Sundi Jo Graham's Blog, page 32

Does God Have a Sense of Humor?

God doesn’t laugh with you. He’s too serious for that. He didn’t create humor, so why would you even think about laughing?

This is what so many people are led to believe. That life is serious and God isn’t interested in enjoying time with you. Laughter doesn’t belong in the church.

That’s far from the truth, my friends. 

God created laughter, just as He was kind enough to create the sunshine for us to see in the day, and the stars to shine over us as we sleep at night. Except that one really bright star that shines in my face at 2 am. Oh wait.. That’s an airplane. Nevermind.

Seriously though, God wants to laugh with you. (Tweet That)

Enjoy this video as I talk about a recent moment where God and laughed together over the blessing. Yes.. I laughed and prayed at the same time. Shh… don’t tell God.

I hope you learn to laugh with God, too. He takes great delight in you and wants to enjoy every area of your life with you, including the funny stuff that makes Dr. Pepper come out of your nose.

He laughed at me when I asked Him to let the Cubs win the World Series this year. I’m hoping He’ll change his mind.

Name something you and God recently had a good laugh about. Share in the comments….

A Prayer for Weight Loss

God has taken me on a new course in this season of my life. It’s a season I pray never ends.

Photo Credit: chrisphoto via Compfight cc

I am walking in surrenderance to Him with everything I have. That includes my body and my desire to use food as an escape. Oh how I’ve longed to be here, and I’m so thrilled He and I are working together to remove barriers that keep my focus off of Him. 

I can’t continue taking the next right step without Him, and that involves prayer. A lot of prayer.

I want to share with you a prayer I received from Kimberly Taylor at Take Back Your Temple. I hope it takes you to a deeper place with a God who loves you more than you could ever imagine.

Lord, Your Word says that the renewing of my mind transforms me. Help me to be diligent in meditating upon Your Word every day, knowing that I am growing just as a seed planted into the ground. Because others have gotten healthier through Your Word and Your power, then the same can happen for me!

Even though I face challenges, there is nothing that is too hard for You. You know everything I am going through and You give me grace to deal with it.

You are the same God who parted the Red Sea, brought new life to barren wombs, helped people defeat enemies, restored sight to blinded eyes, made the lame walk, and raised people from the dead. I know it is a small thing for You to help me with this weight problem. You are omnipotent God. Your power is greater than any situation I face.

Today, I ask You to help me with any areas of unbelief. If there are any areas of blindness or self-deception within me that are preventing me from seeing the deliverance in front of me, then reveal it to me.

Lord, restore my hope so that I may move forward. You are faithful and I trust You each and every day as you walk with me through the change process. Amen.

How is God encouraging you to pray through your health struggles? Share with me. 

Why Taking Responsibility is the Next Right Step

Many of you know I’m a huge fan of the show, Restaurant Impossible. 

Robert Irvine knows what he’s doing and his leadership skills are impressive.

During a recent episode, a restaurant owner was just months away from her restaurant being closed, which she purchased from the family. Every time Robert would ask her a question, she would start crying. She seemed genuinely desperate for help.

Then Robert started digging and the truth came out.

The restaurant was failing, yes. But Robert was about to get to the why behind the what?

Watch the video to hear exactly why this restaurant was failing and how we can learn to take responsibility together.

Here were a few reasons why the restaurant owner wasn’t taking responsibility for her failing restaurant.

She was lonely and felt abandoned by her family
Because of that, she didn’t think she could trust anyone, which caused her to micromanage
She was trying to hold everyhing together and be in control, because that was safe for her
She was trying to be great at everything and wasn’t good at anything

But why was her temper tantrum good? Because it got to the why. They could now deal with the real issue at hand as to why the restaurant was failing.

After a mini counseling session, she finally took responsibility, realizing she was in an unhealthy position. Was she cured overnight? Doubtful, but she got to the why behind the what, and that will allow her to continue taking the next right step.

So, I ask you today, what do you need to take responsibility for? What’s keeping you from taking the next right step? Where are you stuck? What fear is holding you back?

It’s not until we know the truth, friends, that we can move forward. (Tweet This)
 

Here’s to the next right step.

Shifting Notice #BEaNOTICER

Sometimes I notice things I don’t want to see.

I realize the older I get the more I enjoy details. It’s important for me to know the why behind the what. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it can often get me into trouble.

Lysa TerKeurst’s #BEaNOTICER series inspired me to look at my own heart.

It’s much easier for me to notice what others are doing wrong much quicker than what they do right.

Why didn’t he remember we had that conversation last week?

Why is she perusing through the Facebook world when she’s supposed to be listening to the sermon?

I would never raise my kids like that!

Yes, I can be a real jerk, quickly forgetting the wonderful things my friends do in the midst of their flaws.

Oh how quick I am to forget the numerous amount of times they’ve wanted to “fix” me, but choose to love me without judgment despite my weaknesses.

I realize God gives us discernment to pay attention to things that require action, but He’s also given us the ability to notice the beauty in every person He so graciously created.

I want to be a different kind of noticer. The kind who says,

“I love how you smile at everyone you meet and don’t know a stranger.”

“Thank you for listening to my problems even when you’re exhausted.”

“Your kids are so blessed to have you as their mother.”

What do you notice in others? Is it the need to fix others that draws you near, or your desire to simply know them more? 

Guilt vs. Shame

Guilt and shame. It’s something we’ve all dealt with numerous times in our lives. I’m sure we’ll soon meet again.

Is there a difference between guilt and shame? According to shame researcher Brene Brown, the answer to that question is yes. I agree.

Let’s break it down thanks to Mrs. Brown. (Okay, I just wrote the beginning of a rap song there, in case you didn’t notice.)

Guilt = I did something bad.

Shame = I am bad.

Here are a few examples of guilt vs. shame:

Example 1: Overreating

You’ve struggled with food all of your life. You sit down for dinner and eat some leftover spaghetti from the night before. You’re bored. You’re lonely, so within a few minutes of finishing your dinner you rummage through the pantry until you find something else to snack on. Perhaps some crackers or a Pop-Tart. You’re full, you think.

Now the aftermath sets in.

I shouldn’t have done that. I’m such a loser. I’m always going to be fat because I can’t control myself for five minutes. There’s no hope for me. 

Sound familiar? It certainly does to me.

Guilt = I didn’t stop eating when I was full.

Shame = I’m a pig. There’s not hope for me.

Example 2: Marriage

Your husband comes home from a long day of work and has looked forward to your delicious cooking all day long. You, too, had a hard day and realize as you pull into the driveway you forgot to lay the chicken out. There’s not time to prepare now. A frozen pizza it is. He walks into the kitchen with a disappointing look on his face.

The aftermath sets in and your thoughts go wild.

Oh great, I screwed up again! I’m such a horrible wife. I’ll never be good enough for him. I can’t even cook a decent meal for my husband. 

Guilt = I forgot to lay out the chicken to make his favorite meal.

Shame = I don’t know why I even bother. I’ll never make a good wife.

I could give a wide variety of examples, but I think you get the point.

Here’s the takeaway:

Shame is not from God. Never has been. Never will be. (Tweet that)

So you screwed up and ate more than you should. Allow that guilt to prompt you into repentance. The gracious God who created you and loves you wants to lavish you with His grace. Allow Him to give you that gift.

You forgot to lay out dinner. I bet it won’t be the last time. Smile at your husband, admit you forgot and enjoy your pizza with a nice glass of wine and a Netflix movie. You’ll laugh about it later, if you allow yourself to.

Here’s what God says about shame,

Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. – Psalm 34:5

You, my friend are radiant. Embrace it.

What truth do you tell yourself when shame tries to take over? Share in the comments. 

I’m Never Getting Married (A Stupid Challenge)

I sat around the table at Ruby Tuesday with three of my closest friends several months ago and my friend Jennifer said these words to me:

 In the year 2014, I challenge you to stop saying you’re never getting married.

My pride welled up. I wanted to defend myself. I wanted to tell her how stupid her challenge was. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t, because she was right.

Photo Credit: Joybot via Compfight cc

I was speaking words over myself that were not part of God’s plan for me. 

So I agreed that I was up for the challenge.

I sat around the lunch table during a family visit home when my grandmother said these words to me, after other family members attempted to hook me up with the local mortician:

Do you think I will live long enough to see you get married?

I took a bite of my sandwich before replying, “I’m only 30 people! Give me a break.” I considered sharing the news with her that I was never getting married, but quickly remembered I had agreed to the challenge that those words were no longer part of my vocabulary.

I still struggle with the fear of getting married. 

I originally wrote this post for my friends over at Single Roots. Click here to read the rest of the post and learn how I’m overcoming this fear.

Why God’s Not Dead

God has been taken out of schools. He’s been removed from court rooms. The list goes on…

But what if God’s still alive and well today? 

He is!

Sarah Young, an unknown missionary took her prayer time and put in on paper for the world to read. Based on Scriptural context, Young put the words of Jesus into a devotional called Jesus Calling. 

Okay, people do that all the time. What’s the big deal? 

Sarah Young doesn’t have a platform. She’s not on social media. She doesn’t blog. Yet she’s a best-selling author. Since the release of Jesus Calling in 2004, more than 10 million copies of this devotional have been put into the hands of readers.

As a writer today, building a platform is key. We’re told by the experts to be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogging, Tumbling, Pinning, and the list goes on. If we want to be successful, we have to be present everywhere.

I’m not arguing with that, to a point, but here’s what’s amazing.

When God wants something done He will make it happen. (Tweet That)

The evidence of that? A missionary with a heart to serve God writes a book that has sold more copies than Fifty Shades of Grey. 

That my friends, is living proof that God’s not dead!

Don’t let your fear of not being “big enough” keep you from doing something God has called you to do. I’m not in any way telling you to sit back and wait for God to make things happen. He calls us to be active.

I write this as a reminder that God is still in control. He’s still sovereign. He’s still amazing. He’s touching the lives of millions with His words through a ten-year old devotional that started out as personal prayers for a servant of God.

I’m going through Jesus Calling myself this year, and I must say, it has rocked my world. I recommend it for every soul. It will change you.

This I promise.

How to Choose the Perfect Portions

Do you struggle with eating the right portions at each meal? Me too, actually.

Photo Credit: Nic Taylor Photography via Compfight cc

Sometimes I get this mindset that it’s just not enough, so I fill up my plate, scarf it down faster than the speed of light, and wonder why I’m not full. I’m sure I’m not the only one who does this, right?

I ran across this great reminder regarding selecting the right portions from Puristat.com and wanted to share with you.

What Does a Perfect Portion Look Like?
Size


Instead of a 10oz steak, eat a 3oz steak
Deck of cards


1 serving pasta
Your fist


1 pancake
A Compact Disc (CD)


1 serving steamed broccoli (1/2 cup)
Standard light bulb


1 cup of soup
A baseball


1 baked potato
A computer mouse


1 serving of cake
A 3×3 post-it stack


1 tsp of butter
The tip of your thumb


1 tbsp of dressing
Half golf ball


1 serving cooked rice (1/2 cup)
A cupcake wrapper

The steak thing. Ya, I’ve gotta work on that.

Here’s what I love about this chart. It doesn’t speak “diet”. It simply tells you how to eat the foods you love, but with control. If you want a piece of cake, then have one, but instead of eating a ginormous slice, let’s take it down to a 3×3 post-it stack.

Isn’t that exciting, friends? We’re not dieting. We’re changing our lives!

How to Take the Next Right Step

Let me ask you a question.

What is happening in your life right now that you know you want to do something – change something – but you’re not sure what to do?

photo credit: donald mcallister

Ya, me too.

Whether you’re struggling with weight loss, pursuing a dream, fighting addiction, whatever it is, let’s just take the next right step together.

Watch this short vlog and learn how to take the next right step in pursuing something great. Tune in for the whole video as I’ll be giving away a copy of the book, Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work That Matters, by Jon Acuff.

Stay Away from the Wicked Part Four

This is the final part of the excerpt from my new book, That’s Gay: Equipping the church to wave goodbye to judgment and say hello to grace. Click here for part three. Learn more about the book here.

With relationship, comes trust. With trust, comes the opportunity to share the truth—with grace. With grace, comes more trust. With truth, comes repentance. With repentance, comes conviction. With conviction, comes true change.

Let’s stop playing the Holy Spirit and just be the hands and feet of Christ as He calls us to be.

I’m not saying you have to walk into the gay bar with them every week, especially if you’re wearing a “Jesus Loves You” button on your shirt and a tract in one hand. That probably wouldn’t be the smartest idea you ever came up with, just sayin’.

Jesus hung out with sinners. He loved on prostitutes and tax collectors. He didn’t tell them how worthless they were. Did He correct them? Yes. But He loved them first.

He spent three years with Peter, a guy who would deny His name in the toughest times, yet handpicked him after His resurrection to be the head honcho. Peter brought thousands to Christ.

Jesus never ran out of grace. Never. If He didn’t, why should we? It’s our job as followers of Jesus Christ to be love and show love. We can’t do it when we’re too busy pointing out the sins of others and not repenting of our own sins.

We must remember that Jesus Christ’s choice to be beaten, spit on, mocked, and murdered on a piece of wood was for everyone.

Not just you. Not just those that know Him. Not just for those who attend weekly church services. For everyone. He died for the ones who mocked Him. He died for me, knowing every detestable choice I would make in my lifetime. He knew that I would make the choice to live in a homosexual relationship, yet He died for me. How amazing is that?

And here’s more good news. Because I have given my life to Him and admitted I cannot do this life on my own, He doesn’t remember my sins (Hebrews 10:17). He doesn’t remember yours either. Let us remind ourselves that our sins have been removed as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

Don’t you want that for everyone?

Doesn’t your heart leap for joy knowing we don’t have to constantly be reminded of our daily sins? If so, then your heart should desire the same for someone living in a homosexual lifestyle who doesn’t yet know the Lord. Allow yourself to dream into the future. To picture what it could be like for someone you know in that lifestyle to truly come to know Christ. To know and believe who they are in Christ. To understand redemption and grace, just as you have.

A reminder of God’s grace should change our motives.