Heather Holleman's Blog, page 55

Loaded with Benefits

This morning, I was delighted to learn something new from Psalm 68:19. I often quote the verse as, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens” from the NIV. The ESV says, “who daily bears us up.” But the NMV (the New Messianic) says, “who daily loads us with benefits.”

I used blueletterbible.com to discover the NMV is the better and more accurate translation of the Hebrew. God daily loads us up with benefits or blessings. It reads like this:

Blessed be the Lord (the Father, the Greatest Above All Things) who daily loads us with benefits. 

Imagine loading up someone with gift after gift. See this person struggling to balance so many gifts. And now more! The blessings just keep loading up. Picture this very day as God loading you up with His blessings. He does it daily.

Adding in One New Thing

I loved the day a little boy told me that “if nothing changes, I don’t either.” We were walking to school probably ten years ago when he told me how you always have to let something new into your world so you can experience good changes. Otherwise, we stagnate and wither. Ah, the wisdom of children!

I remembered that today when I thought about adding in some new things a few days ago. Here are some new things that do create positive change: I’m using a new Bible translation (the New Messianic). Today I start a new exercise routine on the bike for more endorphins. I’ve been using a new health tracker app and a new Bible reading app (Bible Recap). Today, I’m also meeting for a business clinic on how to move into general marketing for The Six Conversations since it has a wider appeal than only Christian readers. I cannot wait to discover all I will learn from marketing expert Jane Friedman.

If life feels stagnant, add something new into the system. We become creatures of such routine. Maybe you’re reading this and it’s time to take a risk on a new friendship. Maybe you want to add a pet into your life. Maybe you need a new destination today. Living with flair means to add something new into the system, even a small thing.

Daily Watering

The work of the garden is so daily. In the heat of summer, I have to water every day. If I miss a day, I see the leaves start to shrivel. It’s the same with me and the Lord; we can’t miss a day connecting with the life-giving water. If we’re shriveled, that’s why.

The Block Party

I love this particular day so much. It’s our yearly neighborhood block party for our street. We get permission to block off the street with cones, and we have a blast the entire day till midnight. We’ve added more elements this year to bless all the children including a bounce house, a visit from the ice-cream truck, and plenty of special foods. The adults sit in camping chairs in the yards of the neighbors in the middle of the street, and we socialize for hours. Sometime in the evening, the smoked meats and steaks arrive, and we all chip in for the cost. The same great neighbor takes on the grilling, the set up of shady tents, and tables.

We’re not trying to be productive, accomplish anything, or maximize something. We’re not trying to be efficient or strategic. It’s just sitting and talking in authentic, loving, and connected ways. It’s always a day of laughter and catching up. It’s a day to reflect on how the neighborhood children have grown. I love the neighborhood block party.

If you’re on a street where you can get permission to put up cones to stop thru traffic, consider a yearly block party!

Growing Things

More Wonderful Verbs of God

This morning in Psalm 40, I discovered more wonderful verbs of God. If you notice, our job is to wait patiently. God then does several things: He turns; He hears; He lifts us up; He sets our feet in the right place; He puts a song in our mouth. Notice the progression that God listens, delivers us, repositions us, and gives us a ministry for others to hear and learn about Him. Many will see. Many will fear. Many will turn to God because of you. What a glorious way to think about our lives and the good works set apart for us (Ephesians 2:10).

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

Sunshine

When I visit White Lake, NC in the summer, I soak up the sunshine. Living in a northern state, I don’t enjoy the benefits of this kind of sunlight and vitamin D. I’m already feeling happier and stronger by just sitting in the sunshine for several days. The whole atmosphere supports my joy.

Certain environments help the body naturally; it’s easier to thrive there. Other environments make it harder, and you have to work to create the same health benefits that come freely to others. I think about how we can ask ourselves what kind of atmosphere we’re in. Is this place good for our souls naturally or must we work even harder to create the right conditions to thrive? Sometimes we find ourselves in deficient locations and must overcompensate. If I’m somewhere without good Christian fellowship or in culture of temptation for example, I remember I’m not in a place of natural thriving. I must work harder to position myself sunward.

The atmosphere you’re in might breed despair, and your joy will build through prayer, Spirit-filled dependence, Bible reading, and serving. God knows where you are and why, even if the sun doesn’t shine as bright there.

Like Floating

I like to picture trusting God like floating in rough water. If you surrender and float, resting your body on top the water, you don’t use any energy. The water holds you up and takes you where it wants. You lie down. You relax. You cease fighting. In this position, you enjoy the ride.

Perfect Composure

Old Turtle