You Might Be Set Apart

Do you ever feel left out or fear you're missing out?

Do you feel lonely in a crowd and wonder what's wrong with you or think other people wonder what's wrong with you?

Have you ever felt you're somehow too weird for the world or family you're in?

Do you feel like you're standing still while everyone else is racing by?

Have you wondered why you feel alone in a desert you just can't escape?

What if, instead of feeling left out, you accept the truth that God has set you apart for something great. You're that special.

Now while you wait for your assignment, ask Holy Spirit to send you His friends. We were not created to be alone.

"Maybe the reason you're in the desert is 

the desert needs your beauty." Ray Hughes

It's Time To Dust Off Those Words!

Have you ever had someone talk about the future of YOU? Who you'd become? Your destiny? The gold they saw in you? If so, you were the receiver of a beautiful gift God gives us to "see" each other differently than we sometimes see ourselves. We all love an encouraging word.

Instead of dismissing words that highlight your gifts; or diverting words to some other person you think is more worthy; why not dust those words off, read them aloud, say "yes" to them, and receive them into your very being - your body, soul, mind, emotions, and spirit?

This could be the time in history when your destiny words are fulfilled. A time when you step into your true identity.

In fact, I'll declare all of this for all of us: "The best is yet to come!"

Psalm 24:7 - So wake up, you living gateways! Lift up your heads, you ageless doors of destiny! Welcome the King of Glory, for he is about to come through for you.

Remind Your Friends Who They Are

I woke in the middle of the night with the vision of a little boy who had fallen. His mama lovingly picked him up, dusted him off, set him back on his feet, and with a kiss and a pat, sent him on his way.

I feel this is a picture of what everyone needs today. We need to encourage one another, pick each other up, dust each other off, and send each other forward. How? We can do this with the power of our words. Let's call out the gold in each other; remind our friends of their dreams; help them remember who they are and the One they belong to; and speak life into their weary bones and minds.

Our words and encouragement shine like diamonds. Sometimes we can't see for ourselves who we really are. We need someone to tell us.

Perhaps part of our own identity is to be that one that helps another see theirs.

Isaiah 60:1 - Rise up in splendor and be radiant, for your light has dawned and Yahweh's glory now streams from you!

The glory of God is man (and woman) fully alive. St. Irenaeus

Love to all. I'm praying for every one of my readers wherever you are in the world. Let peace reign. You are healed in the mighty Name of Jesus. You are loved by the Love that created this world - the mighty One that will overcome. Just wait and see!

"Our Words Create Worlds"

 My man and I have had a tumultuous decade. We are so blessed by it, but it's not without its moments of stress, uncertainty, and doubt about the coming decade. They say that the enemy's battleground is the mind. If that's true - how do I do battle to overcome negative thoughts and anxiety; sleeplessness and worry; doubts and fears?

Declarations! Yes - just as God created the universe by His words, I, having been made in His image, can declare and create my life, my destiny, and my response to everything.

What a blessing found on a mirror
 in a school restroom.

So...a few declarations I wrote for today:

1 - Today is the best day...and the best of my life is yet to come!

2 - I see God's hand at work every moment  in my life and in the life of my family.

3 - I am thankful for all the blessings of health, strength, home, and dreams coming true.

4 - I am protected, provided for, and loved.

5 - I am a force to be reckoned with because I am not alone. I have the Creator of the Universe at my side and in me to do all that is in my heart to do.

What declarations would you add?

"Our words create worlds." Quoted by many, but the original source is unknown to me.

Check out my books - The Art of Writing; and Tapestry - both available on Amazon.com.

March 23 - The One Thing

Recently I was feeling overwhelmed. My brain was shorting out as I tried to remember all the little pieces of things I felt responsible for carrying out and completing.  I wrote them all down. When I finished, I realized there were too many for one little me. Exasperated, I prayed: "What am I to do? How did this happen? Why do I feel this way? What can I do?" And finally, "What is my purpose?"

In an instant, I sensed God speak: "You were created to be loved by Me and to let Me love others through you." Period. No more. No less.

Today, let's narrow our focus; shorten our lists; and build upon that for which we were created.

John 13:34 - "Love each other just as much as I have loved you."

October 11 - Fly Higher!

This past week in Denver, Colorado, we have experienced  a phenomenon. A migration of Painted Lady butterflies descended on our fall gardens throughout the region. I can't help but wonder if this is a sign. If it is, it is calling us all to step into new beginnings and life - and - just as a butterfly leaves its cocoon - we are to complete our transition into a new level of our destiny. So, quite simply, I urge you to fly higher, think higher, recognize your own value, and take the risk before you. We were never meant to stay put forever.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

October 9 - Your Life Dreams

I'm doing a bit of research for a class I'm teaching. Please help! Here are the questions - answer any or all. Thanks so much. This will make a difference for many people!

1 - Are you or are you close to living your dream?
2 - How did you discover your dream?
3 - What were your first steps - or how did you begin to walk out your dream?
4 - What dream are you working on now?

You can answer in the comments below, or email me at chris@christinetracy.com.
Answer whenever you read this, be it today or in the future!
Thank you for your help!

"I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down." Abraham Lincoln

"God had a dream and wrapped your body around it." Lou Engle

Oct. 5 - A Grateful Heart

Some of my favorite things are still just things. But they open up the world to me and feed my passion for beauty, knowledge, news, and friendship. Those things include my camera, my MacBook Pro, books, skis, and my car. They are but mere replaceable tools to get me to what is real for me. And I am so thankful for them! Today, you will be more aware of what serves your passion for life – and you will be thankful!

Psalm 107:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

How to Know Your Calling

How do you tap into your calling?
For starters, let me ask you some questions.

What is beautiful to you?
What are you naturally good at?
What skills have you developed?
What are your dreams for your life?
What do others say about your gifts?
What is God saying to you through your dreams, thoughts, other people, His Word?
What is it you want to do? Are you doing that?
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
What are your loves?
What was your favorite job?
What do you do that gives you life? What doesn't?
If your life was a picture of your past and present - how would that picture extend to the future?

Your calling is in these answers. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal to you His thoughts as you answer them. Spend time journaling, praying, but especially listening. God thought of you for eons before you were born. He had thoughts about your life and what He was creating you to do and be. Don't you want to know who you are and why you are? Oh....what a fun journey!

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

What do you feel you are called to?

Crisp Mountain Air - By Chris Tracy: July 1 - What's The Story?

Crisp Mountain Air - By Chris Tracy: July 1 - What's The Story?: There are so many different kinds of writers. There are teachers, dreamers, philosophers, imagineers, twisted, succinct, poets, musicians, ...

April 28 - What Is Your Destiny?

“Fate” has become a negative word. “Destiny” is what you need to hang your hat on. You have a purpose and a destiny. Today you will discover more about what that is and learn how to go after it. (Hint: It has to do with what you love and what is already “in your hand.”)

Phlippians 3:12 - I admit that I haven't yet acquired the absolute fullness that I'm pursuing, but I run with passion into His abundance so that I may reach the destiny which Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. 

Habakkuk 2:3 - For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Simply Receive All That He Wants to Give You!!!!

Just as the beautiful fireweed grows

from ground that has been disturbed;

so God turns our crises into victories.

It is a day for “re” words

Reconciliation, restoration, redemption, restitution, rebuilding, renewal, revelation.

Put your hands out and face them up to Heaven. Let God pour out His blessings today and “re” – ceive. He is “re”-positioning; and “re”-defining. The Creator is “re”-modeling you to help you withstand not just the pressures of your daily life, but the pleasures of the new and abundant life He has given you. Yes – receive!

See Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11