Sundi Jo Graham's Blog, page 17

A Deeper Look at Loneliness

Uncovering the Layers

Loneliness. There are so many different layers. You can be in a crowd full of people and walk away empty, like you’re completely alone.

There’s the loneliness of feeling like you just don’t belong, no matter where you are or who you’re around.

There’s the loneliness of feeling misunderstood all of your life, wishing people could just look inside your heart for a minute and see the person you really are, the person you want to be.

The loneliness of hurting when other people hurt, crying for them, interceding, and wishing you could make their hurt go away, trying not to always fix the problem because you’re a fixer.

The loneliness in following the call God has put on your heart when it doesn’t make sense to you or anyone else. Sitting in the knowing that people think you’re crazy, yet your desire to serve God above their opinions is stronger. Obedience can be lonely.

The loneliness of walking in that calling, but fighting the battle to wonder if you have failed everyone around you, yourself, and God. Sitting in the “what ifs” desperate for answers. It’s lonely.

Lonely in thinking you’re done because you burned out, feel like you’ve lost your ability to lead others, and just want to give up on the mission God has called you to fulfill. You want to close up shop, but He shows up and says “no” in a hundred different ways. Yet the loneliness remains because naysayers want to tell you to go home and give up.

The loneliness that comes from the heartbreaking words of others you once thought were for you. Their wounds go to the core of your being and you sit in the loneliness of wondering how many others feel that way about you. You sit in the loneliness trying to remember that God’s voice is bigger than theirs. Sometimes you remember and sometimes you don’t.

You sit in the loneliness of shame because of the sins you committed yesterday. You sit in the loneliness of darkness because you think no one will understand your secrets, your addiction, your coping mechanisms. So you stay quiet and the devil laughs. Perhaps that’s the worst kind of lonely.

You sit in the loneliness of wondering if you’ll ever have the capability to lead again, or if you’ve lost it forever. You sit in the loneliness of the lies from the enemy who tells you that failure will always be where you remain. Perhaps that’s the worst kind of lonely, too.

The loneliness of walking into a room and it getting silent because you know 30 seconds before, you were the topic of conversation. And you just want to say, “I’m right here. I’m right here. Ask me what you want to know and I’ll tell you.” The loneliness of knowing as you walk out the door, the conversations will start again.

There’s the loneliness of desperately wanting to defend yourself – wanting to tell your side of the story, but knowing you can’t, because the time isn’t right. So you sit in the loneliness of the accusations and the rumors, trying to stay focused on who you are in Christ, because you remember Christ suffered through the moments of choosing not to defend himself and endured the worst kind of judgment and shame.

The loneliness of trying to remember who you are. Asking yourself how you managed to lose your identity in Christ. Trying to process when and where you lost yourself and asking Jesus to remind you, to pull you back out of the pit.

There’s the loneliness of simply not wanting to be alone anymore. The desire to have a husband – to come home to a man who wants to hear about your day, who wants to walk alongside you in your dreams, who will pray over you and love you through the baggage.

The loneliness of trying to be content in where you are, who you are, without becoming needy or clinging to others to fulfill those voids.

There’s the loneliness of growing deeper in your relationship with Christ and having Him reveal new gifts to you, but you’re scared of those gifts and aren’t sure you want them.

The loneliness of sitting in your chair, curled up, sobbing uncontrollably, just asking Jesus to hold you because you’re not sure you can make it through one more moment of loneliness. Then you slip into your bed and fall asleep clinging to the Bible, taking deep breaths and asking Abba to rock you to sleep. It’s in those moments of loneliness that you know you are not alone.

I have spent 2017 struggling through every single one of these lonely moments, days, weeks, months, seasons. And I’m going into 2018 struggling with many of them as well.

But the reassuring truth is that I’m struggling through. An action verb – “striving to achieve or attain something in the face of difficulty or resistance.”

Loneliness is a reality. Something perhaps I will always struggle with. But’s in the moments we stop struggling through that we should worry.

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It’s in the moments we stop struggling through that we should worry.

—SUNDI JO

Feeling lonely is not a sin. It’s a truth. It’s what we do with that truth, that feeling, that determines where we land.

Where will loneliness take us? To another coping mechanism, darkness, lies, shame, isolation?

Or to the arms of Jesus, who desperately desires to walk through that loneliness with us. No. Matter. What.

Henri Nouwen writes, “You are inclined either to run away from your loneliness or to dwell in it. When you run away from it, your loneliness does not really diminish; you simply force it out of your mind temporarily. When you start dwelling in it, your feelings only become stronger, and you slip into depression.

Be patient. When you feel lonely, stay with your loneliness. Avoid the temptation to let your fearful self run off. Let it teach you its wisdom; let it tell you that you can live instead of just surviving.”

My real, raw, vulnerable thoughts as we enter 2018. May we fully know the love of Christ in the deepest parts of our loneliness, and remember this truth.

No matter what…. No matter what….

WE. ARE. DEEPLY. LOVED.

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The Four Most Powerful Words Oprah Spoke at the Golden Globes

Why a New Day is on the Horizon

I didn’t get to watch the Golden Globes, but when I got off work and was perusing through Facebook before I drifted off to dream land, I saw my newsfeed exploding with kudos to Oprah for her speech during her acceptance of the Cecil B. de Mille Award.

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Oprah’s one of those women who doesn’t just throw her words around. She doesn’t simply use her fame to grow her platform and become richer. She uses her platform to share truth, injustice, victories, and more.

I don’t always agree with the views Oprah shares, but I still admire her strength, courage, vulnerability, and tenacity. I want to be like her when I grow up.

This speech. This speech. This speech.

Their Time is Up

I haven’t spoken out much about the #metoo movement. I’ve sat back and observed, read, prayed, cried, and remembered I’m one of those #metoo people.

I’ve been strengthened and encouraged by the willingness for women of Hollywood to stand up and speak out, not just for themselves, but for the voices of millions of women who will never be famous, who may never have their names known, but fight daily to overcome the devastation of being a #metoo.

“For too long women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power of those men. But their time is up.”

Their. time. is. up.

Speaking Your Truth is the Most Powerful Tool We All Have

Being afraid sucks. Living in fear of what will happen if you speak out is no way to live. But we are in the days where fear is no longer the most powerful tool.

 “What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have. And I am especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories.”

“

Their. Time. Is. Up. #metoo

—OPRAH

Yes.. Truth. 

The “No matter how hard this is, I’m not going to keep secrets of what happened to me anymore” kind of truth.

The “It’s time to get real and vulnerable and remember I have a voice” kind of truth.

Yes.. Truth. 

There Is A New Day On The Horizon

I’m inspired by the darkness coming to the light in the lives of so many women. I’m inspired by the women who are using their platforms to not only bring the secrets of their own hurts to life, but using their voices to bring the secrets of all of us #metoo friends who have longed to tell our stories.

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Let’s keep listening. Let’s keep speaking. Let’s create conversations that bring change. #metoo

—SUNDI JO

“I want all the girls watching here and now to know a new day is on the horizon. And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say “me too” again!”

As I read that quote again, I hear the words of Johnny Nash singing, “I Can See Clearly Now.”

The Change Is Here

My prayer is that we don’t move backwards in this change. My prayer is not for us to burn our bras or to protest in the streets of Washington with hate.

My prayer is that we keep using our voices to speak the truth. To stand up in knowing we don’t have to live our lives as victims, because now our voices are being heard.

“The change is here with everyone who chooses to say ‘me too’ and every man who chooses to listen.”

Let’s keep listening. Let’s keep speaking. Let’s create conversations that bring change.

We. Are. The. Change. 

Question: Did you have a favorite quote from Oprah’s speech? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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Gaining a New Understanding of Grace

My One Word for 2018

Each year since 2011 I’ve chosen one word to live by – one word I want to define my year. I’ve lived out trust, radical faith, productivity, choosing to say no more, walking with more intention, truth, and rest.

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But this past year – this 2017 – I have struggled. My word was rest, and though I was obedient in that for a minute, I kinda started sucking at it.

I struggled hard this past year and the thought of choosing a word for 2018 didn’t appeal to me whatsoever. I just didn’t want to do it. Because I just didn’t.

But if we always make decisions based off the way we feel in that moment, we’ll never get anywhere. 

I was driving home from traveling for work last week, not even thinking about what word I wanted to live by in the new year, but Jesus wanted to talk with me about it.

“

If we always make decisions based off the way we feel in that moment, we’ll never get anywhere. 

—SUNDI JO

G.R.A.C.E.

I heard it loud and clear. “I want you to fully understand more about the grace I offer.”

So… okay… I’m choosing grace.

I want to understand it more in my own life, because I often tend to choose shame over grace. I want to understand how to offer it to others. I want to live grace.

I don’t know what that’s going to look like and I’m not even going to pretend to know. I’m just going to do my best to live and breath grace one day at a time. Because one day at a time is really all we’re asked to do. One. Day. At. A. Time.

“

One day at a time is really all we’re asked to do.

—SUNDI JO

What about you? What word do you want to define your 2018? Ask God and He’ll show you. What’s that one word that’s going to take you to a new level in your relationship with Him?

My friends over at oneword365.com would love to be a part of celebrating your word with you. Head over there and join in on the one word partay!

Discover the big impact one word can make.  One word. 365 days. A changed life. 

Question: What’s the one word God has put on your heart for 2018? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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Are You Living Life in Frustration or Success?

Take This Free 10-Minute LifeScore™ Assessment and Find Out

Remember being at the beginning of 2017 and so excited about the new year? It’s a fresh start. You can hear the excitement in your voice. You’re gonna rock this year!

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And then….

Life hits you by February… March… June… August… November…

And you ask yourself, Where did my excitement go? I thought I was gonna rock this year!

In January I sat around a group of high level achievers at the Hutton Hotel in downtown Nashville, setting goals for the new year. Man, I was pumped! I flew home, ecstatic about the goals I’d set and ready to rock things. I can’t wait to tell you about the rest of the trip.

My score was awesome.. 

The first day of the Best Year Ever Live conference with my friend and mentor, Michael Hyatt,, we were asked to take a Lifescore Assessment prior to the first session. My score was awesome!

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I scored an 81. Yes, I was operating at the Success Level. I was on top of the world, pounding my chest and Tarzaning my way through the world.

Then.. life… hit.. really.. really.. Hard..

By May I was in the hospital. By August I didn’t know if I would be able to pick myself back up. My 34th birthday came and went in September, and for the first time in a long time, I was struggling to stay excited. For those of you who know me, I love my birthday!

But God… He got a hold of me in October, pulled me back out of the pit, and opened my eyes to the truth that He’s never done redeeming us. 

One day during some reflection time, I decided to retake the LifeScore Assessment. I wanted to know if it had changed much. It was worse than I thought it would be.

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I’d gone from a 81 to a 59. I was no longer operating at the Success Level. I was operating at the Frustration Level. Dang right I was frustrated. Frustrated that I still had 2 months left to make 2017 my best year ever and I wasn’t taking advantage of that.

I hadn’t hit my book reading goal. I hadn’t hit my weight loss goal. I hadn’t hit my spiritual goal. But I realized something.. I could stay frustrated that I only had two months left, or I could get frustrated enough to actually do something about it.

Do something about it, I did.

Here we are in November, and I recently took the Lifescore Assessment one more time, just one month later. My score? A 76. I went from Frustration to Success in 30 days.

What could possibly happen in 30 days that could shift the number that much? Focus. Resetting. Recharging. Hope. Drive. And refusing to allow the words “Frustration Level” to define me.

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I decided to dig my heels in and get back to the goals I wanted to achieve. I’ve spent more time reading in the last month than I have in the last 3 months and it’s been awesome!

I’ve dug deeper into my relationship with God and His Word is rocking my world! 

And for the first time in months, my physical health is getting back to a great place. I’m only 11 lbs. from my weight loss goal and we’ve still got one month left in 2017, baby!

What is your score?

Where are you at in life? Where do you want to be? You can take a few minutes and get your assessment. You’ll be glad you did.

“

Where are you at in life? Where do you want to be? Let’s get back on track together!

—SUNDI JO

Michael is offering the assessment again this year for a limited time, and for FREE. Like many assessments, this one is self-administered.  It provides you with the opportunity to rate yourself in each of life’s major domains.

You read a series of statements that describe specific situations and pick the one that most closely aligns with where you perceive yourself to be. Then you refine a bit based on your unique situation.

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The tool then calculates your score in each domain, adds them together, and gives you an overall LifeScore.™

The whole process takes less than ten minutes. It will give you the clarity you need to create the life you want. Once you discover your LifeScore,™ you can quickly see opportunities for growth and what is working well.

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Don’t miss this opportunity to discover your LifeScore.™ It’s fun. It’s free. And it will give you the clarity you need to start making progress in the areas of life that matter most.

Question: How did you feel about your LifeScore? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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How to Overcome the Roadblocks in Your Life

3 Keys to Unlocking Your True Potential

When we start pursuing our goals, we usually do so with great excitement and focus, but it doesn’t take long until we hit a roadblock or two. It’s easy to want to quit. I’ve been there. Instead of quitting, maybe we just need to take a different approach.

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I’m in the middle of that right now. It’s November and instead of getting discouraged that I only have less than two months to finish hitting my weight loss goal, I’m changing things up and figuring out how to make it happen without some crazy diet plan.

Last month I was struggling with feelings of defeat and I was ready to quit. But I didn’t. And I’m not.

You’re not quitting either, my friend.

You don’t have to feel like a failure. I’m getting over the hump and I want to help you get over it, too. Here are three keys to unlocking your true potential:

1. Identify the Possibilities and Find Your Confidence

I want you to give yourself permission to dream, explore the possibilities of what God has put in your heart, and get that confidence back. It’s okay for you to be confident in who you are, my friend.

2. Punch Fear in the Face

Most people struggle with fear. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who hasn’t. But it’s the way we deal with our fears that matter.

We can let our past fears and failures control us, or we can write a new story for our lives.It’s up to us.

3. Creating a Plan to Achieve Your Dreams

Dreams are good, but if you do nothing with them, it’s likely they’ll just stay a dream and you’ll keep drifting through life without accomplishing what God has set out for you. Let’s change that.

In my new free e-course, Your Best Life, I’m digging deeper into these keys to help you be an overcomer. In just three days we’ll dig deeper into our fears and walk away with a greater confidence in the things we want to achieve in our lives.

“

We can let our past fears and failures control us, or we can write a new story for our lives.It’s up to us.

—SUNDI JO

Your Best Life will help you walk away with a plan to pursue the dreams God has put in your heart. And I know you have some BIG dreams, my friend.

Sign Up Today!

But it’s only going to be available for a limited time, starting Tuesday, November 21. Can’t wait to see you there! 

Question: What’s a dream God has birthed in your heart? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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You Are Not Who Yesterday Says You Are

A Love Letter from God

You. Yes, you… The one sitting there in a cesspool of shame thinking you’re the only one who has sinned and if anyone finds out your secret you’ll be publicly flogged, kicked out of town, and thrown into a pit of hungry hyenas. I love you.

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No, seriously, I do. I love you right where you are.

I loved you yesterday when you snuck to the liquor store to buy a couple of bottles of wine to drown out the pain of rejection.

I loved you yesterday when lied to your boss about why you were late for work.

I loved you yesterday when you bought that pack of cigarettes after 12 years of being smoke-free.

I loved you yesterday when you went back into the arms of an old romance so you could fulfill an empty void.

I loved you yesterday when you looked at porn.

I loved you yesterday when you gambled your last $20 away hoping for a financial miracle.

I loved you yesterday when you stayed late after work so you could avoid dealing with your spouse.

I loved you yesterday when you bought another pair of shoes because you deserved those new pumps after what your boyfriend said to you.

I loved you yesterday when you overstuffed your feelings with food before you took a second thought.

And guess what? I love you the same today. I love you.

Don’t shut me out. 

You’ve closed the shades to keep the world out. I’m too bad to let the sunlight in. I have to sit and suffer for what I’ve done. People know what I’ve done and I can’t go back.

Guess what, my child? I know what you’ve done. I knew you were going to do it before you did it, and I still love you. Just the same today as I did yesterday. Just. The. Same.

I know you probably don’t believe me. But I hope one day you will. I hope today is the day.

My child, can you be still for a second? Can you drown out the noise of the television behind you? Turn the radio off. Get away from the busyness for a minute and sit with me.

Just. Sit. With. Me.

I have so much to tell you. So much truth that you refuse to believe because you allow fear, shame, worry, and doubt to take over every part of you, from the top of your head to your toes.

I’m not mad at you.

What you did yesterday doesn’t change my feelings about you. I’m still so in love with you. You’re so precious to me.

If you’ll open your eyes wide enough to see the truth, you’ll see my hand is stretched out to hold yours. If you need me to carry you today, I’m happy to do that. You’re stumbling and it’s hard to balance yourself. Let me help.

If you’ll open your ears to hear the truth, you’ll notice my gentle whisper is louder than the lies of the enemy. Right now you can’t discern the counterfeit voice from the real, so let me cup your face into my hands so you can hear my voice. I’ll repeat myself to you as many times as it takes until you believe the truth.

Your beautiful heart is broken and so is mine. I grieve with you, knowing you’re hurting so much. Hurting so much that you run to things that will never fulfill the voids. Can I let you in on a secret? I’m the only one who will ever fulfill you. But I’ll be patient with you while you try to figure that out.

My beloved, listen to me for a second. That’s one of my favorite things to call you – my beloved. Doesn’t it have a nice ring to it? You’re are not who yesterday says you are. You are who I say you are:

Beautiful ~  Forgiven ~  Accepted ~  Washed Clean ~  My Friend ~  My Bride ~  Lovely ~  Free from Condemnation ~  Justified ~  Saint ~  My Temple ~  Triumphant ~ A  New Creation ~ My  Heir ~  Holy ~  Blameless ~  Redeemed

Can you hear those words in your heart, Beloved? That doesn’t even scratch the surface. Are you quiet enough to really hear them?

“

You are not who yesterday says you are.

—SUNDI JO

I said you are blameless. Yes.. I know what you did yesterday and I still say you are blameless. I chose you in Christ before the foundation of the world and you are unblemished in my sight. Unblemished.

I said you are redeemed. Yes… I know what you did yesterday and I still say you are redeemed.

Those tears you’re crying right now – can I have them? I’ll hold onto them for you.

That sorrow you’re holding onto – can I have it? I already took it from you once but you seem to keep taking it back. You can stop it now. I’ll always win at that game of giving and taking away. I’m God, remember?

Shhh.. Be still.. You are okay.

You can open the blinds and let the sunshine in. The darkness wants to devour you because shame lives in the darkness. My Beloved, truth lives in the light. Please, open the blinds.

I loved you yesterday. I love you today. I’ll love you tomorrow.

Will you let me love you? Will you truly let me love you?

That thing you did yesterday – let’s bring it into the light. Surrender it to me. Go tell someone else you can trust about it. Because they love me, they will love you through it. When you confess yesterday, it loses it’s power over today.

“

When you confess yesterday, it loses it’s power over today.

—SUNDI JO

Beloved, I love you with an everlasting love. Yesterday can be gone if you’ll let be. I am here today, ready to embrace you.

Are you ready?

I love you,

~God

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Finding God’s Grace on the Mountaintop

The Untold Story of Moses

I’ve heard the story about Moses not being able to enter the Promised Land at least a dozen times. The short version: Moses sinned in his anger, again, and God said, “Okay buddy, I love you and stuff, but because of your actions you won’t get to lead the Israelites into the place flowing with milk and honey.” The end. I could learn a lot of “lessons” from this story, one being.. anger will jack up your relationship with God.

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But what if the story doesn’t end there? It doesn’t, my friend. 

I started a new Bible study a few weeks ago. My counselor recommended stepping outside of my comfort zone and plugging in with a group of women I don’t know, and since she makes the big bucks to tell me what the jack is wrong with me, I heeded her advice.

We started digging into Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story by Angie Smith. Whoa, Nelly, it’s a powerful study! Page 78 rocked my world and made me snot bubble cry, y’all.

Moses had some anger issues, no doubt. I relate far too well with his temper tantrums, unfortunately. My friend Marcie often tells me, “Calm down Moses. Quit getting so worked up.” Time to find new friends.

But God’s grace in Moses’ life blows me away. 

In Deuteronomy 34, we get a front row seat into just how big God’s grace is, not only in Moses’ life, but our own. Did you know even though Moses didn’t get to step foot into the Promised Land, he still got to see it? Ya.. I didn’t either. I’ll summarize the story for you, but I encourage you to read it for yourself.

God took Moses up to Mount Nebo and showed him the whole land. The. Whole. Land. He didn’t get to enter the land, but he was allowed to see it “with his own eyes.” Enter grace. 

Did you know for less than $1/day, YOU can literally make a difference between life and death for each woman who walks through the doors of  Esther’s House . Click here to learn more.

Then it gets better. When Moses died, “he was as strong as ever” at 120 years old. He didn’t even need glasses. He died healthy and happy, just having seen the land he’d spent years trying to get the Israelites to walk to safely. The cool part, though, is “the Lord buried him.” God himself took the time to bury Moses, this unfit, stuttering, temper-losing guy who just wanted to tend his sheep in the desert, but instead spent 40 years helping free God’s people from slavery. Enter more grace. 

Oh wait.. it gets even better. The Bible says “there has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” This is the part where I throw my hands in the air and say, “God… I want to see you face to face. I want that, pretty pretty please with sugar on top!” Enter even more grace. 

As I read this story, I really did weep. Angie Smith writes in the study, “The tender care of a Father in this moment absolutely slays me every time.” Me too, Angie. Me too.

It’s easy to look at the beginning of this story and be disappointed, but when we read the rest of the story, how can we not have hope? How can we not be reminded of just how much our Heavenly Father loves us?

I struggle with having grace for myself, especially in these last two months. I can get stuck in this pit of shame that tells me I have to punish myself. I convince myself God isn’t ready to give me grace yet.

I’m too bad.

That sin is just unforgivable.

God should show grace to everyone else, but not me. 

Just a few more weeks of punishment and then God and I can talk about His grace. 

What a bunch of crap! 

I’ll never forget Deuteronomy 34 again. I call it my “grace reminder.” There are consequences for our sin, yes. Moses had to face the consequences of his disobedience to God by not being allowed to enter the Promised Land. But even in the midst of our consequences, God’s grace is bigger. Please hear that, again, my friend. God’s grace is BIGGER than our consequences. 

“

God’s grace is BIGGER than our consequences.

—SUNDI JO

If you’re sitting in shame, stop it! If you’re allowing others to condemn your choices, stop it! If you’re condemning your choices, stop it! If you’re refusing to receive God’s grace in the midst of your pain, stop it! Stop. It. Stop. It. Stop. It. Excuse me while I look in the mirror and preach this to myself.

God is still here and He’s ready to offer you grace, if you’ll accept it. But you have to accept it. He won’t force us to receive His grace. But when we’re done beating ourselves up, He’ll be there ready to wash us off, again. He’ll be there to hold us tightly, again. He’ll be there to remind us we are His beloved, again.

Smith says, “Maybe life is easier when we obey God the first time.” She’s so right, but we’re gonna screw up time and time again, because well… we’re human… but grace. Moses had a history of sin, yet God continued to partner with him. Oh no… get out the tissues, I feel the tears coming again.

Our Bible study leader, Erin Davis, who is an amazing writer herself I recently discovered, said this about our man Moses: “Moses went out with his boots on.”

I’d say he did. You and I can do the same, my friend. Despite our failures. Despite our temper tantrums. Despite the crimson stained sins of our past, and those really stupid things we’ll do in the future, Jesus wants to wash us white as snow, help us lace up and go out with our boots on!

Lace up, friend. Lace up.

Question: How have you seen grace show up in your life recently? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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If I’d Only Accept ©2017

I don’t know about you, but I struggle with receiving forgiveness from God. I tend to think I have to punish myself before I can truly be forgiven.

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I allow shame and guilt and condemnation to spend way too much time in my life before I truly accept His forgiveness.

I was sitting on the porch yesterday thinking, dealing with some anxiety, and wanting to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. I decided to write this song instead.

I hope it ministers to you.

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Can God Still Do What We Read About in the Bible?

Uncovering Hidden Secrets of God's Plans

You have to admit there are some stories in the Bible that take your breath away and wonder how it’s possible those things really happened.

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I mean… Noah built a ginormous boat and it had never rained a drop. Jonah was spit out by a fish who’d swallowed more from than ocean than you and I probably ever want to know. God showed up to speak to Moses in a burning bush. Gideon kicked the Midianites’ butts with 300 men. Oh… and don’t forget about the donkey who talked.

Is God still capable of doing those things today or is that just a bunch of Old Testament stories?

In the New Testament, Jesus fed 5,000 men (not including women and children) with a few loaves of bread and some fish. He cast a demon out of a man and sent it into a herd of pigs who all jumped off a cliff. He raised a dead man back to life. He spit in some dirt and rubbed it on a dude’s eyes and he could see again. Oh.. and there’s the part where He was murdered and rose again after three very stinky days.

Is God still capable of doing those things today or is that just a bunch of New Testament stories?

Oh… I pray you believe with every ounce of your being that He not only still does these “crazy” things today, but He wants to do them for YOU.. For me..

Mark Batterson writes in Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God:

I live by a simple maxim: if we do what they did in the Bible, God will do what He did. He still speaks. He still heals. He still delivers. He still whispers. And there is nothing God wants to do more than to ‘do it again.’

Getting Back to the Kneeholes

Perhaps, though, before we can see the “do it agains” happen in our lives, we need to change our prayer posture. Maybe it’s time to get back to our knees. 

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, made an impact on a young man who would grow up to be one of the world’s most respected evangelists. In one of John Wesley’s bedrooms, there are two different impressions where it’s believed he regularly knelt in prayer.

Dr. J Edwin Orr took a group of Wheaton College students to tour the house in 1940. As they prepared to leave, Dr. Orr noticed there was a student missing. A young Billy Graham was found kneeling in those kneeholes John Wesley had left, praying, “O Lord, do it again!”

If I want to see the “do it again’s” I need to posture myself the same way John Wesley did, the same way Billy Graham did. 

Maybe God isn’t going to speak to you through a donkey, but maybe He wants to revive your marriage. Maybe He won’t ask you to feed 5,000 people with some tilapia and a loaf of Wonder Bread, but maybe He’s asking you to trust Him enough to set you free from that addiction, and your struggle is just as important as those hungry people standing on that mountain thousands of years ago. Maybe you’ll never see someone come back from the dead (though I think that would be awesome), but He wants to raise your dead relationship with your children back to life.

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Does God do now what He did in the Bible?

—SUNDI JO

God isn’t done. He isn’t quiet. Every single story in the Bible was true then and it’s true now. Every. Single. One. And that same God wants to do it again for me and you. Are we willing to let Him? Are we willing to change our posture and get back on our knees?

Oh…. friend… I’m asking myself these questions, not just you. I’m preaching to the choir. My knees are too comfortable. I’m yearning for an intimacy with Papa that I lost somewhere along the way. If I want that to change, something about what I’m doing has to change.

It’s time to get back on my knees. It’s time to get back to brave prayers.

If we do what they did in the Bible, God will do what He did. Yes.. Yes.. Yes..

Question: What miracles have you seen God do in your life? Are you ready to change your posture and find out what else He can do?  You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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My Friend Needs a Kidney Transplant

Are You a Match?

My friend Mindy needs a kidney. She’s been on the waiting list for years, and twice now she’s been called to the hospital with a possible match, only to find out the kidney went to another patient in need.

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My heart aches for her. She’s an amazing wife and mother, but these last few months she hasn’t been able to muster up the energy to do much except dialysis.

Just today she received an iron infusion, followed by an MRI, followed by more doctor’s appointments. She’s worn out and I’m worn out for her.

I tried to donate mine, but unfortunately I’m not a match. But I know someone out there is. Perhaps that someone is you. 

Here’s a recent Facebook post her sweet mama shared:

Mindy’s nephrologist suggested I make a Facebook post for any big-hearted & healthy people that are interested in seeing if they are a match for a living donor kidney transplant for my 30 year old daughter. My son & I are not the right blood type & my husband has too high of a creatinine so we did not pass. Barnes Hospital is very picky about who they’ll accept as a donor, but I think that’s a good thing; we want a successful surgery and many more years of her being an active wife & mother. No pressure because its nothing to go into lightly & Mindy has lots of mixed emotions about the whole thing, but if you are interested in seeing if you are a match, please call her transplant coordinator:

Did you know for less than $1/day, YOU can literally make a difference between life and death for each woman who walks through the doors of Esther’s House. Click here to learn more.

If you don’t think you’d be a good match, would you spread this to others you think would be? Share with your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, anyone…

Several have asked what blood type they need to be? O+\- is a suitable candidate.

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Let’s partner together to help Mindy get her life back. To help her be a strong wife to her devoted husband and beautiful children.

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My friend Mindy needs a kidney. Can you help?

—SUNDI JO

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