Tag: Christian Life Coaching

The Client and The Coach

A free verse poem
image by StockSnap on Pixabay

“Life coaches can help you clarify your goals, identify the obstacles holding you back, and then come up with strategies for overcoming each obstacle.”

verywellmind.com

I used to be a life coach and found enormous satisfaction in helping people realize their potential. Although I still coach occasionally, I no longer have an office practice. Now I enjoy writing—especially poetry.

…

The Client and The Coach

She sits across from me in the straight-backed chair

fidgeting with a string on her jacket

her long orange-streaked hair falling over her face

as she answers my questions.

Young mother of two with questions of her own

she’s here to find answers but I have none.

What she doesn’t understand yet, is that

all the answers are already within her.

I tell her I can help her find them.

Her head slowly rises from the slump,

brow lines deepen.

She asks how she can possibly have the answers already.

I close my notebook and smile.

…

’Til next time, I hope you’re feeling good about your future and on the path to fulfilling your dreams.

Lynne

Redefining What I Do || Lord, What Do You Want Of Me?

Lord, what do you want of me?

In Part One of my self-discovery posts I told you about questioning my identity as a Christian and what God wanted me to do with my life after my children had grown.

In the books I read and the classes I took at church, I came to realize I’m God’s unique design; a one-of-a-kind human being created in His image for a specific purpose at this moment in time. It’s no accident I’m here right now, writing these words, and knowing that makes a world of difference to how I live my life. God made me with a specific intent – and you too! If you’ll bear with me for a while I’ll bring it full-circle.

Me on the back deck reading a gardening book
What I Do – When I Can

My Unique Design – part two

So here’s who Lynne is in a nutshell, from my studies:

My Top 3 Spiritual Gifts

  • Faith
  • Encouragement
  • Service/Helps

I have 4 supportive Gifts which aid me in using my top 3, according to most online tests which are an indication and not an absolute, and which we all need to try out to see if we agree and if others see these Gifts in our lives too.

My Passion

To help people who are searching for identity and purpose, who may have lost direction or feel disheartened and hopeless.

My Natural Abilities

Here are my 5 strongest abilities:

  • Encouraging
  • Writing
  • Networking
  • Counselling
  • Creating

I’d like to list them all but I don’t want to brag 😉

My Personality

INFP  – with a quirky twist, I’ve been told

  • Introvert
  • Intuitive
  • Feeler
  • Perceiver

My Personal Experience

  • Christian Writer
  • Lay Pastoral Counsellor
  • Workshop Leader
  • Kingdom Purpose Coach
  • Mentor
  • Helper in church ministries, community events and in public schools

I’ve listed only a few things here, but there’s a reason for that (it has to do with age…)

How I Discovered God Had Been With Me All Along

As part of my Kingdom Purpose Coaching, I help my clients bring all their attributes together to discover how individual they are and what they can do for God’s Kingdom by His unique design for them. I do this by asking them to take note of the repetitions in each category. Here’s what I learned about my own Kingdom Purpose:

‘To help others see the hope in Christ; encourage them to discover their purpose for God’s Kingdom on Earth, and equip them for their assignment’.

Do you see the repetitions?

So with that in mind, how did I apply it to my life moving forward? I’ll blog about that in Part 3 – Redefining My Life.

Till next time, know you are loved by the One who created you in His image.

Lynne

Resources:

S.H.A.P.E by Eric Rees

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

Switching Focus

My next blog was going to be about compiling a playlist to inspire you as you write your fantasy novel. Instead, I’m letting you, my fellow bloggers, know I’m switching my focus on this site. I’ll let you know how you can still read the playlist post later.

Switching Focus
New Path

#WritingFantasy  Will Carry On

I’ve completed the series of posts I wanted to share with you about Writing Fantasy and the steps I’ve taken on my own journey writing my first fantasy novel. I’m very excited to start the actual writing process this November for my second NaNoWriMo! If you’ve followed my posts over the past few months I hope you’ll join me in November as we fire out 50,000 words together.

My Outline, Setting, Characters, World Building and Premise are all going to be relocated to another blog I write on, White Rose Writers.

So What’s My New Focus? #AmWriting

As most of you know from reading my profile, as well as being a writing coach I’m also a Christian Life Coach and Certified Lay Pastoral Counselor with many years experience coaching and encouraging believers in their walk with God. This will be my main focus on this blog going forward.

I’ll be blogging about Your Sacred Path, Finding Your Life Purpose, Hearing God’s Voice, Choosing Careers and possibly sharing a few gardening tips along the way. I love to network so I’ll be giving you links whenever I can for you to explore further.

My newsletter will be about the books and courses I’ll be writing, plus I’ll let you know when I’m launching something new, and I’ll have giveaways and social media events exclusively for my blog readers. If you choose to continue following me here that would be lovely, if however, you’re interested in continuing to follow my posts on writing, head over to White Rose Writers and follow my posts there, along with branding and marketing tips from my social media partner, Kirstie Shanks.

Thank you for taking time out from your busy life to read and comment.

Till next time here, or at White Rose Writers, I hope you are blessed.

Lynne

Your Writer’s Voice for God

As an author and Christian Life Coach, I’m often asked about how to get started with a writing career. Here’s a mini-course on just that – how to get started on the writing path. There are lots of coaching tips and I’ve included worksheets to help you through those all-important first stages of decision making and planning, plus a guide to help equip you with attainable goals for moving forward in your new career. This course is for anyone thinking about changing their profession or seeking a solid basis to grow their writing.

Is God calling you to write for Him?

  • Do you feel compelled by God to write?
  • Does anyone say your words have impacted or inspired them?
  • Has anyone in professional writing circles said your work is good?
  • Have you ever dreamed of writing Devotionals or Christian Romance novels?
  • If your answer to any of those questions is “yes,” —

Congratulations – You just might be a writer!

As an author and Christian Life Coach, I’m often asked how to start a writing career. Here’s a workbook to help you with that. It has a questionnaire about how to get started on the writing path.

There are lots of coaching tips, and I’ve included worksheets to help you through those all-important first stages of decision-making and planning, plus a guide to help equip you with attainable goals for moving forward in your new career. The workbook is for anyone thinking about changing their profession or seeking a solid base to grow their writing.

Your Write Voice for His Kingdom is available from Amazon as a print book and  Etsy as an instant download.

Writing for God - a beginner's guide book, front cover showing a blue hydrangea.
Writing for God – a beginner’s guide.

If God is calling you to write for Him, there’s no better partnership.
You are His masterpiece, Blessed one.

Til next time, know you are loved by the One who made you in His image.

Lynne

Personality Type Assessment

Discover your Personality Type with this easy personality assessment. Your answers will give you one of sixteen personality types using Introvert, Extrovert, Sensor, Intuitive, Thinker, Feeler, Judge and Perceiver.
Personality Types

Answer each question and tally the results for each section. Try to answer as truthfully as you can. If you’re unsure, ask someone who knows you well. At the bottom of each section choose the definition that you scored the highest with. At the end of the assessment, you will have 4 letters which will serve as your abbreviated personality type definition.

Extroverts

  • Have natural high energy
  • Are outwardly expressive
  • Social
  • Talk more than listen
  • Think out loud
  • Are spontaneous
  • Prefer a public role
  • May be easily distracted
  • Can multi-task
  • Are outgoing
  • Enthusiastic

Introverts

  • Have quiet energy
  • Are reserved
  • Comfortable being alone
  • Listen more than talk
  • Keep most thoughts to themselves
  • Think before acting
  • Prefer to work behind the scenes
  • Have good concentration
  • Focus on one task at a time
  • Are quiet in crowds
  • Calm

If you chose mostly ‘Extrovert’ answers, put E as the first letter of your personality type.
If you chose mostly ‘Introvert’ answers, put I as the first letter of your personality type.

Sensory

  • Focus on specifics and details
  • Like practical solutions
  • Remember facts
  • See what is
  • Live In the moment
  • Trust actual experiences
  • Use established skills
  • Like step-by-step instructions
  • Work at a steady pace

Intuitive

  • Focus on the big picture
  • Appreciate creative ideas
  • Notice anything new or different
  • See possibilities
  • Think of future implications
  • Trust their own instincts
  • Like to learn new skills
  • Figure things out on their own
  • Work in bursts of energy

If you chose mostly ‘Sensory’ answers, put S as the second letter of your personality type.
If you chose mostly ‘Intuitive’ answers, put N as the second letter of your personality type.

You now have 2 letters as your personality type. 2 more to go…

Thinkers

  • Make objective decisions
  • Appear cool and reserved
  • Are convinced by rational arguments
  • Are truthful and direct
  • Value honesty and fairness
  • Don’t usually take things personally
  • Are quick to see flaws
  • Motivated by achievement
  • Enjoy arguing or debating

Feelers

  • Make decisions based on their values and feelings
  • Are warm and friendly
  • Convinced by how they feel
  • Are diplomatic and tactful
  • Value harmony and compassion
  • Usually take things personally
  • Are quick to compliment others
  • Motivated by appreciation
  • Try to avoid arguments and conflict

If you chose mostly ‘Thinker’ answers, put T as the third letter of your personality type.
If you chose mostly ‘Feeler’ answers, put F as the third letter of your personality type.

You now have 3 letters as your personality type. One more time…

Judgers

  • Like a sense of being settled
  • Take responsibility seriously
  • Are usually prompt
  • Like to finish what they start
  • Work before they play
  • Need closure
  • Prefer to work with rules and boundaries
  • Stick with a plan
  • Like schedules

Perceivers

  • Like to keep their options open
  • Are playful and casual
  • Usually run late
  • Often have multiple unfinished projects
  • Play before work
  • Are often indecisive
  • Don’t like rules and order
  • Like to work with flexible plans
  • Are spontaneous

If you chose mostly ‘Judger’ answers, put J as the fourth letter of your personality type.
If you chose mostly ‘Perceiver’ answers, put P as the fourth letter of your personality type.

You now have your 4 basic personality type letters!

Introvert v Extrovert
Sensory v Intuitive
Thinker v Feeler
Judger v Perceiver

Place them in order: I or E, S or N, T or F, J or P
For example: an Introvert, Sensory, Thinker, Judger = ISTJ

The 4 letters describe your personality as one of 16 basic personality types.

Want to find out more about personalities and character development? Visit my Pinterest board for Writing Personality Types.

Til next time, remember you were made in the image of the One who created you.

Lynne

Your Spiritual Gifts from God

Before you begin your Spiritual Gifts evaluation, you’ll need to understand what Spiritual Gifts are, and are not. These passages from scripture will help you see how wonderful our Heavenly Father is, that He would give all His children such special Gifts!

Romans 12:6-8

1 Corinthians 12:8-10

1 Corinthians 12:28

Ephesians 4:11

1 Peter 4:9-10

As you willingly accept your Gifts from God, ask Him to reveal to you how He wants to use them to accomplish the special assignments He has for you to fulfil your purpose for His Kingdom on Earth.

This evaluation will take approximately twenty minutes.

 

Let’s begin to unwrap your Gifts

Spiritual Gifts Test with Lynne Collier

How much do you agree with each statement? Be totally honest as you are right now, not as you want to be. God can use you right now for His Kingdom, so start where you are right now in your life – warts and all! Hold on to the person you want to be – that person will emerge as you seek God with all your heart and trust His leadership. You may see other Gifts unwrap as you grow in your faith. Put your answer beside each statement. And don’t be shy – if you know you fit the statement – say it with confidence in the realization that it’s not anything you’ve done, but what God has done through you. Give Him all the glory!

Score as 0 = Not at all. 1 = Sometimes. 2 = Often. 3 = Usually. 4 = Almost always.

__ Q1. I effectively organize people and projects to reach goals in ministry and work.
__ Q2. I have specific plans for reaching defined goals.
__ Q3. I easily delegate tasks in order to make things run more smoothly.
__ Q4. I seek out opportunities to make decisions.
__ Q5. I understand what must be done to accomplish a goal.

__ Q6. I feel driven to start new projects for God.
__ Q7. I enjoy new challenges and taking risks.
__ Q8. I enjoy making a difference in other people’s lives.
__ Q9. I would like to work as Christ’s ambassador on earth.
__ Q10. I am willing to work hard to see churches reach their full potential.

__ Q11. I can usually tell right away what a person’s character and abilities are.
__ Q12. I usually know if something is from God, Satan or Man.
__ Q13. I recognize inconsistencies in people.
__ Q14. I realize people’s true motives for doing something.
__ Q15. I perceive when something is twisted in communication.

__ Q16. I am driven to impact other people’s lives for Christ.
__ Q17. I rejoice with people who have put their trust in the Lord in difficult times.
__ Q18. I seek out opportunities to help people reach their full potential for Christ.
__ Q19. I like to be able to inspire people and encourage them.
__ Q20. I rejoice at other people’s success.

__ Q21. I seek out opportunities to bridge the gap between myself and people not of my faith.
__ Q22. I sense when a person is open to the message of salvation.
__ Q23. I have helped many people come to faith in Christ.
__ Q24. I believe love, not logic, wins people to Christ.
__ Q25. I’m deeply burdened for those who don’t know Christ.

__ Q26. I welcome taking risks for God.
__ Q27. I get excited by overcoming obstacles through faith.
__ Q28. I readily accept a challenge that seems like a ‘mission impossible.’
__ Q29. I have a passionate prayer life.
__ Q30. I have a great sense that God is in control of all things.

__ Q31. I eagerly give more than the ten percent tithe in my offering.
__ Q32. I usually give anonymously when I can.
__ Q33. I look for ways I can increase my income in order to give more to the church.
__ Q34. I see my resources as belonging to God so I give beyond what is asked of me.
__ Q35. I know everything belongs to God and I am a steward of His bounty.

__ Q36. I firmly believe that people can be healed supernaturally.
__ Q37. I pray specifically to be used by God to heal people.
__ Q38. I believe healing occurs only by God’s will.
__ Q39. I view medical science as a means God sometimes uses to heal people.
__ Q40. I give God all the glory when He uses me to bring healing to someone.

__ Q41. I like to serve behind the scenes.
__ Q42. I rejoice in the success of others.
__ Q43. I like attention to detail.
__ Q44. I seek out ways to assist others in their tasks.
__ Q45. I don’t need recognition for the work I do.

__ Q46. I’m known for making people feel welcome and comfortable.
__ Q47. I seek out people who are alone in a crowd.
__ Q48. I have a strong desire to make people feel loved and accepted.
__ Q49. I see my home as belonging to God and I welcome visitors in His name.
__ Q50. I try to promote fellowship in believers when I can.

__ Q51. I have a clear understanding of what the speaker is saying, even if the language is unknown to me.
__ Q52. I can translate messages in a way that edifies and exhorts believers.
__ Q53. I am able to convey the meaning of words spoken by other believers to glorify God.
__ Q54. I am able to interpret messages given by someone speaking in a language unknown to the audience.
__ Q55. I am eager to interpret when someone starts speaking in an unknown language.

__ Q56. I devote much of my time to reading scripture.
__ Q57. I love to share biblical insights.
__ Q58. I love to help others understand God’s Word.
__ Q59. I feel strong benefits from studying the Bible.
__ Q60. I delight in answering difficult questions about scripture to glorify God.

__ Q61. I motivate others to work towards accomplishing visions for the future of the church.
__ Q62. I am naturally drawn into leadership roles.
__ Q63. I find it easy to inspire people to work together for the benefit of God’s kingdom.
__ Q64. I easily see the vision for the church.
__ Q65. I am happy to release responsibility to others who are qualified.

__ Q66. I am drawn to meeting the practical needs of others.
__ Q67. I devote much prayer time for the sake of others.
__ Q68. I grieve with those who grieve.
__ Q69. I generally place the needs of others above my own needs.
__ Q70. I feel fulfilled when I visit the sick, homeless, orphans or those in nursing homes.

__ Q71. I recognize prayer as a supernatural way God acts in the lives of people.
__ Q72. I give credit to God alone for supernatural works.
__ Q73. I fully understand it is by God’s will only that miracles happen.
__ Q74. I believe I am an instrument for God’s work on Earth.
__ Q75. When I encounter an impossible situation, I pray and look to God for His will.

__ Q76. I feel driven to help others reach their full potential in Christ.
__ Q77. I look for opportunities to serve others.
__ Q78. I enjoy developing a trusting relationship with a small group of people.
__ Q79. I am happy to give my time to help people with their spiritual needs.
__ Q80. I believe people take precedence over projects.

__ Q81. I am known for communicating God’s Word.
__ Q82. I enjoy sharing my strong biblical convictions with others.
__ Q83. I view myself as an instrument to be used by the Holy Spirit to change lives.
__ Q84. I find it easy to confront others’ motives if they don’t live up to biblical standards.
__ Q85. I frequently receive and share messages from God which comfort and challenge His people.

__ Q86. I spend many hours studying scripture in order to apply the truth.
__ Q87. I enjoy explaining God’s Word to others.
__ Q88. I seek out opportunities to speak biblical truth and principles into situations.
__ Q89. I enjoy helping people learn to study scripture.
__ Q90. I believe God’s Word can be effectively taught by several means.

__ Q91. I believe God prompts me to convey His messages through a language I don’t know.
__ Q92. I often pray for others in utterances using an unknown language.
__ Q93. I desire opportunities to pray for the church in an unknown language which I believe glorifies God.
__ Q94. I share words and messages given to me by God, using an unknown language.
__ Q95. I often comfort or encourage others using an unknown language inspired by God.

__ Q96. I enjoy speaking biblical insights into life situations.
__ Q97. I am often sought out by others for advice or wisdom.
__ Q98. I take great pleasure in counselling others.
__ Q99. I am known for making correct decisions and judgements.
__ Q100. I recognize God as the primary source of all wisdom.

Now tally your results:

Qs 1-5 =
Qs 6-10 =
Qs 11-15 =
Qs 16-20 =
Qs 21-25 =
Qs 26-30 =
Qs 31-35 =
Qs 36-40 =
Qs 41-45 =
Qs 46-50 =
Qs 51-55 =
Qs 56-60 =
Qs 61-65 =
Qs 66-70 =
Qs 71-75 =
Qs 76-80 =
Qs 81-85 =
Qs 86-90 =
Qs 91-95 =
Qs 96-100 =

Now record your highest marks and discover which Gifts God may have blessed you with.

Record your highest three scores. Your supportive scores are listed as your fourth, fifth and sixth.

If you score the same on more than one Gift, write them on the same line then go to the next score.

Qs 1-5: means you likely have the Spiritual Gift of Administration, and so on;
Qs 6-10 Apostleship
Qs 11-15 Discernment
Qs 16-20 Encouragement
Qs 21-25 Evangelism
Qs 26-30 Faith
Qs 31-35 Giving
Qs 36-40 Healing
Qs 41-45 Helping
Qs 46-50 Hospitality
Qs 51-55 Interpretation
Qs 56-60 Knowledge
Qs 61-65 Leadership
Qs 66-70 Mercy
Qs 71-75 Miracles
Qs 76-80 Pastoring
Qs 81-85 Prophecy
Qs 86-90 Teaching
Qs 91-95 Tongues
Qs 96-100 Wisdom

My Highest Gifts Are:

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

My Supportive Gifts Are:

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

Definitions of Spiritual Gifts

Administration is the Gift which serves and strengthens the body of Christ by effectively organizing resources and people in order to efficiently reach ministry goals.

Apostleship is the Gift which God uses to launch and lead new ministries to expand His kingdom.

Discernment recognizes truth or error within a message, person or event.

Encouragement helps others to live a godly life through inspiration, counselling, and empowerment.

Evangelism is the Gift that enables believers who are blessed to share the love of Christ in a way which draws people to accept the gift of salvation.

Faith helps those who have this Gift to see God’s purposes accomplished; trusting God to overcome all obstacles.

Giving encourages people to joyfully offer more than the usual tithe to further God’s kingdom.

Healing restores health beyond traditional and natural means, to those who are sick and suffering.

Helping offers assistance to others in reaching their goals that glorify God, without thought for the helper’s own gratification.

Hospitality provides others with a welcoming environment for fellowship and comfort.

Interpretation is the Gift which understands a message from God spoken in a language unknown to them or others in attendance.

Knowledge is the ability to communicate God’s truth to others for the purpose of promoting justice, honesty, and understanding.

Leadership is given to believers to relay visions of God’s will for spiritual growth and achieving specific goals.

Mercy is the ability to minister to those who suffer physically, emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. Their acts are characterized by their love, compassion, and kindness.

Miracles are supernatural acts that bring validity to God and His power.

Pastoring is having responsibility for a group of believers to equip them in Christ-centered living.

Prophecy offers messages from God that comfort, encourage, warn, and reveal truths that lead to repentance and spiritual growth.

Teaching is imparting sound doctrine in relevant ways, empowering people to grow in their faith.

Tongues communicate God’s message in a special language unknown to the speaker.

Wisdom is making wise decisions and counselling others with sound advice in accordance with God’s will.

Now you have an idea of the Spiritual Gifts God may have given you. Pray for His will and guidance to use your Gifts for His glory, and to serve others as you minister to them in the love that flows from Christ.

Lynne