Heather Holleman's Blog, page 33
February 21, 2023
With Every Breath
My friend posted something on Facebook yesterday that amazed Ashley and me. It immediately reminded me of the verse, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150: 6). Enjoy the post below:
“There was a moment when Moses had the nerve to ask God what his name is. God was gracious enough to answer, and the name he gave is recorded in the original Hebrew as YHWH.
Over time we���ve arbitrarily added an ���a��� and an ���e��� in there to get YaHWeH, presumably because we have a preference for vowels.
But scholars and Rabi���s have noted that the letters YHWH represent breathing sounds, or aspirated consonants. When pronounced without intervening vowels, it actually sounds like breathing.
YH (inhale): WH (exhale).
So a baby���s first cry, his first breath, speaks the name of God.
A deep sigh calls His name ��� or a groan or gasp that is too heavy for mere words.
Even an atheist would speak His name, unaware that their very breathe is giving constant acknowledgment to God.
Likewise, a person leaves this earth with their last breath, when God���s name is no longer filing their lungs.
So when I can���t utter anything else, is my cry calling out His name?
Being alive means I speak His name constantly.
So, is it heard the loudest when I���m the quietest?
In sadness, we breathe heavy sighs.
In joy, our lungs feel almost like they will burst.
In fear we hold our breath and have to be told to breathe slowly to help us calm down.
When we���re about to do something hard, we take a deep breath to find our courage.
When I think about it, breathing is giving him praise. Even in the hardest moments!
This is so beautiful and fills me with emotion every time I grasp the thought. God chose to give himself a name that we can���t help but speak every moment we���re alive.
All of us, always, everywhere.
Waking, sleeping, breathing, with the name of God on our lips.”
written by – Sandra Thurman Caporale from the Memorial Church of Christ in Houston.
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February 20, 2023
No Certainty
This morning, I felt so encouraged by a letter from our missionary friends, John and Jenny Karraker. In it, they describe what it’s like to travel so much when things happen that you cannot control like storms or plans changing unexpectedly. They live with a true “missionary spirit” to embrace an uncertain life. They write:
“Jesus said, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ (Luke 9:58). The lesson seems to be that following Jesus offers no certainties in food or accommodation. Life���s routines may be upset and the mission requires sacrifice. The Christ-follower must count the cost. The promise of a steady paycheck, regular vacations, and comfortable homes might not all be part of the missionary endeavor.”
John and Jenny Karraker
I showed this to my husband because that’s what life has felt like for our family for the last 23 years. It’s. been a wonderful adventure of learning to “count the cost” and become more like Jesus in how He lived above the need for comfort. He had the ultimate comfort, the ultimate supply, the ultimate source of rest; this He provides for us right in the midst of changing itineraries, uncomfortable lodging, sleepless nights, or any other thing that might challenge us. All of it becomes a “pleasing sacrifice” of giving over comfort for Comfort.
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February 19, 2023
But to Serve
I have been thinking about what it means to be “conformed to the image of Christ” as it reads in Romans 8:29: For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. As we think about becoming more like Jesus, I remember a few things:
I think about the Holy Spirit helping me become like Jesus in at least three ways: in His servant heart, His surrender to the will of the Father, and in His “sent” life. Those three words might shape our whole lives: serving, surrendered, and sent. As I read Mark this morning, I was struck by Jesus’ words: “For even��the��Son��of��Man��did��not��come��to��be��served, but��to��serve, and��to��give his life as a ransom for��many.“
I like the part in my daily journal that asks, “Whom can I serve today?”
I’m like Jesus when I’m serving.
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February 18, 2023
Not a Trifle
“They are not just idle words for you���they are your life.” I read these words in Deuteronomy 32:47 this morning, and they reaffirmed my love of reading, studying, and memorizing God’s word. Some translations say that as Moses spoke about the importance of God’s word, he said, “it is no trifle for you” or “is it not futile, empty, or meaningless” but rather your life. A trifle is a little thing, something of minuscule importance.
We often approach reading the Bible like it’s a trifle. We can take it or leave it. We hardly have time for it in our busy days. But here in Deuteronomy, we know God’s word is our very life. It’s as important as food from Matthew 4:4 where Jesus says “man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Or consider Jeremiah’s prayer where he tells God “Your words were found and I��ate them, and Your��words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart; for I have been��called by Your name” (Jeremiah 15:15).
I often sit and read Psalm 119 in its entirety (it takes a while). But in this psalm, you’ll fall in love with God’s word. Read it, and note how God’s word is described. Then read Psalm 1. Let these words become true about us: “But his��delight is in the law��of the��Lord, and on his��law he meditates day and night. He is like��a tree planted by��streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its��leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
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February 17, 2023
Shelter
Today I loved thinking of how God “shelters” us. It’s a beautiful word of warmth, protection, and familiarity. I thought of Psalm 91: Whoever dwells in the��shelter��of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. It’s wonderful to picture yourself dwelling in a cozy, warm, and shaded shelter, hidden away and protected.
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February 16, 2023
A Smart Question to Ask at the End of an Interview
You know how, at the end of a job interview, the recruiter will ask, “Do you have any questions for us?” Well, students often flounder here. They might try something like, “What’s your favorite part of your work here?” or something more specific about the job like, “What’s a day in the life of someone in this position?” But today I heard a student recount a great end-of-interview-question that opened up a memorable, strategic, and winsome conversation. My student asked this:
Is there anything I can expand upon in my resume that might help you in your hiring decision?��
The recruiter paused and said, “Yes, actually. I’m wondering if you could show your experience with ___________.” My student immediately brightened and offered his best evidence of his qualifications that led to 10 minutes of more positive interaction. Had he never asked this question, the hiring person would have had no opportunity to ease any reservations.
I love this final question. I think it’s smart and strategic. And it works.
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February 15, 2023
Everywhere Present
This morning, I took great comfort in God’s omnipresence. He is everywhere. There is no place in your life He is not. He is present with you to bless, comfort, and protect. Just thinking about this ever-present help makes me so peaceful and content.
Consider Jeremiah 23:24: ���Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?. . . Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?��� declares the Lord. Consider Psalm 32:8 where God says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”
He is present; He is watching; He is here.
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February 14, 2023
His Omnipotence
I love focusing on the attributes of God. For example, God is omnipotent. He is all powerful; we are not. God’s omnipotence means He has unlimited power. There is nothing He cannot do.
Consider it: unlimited power.
I thought about these verses recently:
In Job 42:1-2, we hear Job’s words to God: Then Job answered the Lord and said, ���I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.“
Jeremiah 32:27 reads: ���Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?���
In Hebrews 13, we understand how God “upholds the universe by the word of His power.”
When I think about God’s omnipotence, and the fact that I’m held in His hands, I have nothing to fear. God is able to do anything, and I live under the ruling power of His goodness. His omnipotence means God can bring everything He promises about.
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February 13, 2023
Slow to Speak
This morning I studied James 1: 19-20 where we read these difficult sentences: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Becoming someone “slow to speak” but “quick to listen” must only be the work of the Holy Spirit. It goes against all my natural inclinations and most everything about my personality. I needed this wisdom today as I joined several meetings. I practiced inviting the Holy Spirit to make me slow to speak. How? Well, you close your mouth. You consider waiting till someone asks your opinion. You nod your head a lot. You don’t speak.
It was hard! This afternoon, I’ll practice again. Tonight with my family, again.
I love the part about being “slow to become angry.” But how? I’m replacing entitlement with thanksgiving. I’m replacing anger with a richer understanding of God’s sovereignty.
I have so much to learn! Maybe one day I’ll leave a situation and someone might think, “She really listened well.” One day!
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February 12, 2023
What to Think Instead
My dear friend and mentor told me a phrase to think (and say) when I feel alone or overwhelmed in a situation. Normally, I might say to Jesus, “What am I going to do about this?” What if, instead, I remembered to say, “What are we going to do about this?” I’m never without Jesus beside me as my Helper, Counselor, and Strength. I’m never alone. I can experience union with Christ. It’s “we” and not “me.”
Later, I think about times when I feel I have nothing to offer in a situation. I can even say, “What are You going to do about this Jesus?” since nothing depends on my strength or wisdom anyway. What a freeing thought. We’re never without Jesus.
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