in me.  I pray that my spirit will always be in line with what God wants, not my own agenda.  It has nothing to do with me really.

My prayer is that every woman who comes in contact with me and this ministry  will receive the restoration that they need to move into their purpose and walk out their destiny with God.  My compassion for them is so deep that I understand that I will have some sleepless nights.  I understand the role that God wants me to play for them, the message that He wants me to share with them.  The prayers that I will need to pray over them and for them.  It won’t be about nice clothes and pretty faces, it will be about the condition of their heart that God (and I) are concerned with.

I had to write this out today because it is a reminder to me of how important each woman who I come in contact with is, especially to God.  I can’t take one moment for granted.  I can’t get caught up in the hype that is all around me.  I can’t look at success in numbers, but in transformation of souls.  I took on this mission because God asked me to share all that He has done for me.  When I was in my place of darkness and depression, He saved me for His purpose and this my friend is an honor for me!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

 

 

 

 

change, depression, God, prayer, teachable heart, the butterfly journey

The Teachable Heart

livingwholecoaching

As I was reminiscing about my “butterfly” journey one of the things that God reminded me was to have a teachable heart.  It has been years since my journey began and everyday I learn more and more about God and my relationship with Him.

When I was suffering with the depression, the one thing that was so important to me was to find the answers to why I ended up in such a dismal spiritual place.  I wanted healing and I certainly wanted out of the dark place that I found myself in, but more pressing was to find out the “why”.

My heart was so open to understanding, because I knew that it would be the pivotal point in my journey that would free me to becoming the woman who God desired for me to be.  So boldly, I went to God and asked Him the questions.  Deep inside I was afraid of the answers, but I had to know.  I had to understand in order to help others heal from their past.

As the weeks and months went by, God revealed every answer in vivid detail.  He was gracious enough to release little snippets to me and not everything at once.  I would surely have been overwhelmed that I may have experienced a relapse of my depression.  It would have been too much for my soul to bear.  (Please get my book – The Butterfly’s Journey, coming this spring for my full story).

I allowed my heart to be teachable to what God was sharing with me.  I was ready to face the truth, the good, the bad and the ugly.  Having my heart prepared for what I had to face was an important part of my journey and my healing.  Without it I would have remained in a place of despair.

As God leads me to minister to other women that are in a place of disconnect, pain, hurt, abuse, and unworthiness; I pray that they will allow their hearts to be teachable.  God doesn’t want to just help you, but He wants to fully heal you to purpose.  Your purpose!

My question to you today is: Is your heart teachable?  Do you want to be free from the things that have robbed you of your purpose and true worth?  Will you dig deep to face those pains that haunt you and keep you in a place of despair and disconnect from God?  The choice is yours and you have the resolve to change the course of your journey!

The Butterfly Journey – Lisa

circle of fear, God, prayer, success

The Circle of Fear

livingwholecoaching

Once again I am going around this same old process.  I am tired of standing in the face of success with fear.  What am I afraid of?  God gave me the plan and endorsement, so just do it already!  But sometimes this paralyzing feeling of fear of success creeps up inside of me and I feel like a deer caught in headlights.  Afraid to run and afraid to stand still.

I know I said earlier this year (and January isn’t even over yet), that I would walk by faith.  I said that I would continue to move forward regardless of my own human limitations.  But here I am again stuck in a place of overwhelming fear that I can’t do what God asked me to do.  I know that sounds awful and I feel awful for saying and feeling it, but it is true.  I understand that the key to being able to push past this feeling is prayer.  I need to continue to seek God every minute of the day for direction, motivation, and clarity to accomplish my mission.

I wonder if others ever feel the same?  Did those who have reach their moment of success ever feel overwhelmed with fear? I need to hear their stories of overcoming.  I need to know what was the pivotal moment that released them to push past that moment/feeling?  What was it that catapulted them to move past the fear and grasp the reality of success that they knew would come?

I really don’t want to continue on this circle of fear of success.  I want to move past it and begin to walk in the purpose and destiny that God has ordained for me.

Today I am asking for your feedback, comments, and stories about how you have overcome the feeling of fear of success and moved into your purpose.  Thanks in advance for your input.

The Butterfly Journey – Lisa

book, Denise Hall Brown, destiny, dream bigger, Faith, God

Dream Bigger!

livingwholecoaching

What does faith have to do with dreaming bigger?  Everything, we can only dream as big as our imagination can take us.  Beyond that point we have nothing. We can strain and squeeze our brains all we want and we are never going to be able to imagine more that it can contain.  But with faith you see anything is possible.  God is able to do above and beyond our wildest, most creative dreams.

My good friend decided to step off the cliff into a “faith walk” that God had prepared for her.  I was so scared and happy for her all at the same time.  I envied her tenacity to make such a bold move with her life.  I wanted to do the same thing, but I didn’t have the nerve that it took to even get to the edge of the cliff.   But my friend Denise said the urge to step into her destiny was so strong she felt she had no other choice.  So she took a quantum leap with God and the results have been more than miraculous.

You see, my friend, Denise Hall Brown, has suffered a tremendous amount of lost and tragedy since the time that I met her.  Years before I even knew who she was or her story, she had lost her mother to a tragic accident with a drunk driver.  Her mother was her world and at her tender age, it was a devastating event that would rock her world.

Years later, when I did have the opportunity to know Denise very well,  is when she suffered the untimely loss of her 6 month old baby boy,  Isaiah.  I remember that day just like it was yesterday and I don’t think I will ever forget it.  My heart broke in a thousands pieces for her and her family and I feel like a part of me will never be the same.

Yet in still she rose to the top and she survived and she began a deep walk with the Lord.  She opened her heart to Him in such a humble way that it amazed me to see her grow so fast in her spiritual journey after all that she had endured.

Then again tragedy struck when one winter season not very long ago, she lost her husband.  I began to wonder too what was God doing in the midst of this sisters life.  How could she take anymore upon her soul?  But she continued to grow in her walk and she grieved and grieved.  She was down but she wasn’t out.  You have to read her full story in her book: 2Grieve 2Gether for the rest of her journey.   More about Denise’s story and how to purchase her book:  www.2grieve2gether.org or www.amazon.com

Today, she is not only surviving, she is thriving!  If you ask her I am sure she would tell you that she never would have dreamed that she would be in the place that she is today.  Her story/book has just been nominated for: Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author with the 43rd NAACP Image Awards! (www.naacpimageawards.net)  She wrote that book to help other survivors and supporters get successfully through the grieving process.  She understood her purpose and destiny and she humbled herself to give to others.  In the midst of that God has shown her favor.  And because her mind could only image so much, God took over and helped her to – Dream Bigger!

The Butterfly Journey – Lisa

 

relationships, teach

Teach It and They Will Know

livingwholecoaching

I was having a wonderful conversation with my fiance during linner (time right after lunch but before dinner) today about relationships.  From the beginning we have shared our life lessons through the relationships that we have been involved with.  Needless to say he always helps me learn more and more about the male perspective than I have ever known in my life.

But what I told him was that I didn’t understand why other women in my life hadn’t taught me about the fundamentals of relationships and the way that I should approach them in a godly manner.  I’ve come to the conclusion that no one ever taught them so they didn’t have any information to share.  Sad but we tend to mimic what we see and know from growing up and we don’t know any different if we aren’t taught any different.

As I looked back over my life I don’t ever remember my mother sitting me down and telling me things about being in relationship.  Most of the things I remember from my mom is her standards.  I knew without a doubt that she wanted me to live my life with standards.  I tried to do that but the problem came in when I didn’t know what standards were good and which ones were bad.  I didn’t know my worth as a woman and so I lowered my standards to fit in to a relationship.

Seriously it wasn’t until recently that I sought the Lord for explanation on my “true” worth and He completely showed it to me and now I know.  All other things, relationships included will need to fall into line with that.

Another astounding revelation was that I have grown up in the church most of my life.  To be recollection I don’t remember being taught anything that would come close to knowing my worth in God and certainly not how to be in a relationship the way that God intended.  But why?   Why doesn’t the church teach the young ladies and young men their true worth and roles as children of God and in particularly in relationships?  They need it!  What happens is they go into relationships from what they see in the world.  And like me, we suffer useless pain and often times devastation because of our careless, untrained ways.

I want to challenge churches today to be that place that people can find what they need – yes God, and beyond that how to live a life that God intended.  We don’t need anyone to tell us don’t do that because that is not right.  Please tell us why and don’t forget how.  Why can’t we meet people at their point of need like Jesus did?  He taught in parables because that is what the people could understand for their own lives.  They understood Him.  The same holds true today, reach people right where they are and help them to understand the way God intends for us to live a blessed life in Him.

I can remember all the stories of the Bible with vivid details, but a few short years ago I may not have been able to tell you how it pertained to my life.  It is our job, you and me, the ministers, the church leaders, and the sunday teachers to teach so they will know.

The Butterfly Journey – Lisa

God, hope, Lord, love, prayer

Today I Pray

livingwholecoaching

The only burning thing on my heart today was a prayer for you!

Oh Lord our God how excellent is your name in all the earth, how marvelous are your works.  Father, I thank you for the liberty to say a prayer for those that are out there in internet world that I don’t even know.  I thank you for being a God who is wonderful to me!  I thank you for being God!

I pray for those whose hearts are breaking in a million pieces at this moment from some tragic situation.  I pray that you will guard their hearts and minds and comfort them through to the other side of pain.

I pray for those who don’t know how they will make financial ends meet for their children/family.  I thank you in advance that you will provide every provision that they stand in need of and that you would send an unexpected blessing to give them hope.

I pray for those who are sick and dealing with illness and depression.  I ask that you reach down and touch them with your healing hand and set them free from the infirmities that cause them to be in a place of dispair.

I pray for the wayward son/daughter that has lost their way and has landed in a pit of vipers.  I am asking that you would deliver them Lord back unto yourself.  I ask that you hold back the night so that they can make a conscience decision to be free from the dangers of the evil one.

I pray for the spiritual leaders all over the world.  I pray that you would protect them as they share the gospel of life.  I ask that you would cover them with angels of protection so that no weapon formed against them would prosper.

I pray for the soul who has given up and wants to end it all tonight.  I ask that you would whisper in their ear that they are somebody and that you love them.  Send a ministering angel to them right now!

I thank you Lord for allowing me to bring this humble prayer to your ears and that you would be faithful to answer!  And I thank you in advance for what you are going to do!  We love you tonight Lord!  We worship and adore you!  We give you all honor and glory!  In Jesus name, amen!

The Butterfly Journey – Lisa

affirmations, arousing Adam, being a man, being a woman, Christ, God, love

I Can’t Validate You!

livingwholecoaching

I can and will give you inspiration, motivation, and affirm you through my words, but one thing I can not do is validate your soul.  The one thing that lies empty in your spirit that is longing for validation can only be filled with the love of Christ.

I have been reading a chapter from: Captivating – Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge, to prepare for an upcoming BlogTalk radio show.  The most interesting thing about this chapter entitled: Arousing Adam is a great eye-opener to what we as women fail to do in our relationships with the men in our lives.  Yeah at first glance the title might take your mind somewhere else, as it did me when the hosts of the  show invited me to join them as a guest host to talk about “Arousing Your Man (Adam)”.  Immediately we think carnally about arousing a man in the natural, but this information is much deeper.  A spiritual arousal that we as woman can do for our men.  But one of the most amazing important revelations of the chapter was that we can’t validate Adam’s soul and neither can our Adam validate ours.

But we often turn to each other to do just that and that is when we miss the mark of our role for each other.  However, the part that we should be playing is the arousal of Adam’s spirit and soul to seek out it’s true validation from God.  We have a wonderful, perfect role to play as  women and when we understand that place we can experience the type of love that God created for a husband and wife (women and men) to have.  We can affirm, inspire, and motivate our Adam that he is a man in every sense.  We can need him as our help mate and we “believe in him”.  This sisters is our role.  And from the man, he can affirm, inspire, and motivate us to know that we are a woman in every sense.  Our femininity arouses his masculinity.  We allow him to be the hero that he is born to be, the man.  He in turn can inspire us to be feminine as he is attracted to the beauty inside and out that makes us a woman.  God created us to be that for each other and it is wonder to behold when we get it right!

Join us on January 22, 2012  at 6:30 pm EST @ www.lifes-journey.org/talkshow.htm, host Life’s Journey: Woman to Woman.

The Butterfly Journey – Lisa