Tag Archives: life coach

Living OPEN Handed: I have a NEED

This is the second post in the Living Open Handed series.

Let’s consider what it takes to LIVE with OPEN HANDS, in a white knuckle world.
Open handedI ask you make a fist again- because generally that is what our hand looks like when we are afraid. Now, consider your knuckles as a tool to help you remember how to OPEN your hands.

But we are going to work backwards.

First, Open your little finger and recall the N stands for:
I HAVE NEED——

When we experience fear, we become aware that we are in need.  We don’t often admit it, but we usually NEED God to show up in a big way.  However, too often we don’t go to God first.  Instead we have to recognize that a fear appears most often because a NEED we have is being compromised.  maslov's hierarch of needs

If you consider Maslov’s Hierarchy of Needs that I studied in my classes for coaching, maybe you can identify what need is trampled in some way.

But another way to come to terms with your needs is to read the Psalms. 

How many times as you read through the Psalms do you find a Psalmist that is voicing your hearts cry.

In regard to your fears (refer to your list you made yesterday), what are the needs that are not being met? Write them down next to the fear.  Be as descriptive as you can be.  It will help with the next step in tomorrow’s post. 

Missed the first post, click here! 

Want to read the next one- here it is!

30 Day Challenge Final PUSH

30 Day UpdateIf you started the 30 DAY CHALLENGE with me on October 27th, that means you have one week left to complete your goal.

How are you doing?  Have you stayed on track with your plan?

My month went great the first 2 weeks.  The fact that I set my goal and created a plan went a long way toward moving forward.

But this last week there were quite a few obstacles that I wasn’t expecting.  Health, weather,  life challenges…!

How about you?  Have you felt your momentum getting hung up in the ‘stuff’ that interferes?  

Well, today marks a PIVOT POINT! We must choose! Continue reading 30 Day Challenge Final PUSH

Discovering my own shade of GREEN!

I try not to publish posts that contain all my random thoughts- but I’m processing what they have taught me.  Thought they might stir something in you too!

Recently I’ve been doing some observing about my style, energy, walk, closet, makeup, etc. with a program called Dressing Your Truth by Carol Tuttle. I haven’t done the full video program but their free class is very informative.  I was intrigued by their interesting  tagline: How to be Beautiful Everyday!

Do you feel beautiful everyday?  

I would love to tell you I do.  That everyday I wake up confident and  smiling and eager to get dressed for the day. But some days…well, they don’t seem worth the makeup! Continue reading Discovering my own shade of GREEN!

Listening for Like Voices!

A few days ago, a business woman asked me if I thought I was doing the right thing by focusing so much of my coaching business/ministry these days on someone else’s ministry.  She was referring to all the  Facebook sharing and blog posts I have written that have to do with Authentic Intimacy.  Her concern was that I was building their business and not my own.

At the time, I told her that this was something I have wanted to be part of for a long time and it was worth it for me.  But as I’ve thought about it- it is much more than that.Becoming the woman, wife & mother you long to be

You see, 35 years ago, I was given a book called Creative Counterpart written by Linda Dillow.  It was a book I went back to time and again early in my marriage and have reviewed often since.

Through the years I’ve had several opportunities to not only hear her speak – but spend time with Linda.  I’ve listened as she lived out in her spoken words what she had written in several books by now, including ‘Calm My Anxious Heart” or Intimate Issues, Intimacy Ignited or more recently What’s it Like to Be Married to Me, and Passion Pursuit. (See titles below)

Ministry in Ukraine
Kathy with Linda Dillow 2002 – Ukraine Retreat

In 2002, I was invited to lead a worship team for a women’s ministry retreat in Kiev, Ukraine.  I was thrilled when I learned the speaker was none other than Linda Dillow.

Her topic was worship- it was the beginning of her book called “Satisfy My Thirsty Soul”.  I was the so-called worship leader- but she was the one who led me in into the Presence of the Blessed Controller.

Just the two of us kneeling at her couch.
Just the two of us sitting on her big rock near her home in the foothills of Colorado.
Then with my team in Ukraine! 

Precious, intimate moments with our God!

For me, this opportunity to bring Linda Dillow and Juli Slattery to the Lima area for the NAKED TRUTH conference is an answer to a 20 year long prayer.  I told Linda then that someday, I would build a platform for her to speak her voice, God’s message to the people in my world.

It’s not just her books,
or the times she has emailed me
or the times she has cried with me,
prayed with me
worshiped with me
always showing up in my life just when I needed her message.

But that is just the point- for 35 years, she has shown up in my life  through her books,
her speaking,
her friendship
with a consistent message.
A message that pointed me time and time again to see the Lord; lifting my chin to see His face.

That’s a message I want to be part of!
It’s an act I want to be known for!
It’s a voice I want to not only have- but build a platform for when I hear others speaking that same message.

This isn’t about my ‘business’ – or even Linda’s ministry.

It’s about what God is saying and doing in the heart of women all over the world.

Those are the voices I love listening for!

How about you?

I challenge you to listen and heed the message that Linda & Juli have to give all of us in October. Click here to find out more!

In the mean time- you can find all of her books here! (and no- I’m not making money on these referrals) I believe in them that much!

Linda Dillow

Linda Dillow Linda Dillow & Lorrain PintusLinda Dillow Linda & Jody Dillow, Lorraine & Petter PintusLinda DillowLinda Dillow & Juli Slattery

God talk from the Woods!

Several days ago I wrote that I woke with a LONGING to be in God’s presence  to bring to Him all the dreams and desires building in my heart for women to hear THE NAKED TRUTH about God’s great love and passion for them.

If you remember, I invited you to join me in the WOODS for prayer.

Even though many weren’t able to join me in the WOODS- several let me know they were praying- from Texas to Colorado- to Pennsylvania and lot’s of places nearer.  Women lifting this conference – and all the women who will take part to the Lord.

But I got to share my prayer time with Janet; passionate prayerKathy & Janet prayer warriors warrior, encouraging friend and champion of all things DEEP WOODS.  We’ve spent other times together in this sacred space, but today we shared our hearts as we  acknowledged our Great God and voiced our petitions for each other,
for you,
for the conference,
for Linda & Juli,
for marriages
for our marriages
for intimacy
for our churches
for their leaders
for our husbands & precious families.

Then we walked the path and spoke of God things that are happening- in the WOODS and in our lives.  We took the footpath to the back of the woods and as we turned the corner I was amazed at this sight.  The image immediately spoke volumes to me.

I am like that tree- erosion has exposed my roots many times already, but I continue to stand- only as I continue to dig my roots into the soul and drink from the water that gives life.

rooted and built up For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew. Job 29:19

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:3
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy. Psalm 96:12

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.    Colossians 2:7

This was a good day!
We’ll be doing it again!  I have to check the dates with the church calendar.  But keep your eyes open for the next one.  You may just want to spend some quiet time at the woods yourself.
I’ll even show you where my tree is!