In Everything

“The person who lives life fully, glowing with life’s energy, is the person who lives a successful life.” ~Daisaku Ikeda

In everything we do, we seek happiness. Or at least what we think will bring happiness.

But this goal can often get us into trouble. It’s how you find yourself in a career that doesn’t represent you, consuming things lacking real value, and living a life that misses its impact on the world.

Most of the things we think create happiness, don’t.

We get caught in a spiral and life suddenly becomes a race to be won instead of a game to be played and enjoyed. Our focus on ‘success’ as society calls it, blurs our more important intangibles of life–our relationships and experiences.

The fear (and sad reality for many) is that we wake up 30 years from now, stressed, unhealthy and unfulfilled, wondering what on earth happened to those wonderful dreams we once dared to dream.

I’ll tell you what happened. We fell into the trap of being what others felt we should be as opposed to who we were meant to be. Other’s dreams became ours, only to realize they never mattered to us in the first place. We adopted the world’s definition of success instead of understanding and pursing our own.

Well there is good news. No matter when you wake up to this reality, it is never too late to take a stand and travel down that fresh path.

In all of my experience as a friend, writer, husband, personal freedom coach and citizen of the world, there is nothing more consistent with unhappiness than spending your time in a way that doesn’t serve who you are. And to the contrary, there is no more profound source of fulfillment and happiness than knowing you are traveling your own path and making the dent in the world you know you’re capable of.

Thank You -Scott Dinsmore

In His Love

Leslene

The Blame Game

“Whenever something negative happens to you, there is a deep lesson concealed within it.” ~Eckhart Tolle

The most common conversation I have with other people includes the blame game.

The one where your job, your wife, your dog, your mother-in-law, your neighbor six doors down, the media, the government, the receptionist at your doctor’s office, or the dress maker who measured you wrong is somehow responsible for the problems you’re having.

I too played the blame game.

Just this morning I blamed my husband for something I could’ve prevented.

I sat down, took a long deep breath, and thought about the ways I’d contributed to my own unhappiness. Once I came up with one way, countless others seemed to follow.

In that moment, I realized I was blatantly ignoring vital life lessons.

I believe we are here to learn lessons. Once we learn a lesson we move on to the next lesson. However, if we fail to learn a lesson, we keep finding opportunities to learn it again and again.

Isn’t it weird that the woman who can’t leave her old unhappy relationship without starting a new one is always in an unhappy relationship? Or the man who quits his job because he can’t stand his overbearing and ungrateful boss lands a new job with a boss who seems even more overbearing and ungrateful?

Life will continue to throw us the same lessons until we learn from them. Here are some ways to start learning that lesson you may be resisting:

1. Believe there is a lesson to be learned and consent to learn it.

This is probably one of the most important steps. Unless you’re really willing to learn the lesson, even if it feels uncomfortable at times, you can never move forward. Consent to view the situation as something that can help you grow.

2. Admit that you might have helped create the problem.

Warning: This does require you to immediately quit playing the blame game! Just consider the possibility that you somehow contributed to your current situation. This doesn’t mean no one else played a part; it just means perhaps you did, as well.

4. Let go of your attachment to the problem.

Trying to control the problem—your boss, your spouse, or your circumstances—will only keep you more attached to it and. The more you “leech” onto a problem, the more it “leeches” right back on you.

You will never be able to see the lesson or the solution if you dwell on all the little details about what seems wrong. Letting go could come in many forms: seeing the good in the person who seems difficult, accepting a situation for what it is, or seeing the other side of the story.

Any time we let go of our attachment to what went wrong or what should have happened we create the possibility of growth—and we pave the path for more positive results.

Thank you Rachel Woods

In His Love

Leslene

Coming Back

This is a post I’ve been dreaming about for a very long and it can finally be written. “Commit your works to God and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 was the scripture I was and still is holding on to. There are so many promises in the Bible but we’re not taking hold of it. When we do take hold of it we do it in the flesh.

My sister had this mind set that she was not a backslider, but to me her actions said something different. Don’t get me wrong, I am not this perfect Christian girl who has it all figured out. I have so many flaws but I am very quick to repent. I have a desire to change many lives by not doing good works (Isaiah 64:6), but by doing the right and honest works.

There are many people who can help me with CLAY, but I choose my sisters and my brother. I choose my husband, my sister’s husbands, my brother’s future wife, our kids and the generations to come. We have a story to tell. We have a message for the world. We are a people with a messy past, a bright future and God who delivers us from our affliction.

My eldest sister recommitted her life to Christ. It happened after I asked her to help me in ministry. I know when I posed the question she felt that she was not in line with God’s plan for her life. At the Conference where Todd Bentley was preaching she opened up her heart to Jesus Christ. On our way home she could then freely speak about CLAY and how she would like to help.

She was once again freed from the chains holding her down. The Power of God has broken the chain in Jesus name. There is so much I want to do and is happening already, but I have to continuously place God in the driver seat. My husband and kids are excited for what God is doing. One by one my family’s lives are changed and soon we’ll all be apart of CLAY to go out there, make a difference by being the change and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We are here NOT to look down on you, but to lift you up. We are here NOT to break you down but to help you tear the walls down.

We are here to LOVE you because Jesus loved you first. We are here to share in your weakness where His strength will be made perfect. We are here to tell you that it is time for CHANGE and we are here to show you how.

It is time to COME BACK and taste the goodness of God once again.

In is love

Leslene

Two Way Conversation

What does people want more of in life? Or let me ask, “What does a friend long for in life?”

A friend longs to be heard when life comes crashing down.

Good friendships improve all aspects of your life, providing comfort, joy, strengthening your health, providing companionship and prevent isolation. Not all people can keep themselves from isolating themselves. They need someone to help them.

When I think of my life and how friends have come and gone, it makes me sad. I’m asking myself, “have you not done enough to prevent the friendship from ending?”

Then Jesus comes and assures me that I have done enough. That season has ended. I have put in so much but the effort was not appreciated. There were times when I was so lonely; I would then go into isolation. I would create a pit and then throw myself into it. I would see my friend go on girly dates with other people and it would hurt my feelings and I would sink even deeper. I got myself out of that pit when I realised something. I read a quote of Dr Cindy Trimm which stuck to me since that day. “Loneliness is not the absence of people, but the absence of PURPOSE. When you have purpose, the right people will come.”

I have found my purpose. I have learned to equip myself in the lonely times. I can now equip others through their lonely moments. Every person I meet in this lifetime is my assignment. I don’t have to worry about being dumped by a friend, I can move on when the assignment is over. I don’t have to worry about girly dates and how hurt I feel when I’m not invited. The assignment NOW is to focus on the ones who hurt. My girly dates will come when it is God ordained.

Today, I know a friend when I have one. That friend is sometimes so hard to define because of stuff that person has gone through.

I ones was so hurt but not because of a friend and I got a bbm message from a lady. I wanted to share my hurt but God stopped me when she said, “I am only a bb away if you need me” My response was, “Every one is a bb away, and I don’t need that.”

I am a person who picks up the phone and ask how you doing. I am a person who will go to your house unexpectedly to give my support. Whether it is in serving you, encourage you or just pray with you.

Technology may have shifted the definition of friend in recent years, but having hundreds of online friend is not the same as having a friend you can connect and be in person with. You make new friends via the new technology yes, but it CANNOT hug you or cry with you when you need them the most.  Friends sharpens one another’s countenance (Proverbs 27:17).

Our survival ones depended on having friends. Yes they add special memories and hurtful memories which can only make you strong, but when you have Jesus Christ it all changes. He takes that void and fills it with purpose.

Off course friendship is a two way street. It brings joy to your life. When the one is quiet, it is understood. When everyone else leaves, a friend stays behind.

My prayer for you is to be patient. To love at all times. To serve at all times and that you will know, you DO NOT have to be the friend who constantly have to prove yourself. Be the friend you would want a friend to be to you.

In His love

Leslene 

Strong for you my friend...

There are so many things happening in our lives and to be honest, certain things are not to talk about. Whether it's good or not so good. It's just not important to talk about life's happening to people, but talking to God about it feels great.
I know God's ultimate plan for us is to grow in Him. He wants us to mature to a level that we know, He is involved in everything and that we shouldn't be running to friends with our issues. There will be a time when He does send someone on our path to talk to and believe me it will not just be anybody. It will be someone who has gone through the very same. You cannot discuss your affliction with people who does not understand that battle. That person will not be able to comfort and guide you. The word of God says so in 2Cor 1:4 "...who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
I don't knw about you, but I would say that life is very tricky. There are times that I personaaly feel I am alone but  then Holy Spirit comes and reminds me of my purpose. He would then tell me that loneliness is not the absentism of people in your life, it's the abtism of purpose. When you know what you day to purpose and assignment is, the right people will then come into your life, and I can truly say this is something I have experienced.
I would be lying if I tell you today that I have nothing to do in my home or with my husband and kids. Whenever I feel lonely, I create something to do. Yes, there are at times a longing in my heart to be amongst other ladies, but it only lasts for a few minutes.

I believe when you take your problems to people you are actually hardening your heart towards God. You are nor acknowledging that He is the One who can sort it out for you. Have you ever wondered why your future plans does not come into fulfillment or why it take so long? Are you doing what the Bible says you must do? Well, it's clear..."Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3
If you have not been doing that, I would say it's time to start.

My reason for writing this blog is to encourage you to be strong. You be that friend who is grounded so the weak can see where to go with their afflictions, trials and sorrow. When someone comes to you with an affliction, you be the one to encourage and to comfort and take your friend and their trial to God. Don't give you own advice, hear what God says and then you speak. 
Love on your friends especially in their time of need, because God has given us the tongue of the learned that we should speak a word in season to those who are weary, in Jesus name.

Love
Leslene

Missioned Family Camp 2013 Part 1

When you have prayed for something to be fixed and you will do anything in order for God to work, how can you back down when God speaks loud and clear saying, “IT IS TIME”

You know when God speaks and people question your actions, there’s no way you can explain it to them. You’re not acting in your own strength or upon your own thoughts. You get the assignment and you have to do it and when it feels right, you know it must be God. For me it meant putting everything aside except for my sister and brother. I even had to be less at church even though they did not understand, but I had to be there for my sisters in order for God to work. We say “use me, use me Lord”, but are we always ready? Well, I was ready and it pays off. I was so close to my pastor and his wife and it broke my heart when I had to put them aside to be with my sisters. I have grown so much being in their company but when God spoke, I had to put that friendship aside and attend to my assignment. In doing that I could also see who my friends are, but to day I can truly say, “I know who I am in Christ Jesus”

I was scared to let go of my comfort zone but I also had confidence that when you pray and decree a thing, it shall come to pass.

Excitement is running high at the Britz residence. We are having our first official Missional Family Camp 2013 and many more will follow in Jesus name.

“Therefore, do not cast away your confidence. Pay day is coming. You have need of endurance and after you have done the will of God, you will receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:35-36

 In His love

Leslene Allicia Britz

My vision is clear and my mission is unobstructed to fulfil God’s assignment and changing lives around you

Marco Anthony Britz - YOU HAVE MY WHOLE HEART!

Dear Marco,

The past sixteen and a half years of marriage have been quite extraordinary!  Although we did and will continue to encounter trials and hardships of various kinds, I am so blessed to endure it all with you.  Starting out so young was scary for me.  I had a ton of growing up to do… in many ways I still do.  I want you to know that you have personally and intimately impacted my life in such great ways, life-changing ways that have inspired a transformation in me.  I am so much more confident in who I am, what I believe, and what I am capable of because you have spoken that truth into my life.  The trial you face along with your fight to overcome have enabled me, and blessed me more than I deserve.

There are many things that have influenced our marriage.  God has been the biggest contributor, as I believe He brought us together and daily encourages our relationship.  God is the glue that holds us so tightly together!  Other influences include friendships that have listened to our story and provided advice and prayer when needed.  They walked beside us, affirming us when we thought we were alone. There are strangers we meet who has an impact on our marriage as well, some negative and some positive, but I pray that we will continue to be strong when the negative tries to over take us.  As much as all these wonderful influences have touched our marriage, there is no one or no thing that has influenced our marriage as much as you have!

Your Godly character has led us into many different challenges which made us so strong, and into a leadership role where we have the privilege to serve side by side. No matter how many flaws you say you have, You  wisdom has influenced me and taught me a great deal about our God and how He operates.  Your walk with the Lord has positively affected the growth I have experienced in my personal walk with Him.  I love the fact that we can grow together and experience the awesomeness of God in our lives.

Thank you for allowing me to always pray with you when you feel weak.  Thank you for remaining in faith, trusting in God’s promises, and reminding me of them when I fear.  Thank you for praying over us and over our marriage consistently everyday. Thank you for loving our kids in a way I sometimes do not understand.  Thank you for serving me in loving-kindness.  Thank you for being patient with me when our intimacy lacks.  Thank you for never giving up hope when times are hard.  Thank you for being transparent with me, being open, and at times emotional.  Thank you for the good gifts you have given to me as a token of your love, and thank you for the effort you have put into being more romantic.  Thank you for forgiving me and trusting in me as your wife.  Thank you for choosing me.

Thank you for believing in my talent and my potential to lead other women.  Thank you for giving me permission to share our stories9on the train hehehee) in the hopes that other marriages are healed.  Thank you for pushing me to continue with my blog when negative comments shook me up.  Thank you for not criticising me when I do and say the wrong things.  If I did not have your support and help, I would not be where I am today.

I am an appreciative wife.  I am a blessed wife.

You are my best friend.  You are the closest person to my heart. 

I have such a deep love and respect for you.

You have given me a beautiful opportunity to be a mother and I am overwhelmed with joy.  I cannot wait to see your face when Keachia-Leigh graduates from High School and Wade Joshua leaves Primary School.  I have full confidence in you and I know that you are going to do everything to make sure your kids do well, by following the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Deuteronomy 7:6-9

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.  But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery,…. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

I love you Marco Anthony Britz!  Forever, for always, you have my whole heart, no matter what!

Love, your wife, Leslene Allicia britz