Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 14
February 13, 2019
How to Slay the Me Monster
Today, I want to live more like Mother Teresa. I wish to give my life away to help heal the sick and mother the orphan.
I will emulate the example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and stand in the gap for those who have no voice. I will honor each human life and fight for human justice.
I desire to devote my life to sharing the Good News. My feet will follow in the footsteps of Billy Graham and go to the ends of the earth faithfully proclaiming Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Right now, I can choose to lay my life down and love sacrificially. I can honor my Savior who emptied Himself and gave all to save me from sin.
But first, I must slay the Me Monster.
Inside me, lurks a sinister fleshy foe who seduces me into a self-absorbed coma. When I listen to lies of the Me Monster, I end up looking out for myself instead of loving others.
The Me Monster rises up and asserts, “You deserve better.”
The Me Monster whispers, “Forget about that need. Someone else will show up and clean up the mess. You don’t need to get your hands dirty.”
The Me Monster stares at her beauty in the mirror every morning and never notices the ugly streak of pride
I have to crucify the selfish brat in me who wants to satisfy herself instead of serving others.
I must say NO to the Me Monster.
I’m sharing “How to Slay the Me Monster” at Love God Greatly today.
To read the rest of this post, join me here.
IF YOU ARE VISITING FROM LGG or FIRST 5 TODAY,
WELCOME TO MY LITTLE SPACE ON THE WEB!
HERE YOU WILL FIND FUEL FOR A WILDFIRE FAITH TO HELP YOU
LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve.
⇓
SIGN UP TO GET WEEKLY #FAITHFUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL RECEIVE “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH” AS MY GIFT TO YOU.
YOU’LL ALSO GET ACCESS TO THE PRACTICAL RESOURCES AND GOODIES IN OUR PRIVATE FAITH FUEL LIBRARY.
⇓
I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Join the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to rock your world. Let’s #PrayBig and stand on God’s promises in 2019!
ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO LIVE LIFE BASED ON YOUR VALUES RATHER THAN OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS? I CAN PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP YOU CLARIFY THE CALLING GOD UNIQUELY CREATED YOU TO FULFILL.
CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO START WORKING ON A PLAN TO REFINE YOUR PASSION AND PURPOSE.
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The post How to Slay the Me Monster appeared first on Lyli Dunbar.
February 7, 2019
When You Need Jesus to Take the Wheel
I raced off into my day and tried to get things done, but I was dragging dead weight behind me.
I failed to fuel up before I started my morning, and after I speeding along at an unhealthy pace, I was exhausted and had failed to make any real progress.
I can’t do this. I need a pit stop.
After 3 hours of frenzy, I finally slowed down and pulled over to fill up my reservoir.
I opened up my Bible and guzzled down every last drop.
Man, I needed that. Why did I go all morning on empty fumes?
Why do I insist on squeezing every last drop of energy out of my depleted frame before I hit the brakes?
I can’t keep driving this crazy train by myself.
How about you, friend? Have you checked your fuel level lately? (I always am surprised when I end up empty. Every time, I get caught off guard and have to make a mad dash off the road.).
Maybe like me your life ends up coming to a screeching halt because you run out of gas.
You are speed demon with 5 kids in the backseat and a trunk-load full of groceries. But you left behind your marriage miles ago.
You hog the road on your way to work with 25 million things on your t0-do list. However, you haven’t made a pit stop at church in weeks.
We are a generation of road raging women. We are on a mission, but we are mad at the world because we want to control everything.
Man, we just need to stop.
I’m so tired of the race. How about you?
This week, I got a sweet reminder of how to get back on course before I crash and burn.
I had my First 5 app open, and I scrolled down to the end of the teaching for a little spiritual tune up. As I finished reading, my eyes glanced at the first comment in response to Lysa’s words. I have no idea who this woman was, but her simple prayer hit me like an exploding air bag during a head-on collision:
Jesus, take the wheel.
The 4 words were followed by several emojis for emphasis, and I smiled. Suddenly, I felt just a tad bit less stressed out.
Carrie Underwood and this sister understand my pain.
Jesus, help me with my crazy life.
Jesus, I can’t do this without you.
Jesus, I need you to drive this car.
Jesus, I am pulling over and sliding into the passenger’s seat.
Help for When You Need Jesus to Take the Wheel
When You are running low on faith and fuel
Make a pit stop and spend time with God. His reservoir never runs out, and any other way you try to replenish your empty tank will be a big waste of time.
“But even if we are faithless, he will still be full of faith, for he never wavers in His faithfulness to us!” (II Timothy 2:13, TPT)
When it’s been a long hard year
You are traveling through a desert in a dry season, but you are not driving on a dead end. Your long journey is not over yet, and there is a sweet bend in the road ahead. Stay in your lane.
“The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always. He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing water. He soothes my fears; He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name. Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness, I am not overcome by fear. Because You are with me in those dark moments, near with Your protection and guidance, I am comforted.” (Psalm 23:1-3, VOICE)
When you have a lot on your mind and can’t pay attention
Where station is your dial set to? Turn off the static and the noise and tune into some worship music. Make melody in your heart to stay in rhythm with your God.
“When anxiety overtakes me and worries are many, Your comfort lightens my soul.” (Psalm 94:19)
When you are going too fast and feel like you are going to crash
Slow down. Roll your windows down and breathe in a little fresh air. Notice the beauty on the journey. God has treasures for you to see, and you don’t want to miss the wonder because you are racing wild. Follow God’s roadmap for you and trust nothing He can’t handle is going to crash into your lane.
“For you made the Eternal refuge, the Most High your only home. No evil will come to you; plagues will be turned away at your door. He will command His heavenly messengers to guard you, to keep you safe in every way. They will hold you up in their hands so that you will not crash, or fall, or even graze your foot on a stone.” (Psalm 91:9-12)
When you need just one more chance
Stop looking in the rearview mirror. The road before you is paved with God’s mercy, and the path is clear.
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness….For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.” (Lamentations 3:21-23 & 31, NLT)
When you desperately want to change
You can set a different course starting today. It’s never too late to make a u-turn. Let God’s Word be your GPS, not your feelings or people’s opinions.
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:1-2, MSG)
When you are ready to let go
Stop gripping the wheel so tightly. Surrender the driver’s seat to God. You will feel lighter on the road with Him leading.
“So submit yourselves to the one true God and fight against the devil and his schemes. If you do, he will run away in failure. Come close to the one true God, and He will draw close to you. Wash your hands; you have dirtied them in sin. Cleanse your heart, because your mind is split down the middle, your love for God on one side and selfish pursuits on the other. Since the beginning, our loving Creator has been pursuing us, drawing us closer to Him. He invites us to move closer to Him so we can be fully His. Now is the time to lament, to grieve, and to cry. Dissolve your laughter into sobbing, and exchange your joy for depression. Lay yourself bare, facedown to the ground, in humility before the Lord; and He will lift your head so you can stand tall.” (James 4:7-10, VOICE)
We can trust that God has created us for a unique purpose, and He will guide us along the path He has for us.
The first way to start letting Jesus take the wheel in your life is to surrender your all to Him to live on mission. Do you know which way God wants you to go? What unique purpose did He design you to fulfill? Taking time to craft a personal mission statement can help you figure out your next step. To help you get started, I’ve created two great resources for you: The “My Mission Statement” worksheet will walk you through the steps to creating a clear focus for your year. Plus, I also provided a list of 10 mission-minded Scriptures for you to print out and pray over this week for inspiration. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
When we finally get off the highway of self sufficiency and set our course on surrender, we will begin to feel God’s wind at our back moving us on in the right direction.
You will feel lighter if you just let go and let Jesus take the wheel.
You will feel lighter if you just let go and let Jesus take the wheel.
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ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO LIVE LIFE BASED ON YOUR VALUES RATHER THAN OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS? I CAN PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP YOU CLARIFY THE CALLING GOD UNIQUELY CREATED YOU TO FULFILL
CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO START WORKING ON A PLAN TO REFINE YOUR PASSION AND PURPOSE.
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ARE YOU READY TO FIRE UP YOUR FAITH?
SIGN UP TO GET WEEKLY #FAITHFUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL RECEIVE “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH” AS MY GIFT TO YOU.
YOU’LL ALSO GET ACCESS TO THE PRACTICAL RESOURCES AND GOODIES IN OUR PRIVATE FAITH FUEL LIBRARY
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February 1, 2019
How One Sentence Can Transform Your Life
We sat in a circle tonight and shared our hearts. Our Bibles were open, and we did the hard work of readjusting our skewed perspectives by studying the Gospel Truth. One sister shared how she had hung a wooden frame on the wall of her home as a visual reminder to help her hold on to faith even when she wasn’t necessarily feeling it.
She’s a fighter. When the enemy’s accusations try to cut her to quick, she points to her plaque and affirms she is a beloved daughter of the King of kings.
If you don’t know what your calling is, the father of lies will label you a loser and a has-been. You aren’t good enough to make a difference in this world, and you might as well just give up now.
He’s such a stinker.
He wants you to forget you are chosen and set apart. His wants to paralyze you so that you won’t partner with God as an ambassador of reconciliation.
Every day, you rub shoulders with people who are desperate for restoration. You can pour the love of God out and help save parched souls. People are hungry for hope — at your job, in the line at the grocery store, and even at your own dining room table.
Everywhere we go is our personal mission field.
God has uniquely created each of us with a purpose in mind. You are needed. Every second of your life matters — and every step of faith you take makes an eternal difference.
Maybe like me, you’ve gotten into a funk and forgotten you are a fighter — in fact, let me remind you: you are on the winning team. The scales of justice are always tipped in your favor.
For anyone who is feeling stuck, I want to encourage you to find your fighting words. Grab your favorite pen and your Bible and think about how God has purposefully placed you exactly where you are right now for a specific reason.
If we sat down for coffee today, could you tell me what your mission is?
3 Reasons You Need a Personal Mission Statement
To produce motivation
Writing out your passion and praying over it daily will help mobilize you to live on mission for God’s glory with intentional purpose. You will step into your day with greater focus and clarity. Keep in mind how Jesus modeled this for us in the Gospels:
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10, NIV)
To provide measurement
Regular self-examination is good for the soul. Your mission statement will enable you to discern how effectively you are living out your calling and help you to make necessary adjustments. Paul practiced this consistently, and it helped him to stay in his lane and not get sidetracked by silly people who felt it necessary to “school” him in how to live out his calling:
“You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you His Gospel in the face of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.” (I Thessalonians 2:1-4)
To Permit Margin
Having a clear focus helps you to say no to shiny things that will distract you from stepping into the supernatural work God wants to do in and through your life. Your mission statement becomes a funnel to help you eliminate fun things that don’t fall within your calling, and this creates breathing room for you to rest and refuel. Jesus modeled this for us in the Gospels:
“Scripture Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ But Jesus replied, ‘We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.’ (Mark 1:35-38, NLT)
Are you ready to create your own mission statement? To help you get started, I’ve created two great resources for you: The “My Mission Statement” worksheet will walk you through the steps to creating a clear focus for your year. Plus, I also provided a list of 10 mission-minded Scriptures for you to print out and pray over this week for inspiration. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
Don’t listen to the lies of the. enemy — you are a world changer. You are called to love difficult people in hard spaces. You fight on your knees for strongholds to fall away. You persevere and pray big until God moves mountains. You are on a mission with God, and one day you are going to look back and see how miracles all around you. God will move in and through you to bring hope and healing to the hurting.
One well-crafted sentence can clarify your calling and change your world.
One well-crafted sentence can clarify your calling and change your world.
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ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO LIVE LIFE BASED ON YOUR VALUES RATHER THAN OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS? I CAN PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP YOU CLARIFY THE CALLING GOD UNIQUELY CREATED YOU TO FULFILL
CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO START WORKING ON A PLAN TO REFINE YOUR PASSION AND PURPOSE.
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ARE YOU READY TO FIRE UP YOUR FAITH?
SIGN UP TO GET WEEKLY #FAITHFUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL RECEIVE “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH” AS MY GIFT TO YOU.
YOU’LL ALSO GET ACCESS TO THE PRACTICAL RESOURCES AND GOODIES IN OUR PRIVATE FAITH FUEL LIBRARY
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Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
January 24, 2019
When You Are Refined by Beginnings
I don’t like change and usually do not do well with it. When life is in a routine and things are familiar, there is a sense of security. It’s in the familiar I find myself most comfortable.
God has a funny way of shaking me out of the familiar and comfortable. Like you, I have found myself in a new beginning several times over the course of my life:
beginning in a new job
beginning in a new church
beginning a new book
beginning a new diet
beginning in a new school
beginning a new relationship
In none of those beginnings did I find myself comfortable. Or at ease. Most times, I felt awkward and out of place.
Did you notice it was all about how I felt in the midst of the new beginning?
In her book, Free of Me, Sharon Hodde Miller shared this quote:
One of the best ways to face this problem of self-centeredness is to discover some cause and some purpose, some loyalty outside of yourself and give yourself to that something.
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
She goes on to explain:
“When you find and pursue your purpose, you can feel it in your bones. Its exhilarating, and motivating, even when it’s hard. That’s what is so powerful about purpose. It’s not all hearts and rainbows. It doesn’t always feel good, and it’s certainly not easy, but it is compelling.”
~ Free of Me by Sharon Hodde Miller, p. 156
The unknown of the a new beginning brings an excitement, an eagerness to see what and how God is going to work and unfold His plan.
In writing to the Israelites, God encourages them to remember where they had come from (Egypt) while looking forward to the days ahead. He wanted them to realize dwelling on the past would cause them to stagnate.
“But forget all that – it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” (Isaiah 43: 18-19, NLT)
New beginnings –
the places where passion and purpose collide.
As we face new beginnings, what should be our focus?
Trust God.
We can look at God’s past actions in our lives and let them remind us that God will be faithful When He leads us, He can be trusted for He does what He says He will do.
God knows what He is doing.
God’s Word is still alive and living and active in our lives. We can trust Him to direct our steps.
God is creative.
God does a new thing in our lives because He is creative and is not limited to doing what He has done in the past.
During those times when our lives feel barren, dry, and empty may we remember that new beginnings spring up. He makes a path in the wilderness. He makes rivers in the middle of a dry wasteland. These are His promises to us.
Every time God brought me to a new beginning, it was to bring about something new in my life. He brought restoration and redemption. He brought new opportunities to serve Him in ways not ever explored in my life. He made me realize He moved me out of the familiar and comfortable to bring me to a place of passion and purpose.
New beginnings –
the places we realize we each have been created
so that each our lives bring Him honor and glory.
Are you facing a new beginning? What will you do today to trust God to direct your steps as He causes purpose and passion to spring up?
Be assured today that He is at work already. Ask Him for eyes to see it!
Trust the Refiner to guide your steps to a glorious new purpose.
Trust the Refiner to guide your steps to a glorious new purpose.
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Meet Joanne:
Joanne Viola celebrated her 39th wedding anniversary this year. She is a mom to two adult married children and a “Mimi” to three precious granddaughters, whom she has the joy of watching while their parents work.
Joanne loves to read and write and began blogging so her family would always know her thoughts as she processed this journey of life.
A ministry dear to Joanne’s heart is The Lulu Tree, where she serves on the governing board as well as tending to ministry partners.
Join Joanne on her blog Days & Thoughts. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
The Refined Series
Fire refines. First God, breaks our pride into tiny pieces. Then, He melts away our impurities in a crucible of affliction. Every fleck of fleshy fluff rises to the surface and is removed until we reveal His image.
This year, I want to stop fearing the fire and pray:
Lord, refine me through the flame.
For 2018, I asked God to give me a word to guide my year, and He whispered the word “Refine.” For 10 months, Bruce and I have been walking through the fire and trying to not resist the refining work He is doing in us.
I am a very slow learner, and recently it occurred to me I should step aside and create more space to listen and learn during this season. I long to sit down for a heart-to-heart chat with a wise friend who will remind me the fire has a grander purpose. Thankfully, I am blessed to know several women who’ve walked through the fire and emerged beautifully refined, and I’ve invited them to share their story here with the Wildfire Faith Community once a month.
God has promised that the fire will not consume us, but transform us.
Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy of the Refined Manifesto our Faith Fuel Library.
If you are visiting from Joanne’s today,
welcome to my little space on the web!
Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you
LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve.
⇓
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE WEEKLY FAITH FUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL GET A FREE COPY OF “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH”
and access the practical resources in the Fatih Fuel Library for members.
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I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Join the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.
ARE YOU STUCK IN A SPIRITUAL RUT? I CAN PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP YOU SPARK A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION IN YOUR LIFE IN 2019.
CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO START WORKING ON A PLAN TO REKINDLE YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
January 17, 2019
3 Tools to Help You Breakthrough to Brave
Bruce is cleaning out the shed this week, and he pulled out a few boxes for me to look through.
“This is your stuff,” he said. “Do you still want it?”
He opened up the first box, and I immediately said, “Keep it.” The heavy box was packed to the top with old textbooks and tricks from my teaching days. I am holding on to that box just in case I ever have to stand in front of a classroom of teenagers again.
The minute he pulled back the lid on the second box, I shrieked in horror. “How did these get into the shed?” All my beloved stuffed animals had somehow been entombed in a grungy outdoor masoleum. Apparently, “someone” had placed them in captivity before we remodeled the house 2 years ago unbeknownst to me.
I set free the stuffed bears and flying pigs from our datings days. “I love these so much!”
“We can’t keep all of these,” he reasoned as I hugged each animal like a long lost relative.
I hate parting with cute toys. Consider me a child at heart. But I must confess Bruce was right. We had collected way too many cuddly things over the last decade.
But couldn’t I keep just one or two?
At the bottom of the pile, I spotted a green little vegetable wearing a yellow sleep cap. “Oh, old friend, I’ve missed you!”
“This one I am keeping. And because I am giving up so many, he gets his batteries back. Deal?”
Our peaceful compromise met, I surrendered the box to Bruce, but I got to keep my Junior Aspargus. And, he came back to life!
With batteries in place, I sat down on the couch and gently squeezed his torso. His big white eyes lit up, and the brave soul whispered, “I’m not scared,” and then he started humming, “I’m not afraid of the boogie man.”
I smiled.
I had purchased Junior when I was still single. I lived alone for almost 20 years. Junior was my guardian angel who crawled into bed with me on dark nights of the soul where I wondered if I’d ever see the light again.
He reminded me not to be scared.
But I was.
I was scared of being alone.
I feared rejection.
I worried about my future.
Anxiety was a constant foe.
And, today I still have to pick up my sword and remind myself almost daily that God is bigger than bad days.
Maybe you can relate? Perhaps I am not the only one out there who is fighting to overcome fear and live brave.
Are you always looking back and worried yesterday’s failure is the boogie man coming to get you?
Do you want to hide under the covers because you are too frightened to face the sad stuff out there in your today?
Have you lost your sense of adventure about tomorrow because you are scared something else catastrophic is going to show up and shake you?
Yeah. Me, too.
I don’t want to live in fear, friends. And, I bet you don’t either.
Here’s the thing: God has not given us a spirit of fear. He has given us everything we need to overcome yesterday, handle today’s messes, and walk boldly into tomorrow. When we focus on His faithfulness, we can kick fear to the curb.
I know this in my head, but sometimes my heart starts racing a hundred miles a minute, and I forget.
I need a reminder. And perhaps a body guard.
But, God is my personal bouncer — shielding me from all that tries to swallow me whole. He gave His very life to save me. On hellish days, I can encourage my heart by hanging on to Truth.
Last week, I realized God had sent me 3 really super sweet tools to help me overcome my fears and push through to brave. (Don’t you love it when God bombards you with good stuff to get you going?). It would really be selfish of me not to share this fabulousness…. because I know so many of you are fighting worry and anxiety, too.
3 Tools to Help You Breakthrough to Brave
100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self by Annie Downs
I decided to start 2019 by taking a 100-day journey with Annie Downs. I’d already read her book Let’s All Be Brave and loved it, and since I am in a season of “uncertainty,” the devotional seemed like a smart way to begin my year. Each day starts with a Scripture, and then Annie unpacks the truth like a good friend giving you a pep talk. Each entry ends with a simple challenge to help you take baby steps toward brave. I am loving this book!
Choose Brave: Bible Study Journal
Imagine my surprise when the team over at Love God Greatly announced their first study for 2019 was titled Choose Brave. (Hello, Holy Spirit! You have my attention). For six weeks, I am digging deep into 30 Scriptures to help me focus on God’s Truth and fight my fears. LGG studies are great because you look at just one passage a day using the SOAP method. Even if you are in a crazy season, this format makes getting into the Word totally do-able. You can grab the bound Study Journal or check out the Love God Greatly blog for articles to pair with the study.
Afraid of All the Things: new book by Scarlet Hiltibidal
Y’all, I can’t make this stuff up. I had just started my devotional and Bible study, when I got my hands on the new book from Scarlet Hiltibidal. Friends, I was up until 2 AM reading the first 3 chapters. I could not put this book down! Here is what I learned:
I can avoid being killed in a drive by shooting by taking off my seat belt and getting into the fetal position on the floor of the car.
Scarlet is gosh darn funny. I laughed and almost peed in my pants.
Scarlet loves Jesus.
I learned how to apply the gospel to my fears — which is the message of this book … because sometimes you think you know who Jesus is, but you aren’t living like it. You are living scared of this dark scary world full of serial killers and spiders. You just get scared of your own shadow and forget Jesus came to rescue you from the darkness.
So, go and buy yourself a copy of this book. You will thank me.
Giveaway
I’m giving away a copy of Scarlet’s fabulous book to one reader this week. Share this post on your Facebook page or Instagram, and then leave a comment telling me how you are going to choose brave in 2019 and why you’d like to win this book for your library.
Note: Winner must live in the residential United States. Junior Asparagus is not included. (I’m kind of attached to him.)
Friends, when we exercise our faith, we will conquer our fears and nightmares. We will go forward trusting God is fighting for us, and we will see Him do a mighty work in our lives and in our family. Our bold faith will point others to the Fearless Warrior who came to set us free from the boogie man and bad days. We will walk in freedom, and His unshakable peace will guard our hearts.
Let’s believe God is bigger than our fears and breakthrough to brave.
Let’s believe God is bigger than our fears and breakthrough to brave.
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IF YOU ARE VISITING FROM FIRST 5 TODAY,
WELCOME TO MY LITTLE SPACE ON THE WEB!
HERE YOU WILL FIND FUEL FOR A WILDFIRE FAITH TO HELP YOU
LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve.
⇓
SIGN UP TO GET WEEKLY #FAITHFUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL RECEIVE “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH” AS MY GIFT TO YOU.
YOU’LL ALSO GET ACCESS TO THE PRACTICAL RESOURCES AND GOODIES IN OUR PRIVATE FAITH FUEL LIBRARY.
⇓
I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Join the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to rock your world. Let’s #PrayBig and stand on God’s promises in 2019!
ARE YOU STUCK IN A SPIRITUAL RUT? I CAN PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP YOU SPARK A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION IN YOUR LIFE IN 2019.
CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO START WORKING ON A PLAN TO REKINDLE YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.
ARE YOU READY TO FIRE UP YOUR FAITH?
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Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
January 11, 2019
5 Ways to Spread a Little Sparkle in the New Year
I walked into Charming Charlie’s thinking I might buy a couple of Christmas presents for friends and a thing or two for me. Little did I know I’d walk out of the store a changed woman.
For the last 8 years, every year God gives me a word or phrase as a theme for my year. Normally I discover my word through much Bible reading and prayer. This year, I found my word while I was standing in front of the sparkly silver costume jewelry at one of my favorite stores.
Or maybe I should say — my word found me.
I carried the cute sign to the register and took out my wallet with a big smile on my face. I do believe I heard a word from the. Lord.
I walked out of the store tingling all over. What does God expect you to do after you’ve emerged from the fire?
Apparently, he wants you to. sparkle a little Jesus glitter all around the atmosphere.
When I got home, I showed my new sparkly shelf sitter to Bruce, and then I placed it on my desk next to my laptop. I wanted confirmation I was indeed hearing God speak and not just going crazy — because when God wants me to listen up, He normally will repeat Himself. So, I went straight to Bible Gateway and typed in the word “sparkle.” I discovered an obscure verse in Zechariah where the prophet declares Christ will return for His own — who are sparkling like the gems in His crown.
More tingling. I took a screen shot of my new favorite verse in Zechariah and googled the definition of “sparkle.” To sparkle means to emit sparks of fire or light; to shine or glisten as a brilliant gem (Hello, Holy Spirit!); to be brilliant, lively or vivacious.
The Amplified translation expands the word sparkle as “lifted high over and shining glitteringly.” Apparently, the original Hebrew word used here implies being conspicuous as a signal, to raised as a beacon and lifted up as a military flag.
She leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes.
As a daughter of the King of kings, I am called to reflect His glory everywhere I go.
For the next two weeks, I sat down at my desk every morning and picked up my sparkly sign and shook it. I watched all the little glittery pieces float all over atmosphere, and I must confess it made my heart happy. There is just something special about sparkles of light— especially in this dark world where brokenness tries to cloud our view of God’s glory every day.
Maybe like me you want to sparkle, but instead you end up stressed out over all the struggles you are facing.
Instead of glittering, you just really wish Jesus would come back and get you out of here.
I get it, friend. Really, I do. Some days, I don’t want to sparkle. I just want to hide under the covers and pretend I don’t have to deal with my mess.
But here is the thing with my God: He is calling. me to step out of my comfort zone. He wants to sprinkle His glory all over the place, and for some crazy reason, He likes to partner with scaredy cats like me.
So, a couple of weeks later, I was hiding under the covers and wasting time scrolling on Facebook when He got my attention once again.
My friend. Susan, had reached out to me the night before, and she had mentioned a new book she was obsessed with, except she couldn’t remember the title. She promised to send me a picture of the cover.
And there in my Facebook inbox the picture of her book landed like a prophetic flash of lightning. The title instantly made me tingle all over again: Sparking Gems from the Greek, volume 1.
Don’t tell me God is not real. He sent me a Facebook message.
I started praying for God to teach me how to sparkle — and just a few days later I was reading in II Timothy and the words jumped right off the page and got my toes tingling again.
5 Ways to Spread a Little Sparkle in the New Year
Light up your prayer life.
Your prayer closet is a sparkle factory.The more time you spend on your knees in intercession, the more you will help spread the glitter of God’s redemption around your world.
“I thank God, whom I serve as did our people of long ago. I serve God, knowing that what I have done is right. Night and day I thank God for you. Night and day I always remember you in my prayers.” (II Timothy 1:3, NIRV)
Kindle a few faith-filled friendships
Sparkle spreads around and sticks to you. Make sure you spend time with people who are shining brightly and pointing to the Savior.
“I remember your tears. I long to see you so that I can be filled with joy. I remember your honest and true faith. It was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice. And I am certain that it is now alive in you also.” (II Timothy 1:4-5)
Fire up a passion for your God-given purpose
What makes your heart come alive? You are uniquely designed by God to reflect His goodness and grace to this world. Unleash your inner sparkle and use your spiritual gifts to serve.
“This is why I remind you to help God’s gift grow, just as a small spark grows into a fire. God put his gift in you when I placed my hands on you.” (II Timothy 1:6)
Quench your fears and fan the flames of faith
The enemy wants you to paralyze you with fear to prevent you from sparkling for Jesus. Remember God has already given you His power, love and sound judgment. You can push past those fears because every anxious thought is a lie wrapped up in shiny packaging to distract you from the Truth. Keep calm and sparkle on, friend.
“God gave us his Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves.” (II Timothy 1:7)
Radiate the warmth of Christ’s love
Never forget Jesus suffered on a cruel cross and rose from the dead to rescue you from the darkness. Your Savior has already conquered the darkness, and His resurrection power resides is within you. Rise up and sparkle, sister. You are partnering with Him to love the lost and lead them to the light. You are on a mission of redemption.
“So don’t be ashamed of the message about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, join with me as I suffer for the good news. God’s power will help us do that.” (II Timothy 1:8)
Are you ready to face 2019 with renewed faith? To help you sparkle, I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Start your year praying each day for God to do a miraculous work in your world. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to rock your world. Let’s #PrayBig and stand on God’s promises in 2019!
When we give God our inner sparkle, every single day we surrender to Him makes an eternal difference. Those shiny specks we surrender as an offering in Jesus name help scatter His love and grace all over the world. Your radiant joy will land in dark corners of the earth and reach the lost, encourage the weary, and forever transform the atmosphere.
Leave a little God sparkle everywhere you go.
Leave a little God sparkle everywhere you go.
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ARE YOU STUCK IN A SPIRITUAL RUT? I CAN PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP YOU SPARK A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION IN YOUR LIFE IN 2019.
CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO START WORKING ON A PLAN TO REKINDLE YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.
ARE YOU READY TO FIRE UP YOUR FAITH?
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January 3, 2019
5 Helpful Tips for Reading through the Bible in a Year
For years, I made the commitment and failed miserably over and over. I can’t tell you how many consecutive Januarys I made the resolution to read my Bible from cover to cover. I was an enthusiastic starter, but a terrible finisher.
I had great intentions. I love the Bible, and I love Jesus. But, somewhere in the middle of March, I would get lost in Old Testament genealogies and determine that I was more of a “New Testament Girl.”
I changed my ways after receiving a little inspiration. I attended a workshop at a women’s conference where a passionate sister shared her heart on the importance of reading and knowing the whole counsel of God. Her enthusiasm for the subject inspired me to try once again – plus she gave me some practical advice that helped me to do so with greater success.
Maybe you’ve tried to read through the Bible in a year before and failed. You got lost somewhere in Leviticus and drowned way before you ever reached Deuteronomy. Friend, you are not alone. Reading the Bible from cover to cover takes supernatural courage and self-discipline.
Here’s the thing: You can do ALL things with Christ’s help — even read Ezekiel. God can give you the extra fortitude you will need to keep reading if you just determine to stay in the fight.
Are you ready? Let’s put on our big girl pants and do this!
As a reformed “New Testament Girl,” I want to share 5 of my favorite hacks to help you complete the goal of reading through the entire Bible.
5 Helpful Tips for Reading Through the Bible in a Year
Choose a Bible translation that you find easy to read.
The first time I read through the Bible in a year, I read the New Living Translation.
Read a little from both Old and New Testament each day.
I purchased and loved using Tyndale’s One Year Bible. (You can also find this plan free online and in mobile format.)
Record one memorable verse from each day’s reading in a journal.
Read purposefully through your daily reading “looking” for your verse to remember.
Use a Bible Commentary or Study Bible to help you with the heavier Old Testament passages.
I am a huge fan of this quick reference devotional commentary by Warren Wiersbe that is very affordable and easy to read. I usually read the Old Testament commentary BEFORE I read my Bible each morning.
Decide to “take the plunge” with a friend.
I loved discussing the readings with my girlfriend over the phone. Knowing that she was reading each day motivated me to stick with it. It’s good to have a partner.
Reading through the Bible from cover to cover is a big commitment. If you fall behind, I would encourage you to just start back up again without worrying about “playing catch up.” It might take you more than a year to complete your goal, so give yourself grace if you need to slow down. If you find that the reading plan is too overwhelming for you, break up your readings into chunks for morning and evening or over two days.
A bonus tip is to pray about your commitment to read every verse in God’s Word. Ask God to help you complete this task. He delights to answer the prayers of His daughters who are seeking Him.
I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
Psalms 119:125, ESV
Are you ready to face 2019 with renewed faith? To help you get started, I’m sharing a copy of my Fuel Your Quiet Time Worksheet with you. Using the acronym F.U.E.L, you will learn a 4-step method to help you apply the Truth from a passage of Scripture to your daily agenda. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to rock your world. Let’s #PrayBig and stand on God’s promises in 2019!
Getting more of the Word in you will transform your thinking and fill you up with wisdom. God’s truth will spill out of your life like a fountain and splash all over everyone you meet. People will take notice you are a woman well-equipped, and your walk will point them on the path toward knowing Savior found in the Scriptures.
Read the Bible from cover to cover to change your world from the inside out.
Read the Bible from cover to cover to change your world from the inside out.
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Are you stuck in a spiritual rut? I can partner with you to help you spark a spiritual transformation in your life in 2019.
CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO start working on a plan to Rekindle your spiritual life.
Are you ready to fire up your faith?
Join the Wildfire Faith Community and get weekly #FaithFuel in your inbox.
You’ll receive “4 Surefire Ways to Ignite Your Faith” as my gift to you.
You’ll also get access to the practical resources and goodies in our private Faith Fuel library.
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
December 28, 2018
5 Promises You Need to Know for the New Year
3 more sleeps until 2018 is history.
How are ya feeling? I hope 2018 was a wonderful year for you full of laughter and love. Maybe during the past 365 days, you accomplished big goals and made major steps forward. Perhaps you look back over the last 12 months and see abundance and beauty.
Good for you.
But the truth is I know many of you had a hard year. Right now, you may be sitting in your living room wondering where the last 365 days actually disappeared so quickly. Wasn’t it April 15th just yesterday? You just got done doing your taxes, and somehow you are taking down the Christmas tree the next day.
The last 365 days may have been a whirlwind. You lost your to-do list under a pile of paperwork on your desk several months ago, and you’ve been putting out fires and fighting to stay standing all year long. For the last 12 months, you’ve crawled out of bed and cried out, “Jesus, help me get through today.”
Some years are like that. You just feel stuck. Unexpected hardship comes crashing down on you in waves and never lets you get firm footing.
Bruce and I understand this first hand. In fact, we have a little joke about how we prefer the “odd numbered years” over the “even numbered years.” Here’s a quick review to give you an idea why:
2009: Got married. Yay!
2010: Had a miscarriage. Buried Bruce’s mom. Cried almost every day.
2011: Survived. Walked on egg shells, but faced no major drama.
2012: Ended up in the ER. Cried my eyes out at our granddaughter’s funeral. Had the hardest year of my life.
2013: Got my life back and managed to not have a nervous breakdown….
2014: My best friend’s husband lost his battle against Cancer in January, and it went downhill from there….
I could go on, but I think you see the trend. Every even year hits us hard.
Therefore, when the calendar turned from 2017 to 2018, Bruce and I braced ourselves for something big to crash down and create lots of chaos.
Except this year, I decided to do something different. Rather than worry my way through my year, I determined to worship. I reminded myself that God is bigger than my bad days, and I vowed to trust God is faithful even if my world is falling apart.
Rather than gripe, I made a conscious choice to give God praise with empty hands because sometimes a “No” is a glorious promise from God.
I learned I can stand secure in an unstable world because God’s promises are unshakable. When my world is spinning out of control, I can remain calm by crying out to Christ.
Even on the most hellish days, I can encourage and empower my heart my hanging on to God’s truth.
Each day is a gift from God. With 2019 just 3 days away, we can look back and see how God has carried us even on those days when we didn’t think we could make it. He is faithful.
The year ahead will provide 365 opportunities for us to believe our omnipotent God has better days ahead for us.
We can set aside fear and choose to walk forward in faith.
We can say no to disbelief and start counting our blessings.
We can decide to see every obstacle as an opportunity for God to teach us how to love and transform us into the image of Christ.
So, how do you feel about 2019?
We have 3 sleeps to “get our head in the game” and step forward with a renewed perspective.
Let’s start by holding on to 5 truths that will help us remember God is in control, and He will carry us through one step at a time.
5 Promises You Need to Know for the New Year
God delights in you.
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
God is watching over your life.
“The Lord will keep you from all harm– He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8)
God gives good gifts.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” ( James 1:17)
Your suffering has a grander purpose.
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
God will make a way for you through the wilderness.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19)
Rehearsing these 5 simple truths will help us transform our perspective. God is good. The next 365 days of our life are held in his Mighty hands, and He is our refuge and present help.
Are you ready to face 2019 with renewed faith? To help you get fired up, I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Start your year praying each day for God to do a miraculous work in your world. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to rock your world. Let’s #PrayBig and stand on God’s promises in 2019!
As you stand on the promises of God, no weapon formed against you will prosper. Friends, God is not done writing our stories yet, and every day on the calendar provides a new opportunity for us to partner with Him. As you persevere in faith, the people in your circle of influence will see how you are holding on to God’s Word, and your life will be a witness.
Face the next 365 days without fear by fueling your faith with God’s faithful promises.
Face the next 365 days without fear by fueling your faith with God’s faithful promises.
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Are you feeling overwhelmed by your commitments and constantly running on empty? CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO HELP YOU develop a plan to Refuel with rest and soul care.
Are you ready to fire up your faith?
Join the Wildfire Faith Community and get weekly #FaithFuel in your inbox.
You’ll receive “4 Surefire Ways to Ignite Your Faith” as my gift to you.
You’ll also get access to the practical resources and goodies in our private Faith Fuel library.
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
December 20, 2018
When You are Refined by the Unexpected
Taking a deep breath, I mustered up a joyful greeting and answered the phone – knowing the news couldn’t be good. After all, it was 10 o’clock on a Wednesday night. Doctors don’t call at that hour with good news.
In a nine-and-a-half-minute phone call, my world changed. As I hung up the phone, I looked at the notes I had been taking…
Cancer
Really? Me? Cancer? How could it be?
The “unexpected” had just hit.
I wonder if Mary felt similar disbelief when the angel visited her to announce her “unexpected” pregnancy with baby Jesus.
“What? Me? A Baby? How? Can you repeat that?! I didn’t quite understand what you said…”
Although we paint a picture of Mary as an innocent teenage girl, I think Mary was a strong young lady. She had to be. She experienced the “unexpected” – far beyond what her imagination could fathom with the initial news of her miracle pregnancy…
“A baby? Ohhhhh. Ohhhhkay… The King of the World? I can get behind that! Talk about being catapulted to ‘celebrity’ status!”
In reality, she became anything but a celebrity. Her “unexpected” began as a teenage girl who was doing everything right. It soon progressed to Mary giving birth in a stinky barn, only to end at every mother’s worst nightmare – watching her son die murdered… unjustly.
If you’re anything like me, you have a rough sketch in your mind of how your life will progress. (Mary probably did too) Marriage, babies, graduations, marriages, grandbabies and family surrounding you as you peacefully pass into the arms of Jesus.
Although I don’t know your situation, it’s likely that there are, have been, or soon will be a degree of “unexpected” events in your world because life rarely unfolds as we imagine. There are hiccups, wrong turns, and then “Unexpected” hits us. Illnesses, deaths, infertility, betrayal, divorces, accidents, addictions, lawsuits, injustices, etc.
While Mary’s “unexpected” brought uncertainty and deep sorrow, as it often does, it also had to bring an indescribable sweet joy. I imagine she clung to the attributes that she saw in God to raise his Son just as the prophet Isaiah declared:
For unto us a child is born,
To us a son is given…
And He will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
I know I did.
What I discovered deep in the dark of the night was that there was no one who knew what I was going through. As much as friends and family reached out, (oh! they were wonderful!) the only one who fully “knew” was God. And I leaned hard. Trusting that He would be my Counselor – and direct my decisions. I sought his Peace when fear threatened to grip me. And I trusted that God would indeed be an Everlasting Father to my loved ones if I didn’t make it. Thankfully, my health is restored; yet, that experience continues to refine my faith and my outreach to others who are going through their “unexpected.”
Friend, only God knows the depth of what you are experiencing personally. I encourage you to lean hard on Him; cling to Him when you don’t understand. He is a faithful, powerful, caring Lord. A Prince who offers Peace when we lay it all at his feet. A Mighty God; Emmanuel – God with us.
Isn’t it wonderful to think that we have the most loving God that knows us, accepts us, loves us and always wants to be with us?! Take a moment to soak that in. Look for His fingerprints. They are all around! He wants to be seen! He wants to be known by you. Yes…YOU!
After the initial shock of her “unexpected” pregnancy, the bible says that “Mary…hurried” and went to stay with Elizabeth for three months. She leaned on a friend that would draw her closer to the Lord – who had wisdom to calm her fears.
In your tough times, follow Mary’s example and lean on friends that will point you to the Lord. Ones that will encourage you and empathize with you. Be discerning though – you need strength for the battle. Quite often, in our time of need, the most unlikely people are the ones that minister to us most effectively.
And when you’re through your tough season…
You’ll see that God uniquely positions you to help others walk through their “Unexpected.”
Because you are refined in a way to understand more tenderly how to reach out, to listen, and to point others to the One who truly Knows. And that is the silver lining of every “unexpected” that threatens to turn our world upside down!
Is there any greater gift you can give this Christmas season? To share your refining with another as she walks through her journey?
This Christmas, embrace your role as an encourager to care for others experiencing an unexpected season.
This Christmas, embrace your role as an encourager to care for others experiencing an unexpected season.
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Char Geletka loves inspiring others to reach for their full potential – using the gifts and talents that God has planted in them. She looks for these opportunities through her writing, tutoring and friendships. She lives in South Florida where Christmas is bound to be sunny and hot!
Visit her blog at TrekkingThru.com for a dose of encouragement in her open letters to Young Moms, Sons and Daughters.
Connect with Char on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
The Refined Series
Fire refines. First God, breaks our pride into tiny pieces. Then, He melts away our impurities in a crucible of affliction. Every fleck of fleshy fluff rises to the surface and is removed until we reveal His image.
This year, I want to stop fearing the fire and pray:
Lord, refine me through the flame.
For 2018, I asked God to give me a word to guide my year, and He whispered the word “Refine.” For 10 months, Bruce and I have been walking through the fire and trying to not resist the refining work He is doing in us.
I am a very slow learner, and recently it occurred to me I should step aside and create more space to listen and learn during this season. I long to sit down for a heart-to-heart chat with a wise friend who will remind me the fire has a grander purpose. Thankfully, I am blessed to know several women who’ve walked through the fire and emerged beautifully refined, and I’ve invited them to share their story here with the Wildfire Faith Community once a month.
God has promised that the fire will not consume us, but transform us.
Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy of the Refined Manifesto our Faith Fuel Library.
If you are visiting from Char’s today,
welcome to my little space on the web!
Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you
LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve.
⇓
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE WEEKLY FAITH FUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL GET A FREE COPY OF “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH”
and access the practical resources in the Fatih Fuel Library for members.
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⇓
I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Join the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.
Are you in the fire right now? CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO HELP YOU develop a plan to Refuel with rest and soul care.
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
December 13, 2018
5 Things You Need Under the Tree This Christmas
The other day a good friend asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year, and I honestly had no idea.
I love reading, but I have over 50 unread books sitting on my shelf.
I adore cute outfits, but my closet is overstuffed with clothes I haven’t worn in years.
I own six types of colored pens, 5 pairs of sunglasses (which I can never seem to find), and way too many unused kitchen appliances.
In short, I am more than blessed. In fact, I probably need to have a good garage sale and give away a few things.
I don’t need more of anything under my tree.
I lack for nothing, but I still have a desire for more. (Is there a support group for this?)
Yep, I confess I have an eternally long Amazon wish list, and I may have spent $200 at Target in the last month. (All I really needed was printing paper. I have no idea how the other 13 things made it into my basket.)
Yet, in my heart, I know that buying the latest techy gadget to magically turn things on and off in my house will not satisfy my soul.
Peace does not come from products. Peace is a person.
So this year, I’ve decided to re-think what I want under my tree, and I am inviting you to join me.
Are you weary from all the Christmas chaos and wondering how you can re-discover the wonder of worship? Join me this year by gathering the good gifts God so richly provides, instead of grappling for the sloppy leftovers in the clearance aisle at Walmart.
5 Things You Need Under the Tree This Christmas
Hope
Ask God to give you His supernatural hope as you wait and pray big with expectation. Unanswered prayers are just miracles in progress.
“Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!” (Romans 15:13, MSG)
Grace
Rather than gripe about the negative people in your life, request the gift of God’s inexhaustible grace. Purpose to become an ambassador of redemption and carry His kindness to lost souls.
“So now we come freely and boldly to where love is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.” (Hebrews 4:16, TPT)
Strength
More than anything this year, you need God’s persevering strength. Tap into the Holy Spirit’s power to help you stand strong for Him in the midst of your hard assignments.
“He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, He gives renewed energy.” (Isaiah 40:29, NET)
Wisdom
When the path before you is dark, you desperately need discernment. Listen for God’s voice in the quiet whispering, “This is the way. Walk in it.”
“Wisdom is a gift from a generous God, and every word he speaks is full of revelation and becomes a fountain of understanding within you.” (Proverbs 2:6, TPT)
Faith
Ask the Lord to help you wholeheartedly believe He is at work and to worship Him even when circumstances don’t seem to be going your way. Tell him that deep down you know He is in control, and you want to celebrate His goodness and glory.
“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (James 1:2-4, MSG)
Here’s the thing: God has already given us each of these gifts. We just need to unwrap them and use them in our daily lives.
What’s on your Christmas list? Spend a few minutes this week praying for Abba Father to fill you up with His most valuable gift.
To help you grab hold of the true meaning of Christmas, I’ve created a gift for you! Download a copy of this sweet one-page printable with 15 Christmas Conversation Starters. Print these out and use them at your Christmas get togethers in December to start making those meaningful connections. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
This Christmas, we can stop the shopping frenzy and say goodbye to social media insanity. We can slow down and treasure the true meaning of Christmas. As we upwrap the eternal gifts God has for us, His joy and peace will fill our hearts and spill out to bring His love to our families, our neighbors, and everyone we meet.
He longs to bring you goodness and light this year, friend. Don’t miss out on the most meaningful gift God sacrificially gave for us all.
What you truly need this Christmas is more Christ in you.
What you truly need this Christmas is more Christ in you.
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If you are visiting from First 5 today,
welcome to my little space on the web!
Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you
LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve.
⇓
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE WEEKLY FAITH FUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL GET A FREE COPY OF “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH”
and access the practical resources in the Fatih Fuel Library for members.
[image error]
⇓
I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Join the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your commitments and constantly running on empty? CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO HELP YOU develop a plan to Refuel with rest and soul care.
Are you ready to fire up your faith?
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
