Relationship is Knowing, Really Knowing

Who do you know so well that you can honestly say you really know them? Is it a spouse, best friend, parents, and / or kids?

I really know my wife. The kind of knowing that I know how she is going to react in most every circumstance. I know what she’s thinking when I catch her staring at something, I know her strengths and her weaknesses. Just being in her presence without a word spoken I know if something is bothering her. Do you have someone that you know that well?

It wasn’t always so with Shari and I – I must admit, in the beginning I realized quickly I needed to get to know her better for my own safety – actions to avoid that would bring on the wrath! :-) This took quite a bit of studying and watching and failing, but I eventually learned (self preservation kicked in). I then moved to a phase where I knew her well enough to manipulate her and get my way. I knew just what to say and do to get my selfish ways, although looking back I’m pretty sure she saw right through me, but gave me the benefit of the doubt. The knowledge was there, but the motives were all wrong - thank You Lord for helping our marriage survive that phase! The phase we enjoy now I can only describe as true love. Somewhere along the way I learned the beauty that motivates her, her dreams and desires for our family and for herself - somewhere along the way I finally started listening to her heart. Through the listening came that deep relationship where I long to bring her joy, and I know the little things that do so.

Scripture says Jesus is our husband and we are His bride. He longs for us to know Him like this. To dedicate the time studying Him, watching Him and listening to Him with our hearts. How He would respond in every circumstance; what and how He would say or ask in every response; When He would stand up and speak to the storm; how to speak to the Father. Can you finish His sentences? How much do you desire too? Ask Him to reveal ways we don’t know Him and things we believe in error. He loves spending time with us and revealing more and more of Himself to us. Holy Spirit revealed to me how my relationship with Jesus has been much like my marriage. When I first began to know Him it was for my own safety – I desperately needed a Savior. The more I got to know Jesus, the more I realized the power He has given us to access. It pains me to admit, but I began trying to manipulate Jesus to do my will. Although many times my intentions were noble, honest retrospect revealed it was still about me in ways. Oh Lord, thank You for Your love and patience, and that You are slow to anger! I still bounce in and out of the True Love and Manipulation phases of my relationship with Him, but I long to please Him, to do His will, to become little so He can become great in me. Not works, but love.

I long to know Him as my True Love spouse.

In Him, and all in!

Joe Borden

What does Faith look like?

Something Holy Spirit revealed really challenged my daily walk to the core. In James, He says faith without deeds, without works is dead. I've always felt that was referring to my faith in Him, and the works are how I give back to the Kingdom through telling my testimony, helping at the church, the giving of my time, gifts and resources. While this is true, we as Kingdom dwellers who are in this world, but not of this world go through many storms that require our faith in the promises and unchanging character of God. Since Faith and Deeds cannot be separated, can deeds of our faith in every storm be referring to EVERY thought we choose to entertain, the EVERY word we speak, our attitude, demeanor and body language we project through the storm?

Try replacing the word "Faith" where you see it in scripture with "Trust in God" - Listen to how it changes the depth of the following verses:

Hebrews 11:6 - Without Trust in God it is impossible to please God.

James 1:6,8: But when you ask Him, be sure that your Trust in God is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind... Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do."

Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you , I have not found such great Trust in God even in Israel."

1 Cor 2:5 "That your Trust in God should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

Here is Webster's definition of Trust:

1. reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

2. confident expectation of something; hope.

3. confidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust.

4. a person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust.

5. the condition of one to whom something has been entrusted.

6. the obligation or responsibility imposed on a person in whom confidence or authority is placed: a position of trust.

7. charge, custody, or care: to leave valuables in someone's trust.

8. something committed or entrusted to one's care for use or safekeeping, as an office, duty, or the like; responsibility; charge.

What do you think truly Trusting in God looks like through His eyes?

Is is possible to truly Trust in God to resolve a problem and still worry about it?

I'm not saying be slouthful or lazy - but to be purposeful in our listening for marching orders, patient to wait for instruction, and in ready position to act quickly at His call.

If what we are having Faith for lines up with the promises of God, True Trust in God frees us from having to know when and how He's going to do it.

Something really fun - go to an online bible (I like http://www.youversion.com/) and search on the word "Trust". Ask Holy Spirit for revelation and understanding. Here are a few of them:

1 Peter 2:6 - For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Psalm 9:10 - Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken thise who seek You.

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Nah 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

John 14:1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Rom 10:11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."

What's God doing?

There is a great Word in the story of Joseph for all of us that are trusting and waiting on God for something. Jacob of course, is the one who wrestled with God, received the name Israel, etc. Lots of experience with God. Yet there was a period where he did not have the whole picture about everything God was doing behind the scenes on his behalf.

He thought his son Joseph was dead. His whole family experienced a severe famine and were so hungry they finally had to send people to Egypt for food just in hopes of surviving. Do you imagine he wondered where God had gone, what had happened to the promises of God for his family?

But the reality is that God was working on behalf of Israel's family the whole time even though Jacob didn't know about it. Joseph was alive not dead, God had arranged this all for the saving of many people (Gen 50:20) and Jacob had a day of breakthrough. In fact, it wasn't really a breakthrough in circumstances as much as it was a revelation of everything God had already been doing without Jacob knowing - on one day he learned his son Joseph was alive and the second most powerful person in the most powerful nation, and that the family would be reunited and completely provided for.

Here is what I suggest you ponder -even though you don't see what He is doing in your life toward your next job, in the environment where he will take you for your ministry and in provision, He is doing things right now to make that all happen. And you don't really need to know about all that at this particular time. Instead you have the opportunity to trust that He is a faithful and good Dad. Your day of revelation where you see it all come together is coming though. Rest assured.

Be one whose faithfulness and pursuit is inspiring!

Thanks Brent Phillips for the insiration!

Resume Advice

I realized several years ago if you put a group of hiring managers in a room together to give feedback on a resume they will come back with different reasons why they liked or disliked the resume, not to mention co-workers, friends and of course your uncle Johnny - it can drive a person in the process of writing a resume bonkers! One page or 4 pages, chronological or functional, full details or summarize, the list goes on. Through the 15 years I've been doing this I have testimonies for every style and length of a WELL written resume. So be of good cheer, there is a solution. God knows the manager for your next job - he knows everything about them, including what style resume they like. Ask for Wisdom in writing this - He gives wisdom generously to all that ask (James 1:5). Then, have faith, with no doubt in your heart that He is faithful. (Matt 21:21, Mark 11:23, James 1:6)


So how to develop a WELL written resume? Without going into a school on resume writing (we have a class for that, so check the schedule) there are a few basics that always need to be covered for a successful, WELL written resume.

1. You must know what kind of job you are targeting and use your experiences under each job to describe how your knowledge and skillset has grown through well thought out metrics (measurable accomplishments). Remember, the only reason they are looking to add staff is that they have a problem - either not enough man/woman power to get the work done, or they do not have the needed skills on their current staff. You can't be all things to all people. God created you with certain gifts that you enjoy, are really good at, and have probably grown in ability - show that growth in terms size, scope, revenue and oversite of the different projects and duties you have been a part of.
2. Never lie
3. Never use the same verbs to start sentences under a job description (google "resume verbs" for a great list)
4. Never use the same sentences under different jobs - doing this screams laziness and lack of creativity. Would you interview, much less hire someone with those attributes?
5. When you are developing the bullet accomplishments, come at it from the mindset that you are offering (selling) your skills and experiences THEY are needing. Look at the job description and make sure you have the size, scope, revenue details of your skills and experiences listed for every requirement they need that is in YOUR quiver.
6. No misspellings! Have several people that ARE GOOD at catching those sort of errors proof your resume. I'll be very transparent here - I'm not blessed with that talent! But we each know people that are, and usually they enjoy doing it and you asking them would bless them. Don't trust the spell checker of Word - if you mistype a word that is correctly spelled it won't catch it.
7. Don't abbreviate - spell everything out (unless it's a technical resume where you can first use spell it out and abbreviate after that with discretion.

Ask God to bless your resume and direct it into the hands of who He has planned, then post it, send it and hand it to anyone that will take it! Be purposeful and confident in your search. Be a good steward of your time - you have a job, and that's finding a job!
May God Bless you, and His Peace cover every fear and His Joy be your strength!
In Him, and all in!

The Need to Network

Most of us will find our next jobs through networking with other people - it's just a fact. Another fact, it is typically through someone you have seen in person within the previous few weeks. So, with that being said I ask the question - How many people have you met with this week?

It's important to remember that to be a successful networker, you have to take the focus off yourself and put it on the other person. Despite your current situation, focus on how you can help the other person, and be open to the fact that what that person needs at that moment is probably way different from what you need. Typically everyone is going through something. They may be struggling fear, health problems, a teenage child, marriage problems, unforgiveness - and a word of encouragement and speaking God's love into their lives may be your divine appointment. Focus on God's work and He will focus on your work.

Be referable. 1 Thess 5:16 says Be joyful always! Even if you have to will it in, be optimistic in all your conversations. Don't speak negatively about past employers or employees. That is the only kind of person most will stake their reputation to refer to those they know. Get out of the house and meet people. Dress like you are at your job where ever you go - you never know who God will put in your path today. Consider all this your current job duties, and do them to God's Glory!

Networking meetings are a great place to start - DFW is blessed with an abundance of meeting each week (we have several listed here on this site). Order business cards with your name, title and some bullets describing what you do. Offer whoever you are speaking with a card, and you will usually get one in return to follow up with. VistaPrint.com offers 250 for just the cost of shipping.

Most importantly remember God has a plan for you - plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans for hope and a future. You are His son/daughter - HIS! He is doing a great work in you. You are worthy of all His love!

Who is defining our Identity?

In Romans chapter 8 we are told when we surrender our lives to Christ we receive the Spirit of sonship, adopted into royalty - co-heirs with Christ, sons and daughters of the Most High God, the Great I AM, Creator of all. Have you ever stopped to really grasp what that means? For me it's hard to wrap my head around. We are now sons and daughters of the perfect King, WORTHY to receive His perfect love, perfect attention, perfect discipline, perfect timing, and has given us full access to His Kingdom for us to bring Him glory. Wow!

The enemy wants nothing less than to steal that identity. If he can steal our identity, he renders our authority over him powerless - the very authority Jesus suffered, died and rose again to give us! Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in the spiritual realm. As Joyce Meyer explained so well in her book, it's the battlefield of the mind!
When we feel enslaved by fear, worry, addiction, depression, etc - whose definition of our identity are we believing?

Stand Up Royal Prince and Princesses! Hold every thought captive and test it against the Truth, the Word. If it doesn't line up, bind it, cast it out, and replace it with the truth. In Christ you are called Son/Daughter, Royal Priest of the Most High God who loves you and knows the plans He has for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future. (Jer 29:11)
Believe you are who He says you are!

God's Will for our Lives

Most of us know there is only true peace when we are in God's Will, but how often we struggle to know what that Will is. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 gives us a good hint - "Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

So many times I've said God, How is that possible? Can't you see what I'm going through? How can I be joyful!?

I believe God wants us to realize our visibility (as in a weather term - how far in front of us we can see) from our perspective is usually very low (mine seems like 2 feet!). We can hardly see through the pain, suffering and lies of the enemy, who wants us to believe that our current circumstances will never change, and destruction is eminent. God's view on the other hand is from an all knowing perspective. He sees tomorrow as clearly as He sees today. If you knew today that tomorrow morning you would be receiving an offer for your perfect job, how would that change your current mood? Would you sleep better tonight? Well, God knows, and He's on your side!

God says that "He knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us; plans for hope and a future" - Jeremiah 29:11, and "He's with you always and forever; He will never leave you, and He will never abandon you. So we say with confidence The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"- Hebrews 13:5. 1 Thess 5:16 is saying, trust in God's visibility, trust that He has good plans for you, trust that the Creator of all is more than capable to handle our problems that appear so unchangeable. Be joyful always (because God's on our side), pray continually (lay your burdens on His alter), give thanks in every circumstance (because He heard your prayer and has the best plans prepared for you).

One touch from God and the valley you are in becomes a mountain peak, and it usually happens SUDDENLY! Keep your focus on God, His promises, His truth. Jesus told Peter to keep his eyes on Him, not the water he was walking on...

If you are struggling with this, you are not alone - Even King David (read the first verse of Psalm 6,10,13,22,28,38,55,56,57,59 - you get the picture) and Jeremiah (15:18 - Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and uncurable? You're nothing, God, but a mirage, a lovely oasis in the distance - and then nothing...) went through times of doubt and threw pity parties. But just as God told Jeremiah in verse 15:19 (“Take back those words, and I’ll take you back. Then you’ll stand tall before me. Use words truly and well. Don’t stoop to cheap whining. Then, but only then, you’ll speak for me. Let your words change them. Don’t change your words to suit them") resist the urge to doubt, for God is mighty to save!