The Right Moment Part 2

"There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth..."  – Ecclesiastes 3:1

The one thing that is constant and sometimes appears to work against us is time. Is time on your side? Time is present, and neither for you or against you; its neither your friend nor enemy. It ticks and measures like a recorder of our days, behaviors and schedules. The good news is Kairos, God's timing, intervenes and overrides Chronos. 

Facts about Kairos:
• it's another dimension or perspective of time. 
• it consists of seasons and moments not limited by measured time 
• is what we use emotionally and spiritually, and is governed by divine assignments and our destiny
• it requires us to seek God, search our own hearts, invest our well-being and walk in purpose and faith

In ancient Greek culture Kairos conveyed the idea of time as the right or opportune moment. The most important interactions and occurrences in our lives take place in Kairos time. These moments can not be planned or created, but are a part of our overall destiny. Many of us stumble upon Kairos moments and only realize we stepped into that dimension for a moment or season after it has occurred. These moments, as we recognize and yield to them, we begin to see that Kairos moments impact our "Being" while Chronos time impacts interchangeable aspects of our lives.

Learn more about recognizing Kairos moments and understanding the impact of Kairos time on our lives 
in "The Right Moment Part 3" later this week.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank You for who You are, for our existence and the time you've given us. We ask that you would open our eyes and make keen our senses and discernment to know when we're having a Kairos experience. We acknowledge and praise You; and welcome your intervention in our lives. Shake up our daily routine, move in our lives in a way that we know it was only You that could have stepped in. We thank You, we honor You, we give you heartfelt praise and thanks for this season in our lives. We ask these blessings, in Jesus' name, Amen.

For additional prayer visit 

http://tabernacleofpraisemin.org/ or call 781-963-5300.

Please share this blog with your friends.

About the author

Sharon has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She combines her experience as an art director, understanding of healthy child development and therapeutic interventions to offer interactive art and talk therapy to clients. Sharon is a wife and mother who is passionate about family life and early childhood development and education. Sharon is known for her commitment to God, excellence and family; comedic wit and ability to empathize with others. "Love you to life!"

The Right Moment Part 1

The time to go from fear to faith is now. How is the right moment in time defined so you can operate in your purpose? The Greeks referred to time with two different words: chronos and kairos. Chronos is the chronology of days; it refers to time designations on a clock, calendar and other references associated with tracking increments of time. Kairos deals with specific, God-ordained times, sometimes called "the right time" or "appointed/due season." It's God's dimension, not constrained by past, present and future; a time when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action; the opportune and decisive moment (Gordon Atkinson).

These ancient references dating back to Greek Culture that are often referenced in the New Testament still influence us today. While chronos refers to time as a means of tracking our existence, Kairos defies this and demands we operate outside of the influences and constructs of measured time. Kairos encourages us to sieze moments, create opportunities, and view life in seasons – and not be limited by time.

Are you ready to operate in seasons, rather than minutes? Are you ready to operate in time as it relates to your destiny? Operating in Kairos builds our faith, because we're conscious of how our actions impact our destiny and those around us. When things appear to go wrong, a person who understands Kairos time realizes delays, unexpected changes and set-backs are opportunities. Have you ever been delayed only to discover something good came out of it?

Why is Kairos important?

1. It is the right moment, it is God's timing set in eternity that impacts our destiny. It goes beyond the clock.

2. You function optimally and are productive without being conscious of or even driven by "the clock." It allows us to work and use our gifts, knowing it will create opportunities we should act upon.

3. We work according to our purpose and the extras the come from it are a bonus. It takes us beyond working and being "on-the-clock."

Check out "The Right Moment Part 2" later this week and read more on how to live in Kairos moments. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank you for the time you've given us to live and to operate in your time. We ask that you show us the difference in our lives when we operate in Kairos while living in within our time. Help us to be effective in all that we do as we go from fear to faith. Let our efforts not be in vain. We give You all the praise, glory and honor; and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

For additional prayer visit 

http://tabernacleofpraisemin.org/ or call 781-963-5300.

Please share this blog with your friends.

About the author

Sharon has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She combines her experience as an art director, understanding of healthy child development and therapeutic interventions to offer interactive art and talk therapy to clients. Sharon is a wife and mother who is passionate about family life and early childhood development and education. Sharon is known for her commitment to God, excellence and family; comedic wit and ability to empathize with others. "Love you to life!"

At the end of your rope?

The best thing about being at the end of your rope is jumping down and landing on your feet.

Some days we get tired of people saying, “well just hang in there, it is going to work out.” There comes a time when hanging in there is no longer an option. It started out as a temporary state because of a larger circumstance and today we find ourselves still “hanging in there” with tired arms from pulling our own weight and those attached to us. I submit to you today, admit you’re at the end of your rope and let go. This is the time to go from fear to faith. Am I saying to walk away or give up? No, I’m saying let’s move forward. Hanging in there, is surviving – barely, not advancement. In order to apprehend the opportunities to make what you call your dream a success, you must take the plunge.

I watched Tangled, Disney’s modified version about the heroine Rapunzel from the Brothers Grimm classic German fairy tale with my kids. In this version, Rapunzel has spent her entire life high up in the tower. Then, local thief Flynn Ryder comes to the tower for refuge and ends up getting Rapunzel out of the tower to live out her dream. Despite circumstances designed to prevent her from seeing her dream come true, Rapunzel never gives up and she lives out her dream and is also returned to her parents. 

Are you in a self-made tower and unable or unsure how to get out of it? Here are four ways to jump down and move forward:

1.  Commit to small actions and build on them. The more you exercise your faith the stronger it will be. In other words, the more you do what you say you're going to do the more consistent you become. When you exercise faith by trying new behaviors and being consistent with them your esteem, courage and strength will increase. Keep going!

2.  Start functioning in your purpose. Dr. Myles Monroe wrote, "The purpose of something determines its nature, design and features" in Understanding the Purpose and Power of Woman. Take the time to know what your purpose is. Think about the nature of your personality, how you’re designed to handle situations.

3.  Use your gifts to change environments. In order for your gift to make room for you and bring you before people of influence, you must use your gift consistently and excel in it. Boldly, not boastfully, share what you’re able to contribute. As people notice your gift, you must be able to articulate what you’re about and plan to accomplish. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

4.  Embrace change and denounce fear. Say good-bye today to your fears of failure, believing lies you’ve believed about yourself and embrace the change from ‘hanging in there’ to walking into ‘a place called there’ as our minister would say. A ‘place called there’ is our ideal place, our destiny. And you do have one. (Isaiah 43:19)

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank You for our gifts and the destiny you've set for our lives. We thank You in advance for opportunities and your favor. Let Your will be done in our lives as we walk in faith and function in our purpose. We ask that you begin to open doors that will allow us to change environments naturally and spiritually. Help us to let go of our fears as we embrace and become conduits of change Jesus' name. We give you all of the glory, honor and praise. Amen.

Check out other blog entries: From Problems to Opportunities, Preparing for Opportunity and Opportunities: Acknowledgement. 

For additional prayer visit 

http://tabernacleofpraisemin.org/ or call 781-963-5300.

Please share this blog with your friends.

About the author

Sharon has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She combines her experience as an art director, understanding of healthy child development and therapeutic interventions to offer interactive art and talk therapy to clients. Sharon is a wife and mother who is passionate about family life and early childhood development and education. Sharon is known for her commitment to God, excellence and family; comedic wit and ability to empathize with others. "Love you to life!"

Words and Parenting

"...when you say, 'I hate you' that sticks with a person and you can't take it away." -Korri Piper

Parenting is the most amazing feat to experience and watch! When I read Korri’s interaction with her daughter, I was so impressed at her Mommy skills in communication and patience that I asked her to be a guest blogger. Being an active engaged listener, especially with children means listening; not with the intent of responding but listening, with the sole purpose of listening to process what is being said. With that said, enjoy this real-parenting moment shared by Korri. 

I approach parenting the same way I approach my work — the point for me is not to do it perfectly. The point is to do it well and with consistency. I find that at bed time my daughter is most reflective, calm and talkative. For ten minutes of our busy lives we are able to slow down focus completely (and most importantly with patience). I look forward to this special talk time everyday. I am constantly amazed by her ability to reflect and process. I also hold this time sacred to our relationship because I know I am setting a strong foundation for communication for the rest of her life. She needs to know that I am always here to talk to her just like she knows the sky to be blue. It must be part of her trust in me as a mother.

Daughter: "Momma. I am so sorry for saying terrible things to you today. It's just that sometimes things happen at school and then I hold them inside. Then, I come home and say bad things to you because I am frustrated and angry and I didn't mean to say them. I was angry and you were listening..."

Korri: "Listen, I am always going to be here no matter how awful the things are that you say. Just know this: there is a line you draw in the sand, and once you step over it, you can't step back. There are words you can't take back once you've said them. That is what I'm trying to teach you."

Daughter: "What do you mean?" 

Korri: "I mean, when you say, 'I hate you' that sticks with a person and you can't take it away. Somewhere, in the back of their head they will always think that and it isn't good. It doesn't put good things into the world."

Daughter: "Momma, I get what you mean. I'm sorry for my words and I know I can't take them back. Other people were mean to me and then I was mean to you and that's not right. Momma, please stop crying."

Korri: "I will, but not right now. Right now I'm crying because you are smart and you get it. And, that's okay."

Daughter: "Momma, I love you."

Korri: "You're my number one and you always will be. Thank you for being kind and reflective."

About the author

Korri Piper has a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a concentration in The Dramatic Arts and holds a Graduate Certificate from the Program for Women in Politics and Public Policy. For more than 11 years she has worked in the field of marketing in varied industries. Korri is fascinated by behavioral sociology. She enjoys staying active, the continued pursuit of knowledge and consideration and righteous social justice work. Korri is parent to an incredibly precocious daughter who reminds her – regularly – that life offers infinite proof of our fallibility, that humor is just a good approach to being and that active listening is the best base for relationships.

Visit Winning Ways to Talk with Young Children to learn more techniques on effectively communicating to children in your life.

Have good parenting tips to share? Parenting questions for Korri? Please comment below, we welcome your comments and questions.

Dreams: Taking Action

"...The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." 
– Ecclesiastes 9:11

Now that you’re dreaming again, your excitement, passion and drive is nearly at its peak. Since we understand that time and chance happens to us all and that nothing is simply given to us, its important to prepare for and cultivate our skills to achieve our dreams. Here are some actions to focus this energy into transforming your dream into something you achieve:

1. Be competent in your expertise. Go after the requirements needed. If achieving your dream requires a specific skill set, license and accreditation etc. focus on pursuing these things immediately. Sign up for classes, trainings or join professional networks for learning opportunities. It takes study, practice, experience and a strong work ethic to become a respected expert in any field. 
2. Establish and maintain good relationships. People may recognize your abilities, skills and talent, but to be highly regarded and endorsed by others it's important to show personal qualities such as trust and integrity in addition to professional skills. Show that you're trustworthy in business and in seemingly small interactions. Be honest yet wise. Listen and retain information to show interest and knowledge. Compliment others when possible. A leader among peers is one that people can look to during uncertain times, be consistent.
3. Focus specifically on what you're going to do on a quarterly basis and DO it. We're one month into the first quarter. What can you do between now and March to make your long-term goal –your dream– a reality? When we're focused, we know where to invest our time and resources. Ideas: research relevant information and use it, make calls and connections, take classes. 

• First Quarter: January-March 
• Second Quarter: April-June (June 30th last day of Fiscal year)
• Third Quarter: July-September (July 1st begins new Fiscal year)
• Fourth Quarter: October-December

IDEAS: Some parts of the year may present challenges due to weather, holidays, family obligations, etc. The good news is that each day of the year is great for taking small steps to move forward. Here are some ideas to get started.

• During holidays, send holiday wishes to business contacts offering to connect over coffee. 
• When back-to-school season comes, stock up on office supplies while they're on sale. 
• Join a local professional group or business chamber.
• Have a soft launch or meet-and-greet to tell others about your business.
• Begin writing your business plan by finding examples of businesses similar to yours.
• Apply for grants to fund your non-profit organization, start your business or attend school.
• Attend conferences and events to learn from others in business.
• Get official training, licenses and certifications.

PRAYER: Father, we thank You for your favor, for our dreams and abilities. We ask for your wisdom and strength to mobilize us as we set our dreams into action. We thank You for our ability to dream and take action. We ask that you give us confidence as we move forward. As opportunities come, help us to be prepared through our continued learning and experience. We continuously give You all of the glory and honor in everything we do. Be glorified in our lives daily, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stay inspired about your dream!
Listen to messages on being a Dreamer via Podcast from E. Dewey Smith, Jr.

For additional prayer visit http://tabernacleofpraisemin.org/ or call 781-963-5300.

Please share this blog with your friends.

About the author

Sharon has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She combines her experience as an art director, understanding of healthy child development and therapeutic interventions to offer interactive art and talk therapy to clients. Sharon is a wife and a mother that is passionate about family life and early childhood development and education. Sharon is known for her commitment to God, excellence and family, comedic wit and ability to empathize with others. "Love you to life!"

Dream Again

Dr. King is not the only dreamer, what can you do when you begin to dream again? Can you revive your marriage, heal from your divorce, love your children and those around you? So many times we resolve in ourselves a dream must be big, visible, systemic in nature – with a life and momentum of its own that impacts the masses. I offer you this thought humbly: Consider your dream. Coming home to a peaceful environment, sleeping through the night better, academic and/or professional pursuits, better health, or even loving yourself – could that be your dream?

5 ways to re-discover your dreams and begin dreaming again:

1. Identify what your gifts and abilities are. What do you do well? What do others say you do well? Think of the most common requests people have of you, besides the mundane tasks of life – what do people specifically seek you for? (Proverbs 18:16)
2. Be a person of excellence and credibility.  What skills, gifts and abilities do you have? Focus on doing one thing well and then expand. 
3. Remember your dreams. What sparked them originally? What hindered you and made you put your dreams down?
4. Dream again! Reflect on where you are now. What is your purpose? What essence of life do you bring to the table? Make each word count that you speak, so others value you and your words.
5. Journal. Write our vision and make it plain (business plans, goals, etc). Be patient, achieving anything significant takes effort over a period of time. If your dream doesn’t happen immediately, remember to pace yourself and catch the wisdom you’re gaining from the experience. (Habakkuk 2:2-3)
6. Take action. Writing your vision and pondering it is great but in order for your dream to manifest you must take steps. What are the requirements for your dream to come to pass? Determine what those requirement are and DO what it takes. Make a checklist of things to do and do a quarterly review of what you've accomplished.
7. Tell others. Who have you told about your vision? Telling others whose opinion we trust and value helps us be accountable. Determine who you can share your dream with that will motivate you to take action.

PRAYER: Father, please help us to dream again. Resurrect in us the dreams you’ve put in us since the beginning of our existence. We thank You for our ability to dream and take action. We ask that you give us confidence and restore our faith as we dream again. Continue to bless us with opportunities that are healthy and safe for us to enter, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stay inspired about your dream!
Listen to messages on being a Dreamer via Podcast from E. Dewey Smith, Jr.

For additional prayer visit 
http://tabernacleofpraisemin.org/ or call 781-963-5300.

Please share this blog with your friends.

About the author

Sharon has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She combines her experience as an art director, understanding of healthy child development and therapeutic interventions to offer interactive art and talk therapy to clients. Sharon is a wife and mother who is passionate about family life and early childhood development and education. Sharon is known for her commitment to God, excellence and family; comedic wit and ability to empathize with others. "Love you to life!"

Opportunities: Networking

Continuing the From Problems to Opportunities series. 

Two significant ways we can prepare for opportunities are to make professional and social connections and identify with like-minded individuals. Essentially, you must network. The type of networking a parent does during their child's event is very different from networking that takes place in a business setting. Both are valuable opportunities because they put you in an environment to make desired connections but the preparation and acceptable behavior are completely different. 

Connections are essential in every area of life, primarily in the professional arena but networking in multiple areas of your life will create opportunities for you to: grow as a person, advance professionally, share information and gain knowledge. Sometimes we avoid obvious networking environments because we're shy, socially awkward (at least in our minds), unsure how to navigate the crowd and the biggest reason – fear. It can prevent us from thriving in the environment set up for us to succeed. Below is a list of different types of networking and tips as well.

Networking. The exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.

Business networking. A socioeconomic activity by which groups of like-minded businesspeople recognize, create, or act upon business opportunities. 

Social Networking. The grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online.

Non-traditional Networking. Connecting with individuals you share common interests, goals and ideas. Environments include: social gathering (parties, reunions, play dates, etc.), places of worship, local chambers and business networks, places where people of influence are (clubhouses, non-profit events, golf courses, exclusive gyms, etc.). 

Tips for networking in any environment.  While networking, remember to engage with people at your level and beyond. It's great to have peers for support, and remember to be complimentary, genuine and model the behavior you're expecting from the other person. Identify resources and potential mentors as your network expands and relationships develop. Use your time with these connections wisely: discover new opportunities, again access to events, etc.

Tips on becoming a mentor: Maybe you're at the point where you should be mentoring someone who is early in their profession or mid-level. Think about the ways being a mentor (officially or unofficially) will help you identify your strengths as a resource and determine specific ways you're able to help mentor others in an efficient manner (i.e. group lunches, schedule times to meet in advance and stick to a schedule).


PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank You for our abilities, gifts and talents. We thank You in advance for opportunities and where there are none, we ask for your favor. Allow our gifts to make room for us and bring us before people of influence. Increase our faith and confidence as we enlarge our territories through networking professionally, socially and even within our places of worship. Connect us with the right people so we can do more than we would alone. We pray Your will be done. We thank You and we bless You in Jesus' name. Amen.

Check out: From Problems to Opportunities, Preparing for Opportunity and Opportunities: Acknowledgement to catch up on this series. Again, I thank you for reading and its my hope that this blog inspire you to be the woman you were born to be.

For additional prayer visit 
http://tabernacleofpraisemin.org/ or call 781-963-5300.

Please share this blog with your friends.

About the author
Sharon has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She combines her experience as an art director, understanding of healthy child development and therapeutic interventions to offer interactive art and talk therapy to clients. Sharon is a wife and mother who is passionate about family life and early childhood development and education. Sharon is known for her commitment to God, excellence and family; comedic wit and ability to empathize with others. "Love you to life!"

Birth of a Dreamer

“The time is always right to do the right thing.”
― Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In honor of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I thought it'd be fitting to encourage you to dream again. Dr. King is known for his prolific "I Have A Dream" speech, leadership of the Civil Rights movement and emphasis on non-violence – having been influenced by Mohandas Gandhi.

It's never too late to dream again. Despite failures, heart aches and other obstacles we face – it's never a bad time to resurrect a dream, first in our minds and then our actions. One of the things I love about Dr. King is that he is an example that one person, who connects with many can do BIG things!

Read more on taking steps to dreaming again in Monday's blog Discovering your Dreams.

 For additional prayer visit http://tabernacleofpraisemin.org/ or call 781-963-5300.

Please share this blog with your friends. 

About the author

Sharon has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She combines her experience as an art director, understanding of healthy child development and therapeutic interventions to offer interactive art and talk therapy to clients. Sharon is a wife and mother who is passionate about family life and early childhood development and education. Sharon is known for her commitment to God, excellence and family; comedic wit and ability to empathize with others. "Love you to life!"

Opportunities: Acknowledgment

Continuing the From Problems to Opportunities series, I want to share details on ways we can go about changing our perspective by breaking down each of the points. Check out: From Problems to Opportunities and Step 1: Preparing for Opportunity to catch up on the series. Thank you for reading, your comments and emails are amazing and insightful!

STEP: 2 Acknowledge your current situation and the role you have played in creating it. Often, when we're unhappy in situations – our workplace, relationships, finances, etc. – we tend to gloss over our role in creating the situation. Consider the behaviors you've exhibited over the years, and commit to refining and using more of the positive behaviors that have worked. Fully admit to yourself your role in negative and/or hurtful experiences – whether they were hurtful to you or someone else.

Honestly acknowledging our role leading to our current circumstances or past hurts is essential dealing with our issues rather than burying them. Acknowledgement is also the key to a new start. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

1. Admit to past mistakes and learn from them. Wise and successful individuals tend to quickly acknowledge their mistakes because it accelerates progress. When thinking of your past, if there's a pattern of behavior (are you always outspoken, do you run from conflict – even if you're right), let this be the year you try something different with your responses in situations.
2. Support from trusted friends and colleagues. Identify trustworthy friends and even colleagues to support and educate you through this process. They can provide valuable feedback based on their observation of you over-time. Ask specifically about situations that you would have preferred a different outcome, and accept their feedback – even if you disagree! Ask questions about their feedback, rather than dispute their points. The value in this information is the other person's perspective and having a more complete view of the situation.
3. Changing your approach. Brainstorm ways you can handle upcoming or even ongoing situations differently and reach out to those you've identified as trusted friends and colleagues to help you in this. Become an active listener if you're normally talkative, commit to being on time if you have a history of being late, etc. 

For more tips on acknowledging your truth and also Owning Your Value go to: 

Living Fabulously Fierce.

For additional prayer visit http://tabernacleofpraisemin.org/ or call 781-963-5300.

Please share this blog with your friends. 

About the author

Sharon has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She combines her experience as an art director, understanding of healthy child development and therapeutic interventions to offer interactive art and talk therapy to clients. Sharon is a wife and mother who is passionate about family life and early childhood development and education. Sharon is known for her commitment to God, excellence and family; comedic wit and ability to empathize with others. "Love you to life!"