Dream In Soul

The new year gives us a fresh stretch of sky to launch into, and a feeling of freedom from past burdens and blunders. I’ve been hearing from various mentors and pastors that 2012 holds special significance, for one that it’s a leap year and that twelve is an abundant number. I believe this is a year with even more possibility and limitless potential, and the year for you and I to shrug off fear and take a leap into our purpose and God’s dreams for us.

This is the beginning of the beginning, make the most of every new day given to you. His dreams for us are higher, fuller, more full-filling, farther-reaching and deeper-impacting than what we have planned so in 2012 let HIS Kingdom come, and His will & dreams be done on Earth, in our lives as it is in Heaven…

This is what the LORD says–your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17

Happy New Year from Dream in Soul!
- Julene

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou

We may look longingly at what may appear beautiful (or successful and esteemed) in our world but many times don’t consider the story behind the person or entity we admire. It’s said that an “overnight success” is never really made over night; it often takes years of toil and trials behind the scenes for every success story we see.

In the life of a believer, the beauty that God intends for us is often molded through a long period of trial, darkness, growth and a period of solitude with God in which our hearts are molded and drawn more intimately to Him. After we surrender our lives to the Potter’s hand the process of becoming more like Him and living His purpose for our lives isn’t always what we expect.

Often before God bestows the blessing He has in store for us, and before He brings dreams into fruition He takes us on a journey that shapes us, a metamorphosis of mind and character. It’s a process that we may not understand and though painful, it graces us to achieve true beauty – a beauty that does not receive its essence from outward appearance but from the heart within that is filled with His presence. Let’s set our eyes on a greater beauty today…

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Click here for more from my personal journal and blog. – Julene

More Journal Posts

To Boldly Go Where You’ve Always Imagined…

There are those dreams you are responsible for bringing to fruition in a sense; things you want to create, experience and learn how to do. “I want to (insert activity here)… someday.” Why not now, why not today?

Read More »

Dreamfleur Diary – Stretch & Grow

No matter what creative field you’re in I think it is always a good idea to stretch and grow yourself in what you do…

Read More »

“If you don’t get a miracle become one…” – Nick Vujicic

If you haven’t been inspired by Nick Vujicic yet (he was featured in a previous message pick on Dream in Soul), be prepared to be encouraged! Nick is an amazing man who shows that with faith and relying on God’s strength we can overcome dark and difficult circumstances that come in life. Born without arms or legs, Nick battled depression and suicide attempts growing up to face Life Without Limbs and find his true purpose and a life without limits- glorifying his Creator.

Now Nick travels across the world as a speaker and author, spreading the Good News and his story of triumph and everyday renewal of God’s mercy. Nick’s also been featured in a documentary of his life called “The Measure of a Man” and the creative short film that will become a feature length film, “The Butterfly Circus.” Now adding music artist to his inspirational repertoire, Nick recently launched a song called “Something More” to spread his message of hope, watch the video above (congrats to Nick who also recently got engaged!:). Visit his site http://www.attitudeisaltitude.com for updates on his ministry and projects, and download the song “Something More” on iTunes here.

The Something More Campaign

In the fall of 2009, Nick Vujicic and Tyrone Wells discussed the possibility of working on a project together, unaware that their bond had been established long before the meeting ever took place. Tyrone had already written the captivating “More” lyrics. Nick had always dreamed of being part of music with meaning. Today, the song connects both men in an incredible way.

“More” mirrors Nick’s personal testimony, depicts Tyrone’s heartfelt plea, and conveys a strong message of hope. Nick Vujicic and Tyrone Wells have united, and launched THE SOMETHING MORE CAMPAIGN, combining the arts of music and film with the power of inspiration. With the music video and the documentary series in the final stages of post-production, THE SOMETHING MORE CAMPAIGN is now ready to debut.

Click here to learn more about the The Something More Campaign

Watch the video below to find out more about Nick’s story:

About Nick Vujicic

Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around a friend ; no hands to hold the ones you love; no fingers to experience touch ; no way to lift or carry things. How much more difficult would life be if you were living without arms and hands? Or what about legs? Imagine if instead of no arms, you had no legs. No ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand. Now put both of those scenarios together… no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that affect your everyday life?

Meet Nick Vujicic, pronounced ‘Vooy-cheech’. Born in 1982 in Brisbane, Australia, without any medical explanation or warning, Nicholas Vujicic came into the world with neither arms nor legs. Imagine the shock his parents felt when they saw their first-born brand new baby boy for the first time, only to find he was what the world would consider imperfect and abnormal.

For this Soul Connection Message Pick, here’s “5 Things Every Adult Should Know” from Axis, the 18-20+ community at Willow Creek Community Church. If you live near South Barrington, IL, check out their Gatherings every Wednesday night.

Message Notes:
- What do some of the plots of children’s movies in America tell us about the messages we give to kids about adulthood?
- “How do we begin to move out of our passivity and out of our consumption to begin to experience life in a real way?”
- “Life’s not about you, it’s about something way bigger than you, you just get to be apart of it…”

A few years back I attended a college ministry retreat, the Harvest Institute, and that’s when I first heard about Jim Munroe’s creative show the MAZE, which tours across universities around the country sharing both illusion and truth. Jim shared his story with us of facing serious illness and skepticism and overcoming the loss of a close friend. Below in a video from I Am Second, Jim recounts part of his journey:

Jim entered college with a skepticism about life. The idea of God seemed “silly”. He poured his life into a successful career in magic where a lot of his skepticism was confirmed. There really are “trap doors” and “smoke and mirrors.” But despite doubts, radical things were happening in Jim’s life to turn his world upside down. And then, just when he thought he had it all figured out: Leukemia. When faced with the choices of how to proceed, Jim knew his best chance of living was to allow himself to die first. Chemotherapy to destroy blood cells. New blood to replace his own. Yet how could he allow himself to endure the agony? And why was this happening?
- From I Am Second

Jim Munroe on Life Today

Jim appeared on Life Today a few years back and shared one of his cringe-worthy (and hilarious) tricks, watch below:

More About MAZE

MAZE is an experience that escapes the boundaries of any single definition. In stark contrast to the typical “magic show”, MAZE presents a unique blend of illusion, intuition, psychology, humor, mystery and danger.

The events that happen during a MAZE show leave you entertained, bewildered, distrubed and inadvertantly pondering the question “How can I know what is really true?”

MAZE exists to make waves in the ocean of the widely accepted, rarely challenged, cultural definition of truth.

Designed to evoke emotion, provoke dialogue regarding what you believe to be true, and to expose the rampant deception that exists in present day culture.

To learn more and for booking information visit: http://whatisthemaze.com

Watch a preview of the 2011 MAZE Tour below