We Know Too Much!

Recently, I had the pleasure of recording our February episode of THE JUST WRITE REVIEW! It was truly amazing. Our guest author, Dr. Calvin Ellison shared his new book with us, Beyond Your Comfort Zones. I was first introduced to the book with a request to endorse it. After reading the book treatment, I was convinced the book was written solely for me. It is a very scary thing to step out of our comfort zones. Yet, for the past year, I continually hear that is exactly what I am to do.

I have to ask myself what is truly holding me back. The answer, I’m afraid of exposure. This is really hard for me to admit to myself. For one, I pray for exposure. I pray that my books will be read globally. I pray for doors to open to share my ministry. But then, when someone says you ought to apply for greater exposure, I clam up.

Second question for myself, why am I afraid of exposure? The answer, people will look at me and see; truly there is nothing special about me. Really, I am just a girl from Brooklyn. That’s what I know.

Dr. Ellison helped me yesterday. He said, we know too much! Wow! Immediately my mind went to Adam and Eve. They were not allowed to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. I always questioned that. To me, knowledge is power. The more we know, the further we go. That’s what we hear.

As we continued our interview, Dr. Ellison said, moving out of our comfort zone requires us to be naked. The covers have to come off. The light went off for me. I’m getting it now. This move is going to require real faith. I can’t rely on what I know. In fact, what I know isn’t helpful. God doesn’t need my knowledge to accomplish His will. He does require my obedience.

I know myself in this now present moment. God knows me in my tomorrow. If I forget what I know, transform my mind and obtain God’s mind, I will be the vessel He’s designed me to be.

I’d be lying if I said; I’m completely ready for this move. The truth is; I’ll never be ready. I am, however, going to be obedient.  Here we go!

My question to you today…

Will you forget what you know, be obedient and move beyond your comfort zone?

Visit Amazon to obtain Dr. Calvin Ellison’s book, Beyond Your Comfort Zones

To view the Dr. Ellison’s interview airing February 20 visit my YouTube Channel (THE JUST WRITE REVIEW)

Until we meet again…

Brook Lynn

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Host: THE JUST WRITE REVIEW

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Wedding Vow (A Novella) Coming Soon

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

OUTStanding (Teen Guide)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Borrowed Time - Use it Wisely

Just before the holidays I heard quite a bit of bad news – the Planned Parenthood shooting, the Paris terrorist attacks, the San Bernardino shooting in CA, a young child in my hometown was hit by a car and killed, and friend’s daughter was killed in a car accident.

These things weighed heavily upon my spirit. As the holidays approached, it was difficult for me to grasp the concept of celebrating Christ’s birth. There should have been joy, singing and anticipation. Instead, I felt grief and daunting hopelessness. I questioned the weight upon my spirit. I am a Christian. How did I allow these reports to impress upon me so deeply? I kept considering the families. Upon the holiday season; they were missing loved ones, they were hurting. How can we shout Hallelujah?

In times of doubt and distress, I returned to my source of hope. I prayed, Lord, how can there be lights, singing, decorations, laughter and Christmas cookies in our home, when so many others are hurting so deeply?

The Prince of Peace replied, If I had not come into the world and died, these deaths would be meaningless. I came to save. I came to provide a way of escape from death into eternal life. That is something to celebrate! Your time on earth is simply borrowed time.

Well, that did comfort me some. However, being the analytical child of God that I am, I went back into questioning mode, fear begin to set in. Borrowed time, I thought… Well is it all an illusion then? Is it like a love affair and one party is married? They know that this relationship is only temporary, because they are on borrowed time? If so, what is the point of borrowed time? Borrow means I have to pay back, no?

I’m thankful for a God that indulges my thought process. He reminded me of borrowing money for a house or car. Once the loan is approved, the bank pays the housing company or the car dealership and you drive away with a new vehicle or walk into your new home. You have every intention to enjoy the home and car. You celebrate! You don’t think, well…I can’t really enjoy these things because I borrowed the money. In fact, although we have a car note or mortgage payment we say; I bought a house or car. We don’t say, the bank paid for it.

The time God has given to me, He wants me to walk in it with celebration! He wants me to enjoy it to the fullest. He also has some divine assignments for me during this borrowed time. He didn’t give me the time solely for celebration. Time is designed for production. It is the principle given to the earth of seedtime and harvest. During my borrowed time, what have I produced? Ultimately, I cannot allow the effects of sin and death to encroach upon my production schedule. I cannot allow them to guide me into moments of depression and despair. In darkness, I would not be productive.

I was so glad my Father and I had this talk. Of course He closed it out with finesse and greatness. That’s just how wonderful He is. He said, I am the way. This borrowed time I’ve given to you, you do not have to pay back. I paid the price in full. This loan is forgiven. Be fruitful and multiple. Enjoy your life.

Thank you for reading, I challenge you to consider your borrowed time and production schedule this week. 

Until we meet again…

Brook Lynn

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Wedding Vow (A Novella) Coming Soon

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Why Not...Read for Love

Rest is a Requirement, Not an Option

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. Genesis 2:2 KJV

I know many of us are planning our 2016 calendar. We want to do better than previous years. We want to share with more people, expand our networking, and increase our profits.

I can relate. I began planning in the Fall of last year. As I got closer to 2016, I did a review of 2015. I had to evaluate what worked well for my relationship with God, my family, writing, teaching, and speaking. I realized in 2016 since I work a full time job, I could not have every Saturday booked. Additionally, although I am a writer and love to read, so does my soon-to-be eight-year-old son.  However, reading does not come easy for him. Therefore, while school is in session, I cannot hold meetings during the week.

This limits my work schedule. I’ve come to understand that’s just fine. If I overwork myself, I’ll limit my productivity. Reading my Bible, I saw that even God had a rest day. Now thinking about God, and who He is, I asked why in the world would He need rest? He’s GOD!

I truly believe His example of resting was for our benefit. We are human. He is not. Yet, He leads by example. Rest for man is not an option; it’s a requirement. Once I came to terms with this requirement, I planned my calendar as such that I work only two Saturdays out of the month. Having at least two Saturdays at home, allows me to manage my household and be available for my family. Ultimately, when my family is in harmony, my business is more productive.

Ponding this rest principle makes me consider tithing. Tithing requires us to set aside a tenth of all increase. Rest requires us to set aside a percentage of all production. One might ask, how can you get ahead giving? My answer is, truthfully, I do not know. God provides the increase. And I have witnessed; my bank account looks better when I give, and my household sings happily when I rest.

Happy 2016 everyone! Work and Rest Well!

Brook Lynn

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Wedding Vow (A Novella) Coming Soon

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Why Not...Read for Love

Becoming a Master Chef

As we end this year, I’ve done a little reflection. And here’s what I’ve learned.

It’s easy jumping into various pots/roles, especially women. We share so many roles -- wife, mom, sister and best friend. Our additional pots are, full time employee, part time business owner, community advocate, and PTA participant. You name it; we’re there. 

Give it a few good months, after doing all these things, we find ourselves becoming irritable, overwhelmed, confused and sick. How does this happen? We started off full blast with good intentions. Hey, we’re every woman, right? I love that song. I sing it boldly, shaking my head to the beat.

I’ve learned and I’m not sad to report; I am not every woman. Yes, God gave us the ability to multi-task. There are occasions that call for it. However, God also created a diverse group of women. We don’t have to do everything. No woman should ever feel like a failure because she can’t jump into another pot, especially if she is cooking in other areas of her life. See the food in her pots, she’s not going to eat alone, she’s already sharing it with her family, church, job and friends.

When another pot is presented to her, she peeks inside and feels a tug on her spoon/heart to add ingredients. I have no doubt her flavor would make it all the better, but what happens when she pours into several pots at one time? She depletes her ingredients.

I write this piece, because I have jumped into pots, knowing I’m already at the end of my ingredients. We women had a deep desire to be helpful. However, we must remember the calling. You know the one calling God placed on your life. Never neglect that ONE. I almost did. One day, I heard clearly while praying, “I never intended for you to stop writing.” For me that was like hearing, return to your first love. It was a wonderful sound and a stress reliever.

Yes, the pots will continually present themselves, what we must remember is the one calling. No, we don’t turn our back on the pots, we say, “I’d really like to help, but I don’t have the time to make it excellent.” This I learned from my fellow author during an interview. Thank you Toshiba!

The next thing we do is reach out for help. We have a pool of contacts on social media and email. When a pot arrives that we cannot contribute to, pray and call on the help of others.

There’s a way to fill all the pots and everyone may enjoy the food.

Become a Master Chef confident in your calling!

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Wedding Vow (A Novel) Coming 2016

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

OUTStanding (Pre-teen Guide)

www.brooklynndorcent.com