Destiny~One Step at a Time

I had the most wonderful conversation with my friend, Ellen, this morning.  When we first connected, we became walking buddies.  Each walk required added distance and steps to the previous because we needed more time to visit.
From the moment of our first meeting, Ellen and I knew we shared a kindred spirit (Thank you, Janis, for connecting us!).  We can talk over anything we are dealing with or struggling through, and feed encouragement to one another over every aspect of our lives.
Today, we met at a local coffee spot, Urbana Coffee Works (BTW, if you’re in the Amarillo, Texas area and haven’t been, you need to try it!)  It had been quite a while since Ellen and I had conversed more than an occasional text or Facebook greeting, so we were overdue a good heart-to-heart conversation.
While enjoying our delicious hot beverages, we talked for more than two hours about recent occurrences in our personal lives, the discipline of prayer and Bible study, the work of ministry, and the direction the Lord is leading each of us.
Although we both are taking on new adventures, personally and professionally, Ellen’s life will also take her to a new residence nearly 1,400 miles from me.  Still, our kindred friendship will remain heart-to-heart.
 
Isn’t it interesting when our plan meets with God’s, it rarely takes us where we thought we were headed?
We have an idea of what our life’s direction will be. Then as we place our lives and our trust in the Lord, He moves upon our hearts, directs our thoughts, molds us more and more into His image, and orders our steps, directing us toward the destiny He has planned and purposed for us.
 
I will miss the walks and coffee meetings with Ellen and am thankful for airplanes and good roadways!  I also know this:  Our GOD is good, merciful, gracious, and kind. HE NEVER takes us in the wrong direction!
 
“A man’s steps are established by the LORD, and He takes pleasure in his way.” Psalm 37:23
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
Blessings to my friend as she traverses new ground prepared for her by our AWESOME GOD!~~Leah

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leah@vinesweet.org

I help overwhelmed people confront and collapse problems of the past and collect right information about themselves so they can connect to life and relationships in a brand new way! With her joyful, enthusiastic attitude, Leah has an exceptional ability to extract significant lessons learned from life-experiences and turn them into teaching points we can all relate to and help connect us more closely to Jesus Christ. In addition to speaking, Leah is a blogger and author with two works to her name, Faith Lessons: Experiencing the Miracles (Insight, 2008) and Success Simplified (Insight, 2011). She is currently completing a book project of her signature program, The VineSweet Connection: 5 Steps to a Fruitful Life, scheduled for publication later this year. Additionally, her radio broadcast, The VineSweet Connection, has aired on the Kingdom Keys Radio Network. A Licensed Pastor with the Church of the Nazarene, Leah serves as the Worship Arts Pastor at First Church of the Nazarene in Amarillo, Texas. Taking ministry outside the walls of the church building and serving the community, Leah has been invited numerous times to lead opening prayer at the City of Amarillo Council Meetings, led and served on community task forces, several non profit boards, professional associations, and ministry boards. Most recently, Leah was appointed Chaplain of the Amarillo Association of REALTORS and served as a member of their Board of Directors. She also served as President of the Board of Directors of Worth the Wait. Currently Leah serves on the Board of Directors of the Amarillo Education Foundation. Leah and husband, Mike, an accomplished musician, have served together in worship ministry more than thirty years. They have traveled in ministry and performed at many events, as well as having performed on national television. The Forts have been married more than 35 years and make their home in Amarillo, Texas. They have a daughter and son-in-law, Sydney and Chase Clark, a son and daughter-in-law, Lane and Neeley Fort, and six grandchildren.

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