Getting out of the "boat" - 2

10 years ago, Beryl and I were talking about getting out of the boat. Beryl then shared some highlights from the book, which I finally got around to reading (a few years ago):

The boat can represent different things to different people.

• For Peter, it was his "place of employment";
• For Jonah it was his "escape from employment";
• For Noah it was his "place of security/salvation";
• For Paul it was his "mode of transportation" and 
• For Jesus, it was his "platform" and "place of rest"

Despite the various uses of the boat, they each had to step out of the boat at one time or the other to fulfill their missions in life. None of them stayed on the boat forever.

What is the "boat" to you? What do you need to do in order to get to that next level God has prepared and called you to?

As we inch towards the the end of the year, what are you doing to "get out of your boat" and walk on water.

Feel free to contact Beryl or I (Sapphire) if you want to discuss further.

Other posts to read:
- If you want to walk on water
- Getting out of the boat
- Licence to walk on water

How I wish...

...I could start and sustain an online book club. Reading more of John Ortberg’s book: “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat” generated all sorts of ideas in my heart and head – now I’m even wondering if I’m a Type T person (i.e. thrill-seeking personality) who’s just spontaneous (& maybe not thinking things through) or growing (& maybe rowing) into a Type W person i.e. a Water-walker.

Just thinking about it, considering how busy we all are, I’m sure it is possible to have an on-line book club. One where we each read a book or the same book, share the highlights and how we have or are applying the truths learned in our lives. Not sure if anything like that exists already but it sure sounds like a fun idea. Especially as it is a great way to bond with people you do or don’t know, may or never meet and also a great way to connect with other Christian women who are going & growing in the same direction as you.

We can start with a book a quarter – it takes me as long or maybe longer to get through one book. Then as we grow, move to a book a month. The objective is not for all of us to be reading the same book at the same time – at least not for starters – we may grow into that with time. The vision is for us to be leaders who read because “readers are leaders” (author unknown).

I'm sure you know that no matter how much I wish to, I cannot do this on my own – I need you... When you find and read a great book – feel free to share it and even recommend it to the rest of us. It would be nice if you can find the picture of the book and include it in your posting too.

If you’d like to be part of the Water-walkers Online Book Club (WWOBC) – sounds like a radio/TV station – click and request to join the "Water-walkers Online Book Club" on Facebook.

On November 1, we'll share the first book we'll read...hint: it's linked to the title of this blog.

We'll eventually get to the books by Beryl and the book my me - see side bar for details on how to purchase your own copy(ies).

10 years!!!

Today marks 10 years since we started this blog.

Beryl (Dr Chinyere Almona) and I (Ada Adeleke-Kelani aka Sapphire) have had interesting times these past 12 years. It's taken a lot of courage to keep walking on water as stated in our first post.

Let us pray...

In the past couple of months, I've noticed that God has drawn me to a new level of prayer. The interesting thing that I have not necessarily started praying for longer times at one stretch, rather I have been praying more often within different stretches of time.

Thinking to the root of this, I can attribute this partially to the knowledge I gained from a a book: Prayer as a Way of Life - I read several decades ago. Although I don't remember who the author was, that book was definitely a seed which took root and is now ready to bear fruit. Addtionally, God has used several people to help me grow in this area of prayer. I have been blessed with a few ladies who have directly or indirectly watered and encouraged me. It is definitely a benefit to have others that you can partner with in prayer. My prayer partner and I pray together regularly and touch on the various dimensions of our lives - spiritual, emotional, marital, professional etc. 

Corrie Ten Boom articulated the place prayer should take in our lives when she said:

"Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer 

is too small to be made into a burden."

If you need to talk to someone about how to identify a suitable prayer partner, feel free to contact Beryl or I by email.

Mum-powered

I'm a evidence of someone who's Mum-powered.

My Mum (of blessed memory) always had something to counter every "I can't" I had. Such that decades after I last heard her words, I'm very confident I can because my Mum said I could...

Today, I'm celebrating every Mother and Mother-figure. You are blessings on so many levels. Thank you for who you are and all you do.

"You lost weight?!"

A few weeks ago, an acquaintance said to me: "You (seem to have) lost weight?!"

"Nice-to-have" vs. "Need-to-have"

It's nice-to-have people like you but that's not what I live for.

I live for and need-to-have God's approval...in all I do.

I'm not sure why or how but this thought crossed my mind...so I decided to share it because I've learned over time that God rarely drops things in my heart for only my benefit. He drops them in my heart so that I am blessed and better equipped to be a blessing to others which is my purpose in life.

As I am "getting older", or as we now say "aging gracefully" (and gratefully), God is helping me become more crisp on my "Nice-to-have" vs. "Need-to-have" list. I have found that there is so much in my life - including some relationships that were just "Nice-to-have" and that is a terrible way to live.

Beyond relationships, there are some "picture perfect" things that we pursue and put ourselves under so much pressure to attain that are really nice-to-haves versus need-to-haves. You know how I know? By simple observation.

So my question for you is: "How many things in your life are nice-to-haves versus need-to-haves?"
As we go into spring-cleaning season, I encourage you to make and take the time to clear the clutter of "nice-to-haves" so you have room for the valuable "need-to-haves" to bloom.

Turn that grudge...

to gratitude...

She states...she stands

She states: "I am a woman."
She stands tall being no-one else but a real woman


She states: "I'm a valuable part of any team I am in or lead."

She stands not trying to blend in and focuses on standing out

She states: "I am here to make a difference."

She stands and makes a difference by being the change

She states: "I am here for a purpose."

She stands and pursues her purpose with passion

The world states: "March 8th is International Women's Day."

She stands and celebrates herself and others every day

Today and everyday, I am celebrating myself and all you wonderful women...

everyday is a great day to celebrate ourselves and those around us.