Are You Well-Connected?
September 26, 2011 by Jory · 2 Comments
The U.S. Naval Academy’s Chaplain Brian Weigelt delivered one of his thought-provoking, spirit-moving sermons yesterday entitled “Joint Operations.” As he preached on our need for radically strong vertical and horizontal relationships (giving a clarion call for all branches of service to seek guidance from Above and be fully supportive of one another), I kept staring at the cross above him.
Here I am, 58.75 years old, and yet that’s the first time I’ve ever deeply reflected on how the shape of the cross symbolizes our vertical relationship with our Creator as well as our horizontal relationships with our fellow man. Pondering the Chaplain’s words, I stared at the intersection of the two pieces of wood, where an upside-down dove is often carved to represent the descending of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus, upon us.
The Holy Spirit at the center of the cross . . . at the center of our hearts . . . at the center of our relationships.
The cross is all about heart-centered, soul-centered, vertical and horizontal relationships. The cross is all about Joint Operations!
Before we begin our work . . . before we connect with our friends, family, colleagues, clients, and prospective clients, let’s remember to do what David was advised in Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
We must connect to our Power Source.
We must connect to the Divine.
Only then are we ready to connect with one another.
I’d love to read your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Healing the Broken Child Within (Casi McLean)
July 20, 2011 by Jory · 2 Comments
Author Casi McLean’s powerful memoir, Wingless Butterfly, Confessions of a Recovering Jerk-Magnet, unveils a true story of hope and inspiration. In her compelling manuscript, Casi discovers an elusive secret past––and changes her future. Her mother’s ominous warning about her mysterious birth father haunts her: “He’s the kind of man who pulls wings off of butterflies.” Eerie dreams of a faceless man combine with repeated failed relationships to propel her through a portal in time on the roller coaster ride of her life. When she stumbles upon sinister secrets, Casi confronts dark shadows lurking in her soul that hold her captive in psychological bondage. As the mystery of her mother’s metaphor unravels, she realizes that to save her future, she must find the power to destroy the wall of fear, betrayal and deception that looms large and foreboding over her life. Casi’s fresh approach and expressive style will engage any individual who has lost sight of their dreams, and her saga promises to touch hearts for years to come.
About Casi McLean
Originally from McLean, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C., Casi relocated to Atlanta after graduating from the University of Georgia. She has always been fascinated with the written word and taught English, creative writing, and drama for several years. The life-altering search for her biological father revealed secrets and lies in her past that rekindled her passion for writing and inspired her captivating memoir. Now, the mother of two grown sons, she lives in Atlanta where she is a motivational speaker and writer focused on educating and empowering others to let go of the past, find their own passion, and pursue their dreams.
Casi’s Success Tips
You can’t more forward with one foot stuck in the past.
Remembering your childhood dreams may help you find your passion.
The greatest thing about dreams is they don’t expire. They can lay dormant for years and when you pull them out and dust them off, they shine like new.
When you let go of past pain, believe in yourself, and follow your dreams—you can find true happiness!
Casi’s Favorite Quote
When you have come to the edge of all light that you know, and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly. ~Patrick Overton
Whether you believe you can, or whether you believe you can’t, you’re absolutely right. ~Henry Ford
Listen to the interview with Casi by clicking the audio arrow or link below.
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Finding My Way in a Bipolar Marriage (Allison Johnson)
February 9, 2011 by Jory · 3 Comments
On the morning of August 16, 2005, expectations for Allison Johnson and the future of her family met with the harshest of realities. Her husband had disappeared and she didn’t know if he was coming back. Colored by the destructive forces of bipolar mood disorder, “Waking Up in the Middle of Nowhere” is the story of Allison and Grant Johnson and their search for love in spite of seemingly impossible odds.
Their against- all-odds attitude and the heartfelt sharing of the battlefield that became their life will touch your heart, magnify your faith, and intensify your belief in God and His miraculous works of healing and restoration. How did they survive, and perhaps even thrive, in spite of the invisible ogre that threatened them at every turn?
About Allison Johnson
Allison Johnson’s book, Waking Up in the Middle of Nowhere: Finding my way in a Bipolar Marriage, is a memoir she wrote with her husband. Together they have launched an interactive blog: Wakingupinthemiddleofnowhere.blogspot.com where their readers receive ongoing support and encouragement.
Several of her articles including, “Wow, I’m a Coach…Now What do I do?” and “Transition Coaching” are featured in Christian Coaching Magazine and she continues to be a contributing writer. Her short story, “Grace on a Thursday” was published in the devotional Moments of Grace. Portions of her blogs have also been featured on CBN.com and bipolarhappens.com/bhblog.
Allison’s vision is to reach the hearts of women from every avenue of life, encouraging them to embrace the reality of who God intended them to be. Her writing, speaking and coaching ministry ResurrectedGirl.com provides women from every avenue of life the opportunity to fulfill their own potential for greatness.
Allison’s Coaching Suggestions
Five Things to Do in a Crisis
1. Do normal things: Try to keep your routine as much as possible. Having a sense of normalcy helps you keep your focus in spite of the difficult circumstance.
2. Ask for help: If you need help, don’t hesitate to seek it. Think of three people right now you could call. Having them “at the ready” will help you feel more at peace.
3. Create a support network: The biggest mistake I made was I didn’t share with anyone outside of my immediate family and my two closest friends what it was we were going through. It’s true there is strength in numbers. Ask God to show you whom you can count on and then tell them exactly what you need and when you need it.
4. Talk to God: Remember that God is with you, and whatever the circumstance may be, He is willing and ready to hear you. You can cry out to Him, revealing your true heart. He’s big enough to carry all of it…you just have to let Him.
5. Create a Scripture Support List: In the midst of our season of challenge there was a list of Scriptures I referred to that helped me when I couldn’t make sense of my circumstances. My favorite was John 8:12: “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Allison’s Quote for the Day
“It is for these specific challenges that you will be equipped.” ~Jerome Daley
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Stuffocated?
December 18, 2010 by Jory · 8 Comments
Have you ever watched the show “Stuffocated”? I saw it for the first time last night and am still marveling that one three-person family could have over 12,000 pounds of stuff in their small three-bedroom home. The inherent message of the show—it’s relationships that matter, not material possessions—got me thinking about our emphasis on gift-giving (and gift-receiving) during the holiday season. THAT got me thinking about the ubiquitous game “White Elephant.”
Photo by jacobwayoff2 at Webshots.com
I decided to look up its origin. Apparently, in times past, the King of Siam would bestow upon his enemies the “gift” of a white elephant. Because the recipient could not dishonor the king by giving it away or destroying it, and because the upkeep of such a gift was exorbitantly expensive and time-consuming, the enemy would become bankrupt. His single royal possession would consume all of his resources causing him and his family to die.
The extreme clutter in the TV family’s home had become their own species of white elephant, zapping their energy, harming their health, and consuming nearly all of their time and financial resources. Only when the “Stuffocated” team of experts cleared out over 7,000 pounds of stuff could the family breathe freely, focus on one another, and invite friends into their home.
Stuff. Relationships. Relationships. Stuff. What takes priority in our lives?
Both the Old and New Testaments make it clear that, by far, its relationships that matter most. The two great commandments are: (1) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (2) “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12: 28-31) So it would seem that three of life’s key questions are: What is my relationship to God? What is my relationship to myself? What is my relationship to my fellow man?
I’m not sayin’ that we mustn’t enjoy giving and receiving at this wondrous time of year. I’m simply suggesting that we remember the primary purpose of life: to grow and develop rich relationships with our Living God, with ourselves, and with one another.
If we start to get caught up in the hurry scurry of the holidays, let’s all remember to take a breath and focus on what matters most.
Lest we fill our hearts and houses with white elephants.
Warmly,
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Living Outside the Box with Chris McCluskey, P.C.C.
October 14, 2009 by Jory · Leave a Comment
Christopher McCluskey is a man who walks his talk.
Simplicity, balance, purpose, faith, marriage, children (seven of them!). Mix all of that together and you get a highly successful psychotherapist who felt called to leave his practice in Tampa, Florida, to begin a Christian Life Coaching business from his ranch in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains.
We invite you to listen to a touching tale of trials and triumph as Chris shares with you what motivates him each and every day to lead a life that truly matters. An endearing communicator, Chris will warm you with his colorful life-on-purpose stories.
You’ll hear how his family enthusiastically pulls together to support his work and how Chris plays a pivotal role in home schooling his sons and daughters. You’ll also hear Chris eloquently answer the question: What is Christian Life Coaching anyway? Join Jory and Chris as we explore the ups and downs of living life intentionally. You can’t help but be inspired!
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Christopher McCluskey
Christopher McCluskey is a Professional Certified Coach and President of Coaching for Christian Living (www.christian-living.com), an international coaching service. He specializes in marriage enrichment, parenting, balance, simplicity, and life purpose. A pioneer in the coaching field, Chris is Director of the world’s first distinctly Christian coach training program. He also co-founded the American Board of Christian Sex Therapists and the Institute for Sexual Wholeness, a Master’s level training program for professional counselors. Chris is a popular speaker, author, and former psychotherapist who is Board certified in sex therapy. He and his wife, Rachel, authored the highly-acclaimed marriage book When Two Become One. They are popular media personalities and have published numerous chapters and articles in Christian books and magazines. Christopher joins us from their ranch in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains where the couple home school their seven children.
Discover more inspiring interviews at www.WomenFindPurpose.
Click here for your FREE “Discover Your Purpose” Starter Course!