Heather Holleman's Blog, page 127

Public Speaking From Home

I’m enjoying my public speaking schedule! It’s all from home–right at my kitchen table. I’ve joined groups of women reading my books; I’ve joined various Cru groups; I’ve spoken for our Grad Summer Mission; and I’ve recorded videos for various venues.

I’ve learned the importance of having expert help. I’m so thankful for my videographer. When you’re speaking from home to online groups, everything is about your lighting, your audio, and your background. Everything is about the right angle.

However, sometimes you can’t have an expert to help you. In this case, I’ve had to invest in a light ring and a much higher quality web camera. I’ve also learned little things like if you’re using your iPhone to record, you want to use the back camera (but then you can’t see yourself if you’re out of frame–you’ll need a mirror or someone else to help check your position). Normally, an iPhone camera will look much better than a web cam recording.

I’ve also learned that gone are the days of the 50 minute talk. Because audiences experience fatigue when looking at the screen, speakers should cut down their messages to 20 minutes and include notes and reflection questions to keep everyone engaged.

I’ve adapted to this new world of remote speaking!

The Life-Changing Verbs in Genesis 1

I’m starting over with my chronological reading plan, so I thought I’d share any special insights this time around. When I began Genesis 1 yesterday, I didn’t have high expectations that the Holy Spirit could teach me something new and astonishing. How much more could I learn?

I was wrong. I was so wrong!

In Genesis 1, the first verb we read is create. God created. Why does it matter that the first way God chooses to present Himself to you and me is that He creates? I thought about this for a long time. And then I was filled with so much joy when I thought about what it means to create. God makes something out of nothing. He takes raw materials and He designs incredible things. Moreover, God creates things that can reproduce. The vegetation he designed had seeds within it to produce more vegetation (1:11-12).

Think of your own life. Think of what feels empty and void, chaotic and bleak. Think of what feel unproductive, stale, and lifeless. When we give the raw materials of our lives to God, He creates beauty and meaning from it. He creates something that’s so abundant in itself that it overflows to seed new growth in others. Consider your relationships, your work, your daily life. Now imagine infusing it with the creative power of God Most High who brings about the shape, the purpose, and the blessing from it. God’s creative work intends to spill over.

God created. God creates. And His work bears fruit.

But what about the first verb designated to humans? Can you guess? It’s that mankind rules (1:26). Humans have dominion. We subdue our surroundings. I also thought about this for a long time. Why does it matter that God’s first way of presenting humans in scripture is that we rule as image-bearers? I thought of the power, authority, and position God grants us in Christ. I thought of how I don’t truly realize my authority in Christ. I don’t know my power. Can you imagine walking into the settings God has placed you and operating with the rule and dominion God has ordained for you? Oh my goodness! I would be way less insecure or uncertain of myself. I would stop shrinking back from spiritual warfare. I would stop wallowing when things feel chaotic. I would rise up into my authority in Christ to subdue those things causing chaos in my life.

In case you’re wondering, Satan doesn’t get any creative or vivid verbs. He exists; he can speak, and he mostly lies. He calls into question the verbs of God with that first question, “Did God really say?” In other words, it seems to me like Satan can only respond to what already exists and work to corrupt it. Satan doesn’t create or invent. He only reacts. I could be wrong, but that’s what I see here.

Overall, I remember that God creates, humans subdue, and Satan causes us to doubt God’s words.

After reading the beginning of Genesis, I think carefully about the primary activity assigned by the often-overlooked verbs. I thank God for His creative power at work even now. I step forward in His full authority. And I don’t listen to any lie that causes me to doubt what God has said.

All the Little Rituals

I’ve noticed how routine I’ve become. But I’ve also noticed how peaceful and content my heart feels each day.

I wake up to the same tasks of watering the garden, allowing Louie the cat to patrol the garden, drinking the amaretto coffee my husband brews each morning, and harvesting berries. Next, I empty the dishwasher. Then, I read the Bible for most of the morning until my first zoom meeting or task. I blog. I make toast. I think about what I’ll make for lunch.

Every day, my daughters and I walk the neighborhood loop (sometimes 3 times a day). At 4:30, I walk along the creek with the neighbors. I make dinner. I watch TV or play cards with the family. I normally eat a bowl of frozen cherries with cashews around 7:30. On days when we host our virtual summer mission, I’m working from 4:30 PM till 9:30 PM. Then, I snuggle into bed.

Every day is the same in the COVID-19 world. It’s become predictable but peaceful. I think of the daily routines of my cats or other animals in nature. There’s something comforting, safe, and secure about daily routines. I’m so thankful for routines today.

When You Finish Reading the Entire Bible in Chronological Order

Well, I finished. This morning, I finished reading the Bible in chronological order using Every Word: A Readers’s 90-day Guide to the Bible. It took me longer than 90 days since I began this reading plan back in April, but I did it. I’m so glad I did it.

And guess what? I cannot wait to do it again. I’m addicted. I always read the Psalms every morning and normally work through a book of the Bible, but never before in my life have I spent so much focused time reading God’s word (for at least an hour a day or more). I loved it so much. I loved all the emotions I felt while reading–the joy for God’s unfolding plan for Israel and ultimately us, the marvel over the miracles displayed, and the sadness over the years of wandering, the divided kingdom, and the Babylonian captivity. I could hardly handle the despair I felt while immersed in Jeremiah and Ezekiel. These books are not for the faint of heart. Then I remember the absolute burst of hope when I turned the page to Matthew and welcomed Jesus for the first time. And today, I felt urgency and fresh zeal for the gospel as I completed the very last words in Revelation:

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

As I look back on my journey living through the COVID-19 pandemic, through racial justice issues burning in my heart, and through the total upheaval of life as I knew it, I will say that one verse rang true in my heart as I read the entire Bible through this time. It’s Zechariah 4:6 “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. I supposed I realized afresh the power of God and the greatest gift given to us in the Holy Spirit who accomplishes all things. And I realized the power of nations or leaders or the efforts of any group cannot stand against the power of the Spirit of God at work. It was a great comfort to me in this season of life.

And now? Now that I have finished the chronological Bible, I know exactly what I’m going to do.

I will start again tomorrow.

Remember Gratitude

Today on a walk, I remind one daughter about the power of gratitude to change the brain. I’ve read the research on how gratitude alters the brain function of depressed people, so it’s not a silly or meaningless activity to think about or record what we’re grateful for each day. We begin by listing five things going well in the day and five things that bring us happiness. With so much disappointment, fear, confusion, and loss with COVID-19, it’s easy and natural to lapse into days of complaining, sadness, or even hopelessness. It’s the default state for so many of us.

But we can change the circuitry of the brain and usher in more joyful experiences when we practice gratitude. I’ve heard some researchers call gratitude the “natural antidepressant” because as you engage in gratitude, your brain releases both dopamine and serotonin. Each time we’re grateful, we strengthen these neural pathways so it’s easier to feel happy.

If you’re wondering what exactly constitutes gratitude, here’s one way to think of it according to Harvard Medical School. They write that gratitude is “a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives … As a result, gratitude also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals–whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.”

So let’s acknowledge all the goodness we can.

This Looks Good: Daily Kitchen Challenges

As we continue to stay home and think about fun things to do all summer, we find that daily kitchen challenges bring joy to our hearts. Today, we’re making homemade chili lime tortilla chips from corn tortillas. There’s no recipe. We’re just trying it out: we season and then bake them. It’s fun!

Next, we decide to try our own Sticky Orange Tofu (with some Chicken!) for dinner since we love Chinese food. We want to try our own version tonight. Here’s the recipe: Sticky Orange Tofu. Whenever we see something online–whether on Facebook or TikTok–we love to try a new healthy recipe. Tomorrow, it’s Jackfruit Curry. Who knows how that will turn out!

Let the Pickling Begin

I’m new to pickling. I’m new to most things related to the garden. I’m already harvesting my pickling cucumbers, beans, ground cherries, and Serrano peppers. I’m not someone who gets excited about canning, but I am beginning my journey with refrigerator pickling–or quick pickles as some people call them.

I like spicy things, so bring on the red pepper flakes, garlic, and peppercorns. Bring on the peppers! Dilly beans! Spicy cucumber spices! Even my dad’s Dilled Green Tomatoes which come with a kick!

(This morning, my friend says that refrigerator pickles are a “gateway drug,” and soon I’ll be canning everything. We shall see).

But aside from canning, I did harvest some Sweet Basil and Thai Basil. Instead of making pesto to freeze in cubes, I washed and dried the leaves to freeze on their own to use on pizza and in my Italian recipes.

I love how my pickles are a way to think ahead, to imagine a beautiful future in which I go to the refrigerator on some lonely night, filled with hunger for something I cannot describe, only to discover the pickles right there, ready for us all, that will satisfy us as only pickles can.

When You Smother

I absolutely destroyed the precious rose cutting I had been propagating. In my attempts to make warm, moist, greenhouse conditions, I covered the planted cutting with a large glass jar. For days and days, this worked, and I saw evidence of new growth. At last my “pink social climber” climbing rose would parent enough cuttings to fill out my trellis with blooms in years to come!

Then, the days of harsh sun and sweltering heat came. I never thought to remove that protective jar. And my cutting turned brown and shriveled from the heat, as if I actually incinerated it. Had I let the plant breath, had I given it space and cool, fresh air, it might have survived.

You can indeed smother. You can indeed provide the kind of protection that harms. I think about this as I launch one daughter off to a new city for college. I need to let family members breathe and root without that prison of protective parental heat all the time.

Today, my husband and I try again with new rose cuttings, better soil, and a vented greenhouse covering designed for airflow and cooling. We also discover a special soil additive that helps roses root. Our strategy involves nurturing and freedom rather than stifling. We have much to learn.

Speaking Their Language

As I recently read Acts 2:5-12, I discovered an encouraging new perspective on the Holy Spirit: He enabled people to understand spiritual truth in their own language. I think differently about what this could mean in a broader sense.

We read this about the arrival of the Holy Spirt at Pentecost.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

When the Holy Spirit came, each disciple spoke a special, native language unique to the person listening. It occurred to me to ask the Holy Spirit to somehow give me words that translate into the heart language of the listener or reader. While not a literal foreign language or dialect, it nevertheless functions as a special way of speaking. I want to talk about the Lord and have the listener hear it in an intimate and perfect way, in a way that strikes the heart as only the Holy Spirit can do.

Alert on the Path

On a hike today, we realize we’re surrounded by poison ivy. That’s one thing. Next, we see what looks like some kind of baby poisonous snake. Finally, another snake slithers by my feet. It’s a path of dangers today.

We stay alert on the path.

Later, we scrub our arms and legs of poison ivy oils and possible deer ticks.

I remember that for every beautiful thing, danger and temptation lurks. It’s wise to stay alert.