Category Archives: Encouragement

Mic Drop Monday: Food For Thought!

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What do you think of when you remember the story of Sodom and Gomorrah?  Many of us heard the story as children and knew that those people didn’t love God or serve Him.  However, in looking at it through the eyes of adults, we often think that these two cities were condemned for their sins of perversion.  At least that’s what I thought… till I read these verses in Ezekiel 16:

49 “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.

Did you see that?  Did you see what it was that saddened God’s heart?  Yes, detestable things, pride and arrogance.  But that’s not what jumped out at me.  Look again!  “Overfed and unconcerned with the poor and needy!”  Some versions say they did not help the oppressed.  The people of Sodom & Gomorrah hadn’t just grieved God because of their wickedness (hearts twisted or bent on doing wrong!) but because they overindulged in themselves and did not care for those in need.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 5, God addresses His concerns about Israel to Jeremiah:

2 “Their evil deeds have no limit;
    they do not seek justice.
They do not promote the case of the fatherless;
    they do not defend the just cause of the poor.”

Now meditate on these verses:

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

When we purpose to help those in need, defend the oppressed, and care for the needy, we are seeking justice! Jen Toledo defines justice in this way, “Justice is God’s correction of every violation of love.”  What violations of love do you see around you?  Racism, prejudice, bullying, belittling, loneliness, need?   To see God’s Kingdom come into our realm of influence, we need to be ambassadors of His love, bringing justice and righting wrongs whenever the opportunity arises!  Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s whispers and stomp on the enemy’s injustices!*

 

I don’t know about you, but I sure don’t want to be lumped in with the likes of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Even more, I want to please my Daddy!  I want to purpose to seek justice, defend the oppressed, and walk humbly!  Recently, I’ve heard God whispering an idea to help those in my part of the world.  I will be moving in that direction soon and I’ll post when I do!  What about you?  Is God dropping ideas in your heart too?  I’d love to hear them!

 

 

Live Loved!

*The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:20

If this challenged and blessed you, please share on social media!

Mic Drop Monday: Are You Naked?

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Hmmm, I’m wondering, how many Jesus followers are walking around naked?

Here’s the test:

Does my heart harbor unforgiveness? Prejudice?  Pride? Self-righteousness? Judgement? Anger? Ungratefulness?

Do I allow myself to have foul conversation? To talk unkind about others? Be impatient? Rude? Bitter? Complaining? Vengeful?

Then I am walking naked!

Colossians 3 reminds us of what should be in our closet!  We need to put on the clothing of love:

 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us.

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

OK, I experienced a few ouch moments reading that, how about you?  Let me go get dressed…

Live loved and Dressed too! 

Favorite Friday-Celebrate Your Tribe!

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Here we are, about to tie up week 5 of our school year; how fast time goes!  This year, I transitioned from 3rd grade to 5th and I don’t mind admitting that 5th grade is kicking my butt!  I feel a bit like a puppy frantically swimming just to keep her nose above the waterline.  But paddle, I will!

I refuse to get swept away! Each year of teaching gets progressively more challenging and more exhausting.  Yet, I see myself grow as an educator and as a person.  How do I make it through each challenging day?  Probably the same way you do… with help and encouragement and it’s time to celebrate the people who are there for us!They are the ones who listen to our frustrations.  They help us hash out our ideas.  They cry with us when we are discouraged.  They shout with us when we succeed. They bolster our flagging confidence when the swells of challenge seem greater than the swells of courage.

Who is your tribe?  Who is it that stops you from “jumping ship” and reminds you of all the gold that’s inside of you?  They are your tribe!  I’m so thankful for the amazing people God has placed in my life!

I live with my tribe, work with my tribe, play with my tribe, worship with my tribe!  Those people are not all the same people, though there is much overlap.

I have purposed to seek out people that encourage me and demonstrate character traits I want to grow in my life.  My tribe also includes people that challenge me and refuse to let me run and hide when life throws me a curve ball.

These are not your acquaintances or your fair-weather peeps.  Not all your friends are tribe members.  Your tribe members are those who have the authority and privilege of speaking into your life.  True tribe members must be purposefully chosen.

My tribe includes people who are:

Trustworthy-positive, committed, loyal

Real-authentically themselves and expect the same from me

Invested-willing to invest in my life and allow me to invest in theirs

Bettering-share in a reciprocal commitment to bettering one another’s lives

Encouraging-engages in our relationship by speaking life-giving words

 

As a parent, it blesses my heart to say that my adult children are part of my tribe.  My husband is a vital member and our moms are included as well.  I have incredible co-workers, family members, and friends that are tribe members too!  Today, I celebrate their amazingness!  I need them and I hope they need me!

Think about your life… do you feel positive about your tribe?  Do you know who you can call on when life knocks you down?  Build your tribe!  Be part of someone else’s tribe!  Link arms with those who are trustworthy, real, invested, bettering, and encouraging!  The sun shines so much brighter when reflected by those around you.

Check out: Psalm 1:1-3, Proverbs 4

Live Loved,

 

Let It Go!

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“Do you remember that time that you _________  (fill in the blank with any poor choice)!”

How painful it is when someone reminds us of our past mistakes!  Just when you think life has moved on and your royal screw-ups have been forgotten, someone pulls out their shovel and digs it up again.  We wish that memories could be wiped clear and clean slates were mandatory.

Back in the day, there was a Christian music artist that I didn’t care for… not because of her style or voice, but because she had allowed herself to be sponsored by a disreputable company.  Recently, I heard her name in connection with a current project and immediately that memory surfaced, along with my dislike.  The Holy Spirit whispered in my ear, “When do you allow someone to grow past their errors?”

His voice was so gentle, but I felt the strong conviction of truth.  I knew that the Lord was challenging me to go to a new level in my desire to be more like Him.

It’s human nature, really.  Whether we’ve been personally hurt by someone or their reputation leaves a bad taste in our mouths, rarely do we allow our opinions of someone to change, even years later.

  • We still think of the high school bully as an adult bully.
  • We still imagine that the man caught in moral failure continues to be unfaithful.
  • We still believe that the person who stole in the past is a thief today.
  • We still consider that wild girl from college as promiscuous.
  • We still look at the man down the street as the punk teenager who was disrespectful.
  • We still remember the hurtful words spoken even after the apology.

When will we allow others to grow past the errors of youth, ignorance, stupidity, and selfishness?

It’s time to make like Elsa and let it go! 

People change!  But even if they don’t, you and I are responsible to move beyond the status quo and offer grace and forgiveness.  Just as God gives us new mercies every morning*, we can offer others a clean slate in our minds and hearts.

Now don’t get me wrong… God gives us wisdom!  If a neighbor stole money from me last year, I’m not going to leave my purse open for their perusal.  If a family member negatively impacted a child in the past, I’m not going to give them unguarded access again**.  Caution isn’t a wrong choice, but assumptions that people can’t, don’t, or won’t change is.

Forgiveness isn’t a prize we present.  Grace isn’t a reward given to the worthy.  They are non-negotiables for those who call themselves followers of Jesus.  How you and I view others does not ultimately affect them; it does, however, reflect the condition of our hearts.

If we call ourselves Believers, followers of Jesus, the Body of Christ, then we are called to a higher standard, to live a life worthy of our calling as Kingdom Ambassadors. Ephesians 4 challenges you and I to:

  • Think humbly
  • Treat gently
  • Love generously
  • Embrace unity
  • Reflect righteousness
  • Be honest
  • Choose rightly
  • Speak encouragingly
  • Offer kindness
  • Release anger
  • Forgive consistently

There are no boundaries placed on these expectations… we don’t get to pick and choose who we treat this way!  In fact, we are to even treat ourselves this way!

Do we still think of our own failures as permanent stains on who God intended us to be?  Again, when will we allow others, and ourselves, to grow past the errors of youth, ignorance, stupidity, and selfishness?

Today is the day to let it go!

 

Ask the Lord for a new lens, a lens of love and forgiveness, with which to view yourself and others.  You may not see the results of that new lens in the lives of others, but you will see the effects in your own heart.  As compassion, peace, and thankfulness well up, you can’t help but reflect the heart of the Father to others!  This is the life of the Kingdom culture that will impact our world and bring Heaven to earth! 

Live Loved,

*Lamentations 3:22-23

**God never intends for us to place ourselves or others in a place to be repeatedly hurt.  You can offer forgiveness and grace and still set boundaries that limit the access of others to your life.  Learn more about being a powerful person in the book “Keep Your Love On” by Danny Silk.

Favorite Friday… Just Wow!

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True confessions… I’m not a dancer!  Oh, I look like one in my mind!  I enjoy beboppin’ around the house, trying those dance moves that my daughter makes look so easy!  I’ve had my moments of “River Dancing” right along with Michael Flatley and I can do the Cupid Shuffle with the best of them!  But…  I’m probably the only one who thinks that what I’m doing is actually dancing!  (At least I’m having fun, right?!)

 

Regardless, dancing competitions and cool dancing videos are popular around our house.  Miranda showed me this video the other day and I was captivated!  The incredible talent and synchronicity of this group blew my mind!  In fact, I used it in a lesson on teamwork with my students yesterday!  I liked it so much that I decided I had to share it with you!

But… that’s not the only reason this song caught my attention.  After watching the dancing video, we watched the lyric video of the song, Lazarus.  Trip Lee tells a story of coming to life spiritually in such a creative and unique way!  I turned to Miranda and said, “That’ll preach!” Her response: “It already is!”  And she is correct!  The truth of God’s faithfulness, how He rescues us, and restores our spirits can be “preached” in so many ways!  God’s power is at the heart of Trip Lee’s Message:

“Hopped up out the grave, thriller style
They ain’t think that He could do it, but He did it now
I mean the Captain, the almighty Lord
Setting captives free, all aboard, all aboard
Can’t stop Him when He got His mind made up
He don’t like that grave? Sayonara, see you later
He made the blind see and got the lame up
So it’s no surprise He can raise us
Wake them up now
Believers when your life is looking tough now
When you’re at your all time low
Don’t forget that power that He already showed”1

God has shown His sustaining power and His faithfulness to me in so many ways!  I see it in His provision on a daily basis.  I hear it in the voices of those I love.  I feel it in His grace that carries me through the difficult days!  I can’t help but celebrate who He is whenever I get the chance!

 

Our God is amazingly creative and we are just like Him!  How do you share Your Father’s faithfulness with those around you?  Singing, writing, drawing, posting, sculpting, dancing, chatting, giving, loving?  You were designed to paint His reflection on your world! You have a story to share and someone needs to hear it!

Live Loved,

1Lyrics from “Lazarus” by Trip Lee

 

Put the Stone Down!

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I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your measuring stick is flawed.

Please don’t be offended… because mine is also flawed!  Yet, sometimes we wield our measuring stick like a sword aimed at what we consider errors in the lives or opinions of others.

Even though we know we are far from perfect, we forget that our measuring stick is not that of Mary Poppins.  You know the one, the practically-perfect-in-every-way measuring stick. We hold it up to “that neighbor,” “that relative,” “that church,” “that blogger,” “that co-worker,” and find them lacking in some area.  Why does it seem so easy to zero in on the negative?

Unfortunately, highlighting the faults of others seems to be a social epidemic.  If you spend any time on social media, or the internet for that matter, you’ve seen what I’m talking about.  Self-appointed “inspectors” pass over the good in favor of criticizing, cutting down, nitpicking, and judging.  Sadly, I think Christians (and I use this term loosely here) are some of the biggest culprits.

You may have stumbled across one of these situations:

  • Complete websites dedicated to tearing down pastors, prophets, and teachers.
  • Bloggers who have taken the time to write an entire blog about why a worship song isn’t worth singing.
  • Professors who teach that church services shouldn’t have low lights, loud music, dancing, children’s church, etc.
  • People who have stormed out of churches because they didn’t like something the pastor said, did, stood for, or even implied.
  • Those who are more concerned that you use their version of the Bible than living by what’s inside of it.
  • Pastors who use their authority to declare entertainers, music styles, and even people groups as demonic.

How it must grieve God’s heart to see His children throwing stones at others.

Some of you might be thinking, but we are supposed to judge the fruit, right?  We are supposed to be “wise as serpents,” aren’t we?  Let me refer you to the first sentence of this blog and then remind you of the second half of Matthew 10:16, “and be harmless as doves.” Note that the word “judge” means to form an opinion or conclusion.  There’s an old adage that says, “Opinions are like armpits, everyone has them and they often stink!” Much of what criticizers call out in others is simply a reflection of their own opinion or their disagreement of someone’s understanding or interpretation.

Even if someone is doing or saying something that seems askew, what purpose does it serve to publicly defame them?  Does it glorify God? Build them up?  Encourage other believers?  Bring life to the situation?  I’m confident that the answer to those questions is an emphatic “NO!” Rarely ever will public criticism bring about a positive outcome or fruitful discussions.

So, what IS an effective action when you suspect that a speaker, ministry, or songwriter seems off?  Pray and bless! Pray for God to give them (and you) a revelation of truth and clarity!  Pray that they will be drawn deeper in relationship with the Father! Bless them in the areas they are right on track.1

This may come as a shock, but there is NO perfect theology, NO perfect church, NO perfect worship style, NO perfect sermon length, NO perfect author… Do you get my point?

Churches, pastors, ministries, authors are all different and unique.  Why?  Because that’s how God created each one of us!  We were wonderfully formed in His image as one-of-a-kind children who have individual relationships with our Heavenly Father.  As creative as our God is, why do we think that He would want us to have cookie-cutter churches or ministries?

While our tenants of faith stand strong (based on the Word of God), our walks as believers, our preferred ways of worship, our revelations, our engagement with the Holy Spirit will reflect our uniqueness.  He is not a cookie-cutter God!

So if we are all so different, what does God expect of His wonderfully unique children?  God’s measuring stick is reflected in His Word: Seek Justice, love mercy, walk humbly (Micah 6:8), Love God, love others (Matthew 22:37-39), Bless, do not curse (Romans 12:14), Mercy triumphs over judgement (James 2:12-13).

Peter sets forth a challenge:  “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8 NLT)

Here are some practical ways to rise to the challenge!

  • Purpose in your heart to look for the good in others. See criticism as a weapon of the enemy and demolish it!
  • Celebrate the efforts and hard work of ministries, pastors, writers, believers, prophets, etc. who are living and declaring the Kingdom of God.
  • Find and embrace a place of worship that shares your heart, vision, and style. Stick with that church family through thick and thin until God clearly directs you otherwise!
  • Pray for other believers and ministries asking the Lord to bless them in their “on-target” areas and bring revelation to their “off-target” areas.  Pray the same clarity for yourself!
  • Seek to be like Jesus!  Study His life and grab His heart!

Let’s be Jesus-followers together!

Live Loved!

1Note that James 5:19 discusses turning back one who wanders from the truth.  Realize that publicly denouncing someone on social media or anywhere else will not turn someone to the truth.  A personal relationship that is based on love and respect will enable this to occur and the one in error will be protected because love covers a multitude of sins!

Here more here: Designed to Impress

Favorite Friday: Not-So-New-Artist

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I’m a good ol’ classic rock and roll kind of girl!  My teen years were influenced by a mix of Journey, Petra, Foreigner, DeGarmo & Key, the Eagles, and more.  Today, Skillet tops my list of bands that inspire the radio to be up and the windows down!

Those who know and love Skillet will recognize the name of this new band: Ledger!  Ledger is front lined by Jen Ledger, the talented drummer of Skillet.

Ledger is currently on tour opening for Skillet.  Their EP is available for download at https://ledgerband.com/.  Some of the great tunes on the album include: Bold, Not Dead Yet, and Warrior.

Listen to my current favorite Ledger tune, Bold, now!

“All this time
I have believed the lie
That I wasn’t made to fly
My wings were bound, stuck to the ground

But I hear truth remind me
You are right behind me
Go ahead and break the mold

I’m gonna be bold
Gotta hold my head up
‘Cause I know when I get up
There’s a victory I already hold
I’m gonna be strong
Gotta get my fight on
‘Cause I know Whose side I’m on
Got a heart like steel, a faith like gold
I’m gonna be bold

Take a breath
Faith builds within my chest
Spirit in every step
I’m made for this and so I rest”1

What is it that you are facing?  What circumstance is trying to make you cower in fear or frustration?  Look it square in the face, let your faith build and believe that you have a heart like steel and a faith like gold!
Turn it up, sing loud, and be bold! 
Live Loved,

1Lyrics from Bold by Ledger

Strength for the Struggle

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Related imageLife can be exhausting!  At times, I feel like that circus plate spinner… you know who I mean…  The one who has numerous poles with plates on top and runs back and forth between the poles, rotating them in order to keep the plates spinning so they won’t fall and shatter.  My plates are probably similar to yours: family, finances, job, classes, friendships, health, chores, volunteering, etc.  All are valuable and all are demanding!  Mix in a few stressors (conflicts, unexpected expenses, health issues, changes) and we feel like we are one misstep away from plate shattering chaos!

The struggle is real! Some days, the struggle seems too real!  I’m tempted to run someplace safe and curl into a ball with a blanket and pillow and hope that the world will run smoothly without my help.  Am I alone in my urge to hibernate from life??

Sigh… so do I hibernate or put on my big girl pants and keep pressing on?  It’s not really much of a choice, is it?  Life goes on and we either grab ahold and ride along or it will drag us behind it!

I have good news and better news!  The good news (depending on how you look at it) is that the world really does need you and I!  Each of us are valuable, unique, and loved by someone who would not be the same if we chose to hibernate indefinitely!  The better news is that there are ways to help us cope with the chaos that has our heads spinning with those plates! There is strength to be had if we know how to tap into it!

As I have been wrestling with my own sense of plate-spinning panic, I’m realizing that I can make some choices that enable me to not just survive the struggle, but to even thrive in it!

Rest: “Ummm, when am I supposed to rest?” I know, it seems like an impossible feat, right?  But the truth is, if you don’t find time each week to rest, your body will get to the point where you have no choice in the matter.  Rest can be sleep, but it is not the equivalent.  Sleep is physical rest; but your soul needs rest too.  For me, soul rest involves choosing to think about positive concepts, creative ideas, and exciting dreams.  It may include reading a book, crafting, exercising, or chatting with someone I love. It might involve a family adventure or quiet time to write.  No matter what you choose to do, strength is found in giving yourself a “brain break” from the responsibilities that pull at you.

Rejuvenate: Different than rest, rejuvenate is to bring new life to something.  What in your life needs a little rejuvenation?  What dreams have you set aside that need revisited?  What relationships have you put on the back burner that need to become a priority?  Ask yourself what makes your heart jump and infuse some of that into your life again!  If traveling brings you joy but finances and time are a hinderance, take a day trip someplace you haven’t visited before.  If time with friends lights up your world, then arrange a game night soon! Strength is found in rejuvenating dreams.

Relegate: Not everything in our lives is of equal importance.  In fact, the things in our lives demanding the most attention are often not those that are the most valuable.  If I’m not careful, my responsibilities as a teacher can run roughshod over the valuable relationships in my life (FYI: Rarely do teachers accomplish all their work at school, thus the evenings of grading and writing lessons!).  It’s not that my teacher responsibilities are not important, but rather that my family and friends are more important in my life and deserve whole hearted attention.  Sometimes we have to relegate the less important to its proper place!  Take a few minutes to examine your priorities.  If your relationship with the Lord and with the precious people in your life are not at the top, it’s time to relegate!  Strength is found when you say “no” to what may be good so that you can say “yes” to that which matters most!

Redistribute:  This is the opposite of micro-managing!  When you redistribute, you are passing out some of your spinning plates so that you can better focus your time & energy!  It may be time to enlist some help to keep things in order.  My wise friend, Sarah Lehmann, calls herself an “opportunity maker!”  She values teamwork and realizes that there is strength in inviting and enabling others to take ownership in a process, project, or goal.  There’s truth in the statement: “Teamwork makes the dream work.”  So, rewrite the chore list, reduce your volunteering, share the cooking load, say “no” to a request.  Redistribute and you will find strength that enables you to be more effective and find the rest your soul needs.

Remember:  Remember the “why” and the “Who.”  This requires taking a step back and looking at the big picture.  This choice was a big boost for me and I’m thankful for the people in my life who propel me on!  Remember your “why”…  Why are you doing what you are doing?  Is it your calling, your dream, or your family?  Bringing your “why” into focus will help you find the strength to face each day’s demands.  Then, more importantly, remember the “Who”… Who is it that has called you and me and enabled us to do what we are called to do?  When I remember who I am and Whose I am1, I find myself focusing on all the things I am thankful for instead of all the things I can’t control.  It is a shift in thinking from the negative to the positive, from looking inward to looking outward, and from looking around me at the physical realm to looking up into the spiritual realm!

Do you remember who you are and Whose you are?  Write it down and post it on your mirror!  You are a child of the Living God!  You are anointed, enabled, capable, and equipped!  You and I can do everything He has called us to do!

I am grabbing on to this truth today as a face a new school year, in a higher grade level, with a new team, deeper standards, increased expectations, and a different classroom.  I am going to hold onto the truth that I truly can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)! I will actively pursue these “strength tools” as I navigate this new journey.  I hope you will too!

Lord, I pray that You would bless and strengthen this reader!  Give them wisdom to navigate all that is before them and make choices that allow them to rest as well as fulfill demands.  Enable them to see the people in their lives who will come along side them and help them stand strong.  May they feel your love wrapped around them today!  Thank You, Father!

Live Loved,

Read more encouragement here: I Just Can’t… or Can I? and Life Happens

1All I Need

Favorite Friday: Connection!

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“Raindrops on roses

And whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles

And warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things…”1

Julie Andrews sang these lyrics as the intrepid Maria, an adult orphan who embraced music to soothe her lonely heart.  As her story unfolds, what a blessing it was to find herself set into a family!  I’d like to imagine that she added a few lyrics to this song…

“Sweet, sticky kisses

And warm, cozy cuddles

Laughter and snapshots

And birthdays with candles

Ball games and bike rides, Kids pumping on swings

These are a few of my favorite things…”

Connection with family and friends is one of my favorite things!

Connection… authentic, encouraging, enriching connection… is to the soul what nourishing food is to the body!  Authentic connection usually entails sharing,  lots of laughter, heart revelations, and even some tears.  These are times when you know and are known.  You are cared for simply because of who you are instead of what you can do.

Yesterday, I listened as my daughter shared her heart about what God was doing there in the Philippines.  She was facetiming her uncle who she’d not seen or spoken with (aside from the occasional call or text) in a few years.  I watched as he listened and affirmed her.  What a blessing to see authentic connection overcome time and distance!  You and I need these connections for our soul to thrive!Truly connecting with others requires something of us… it requires time, interaction, and vulnerability.

  • Since time is not easily recovered, it is a valuable commodity. We demonstrate value of another person by setting aside time to engage in their lives and build the relationship!
  • Interaction might also be labeled communication. However, some would say communication is the art of listening and talking.  To me, interaction indicates a deeper level of listening, considering, and responding that enhances relationship and increases understanding by engaging the heart, mind, and spirit.
  • While time and interaction might seem like no-brainers, vulnerability is where the brain may slam on the brakes! Relationships can occur with time and even interaction, but they will remain shallow and unfulfilling without vulnerability.  Authentic connection can only occur when vulnerability is present.  What is vulnerability?  Various people may define it differently, but I’d say it’s a bit like peeling back your skin and showing what is truly inside your heart!  Being vulnerable is choosing to say, “This is who I am inside; this is what I need; this is where I hurt; this is what I dream.”  It’s scary and even painful to open yourself up to others because they are human too!  They may not appreciate the gift of you.  So, be wise about the who, what, where, and when of vulnerability.  But don’t be stingy with sharing who you are!  You will only cheat yourself.  Dr. Brené Brown brings clarity to the value of vulnerability in her TED talk and it’s worth a listen!2

Deeply connecting with others can be scary!  It also can seem impossible if you have a tendency to isolate yourself.  However, don’t let that stop you!  If you find that you have few authentic connections in your life, my challenge to you is this:  Don’t wait for others to come to you!  Reach out to someone else, peel back the layers of heart-protection, and engage them in some nourishing interaction!

Just as candy and junk food will not sustain a healthy body, shallow relationships and surface conversation will not sustain a healthy soul.

We need more!  Moving beyond the safety of self-preservation to the satisfaction of heart connection isn’t a guarantee of no pain.  BUT, moving towards heart connection gives more than it takes.  Pressing into authentic relationships with others is a worthwhile, heartwarming, rewarding endeavor.  Others are worth knowing and YOU are worth being known!3

Connection will enrich your life as it has mine!

Live Loved!

 1Lyrics from “My Favorite Things” written by Richard Rogers for The Sound of Music

2The Power of Vulnerability by Dr. Brené Brown: https://youtu.be/iCvmsMzlF7o

3Read more about your value here: You are Enough & Beautiful Mess

When God Whispers

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“I heard Him!  He whispered to me!  He said that I’m a dew drop of sunshine!”  This from a precious little one in our VBS Discovery Station.  “Me too!  He said that I’m beautiful!”  “He told me that I’m a victorious warrior!” Others joined in sharing what they’d heard from the Holy Spirit during our listening moments.  What a delight it was for me to see their hearts open to the loving words of their Heavenly Father!

I had been teaching the children that we can have confidence in who God says we are only if we know what He says about us!  First, we looked at what the Word of God tells us.  We are loved with an everlasting love!  We are made wonderfully in the image of God!  In Jesus, we are set free, healed, and victorious!  All powerful truths.  Yet there is so much more!  Our Father wants us to spend time with Him, sharing our hearts and listening for His voice.  How amazing to begin developing the skill of knowing His voice at a young age! (John 10:3, 14:6)

It was recently that I was encouraged to do just what I had asked the children to do… sit and listen, asking God to tell me how He sees me.  Have you ever tried that?  I have had experiences with hearing the Lord, so I wasn’t really concerned that He wouldn’t speak, but I was a bit nervous about what I was going to hear.  I wasn’t prepared for how quickly I would hear!  It’s like He’d been sitting on the edge of His seat waiting for me to ask!  I grabbed a pen & paper and began writing down His words of life and love for me.  I felt so treasured and valued as He poured His love over me like only a Daddy can!

God longs for us to sit up and take notice of His thoughts written across all creation!  He has made His love abundantly clear through the plan of redemption and He inspired Biblical writers to take note of His handiwork.  Yet, there is more!  Just as we have daily conversations with those we love, our Heavenly Dad has words of life for us each day that take our understanding of Him and His love for us to new levels.  Paul said it this way in Ephesians 1:

17” I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know Him through your deepening intimacy with Him.  18 I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of His calling—that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that He finds in us, His holy ones!  19 I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith.” tPt

During my lesson, one of the kids asked me, “How do you know that it is God speaking?”  Don’t we all wonder that at times?  “Lord, is that you?”  “How do I know He is speaking and it’s not just my thoughts?”  Whenever God speaks, He is faithful to His character.  He will not ask us to be or do anything that contradicts who He is or His Word (Hebrews 13:8). God’s voice will not discourage, condemn, or tempt us (John 3:17, James 1:13).  God’s whispers will not devalue you and I but rather will speak life into our spirits (John 6:63)!1  

When God whispers into our hearts and spirits, His desire is to draw us into deeper relationship with Him!  Can you feel the Father’s hunger to spend time with you?  He tells us to seek Him and we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).  He whispers your name in the chaos of life.  He wants to encourage you and I to see ourselves as He sees us—as He created us to be!  When we get a revelation of who He is and who we are to Him, we develop the deepening intimacy with Him that enables us to act and react from a place of perfect love instead of a place of ignorance, hurt, fear, or desperation.

He calls to us through His handiwork: in the vibrant sunset, across a shimmering rainbow, on the wings of a butterfly, and in the arms of a loved one.  But He also waits for our ears to tune in to His heart.  He whispers truth and life to our spirits.  Will you pause and listen?  Ask your Heavenly Dad to tell you how He sees you!  Embrace the truths He drops into your heart and then combine them with truths from His Word.  Write them down!  Declare those truths!  Your thinking patterns will be transformed into His as you renew your mind with the power of His Words, both written and revealed!  (See Romans 12:2, I Corinthians 2:16)

Live Loved, because you truly are!

1 To learn more about listening to the right voice, read this blog post by Kris Vallotton.