Pam Vredevelt's Blog, page 11

Faith is . . .

. . .is not shelter against difficulties, but belief in the face of all the harsh realities life throws our way, and the seeming contradictions.

Fast From Negativity

Why do we feed on toxic thoughts that defile and draw us away from loving ourselves and others well? Why do we allow merciless devaluations, heavy grudges, and persistent worry, to steal our strength?  What might happen if we agree together to silence the inner critic and the strange voices from another world that shame us with accusations, doing violence to our soul?  

 The greatest gift we have been given is the gift of choice. Our thoughts are our domain. 

I've chosen to declare a fast from negativity in 2015.  Will you join me?  I'd love to hear how this is plays out in your life in the comment section below.  

Today's Love Whisper

"I know no limitations, have no fear, and don't recognize the word 'impossible.'Will you agree with Me and believe what I say to you today?"

I propose a toast!

Dear friends,

When I pause to think about all I am grateful for this year, people like you keep coming to mind.

With the pending January media launch of the Safe Empowered Child video series, I thought it would be fun to invite you to raise a glass with me New Years Eve and share a toast:

"Three cheers to the caring parents, family, and friends,
who will train and empower a million children
to make choices in 2015 that keep them
physically, emotionally, and sexually safe!"

Co-founder Christopher Bates and Creative Director Rocio Bates, with their children on a camping trip in the Pacific Northwest.

Thanks to you, today we celebrate:

The formation of The Safe Empowered Child non-profit corporation in April 2014.The filming and release of The Safe Empowered Child Training Video series released in October 2014The pending national Media Launch of the Safe Empowered Child training series to begin January 15, 2015Multiple invitations to bring The Safe Empowered Child training series to businesses, schools, community groups, and churches in the new year

Thank you for your enthusiastic feedback, encouragement, and support as we've embarked on this mission to help parents empower their kids, with time-tested and clinically proven tools that prevent bullying and abuse. 

You matter!

Our very best to you and yours,

Pam Vredevelt with Christopher Bates
Authors and Co-founders of The Safe Empowered Child
www.SafeEmpoweredChild.com
Facebook.com/safeempoweredchild

P.S.  If you'd like to make a tax-deductible contribution in 2014 to help us bring positive change to 1 million children, click here for a quick and easy opportunity to give. Cheers!

I simply sent this as a personal note, hoping you'll help us spread the word to protect children and families from bullying and abuse. 


Add us to your address book

 

Experiencing God In Dark Places

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 Dark nights of the soul are a common part of life in this world, as certain as sunsets.  So w hat if we don't make life about avoiding pain, but about profiting from it? What if there is a better, higher view of our difficult realities?  What if every dark threatening situation is really a shortcut to a brilliant experience of God?   Perhaps it's time for us to quiet our hearts and ask, "God, what are You up to in the midst of this difficulty? What wisdom do You want to give me? How do you want to reveal Yourself to me in this dark place? The secrets to profiting from pain are discovered in hearing His perspectives. How will you make room for profitable moments with God? 

What Are You Looking For?

Our brains are hardwired with a wonderful God-given gift called selective screening.  I'll show you what I mean.  Look around you.  Now count all the red things you can find in the next 5 seconds.  

As you were counting the red items, how many purple things did you find?  If you answered, zero, then you've just experienced your ability to selectively screen. You see, the mind can only attend to one thing at a time. The good news is, you generally find what you're looking for - in yourself, in others, in God, and in life.  

How about taking inventory with me?  What have you been recently looking for in your kids?  Your spouse?  Your friends?  Your work?  Is your focus building you up or tearing you down?  Is it increasing your joy factor or stealing the smiles from your face? The greatest gift of all is that we get to choose what we magnify.

So what will you look for this week?

"...Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. . . Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." Phil. 4:8,9 The Msg.

Today's Whisper...

"Keep tempo with the unforced rhythms of My grace."

WHAT IF JOY IS FOUND. . .

What if joy is found in listening and sharing God's love whispers?

Today's whisper: "I will show you how and be with you every step of the way.

Everything is going to be alright."

Grace carries...

Grace is love that carries and comforts and cares.. .  things we all need more of when poop hits the fan!

What if . . .

What if we throw caution to the wind and get messy in caring for others?

What if we move quickly to share what we have, rather than over-analyzing the warm impulse to death?

What if we believe God speaks, and act on what we hear rather than talking ourselves out of it?

Could this be where true JOY is discovered and fun adventures begin?