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DREAM : A Coffee Conversation
Posted by Rev. Jeff Dixon, Senior Equipping Minister, CCC Ministries on Sep 5, 2009, 17:27
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Dream...A Coffee Conversation
It is amazing (in a very good way) that when we began the series called DREAM here at CCC it would ignite so many questions, ideas, concepts, thoughts, struggles, and desire in the lives of not only the people listening live but those listening on-line.
The first week that we began the series I found my e-mail box jammed with some thoughts and insights on dreams that people wanted to share. As I read I was inspired and it began to dawn on me that we were getting to travel down an exciting road together.
The next week as the series continued my e-mail box went from jammed to er...whatever beyond jammed would be! But this time there were questions...lots of questions about dreams, whether or not you had one, whether it was a God dream, whether it was big enough, or being worried about the dream being too small...questions.
I have tried along the way to answer those questions and with many of you there is now a e-conversation unfolding about your dreams. Based on the response I decided to create an ongoing conversation here, on-line, about the topic of dreams and keeping your dreams on track for God.
So imagine we are sitting down and having a nice hot cup of coffee and a conversation about your dreams and how to start living those out.
The most recent posting is listed below near the top. You can scroll down the page and see the previous ones...thanks for joining me, enjoy the conversation and the coffee!
Coffee and Conversation...what a great combination!
Jeff
What Are You Thinking?!? (Coffee Conversation #10)
Dreams are important. They propel us forward. They drive us and give us energy to face each and every new day. They make us enthusiastic and a lot more fun to be around. Dreamers know that the dreams they are chasing are always a little bit bigger than they are and are something they have to grow into. That is the spiritual dynamic of chasing a God-dream. God has to be involved for it to happen.
A few conversations back we defined the word dream.
A Dream: Is a God breathed inspiring picture of the future than energizes your heart, mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can do achieve it and trusting that God will guide you each step of the way.
Good definition and one that help us, but still some people have trouble identifying their God-dream. Perhaps it would be helpful if we took a look at a few reasons why people have those kinds of problems.
1) Some people have been discouraged from dreaming by others
(Take heart, it is never too late to start dreaming. If you have heard anything in this series you should have heard that by now...it is up to you!)
2) Some people are hindered and hampered by past disappointments and hurt
(Failure is the price that has to be paid to achieve success. It is a high price to be sure, but one that you have to be willing to pay to dream)
3) Some people get in the habit of settling for average
(The moment you decide you are going to settle for less you get even less than you settled for!)
4) Some people lack the confidence needed to pursue their dreams
(Real confidence comes in knowing yourself in relationship to God, your gifts, your talents, and having a depth to your life that is based and dependant on Him)
5) Some people lack the imagination to dream
(You have it in you...I know you do! You are not an accident, you are created by the Ultimate Creator in His image...an image that contains creativity. You were created to be like Him and touch and change the world. That is a dream!)
My hope and prayer is that you would follow your God-dream and do whatever it leads you to do. Then and only then are you really living!
Don't let the conversation end yet, keep it going, more thoughts? e-mail me at jdixon@touchandchange.com
The Need We Have To Dream (Coffee Conversation #9)
We need to dream big dreams not because we need to accomplish big things.
What we accomplish is a byproduct.
We need to dream big dreams because it keeps us on our knees in raw dependence upon God. Unless He intervenes we look foolish. Dreams have far more to do with who we become in the process than the what we accomplish.
They stretch us. And that's why they are so good for us.
You want to take your prayer life to the next level? Dream God-sized dreams!
In one of our studies we explored Dreaming A Work In Progress and discovered that chasing our dream is all wrapped up in our willingness to follow God. Our willingness to be surrounded by it, our commitment to take action each day, and our stubborn resolve to stay with it...allows us to grow closer to Jesus and begin to see and live the dream God has for us.
We really need to dream. Need some more help with this? e-mail me at jdixon@touchandchange.com
Upgrade (Coffee Conversation #8)
Remember way back in the first worship experience I told you a quick story. Here it is again: A man applies for a job. His prospective employer asks about his previous work. The man says, “I was a dog catcher in a small Texas town, but they had to let me go when the position was eliminated.”
The employer asks, “Was it eliminated because of funding cuts?”
The man says, “No. It was eliminated because I caught the dog.”
Have you ever felt like that dog catcher — that you have outlasted your usefulness and are no longer necessary? It’s been known to happen. One way we sometimes deal with it is simply to let the dog back out on the street and chase it some more. We may not accomplish much in the long run, but at least we keep busy. There is, however, a better way.
The call of God is always a call FORWARD...
You remake, re-engineer, revamp, reorient...
In the Old Testament there’s a story of a Babylonian slave named Nehemiah. Nehemiah had a big dream: he wanted to rebuild the walls of the city of Jerusalem. Against all odds, he accomplished his goal. What next? Tear down the walls and build them again? Instead, Nehemiah moved to a new level. He developed a new dream, bigger and more ambitious than the first: reuniting the people of Israel.
This is what he wrote: At that time the city was large and spacious, but the population was small. And only a few houses were scattered throughout the city. So my God gave me the idea to call together all the leaders of the city, along with the ordinary citizens, for registration. (Nehemiah 7:4-5)
Instead of questioning his own usefulness, Nehemiah upgraded his goals in life; he made the transition from building walls to building people.
If your life has become a circle of letting the dog out so you can catch it again…of tearing down walls so you can rebuild them…it may be time to upgrade your goals. God gave Nehemiah an idea of what to do next.
He has an idea for you, too.
For some you don't see your life as a life where you are living a dream because you have quit looking at life that way. You have trouble or have stop trying to make the connection between what you do and the bigger picture and plan God has for you. Maybe it is time to start doing that again...maybe it is time for an upgrade!
Maybe it is time to dream again!
Thinking and praying through that upgrade? You can keep the conversation going... e-mail me at jdixon@touchandchange.com
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Can I Ask A Question? (Coffee Conversation #7)
The study on dreams has certainly ignited some interesting questions...these 3 questions may be your questions...perhaps they might help.
I don't think I really have any dreams, is that normal?
Normal? Yes...accurate...maybe or maybe not.
What I mean is that people often quit dreaming and settle into what they call "real life" for the long haul. What needs to happen sometimes is a shift or adjustment of perspective so that we can dream again and see that God dreams unfold in the midst of real life. (See the coffee conversations #2 & #5)
My dream doesn't seem very big, is that OK?
Sure it is, but don't you judge or limit the size or importance of your dream. What may be a little dream to you may be a high impact dream in the Kingdom of God. In worship we have used the illustration of the train track. Each piece of track represents a dream. By itself you don't get a train very far...but when you connect your little piece of track (dream) to another all of the sudden you have created a railway where the train can run. That is similar to the way God uses each of our dreams, puts them together in the body of Christ, and keeps dreams on track.
Most of my dreams have happened as I have followed other dreamers and gotten involved in their dream or ministry. Is that still a dream?
It is once you buy into it and see how your gifts, your calling, and your life is being used to impact others. I think one of the things that the church must be is a place that will call you to do something bigger than yourself.
In ministry we do that as we work together. For some that is a short term commitment to be involved in a ministry event. For others it begins to captivate them, it becomes something that they begin to pray over, and their level of involvement goes even deeper. They began to own or buy into the dream and it becomes their own. They are encouraged as others work alongside of them...but this is where their heart is not engaged. So the invitation to do ministry has helped them to discover their dream.
It happens in the ministry of CCC all the time. Whether it is the Magic Easter Egg Hunt, Face the Fear, or Christmas Dreams (to name a few examples) Some of those are short term ministry events for people...but for others they have become part of their dream. As a result their passions are connected there and they have a deeper involvement in those areas.
So yes, it is still a dream...a good dream...a God dream!
I am living my dream right now I think. Should I be doing more?
As long as you are moving forward and being obedient you are in great shape. Keep thanking God for letting you live a dream, but remember what we have been saying. What you are dreaming and doing now is probably not what or how you will be living it tomorrow. There is always another page, another chapter, and a new dream lines up behind the current one.
I suppose this is where I should remind you to keep moving forward!
Keep on dreaming.
Now, these just a very small offering of some of the questions that have been coming in and some of the conversations that are taking place. I hope they help. Don't let the conversation end yet, more thoughts? e-mail me at jdixon@touchandchange.com
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Working On A Dream (Coffee Conversation #6)
The title of the Bruce Springsteen album resonated with me more than I want to admit. Working On A Dream was the title of the album and one of the cuts from the CD. The gist of it is that dreams do take work, they happen over time, sometimes it seems like it is taking too long, but you have to stay with it.
All in all, a fairly accurate take on living out a dream.
When you add the spiritual element which is the most important element we begin to tap into dreams that are really worth living. Why would you waste a lifetime living your dream instead of God's dream for your life? That seems to me to be such a colossal waste of a human existence!
As you reading through these conversations some are still trying to figure out what it is that God might have in store for you..what is that God dream?
Just like our question to clarify from earlier "how does your dream make the world a better place?" Maybe another well placed question might help you in trying to figure out this dream God has for you.
The question..."what is it that you like to do?"
Now on one hand this can be a dangerous question. But I will take into account that it is unfolding in the midst of a spiritual conversation about pursuing God and living out His best plan for your life.
Perhaps, and I repeat PERHAPS God might be trying to get your attention so you can listen, respond, watch, react, act, and then realign something you are already involved in to show you your dream.
Discovering your dream may be closer than you think!
Thinking and praying about your dream(s)? Let me pray with you... e-mail me at jdixon@touchandchange.com
Still Looking For A Dream (Coffee Conversation #5)
In the study called, How To Live A Dream Come True we explored Mark 1:17. A simple verse really yet loaded with the stuff necessary to live the dream God has for you. We said there were three things that we had to do as we started to live the dream God has designed for us...
Listen and Respond
This sounds simple, but honestly for each one of us we sometimes listen but don't really here. However I am convinced that if we are going to dream the dreams God has for us then we have to listen to Him first. Then respond accordingly in obedience. If we don't then we are getting ready for something different than what God has created for us.
Watch and React
I think I said in our study that this intrigued me. This whole idea that Jesus would show us what to do and we are to simply learn from Him and then put into action what He shows us. While this is incredibly freeing it is also a tad bit on the frightening side. The reason it is scary is because it starts stripping away at our excuses for not living the life God has for us!
Act and Realign
This is where we are begin to see the meshing of our calling, our giftedness, our talents, and the Holy Spirit in us all intertwining so that we might find the dream He has for us. In the passage Jesus realigns the way the fishermen fish. In your life the dream may begin to unfold as soon as you allow Him to realign something you are already doing, something you like to do, or something that you have decided you are tired of doing.
Don't let the conversation end yet, more thoughts? e-mail me at jdixon@touchandchange.com
Growing Into Them (Coffee Conversation #4)
In the ongoing conversations about dreams, chasing your dreams, making sure that your dream is a God-given dream the question has been asked.. How do you define a dream?
It is actually a good question and one that any teacher worth their salt should be able to answer. Duh! I guess I should have answered it earlier, but since you are reading this, and just so you know I am worth my salt (whatever that means) here is my definition of what a dream is.
A Dream: Is a God breathed inspiring picture of the future than energizes your heart, mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can do achieve it and trusting that God will guide you each step of the way.
Now that is one huge definition isn't it?!?
I read once that a dream is the seed of possibility planted in the soul of a human being, which calls them to pursue a unique path to the realization of their purpose.
I can tell you that dreams are valuable, they help drive us forward. For a follower of Jesus Christ this is not only the direction He has called you to go, but the dreams are a big part of following Him. Dreams energize us, dreams make us enthusiastic, and I believe with all my heart that Jesus is the giver of dreams.
However, some of you reading this have never been encouraged to dream. Some of you have had dreams in the past but you have set them aside because real life has gotten in the way. I want you to read this carefully.... You can find, recapture, and discover your dreams!
No matter what size the dream is, if it is a God dream it is worth pursuing. And every God dream is bigger than you can imagine. Dreams come a size too big so we can grow into them...because God is always calling us forward, growing us deeper, and taking us to places that we have never been.
Thinking and praying about your dream(s)? Let me pray with you... e-mail me at jdixon@touchandchange.com
Dream Painting (Coffee Conversation #3)
On the lead in to this portion of the website you read the following:
Dreams are like the paints of a great artist.
Your dreams are your paints
The world is your canvas
Believing is the brush that turns your dreams into a masterpiece of reality. . .
I have always thought of our lives a work of art I suppose. Our lives are to be a living breathing masterpiece and when we leave the world should be a different and better place. (I understand you theologians out there will want to begin discussing the Artist, the brush, the paints, the canvas, etc...another conversation for another time)
But each of us have to wrestle through the question, "what kind of art will you leave behind for others?"
I think our dreams, our God-dreams help create a different world, a better world, the kind of world that is different because we have impacted it with the love of Jesus. This takes some courage, risk, and creativity to say the very least.
Now for some the question above about "what kind of art will you leave behind?" is one that can't be answered...yet. The reason is because some of us have given up on our dreams.
Our willingness or ability to dream of a different us, a different life, is pummeled by pain, people, disappointment, and reality. We are afraid to even entertain a dream. Sometimes a dream that should be inspiring us and causing us to ELEVATE our lives is actually a fantasy distracting us.
My hope and prayer for us in this conversation (which is of course based on the celebration worship series called DREAM) is that somehow, someway we might reignite, reimagine, re-engineer, and rediscover that glimmer of a dream inside each of us. In that glimmer we might find the next page of our journey and adventure of faith.
Needing to paint a bit more? You can keep the conversation going... e-mail me at jdixon@touchandchange.com
That Little Bit of Sadness (Coffee Conversation #2)
During the introduction of the Bible Study : Dreaming in Real Time I showed a clip from the movie Unbreakable.
In that movie the Bruce Willis character discovers he is a superhero and he comes to grip with the fact that the sadness that he has been living with, struggling with, that has been stifling his life is due to the fact that he is not doing what he is supposed to be doing.
It is tough living with that sadness...
Some of the response and e-mail I have been getting is from folks who are struggling with that little bit of sadness. Some are successful in life by every measure you would want to look at, but they have that feeling or sense of sadness that something is just not right. Others are feeling it big time, they just don't know what they are supposed to be doing with the life...much less having a dream.
Sometimes our dreams turn out to be nightmares. The life that many thought they would kill for nearly has killed them. Their dreams are shipwrecks or life wrecks and they are trying to figure out what to do next.
For others the lack of being able to nail down their dreams is bothering them, especially when we are having this magnificent (and they are magnificent aren't they?) studies on chasing your dreams and living your God-dream!
I want you to know that I have been praying about this so much...I take so seriously the things that I am discovering in Scripture. As I call you to trust Jesus and believe, I ask you are ready to pursue Him, I urge you to take risks and dare to live out your destiny, and now I am asking you, calling you, compelling you to dream...I would never make light of this adventure you and I are on. I feel the weight of it and want to help you all I can.
I suppose the details of the process are the problem for many of us.
You may be reading this and thinking some of the following things...
"OK smart guy, are you going to tell me how I am suppose to start chasing my dream?"
-or-
"Listen up preacher dude, I don't have a dream...I haven't for a long time"
-or-
"It all sounds real good, it really does, but I am just doing life a day at a time...I'm not seeing how dreams fit into that"
Wherever you are..let's get started dreaming...
If you remember in our study, Dreaming in Real Time...I said there were three things that you need to do to start living your dream. This is also the starting point for finding your God-dream, it is also great advice for staying on track in keeping the God dream in motion.
Here were the three
Focus-the focus you start with is first on Jesus (makes sense, if you want to follow God and live His dreams you can't leave Him out of the process) Beyond that you allow your focus to be on what He has called you to become and then of course what He has placed in your heart...(ah...I am thinking dream here!)
Direction-then remember the call of God is forward!
You begin to move and stay on track always moving, following, and making whatever course correction necessary to draw you closer to Jesus and you find at the same time you are keeping your dream, your God-dream on track.
No Limits-This is where you let God set the boundaries. This is easy to do when you are consumed with following Him and moving forward.
I am confident we will look at this "no limits" one later, but for now if you will do those three things you will begin taking your first steps of putting the train in motion...
If you want to continue e-mail me at jdixon@touchandchange.com
How Do I Know? (Coffee Conversation #1)
That is a big question isn't it? How do I know?
How do I know if my dream is a God dream?
That is the question we would all like to know for certain. I am glad you asked it. Now I wish I could give you a definitive answer as simple as yes or no, but after all...if it were simple it would take all of the fun out of discovering.
The question I suggested you start with is "Does my dream make the world a better place?"
Now that isn't intended to be overcomplicated. Just grab a napkin to scribble on and jot down in a word or a phrase what your dream is....
Now ask yourself the question, "Does the dream I just wrote down make the world a better place?"
Then take a step beyond that and start jotting down "How?"
Hopefully you can fill up the napkin, sheet of paper, or whatever you are jotting things down on. If the answer is YES, your dream makes the world a better place it might just be a God-dream.
Don't let the conversation end yet, more thoughts? e-mail me at jdixon@touchandchange.com
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