Search: dance in the rain

Dance in the Rain 2

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name (Hebrews 13:15 NET).

I.
So much you’ve wanted to write or to say,
To sing from the heart
Or create magic with words
And rhythm and feeling…
Art from the heart
To show the supreme worth
Of your Dearest Friend,
Your Immortal Beloved,
Or your Infinite Redeemer.

Yet the words don’t say it all,
Do it all,
Or show it all.
The Dearest, Immortal and Infinite
Are worthy of so much more.
So there you are…
Yearning to capture the perfect refrain
For the One who has taught you to dance in the rain. [click to continue…]

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I have a Master’s degree in Moody.  There are some who see the glass half full, and others who see the glass half-empty.  Left to my own devices, I see the glass as 100% of whatever mood I may be in.

That said, I’m re-learning (God is such a patient teacher!) a powerful, powerful principle:

Never, never, never pass up an opportunity to say “Thank you.”

Why?

Because gratitude is the gateway to abundance.  I am living it.

Gratitude widens the road – at least in the spirit, if not in the circumstances.  As I live gratefully, forces line up to move the circumstances.  But in the meantime, even while the circumstances are narrow, my soul is broad.

That’s hard for the Master of Moody to accept sometimes.  I am capable of such broodiness that disciplined gratitude must be that – disciplined.  And I don’t do it well. [click to continue…]

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My 2013 Christmas Prayer for You

by Andy Wood on December 25, 2013

in Life Currency, Love, Words

Three Candles

In the stillness of the night or the glory of the morning that is Christmas, my prayer for you is that beyond the traditions and trappings, through the gifts and the connections, you approach it all with a heart that is fully awake and aware of the Larger Story and the part you still must play.

I pray that you would fall in love again this Christmas with a first-love kind of desire for Jesus, whose birth we celebrate. I pray that your soul would find in Him and in those whose lives you touch the sweetest of love that gives graciously, forgives completely, and waits patiently when you or I fail miserably.

I pray that you have those God-breathed encounters in which your heart is so full you are lost in the moment.  I pray that your heart is so captured with the wonder and joy of the presence of God, even in the simplest of experiences, you could stay in that moment and hold Him tightly. [click to continue…]

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I.

If you ever wanted to write a forever kind of song
That angels or children or the big choirs sing…
If you’ve ever wanted to rhyme with the heart
Of the One who bends the rainbow
And deserves even more than your finest praise…
 

Then make your music with a life of passion.
Spell it out with clearly with actions of love.
Dance in the reign of King of the ages.
Promise your steadfast, immovable service,
Then hold in His beautiful power your faithfulness.
Show the whole world His symphony in you.

II.

If you ever wanted to write a together kind of song
Of friends or family or heroes or darlings…
If you’ve ever wanted to love someone else in the music,
Yet knew that your most heartfelt expressions
Were still so short of all they deserve from you… [click to continue…]

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Eight Weeks that Can Change Your Life!

by Andy Wood on July 22, 2019

Hi Friend,

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought to yourself, I just want my life to count!

Or heard others talk about an “abundant life” and wondered where yours was?

Have you ever wondered how some leaders made influence look so easy?

Ever wished you could return to a previous season of vibrant growth and transformation?

Have you recently felt stuck because of past choices?

Hey, I get it. I’ve lived it. And all the while I knew that God had more for me than what I was experiencing.

All that changed one night when my son – then a freshman in college – called to ask for help with an English paper. “Dad,” he said, “I’m thinking of an idea and I wanted you to help me.” His idea – take concepts of investing from the financial world and apply them to other areas of our lives.

“I’m calling it LifeVesting.”

That one call launched an ongoing series of conversations. With God. With my son. And with thousands of people around the world over the last 15 years. Now I’m inviting YOU to join the conversation. Not for my sake. For yours.

Hot off the press! Available pre-publication… the latest edition of the book based on that experience. It’s called LifeVesting:  Cultivate a Life of Abundance, Impact, and Freedom.

Recently people like you from all over the nation began to explore how they can take charge of their future. And they found new motivation to make an eternal impact with their lives. They began to dream about new possibilities and find the courage to make those dreams come true. And the results were stunning!

Andy Wood encourages his students to embrace the freedom and fulfillment of living a life of purpose and generosity. Andy’s transparency, wisdom, and knack for asking the right questions guided our class in dreaming and doing the life God created us for.

—Susan Murphy

I’m excited to announce that we’re launching a new LifeVesting course soon, and I’d love for you to be a part of it.

This 8-week group coaching experience combines individual study with group engagement. We’ll meet together once a week via an online platform (Zoom.us). We’ll also engage with each other throughout the week in different ways. You’ll receive the training, support, and direction you need to add value to every area of your life!

My experience with my LifeVesting group really gave me confidence in my future and in myself as a leader. I went into this group as a recent college graduate, unsure about what to do with my future or how to find direction. Through LifeVesting I was given the tools and inspiration I needed to grow personally and professionally, and to develop my dreams and visions into action steps. Each week is full of valuable insights and questions that will push you to take action steps and set goals for yourself. The lessons on passion and vision really challenged me and opened my eyes for the type of future I saw for myself. Going through the material with a group of likeminded people was an incredible experience and a great way to grasp each week’s lessons. Anyone, no matter what your career or stage of life, could truly benefit from this experience.

–Allison Forbes

Wouldn’t you love to rekindle your passion for what really matters? Wouldn’t it be amazing to awaken a new vision for the type of future you can experience? How might that impact your relationships? Your influence? Your legacy for future generations?

I first heard about LifeVesting after listening to Dr. Andy Wood preach at my church. I researched his program and asked Dr. Wood to come and speak to the Lions Club of Mobile where I was the First Vice-President at the time. After hearing Dr. Wood describe this program for just a few minutes I knew it was something that I was very interested in. I participated in the initial 8-week class with various professionals from all over the United States. This class taught me things that I would never have thought about in my professional and spiritual walk. It also pointed out areas of both aspects of my life that were staring me in the face at the moment. The LifeVesting program is not only a great value, it is a tool that will change your life for the better.

-James Harred

This is more than just a Bible study or discussion group! A coaching group encourages and empowers you to apply the principles we talk about. It’s a safe place to process and explore new ideas. It empowers you to overcome your fears. It challenges you to follow through with commitments you make to yourself. And all that is under the care of the group coach, whose only interest is in your growth.

The word LifeVesting intrigued me right away and I was excited to get started. If you are not sure the best way to use your God-given talents or you have a FEAR about how God will use your gifts, this study will provoke your mind and help you work through those hurdles. One of my favorite concepts from the book was the Life Maximizer. Ask yourself: “At the end of a perfect day for me, what can I say that I have done?” Andy’s question will help you create your own perfect day and maximize your time. This study is very convicting. It’s useful for anyone wanting to grow spiritually and emotionally and improve their quality of life. If you are on the fence about whether you need to invest in a study like this, I would highly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity.

-Charity Render

This could be the most significant investment you have made in your personal growth in a long time. Perhaps ever.

Included in this offer:

My goal is for you to receive incredible value through this experience. Here’s what you’ill receive if you choose to commit to this coaching group:

  • A copy of the 212-page LifeVesting book. The book is biblical, practical, and intensely personal.
  • A link to a free digital copy of the book that you can use yourself or share with someone else.
  • Nine 90-minute group-coaching sessions that I personally lead. This will help you apply what you’re learning. AND you’ll receive encouragement from other group members.
  • A 45-minute private coaching session with me around any topic in the book.
  • A private Facebook group for ongoing interaction throughout the 8 weeks together.
  • Free first access to extra materials as they are developed. This includes videos, podcast-type messages, and other written resources.
  • Discounted books in the future. You’ll be able to order in bulk should you ever want to use them for coaching or small group leadership.
  • Individual coaching at a discount off my regular rate anytime during the next year.

The purpose of this course is not to study my book. It’s to study your life using the book as a guide.

Benefits to You

There are many practical and intangible benefits to being in this group. Here are a few :

  • A renewed sense of Christ-centered abundance in multiple dimensions of your life.
  • Practical ways to increase your influence and leave a legacy for future generations.
  • Growth – spiritual, financial, relational, and much more.
  • Freedom from mindsets and habits that have limited you in the past.
  • New vision for your life in multiple areas.
  • Clarity about what you value most in life and the courage to pursue it.
  • Encouragement and support for times of testing you may be encountering.

What’s Next?

This course is not for everybody. But for those who participate, it could be life-changing. 

Programs of this intensity and value often charge $3,000 or more. Your actual price is only a fraction of that.

I am offering group coaching around this material for $295.00. And if your spouse is interested, they are welcome to join for just $40.00 more.

Space for this group is limited. If you’re curious about exploring it further, please click here to pre-register. This helps me gauge your interest and get your feedback on one other important question. After that, I’ll contact you to answer any questions and complete the process.

You only get one life. Let’s decide to invest our lives together!

Sincerely,

Andy Wood

P. S. – Just to be clear, pre-registering does not obligate you to sign up for the group. It just lets me know you may be interested. Click here to get started.

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Highway

Imagine your life as various points on the highway.  Fast Lane, Slow Lane, Shoulder, Ditch.

And at any given time, in any given area, you can be in one of those four.

Living in the Fast Lane means you’re getting where you’re going. You’re fulfilling your purpose.

In the Slow Lane you have a lot of movement, but you never quite seem to get there, wherever “there” is.

On the Shoulder, your “engine” is running, but you’re not moving ahead at all.

In the Ditch means you’ve crashed or are stuck, and without help you aren’t going anywhere.

Having punched my card in all four locations, I can tell you we’re all a mixed bag. You can be idling on the shoulder in one area, cruising in another, and crashed out in a third. So let’s break it down a little more. [click to continue…]








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Relaxing in the park

If all you knew about love was rumor and reputation,
If all you held on to were wistful hopes or magical memories…
If everything you trusted to carry you relied on fair weather
Or the favor of fickle people,
Then whatever you know of love would be vain.

But there is a Love that is real, that stands and delivers
More than wishful thinking or the Good Ole Days…
A Love that lasts through the strain of the Dog days
And the pain of disappointing people…
A Love that goes to the Ends of the Earth.

If all you knew of love was agreement and approval,
And the whole world danced while you sang your song…
If every morning greeted you with sunshine and rainbows
And the endless praise of life-long admirers,
Then what you call Love is at best empty.

But there is a Love that holds on to you when life pushes back,
And embraces you warmly when people grow cold.
A Love that endures the pelting of blinding storms
And the ignorance of sightless critics…
A Love that goes to the Ends of the Earth. [click to continue…]








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Young man sitting relaxing and enjoying the view from dock

Lately it feels as though you’re doing a tightrope dance with the devil himself. He seduces you like an angel of light in one ear and shames you for all your failures in the other.  Your life feels, even smells like a sulfurous war zone and it sure seems as though the casualties are piling up.  But in the quake and the fury, there’s one and only one thing you need to know…

God’s got this.  All you have to do is trust Him.  And say “thank you.”

 

Like a broken cash register, your money drawer only seems to open when it time to shell it out to somebody else.  From disaster salesmen to debt collectors, everybody’s standing with an outstretched hand.  There’s always another reason to fret over this thing called The Economy, and even a box of Girl Scout cookies feels like a sacrificial charitable donation. But in the fear and loathing-, there’s one and only one thing you need to know…

God’s got this. All you have to do is trust Him. And say “thank you.” [click to continue…]








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Ram wearing spectacles.

Happy (Traditional) Tax Day!  So… Stick with me on this.

Last week, in news you probably missed, some engineering experts sounded a major alarm to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The subject: Self-driving cars.

The concern:  We’re not ready yet.

The evidence:  Unresolved technical issues, including some accidents.

The request:  Please, Dear Government Agency slow down your aggressive approach to issuing guidance for technology that is not ready for guidance yet.

That seems reasonable. Safe.  Wise for someone whose name has the word “Safety” in it.

That creates some tension for the agency, however. After all, they have a job to do – a service to the American people.  So Mark Rosekind, Director of the NHTSA, commented:

“Everybody asks, ‘When are they (self-driving cars) going to be ready?’ I keep saying they’re not coming; they are here now.”

Then he added this little revealing gem: [click to continue…]








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LK

Dear Laura Kate,

It was seven years ago this month that we welcomed you into the world.  And what an amazing seven years it has been.  Of course, there are plenty of things in this world to feel alarmed or sad about.  For example, I seriously doubt that anyone has watched the news or read a newspaper in the last seven years that didn’t contain the word “terrorist” in it.

You have never known a world where, if people wanted to communicate, they actually had to look someone in the eye and use their voices to make words – or get a piece of paper and use a pen, pencil or crayon to write.

You have never known a world where English wasn’t a second language to “Textlish.”

You have never known a world without FaceBook, YouTube, or the iPhone.  “Grammy/Mommy/Papa/whoever, can I play with your phone?” became standard conversation early in your life.

Over the years, thanks to social media and places like this site, we have watched you grow and known that you were created without a mold. So when you marshalled your forces and launched an all-out invasion on First Grade, we all braced for impact.  [click to continue…]








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