Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 21
November 2, 2017
Go Viral for Jesus
My husband and I were sitting in our car in a parking lot waiting for an appointment when he spontaneously started playing a happy tune on his iPhone using the Garage Band app. I glanced up from the book I’d been reading to find him tapping away rhythmically with the passion of a virtuoso pianist at Carnegie Hall.
This is too good not to share, I thought. I quickly grabbed my iPhone, hit the Facebook button, and live broadcasted his mini-concert for the viewing pleasure of all my friends.
“How many views did I get?” he asked after a few minutes. “I can do it better. Maybe I will go viral.”
My introverted husband was joking, but I know for a fact that hundreds of You Tube and Facebook posts are well-rehearsed dramas specifically scripted and produced after hours of planning and preparation. Going viral can change your life—just ask Chewbacca Mom.
I wonder how many more people would come to know true freedom in Christ if we spent as much time creatively thinking about how to share the Gospel as we do tweaking our Facebook status and editing selfies for our Instagram feeds? What if we stopped fixating on accumulating wider social media platforms and focused instead on announcing God’s goodness and grace in every corner of this world?
The psalmist used artistry to point to the glory to God. Poetry, song, dance, photography are all holy instruments when we surrender them to God’s greater Kingdom purposes. God has gifted us with skills and talents to help us show off His wisdom, power, beauty, and grace.
Once we’ve seen God’s majesty and experienced His salvation, His joy rises in our hearts and spills out of our mouths. Rather than publicize our own work, we are compelled to proclaim the wonder of God.
How is your life displaying the Father’s love to a watching world? We’ve been commissioned by Christ Himself to go into every corner of this broken world and share the Good News.
Go viral for Jesus.
Display the Father’s love to a watching world. Go viral for Jesus.
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Friend, we can display God’s love this week in ordinary ways and make an extraordinary impact in someone’s life. To help you get started, I’ve created a free resource for you: “5 Ways to Get the Word Out.” Subscribe to the blog and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
“Go Viral for Jesus” was originally published at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s Daily Devo.
Join us for #NotAboutMeNovember:
Hey, friends, For the last eight years, the gals over at Missional Women have been doing this great little exercise to re-focus and re-center our attention and affection on Jesus. It’s called #NotAboutMeNovember. It’s an entire month where we seek God and seek ways we need to make life more about Jesus and less about us. After all, He must become greater and we must become less. Each year it proves to have incredible soul shaping value. The exercise of saying no to our flesh and pointing to Jesus produces beautiful, meaningful fruit. This year, we’d love for you to join us. Write a post on this subject and link up here. You can also share on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using the #NotAboutMeNovember hashtag to connect.
Are you ready to fire up your faith?
Join the Wildfire Faith Community and get weekly #FaithFuel in your inbox.
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October 26, 2017
3 Grand Gestures that Gain Positive Results
Tonight, I put on my big girl pants and went to visit a very difficult person who is sick. Let me be honest — I did not want to go. Everything inside me wanted to hide and make excuses.
I am too tired. I’ll just go tomorrow.
I will call. A phone call is perfectly acceptable instead. Right?
It won’t make a difference if go anyway, so why bother wasting my time?
After I finished arguing with myself for an hour, I said a simple one-sentence prayer:
Jesus, help me not mess this one up. Amen.
I grabbed my keys, marched resolutely to my minivan, and reported for duty.
If I want to see a miracle, I must show up in the mire and serve.
If I want to see a miracle, I must show up in the mire and serve.
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Maybe like me you want to hide from the difficult assignment God has placed in your life. God sees you sitting there in your kitchen looking at the phone and wishing you didn’t have to answer another call from that pesky relative or neighbor. He understands how you feel when your attempts to help someone are met with apathy and rejection over and over.
Friends, we have a Savior who was stripped bare to reach out to undeserving sinners like you and me. His crucified life was a grand gesture of love, and with His help we can pick up our cross and choose to follow.
Grand gestures of love help loosen the enemy’s grip on the lost.
Grand gestures of love help loosen the enemy’s grip on the lost.
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3 Grand Gestures that Gain Positive Results
Extend Grace
Give people the benefit of the doubt, rather than be picky. God has set aside our ugly sins, so we should lean toward love and let go of our list of expectations.
“Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the sanctification without which no one will ever see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.” (Hebrews 12:14-15, AMP)
Express Gratitude
Take note of the little ways people pour into your life and thank them profusely. Choose to celebrate others rather than fall into the comparison trap.
“Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” (Philippians 1:3-6, MSG)
Embrace Generosity
Ask God to help you notice the needs of the hurting and helpless. Greedy hearts always end up empty-handed, so give away your time, talent, and treasure.
“The generous man is a source of blessing and shall be prosperous and enriched, and he who waters will himself be watered reaping the generosity he has sown.” (Proverbs 11:25, AMP)
What grand gesture will you make this week to share God’s love with the world?
Friend, we can start by cultivating a heart of gratitude rather than gravitating toward grumbling. To help you get started, I’ve created a one-page printable for you to count your blessings from A to Z. Subscribe to the blog and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
What if we got busy about God’s business this week instead of being busy bodies? We might just see people with eyes of grace instead of griping and complaining. As we look for ways to affirm our loves, our hearts will acknowledge God’s blessings, and we will uproot any seeds of bitterness the enemy has scattered. With fully surrendered hearts, we will reach out to the weary and witness God’s redemption at work in our lives.
Grand gestures of love help tenderize hard hearts.
Grand gestures of love help tenderize hard hearts
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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.
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October 20, 2017
3 Ways to Kick Fear to the Curb
I was lost in the pages of a good book with highlighter in hand when suddenly an uncomfortable situation demanded my attention.
The medical secretary behind the window at the front of the waiting room was having an obviously heated conversation with someone on the phone, and her frustration mounted as she attempted to explain why a patient required an immediate intervention.
Her pleas for mercy were stonewalled by a pencil pushing shrew who refused to make an exception.
The frowning nurse shook her head in disbelief and responded by saying, “I am going to ask you to speak with the patient’s family member and explain to him.” A thin, balding man in his mid-50’s stood up, took firm steps toward his ally, and picked up the baton.
“No, that is unacceptable.” His resolute voice filled the room and refused to be ignored. I smiled as he volleyed back and forth with the insurance agent. He planted his fist down on the counter and widened his stance. “That is unacceptable. He did not know what He was agreeing to, and I am appointed to speak on his behalf.”
I glanced at the confused elderly man sitting anxiously in the corner with fear written all over his face. You are in good hands, my friend.
I signed as I picked up my book and flipped back to where I’d stopped reading. I remembered the last time I had an uncomfortable conversation with an unreasonable opponent, and I found myself wishing I could ask the guy at the window for some assistance. I could use a heavy hitter like him some days.
On days when darkness tips the scale, I feel the weight of my inadequacy. I can’t fight the forces that seek to swallow me whole. Fear wants to move in to my heart, and I can’t seem to find the courage to close the door and put up a “No admittance here” sign.
As I drove home from the doctor’s office, I couldn’t stop thinking about the passionate guy who refused to be silent on behalf of his loved one. And God reminded me I could rest easy because an Advocate greater than any adversary has promised to plead my cause.
Maybe like me you find yourself laying in bed at night having a one-sided conversation with your fears. Frankly, I am exhausted from having the same tired arguments. Why do I let fear torment me?
I don’t have to fend for myself. I have a Defender.
When fear comes calling, I need to invite God into the conversation.
Fear will fade as we stop listening to the lies and start looking to Jesus. He’s promised to never leave me nor forsake me. He will never tire of standing up on my behalf. He longs to shelter me in His strong embrace.
Fearless people focus on God’s faithfulness.
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3 Ways to Kick Fear to the Curb
Rehearse God’s Promises
We don’t need to fear today’s trials because the Truth transcends time.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)
Remember God’s Provision
We will never lack what we need because God’s lavish love never runs out.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (II Timothy 1:7)
Rest in God’s Power
We can focus on God’s help in the midst of hurt and find safe haven.
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
Pausing at the end of each weekday to intentionally take note of God’s Providence at work will fuel your faith. We are so prone to forget, but our God is forever faithful.
One way I work on this every Fall is to create a list of what I am thankful for from A to Z as I prepare my heart for the holidays. It’s a super easy tradition that takes just a few minutes a day, but truly transforms my perspective. Bruce creates one as well, and we share our lists with each other on Thanksgiving morning at breakfast.
Friend, you can kick fear to the curb this Fall by choosing to cultivate a heart of gratitude rather than getting caught up in the chaos of life. To help you get started, I’ve created a one-page printable for you. Subscribe to the blog and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
Fear is a bully trying to bring you down, but you can beat the fiend by focusing on God’s faithfulness.
Kick fear to the curb by focusing on God’s faithfulness.
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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.
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.
October 13, 2017
Six Simple Prayers to Sizzle up a Stagnant Prayer Life
This week, I decided I need to simplify my prayer life. I am saying goodbye to guilt and giving myself a break. I know the battle is won on my knees, but if I am snoring as I pick up my sword that is not very effective.
I am not a morning person. Long interludes of intercessory prayer before dawn are ineffective for a night owl. God and I do business better after 10 AM when I am fully alert.
Honestly, my most fervent and faith-filled prayers are often put together on the fly. God doesn’t care how many sentences I say or how long the prayer is. He is listening for the longing in my heart.
Sometimes the most authentic prayer I speak audibly is when I whimper, “Jesus, help me.” When I am overwhelmed, the Spirit fills in the gaps while I groan.
Just a year and a half ago, I stood in a hospital hallway groveling while the doctors and nurses worked on my husband, and all I could do was look up to the heavens and cry out one word:
Jesus
A one-word prayer from a sincere heart sounds an alarm in God’s throne room.
Maybe like me you’ve gotten into a bit of a prayer rut and you’d like to sizzle up your prayer life and see God show up in spectacular fashion. Well, I’ve got good news for you: You can stop trying so hard to be Mother Teresa on your knees and put down your 5-page prayer list.
Sizzle up your prayer life by simply saying, “I surrender all.”
Sizzle up your prayer life by simply saying, “I surrender all.”
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6 Simple Prayers to Sizzle Up a Stagnant Prayer Life
Open my eyes.
God will flood our hearts with light and love as we lift our eyes and fully focus on Him.
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.” (Psalm 119:18, NIV)
Scrub me clean.
God will remove all the gunk that is clogging up our spiritual arteries and wash us squeaky clean. Just look up and say, “Pretty please, Lord.”
“Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:13-14, NLT)
Make a fresh start in me.
Every morning is fresh with promise if we press in to our Promise Keeper. He’s the God of do-overs and second chances.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NIV)
Let me see the dazzling light of your presence.
In the quiet of your heart, tell God, “I want more of You and nothing else.” He will respond with love and radiate His warmth in our lukewarm hearts.
“…Please, show me Your glory!” (Exodus 33:18, NIV)
I will go wherever you send me.
We are not called to be bench warmers. To see God at work, we must be willing to walk out our witness.
“Here am I. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
May your word to me be fulfilled.
Keep the faith and trust that God is faithful to keep His promises. Even if life is messy, look forward with hope and know our miracle is coming.
“I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to Your word.” (Luke 1:38, ESV)
Praying one simple sentence for a solid week can sizzle up your prayer life. Which of these sentences sparked a flame in your heart as your read it? Write it down and start your day for the next seven days saying this one prayer to your Savior. To help you out, I’ve created a one-page printable of each prayer for you along with a “Fuel Your Faith” Worksheet” for Psalm 19:14. Subscribe to the blog and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
Simplifying our prayers will open our eyes to God’s wonder at work in a fresh way.
Simplifying our prayers will open our eyes to God’s wonder at work in a fresh way.
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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.
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.
October 5, 2017
5 Hope Filled Truths to Help You Hang on during Hard Times
I’ve spent most of the week trying to wrap my head around how one man could have so much hate in his heart.
My heart is heavy. Honestly, I haven’t watched much news this week. I just can’t. I can’t watch one more report about a senseless shooting where precious lives were wiped out with wicked predetermination.
Instead of wallowing in the misery of the week, I made an intentional choice to just read an article or two on the internet, but avoid the television. Rather than go to bed anxious with graphic images flooding our thoughts, Bruce and I went to bed early every evening and avoided the terror.
I snuggled under the blankets in my safe bedroom and grabbed my journal, a pen, and my neglected Bible reading plan. The Old Testament and I got reacquainted this week, and as I read through what Chuck Swindoll calls “the most comprehensive prophetic picture of Jesus Christ in the entire Old Testament,” I found hope in its pages.
Suddenly, I no longer feared a predator’s attack because I remembered I have a Prince of Peace. I don’t need to figure out how to protect myself. The Lord Himself is my Defense. He is my strength and salvation through the struggle.
God’s Word will fill your heart with hope and help you withstand a hard week.
God’s Word will fill your heart with hope and help you withstand a hard week.
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Maybe like me you’ve spent way too many anxious minutes this week worried about your safety. As a mom, perhaps you are fearful for your children as they grow up in this fallen world. Are you wondering if it’s safe to travel with your spouse? Have you lost sleep this week because you worry evil is lurking around in unseen places? Friend, we must fight fear-filled thoughts like these and fill up with God’s hope.
5 Hope Filled Truths for a Hard Week
The God of grace reigns over every moment of your life.
God is still on the throne. Evil will not win because our God never sits idle while we struggle.
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” (Isaiah 30:18, NIV)
Problems cannot undermine you because God’s power continually upholds you.
Place your fears firmly at the feet of the One who holds the whole world in His hands. He will wrap His strength around you and stand you up even when the world is shaking.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
God’s love surrounds you with safety when the world is unsettled.
You are His beloved, and He will always make a way for you. No barrier can stop God’s blessings from reaching you.
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,”says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10)
God will help you flourish like a flower in the desert during hard times.
God’s storehouse supply never runs out. He will never fail to supply what you need to survive and thrive.
“The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:11)
Your redeemer will unfold His glory as you wait with a worshipful heart.
Greater things are yet to come. Keep your eyes open for His wonder.
“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.” (Isaiah 64:4)
Just as I found security under the covers in my bedroom this week, we can cozy up to the Word and gather warmth and wisdom. As we wrap God’s Truth around our hearts, He will envelop our lives with His strength. He is our safety. We can look forward to the future with a confident expectation because our Eternal God is faithful and will fulfill His promises. Delight will fill our lives as we determine to move forward in faith and set aside fear. The God who Sees will show us the way and reveal His majesty in our lives.
Hope filled truths will fill you up with worship to withstand hard times.
Hope filled truths will fill you up with worship to withstand hard times.
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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.
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.
Final Words
Over the last year, we spent many quiet mornings sitting next to a giant. He wasn’t 10 feet tall in stature, but he was big in heart. My Cuban Abuelo was married for 70 years to the same woman, worked hard, and loved well. He was the patriarch and centerpiece of our clan, and his passing was an incredible loss to our family.
When you know that your time is limited, every moment with a wise man is sacred. You want to lean in and listen. Every word is important. Every conversation is meaningful.
II Timothy 4 is Paul’s swan song – his last letter written with the knowledge that his life would soon end. Paul wrote half of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and these are his final words to us, the body of Christ. As I read this chapter, I see Paul’s passion to communicate a clear message to us as we move forward in faith.
My sisters, life is hard. Paul understood this more than we can imagine. He faced persecution, public humiliation and accusation, beatings, and extreme opposition every day of his life all for the cause of Christ. But through every attack and hardship, one thing remained constant in Paul’s life: the power of Christ was greater than any problem he faced.
Here is what Paul wants you to know…
I am sharing “Final Words” at LoveGodGreatly.com.
To read the rest of this post, join me here.
The post Final Words appeared first on Lyli Dunbar.
September 28, 2017
4 Solid Truths to Stand on During Scary Times
We live in scary times.
North Korea is going to blow up the world any day now. Hurricane season turned into an atomic bomb in September, and saluting the flag at a football game is suddenly a political power keg waiting to explode on the sidelines.
And, to top it off, Jennifer Dukes Lee’s Doomsday Facebook post informed me that “The world is about to end,” and I should just jump on a “time ark service module” to save my life from the apocalypse. Good thing I saved some of those hurricane snacks. Pop tarts to the rescue again.
Honestly, I was doing fine until my husband called at work to tell me to tune in to the Weather Channel because another Tropical Storm is forming in the Atlantic and “heading right for us.”
I can handle the threat of North Korea and even a potential Apocalypse, but don’t actually rain on my parade again. How many storms can one girl handle in one summer?
Maybe like me you’ve faced a little too much wind and rain lately. Did you get some news this week that makes you want to stay under the covers and hide? Are you wondering how God is going to fix the mess you are currently facing? Do you feel like a chaotic cyclone is headed in your direction? I’m guessing I am not the only one who got a knot in her stomach this week.
In the midst of all the crazy and chaotic, God is whispering “Peace. Be Still.” We just need to step away from the noise and open up the Scriptures to remember our Overcomer is still on the throne.
The solid foundation of God’s Word will keep you standing strong in this scary world.
The solid foundation of God’s Word will keep you standing strong in this scary world.
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4 Solid Truths to Stand on during Scary Times
Put Your Faith to Work and Fear will Fade
Fear is a red flag warning us to stop “trying” on my own and cry out to God. He will provide His power, passion, and prudence to help us move forward in faith.
“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (II Timothy 1:7, ESV)
God’s Word is Always at Work
You are never stuck because God speaks life and peace over you. Your Savior conquered death itself to rescue you, and He will not be silent as you suffer.
“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” (II Timothy 2:8-10)
God’s Word in You will Equip you Well for Whatever the World throws at You
The Holy Spirit will make sure you are suited up with the armor you will need as a soldier in God’s army. No fiery darts will destroy you if you pick up your shield of faith and the sword of Truth.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17, ESV).
Whatever you Sacrifice Now will be Well Worth it When You See Jesus
You are on the winning team, and the victory party is on God’s calendar. Just stay steady in your lane with your eye on the finish line instead of the sidelines.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (II Timothy 4:7-8)
You don’t need to fear the chaos, my friend. God is in control, and He will undergird you through the crazy. His plans for you will never be undermined. So, when you feel the fear starting to rise up in you, pick up your Scriptures. Remind yourself of of what you know is true.
If we stand on the solid truth, we won’t be shaken. Rather than fall into fear, we will walk forward with fierce faith in His faithfulness. Instead of feeling trapped, we will trust that He is at work in ways that we cannot see. We won’t shrink back from our callings because we will remember He’s promised to provide every single thing we need to succeed. We will walk through the crazy one step at a time until we finish the race and see our Jesus face to face. Focus on Him — He is cheering you on as you choose Him moment by moment.
Stand strong in scary times by staying in the Word.
Stand strong in scary times by staying in the Word.
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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.
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.
September 21, 2017
Finding Purpose in the Painful Process
On Monday, I put Irma behind me and went back to work. I’d spent a week away from my fellow warriors, so I did a few check ins as I wandered about the building to see how everyone was holding up.
I stood in the reception area talking to a beautiful single mom who asked me to pray for her son. Apparently, her rambunctious boy still has all his baby teeth intact, and the dentist says action is required. So next week, they are going to pull two teeth and start inserting spacers to help create room for him to develop a healthy smile as an adult.
My hand involuntarily rose to my molars in empathy as I gasped, “Oh no!”
The discomfort of this process will be palpable for the young man, but it’s a necessary procedure for this growth.
Over the past few years, I’ve experienced a great deal of personal pain. Yet, I see now how God used each throb to create the space I needed to grow into greater beauty.
I’ve pitched more than a few hissy fits along the way, but God has patiently performed surgery in my heart.
Maybe you are in a painful place right now, friend. May God give you courage to stay in place as you wait for God to perform a wonderful work in you.
As we press in to Christ, God unfolds a grander purpose for our pain.
As we press in to Christ, God unfolds a grander purpose for our pain.
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Faith on Fire Spotlight:
Kristin Hill Taylor
Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family is the story of God’s faithfulness through a season of infertility, three adoption processes, and the days since. Through it all, Kristin Hill Taylor learned God hears the desires of our hearts, wants us to live in community, and uses all of our circumstances for our good and His glory.
This second edition of Peace in the Process includes contributions from other adoptive moms, the Taylor children’s birth moms, and resources for families who want to grow through adoption and the people who support them.
Kristin Hill Taylor shares an inspiring and heartwarming story of how God created her family in a way she never expected. For anyone who has adopted, considered doing so, or knows someone on that journey − this book will encourage you.
−Holley Gerth, best-selling author of You’re Already Amazing
I love how God re-purposes our pain for His glory as we trust Him through the process. Pick up a copy of Kristin’s book here.
Kristin Hill Taylor believes in seeking God as the author of every story and loves swapping these stories with friends on her porch.
With this family of extroverts, she can often be found hosting a game night, watching sporting events with friends, meeting friends for lunch, or answering her kids’ questions about whether anyone is coming over for dinner. Road trips, roller coasters, word games, and TV shows on Netflix are among her favorite activities.
She has a bachelor’s in print journalism from Murray State University and worked in various newsrooms before she became a stay-at-home mom. She volunteers and does freelance projects that involve writing, promoting, organizing, and hosting.
Connect with Kristin on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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.
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.
September 17, 2017
Called to Represent
I sat on the couch in his office and prayed for God to help me to respond kindly. Across from me sat my boss who was a Christian man, and I worked at a Christian school. Over the course of several weeks, he had questioned my capabilities, misrepresented my motives, stripped me of responsibilities I loved, and placed me on probation.
I’d started working at the school way before he did. In fact, I’d grown up there. I met Christ as a middle school student in a chapel service, and it was my joy to give back and serve as a teacher to young people in the same classrooms I’d sat in for six years.
Except now, this new boss was a thorn in my flesh. For some crazy reason, he just didn’t like me, and I might lose my job because of it. But it was more than just a job – it was my ministry, my heart, my calling. I’d spent over a decade working there and loving every moment.
I didn’t know what to do, so I went back to my classroom and closed the door. I sat in a student desk and placed my open Bible in front of me and asked God to help me. I needed His direction. I didn’t know where to turn, so I turned to my Master first.
It was the 22nd day of the month, so I read through Proverbs 22 and prayed over each verse. When I got to verse 11, I heard the clear voice of the Holy Spirit give me my marching orders:
“He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.”
Really, Lord? I understood exactly what God was asking me to do, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to be gracious and loving to a man who wanted to destroy my life. I spent a few minutes crying out for God’s strength, praying for God’s blessing over my boss, and asking God to help me to serve with joy in the midst of a very uncomfortable situation…
I’m sharing “Called to Represent”at Love God Greatly today.
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September 15, 2017
The Weekly Friendship Check In
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On Monday after the stormy winds had blown on by, the phone started to ring.
Friends were “checking in” to make sure we were okay. I am happy to report that everybody here at Casa Dunbar is in one piece. We didn’t even lose power at our house, and we spent the day inside playing SkipBo, watching movies, and eating all the hurricane snacks.
When a weather disaster wakes us up, we tend to remember how precious life really is. I reached out to my cousins (who I only see these days when there is a family funeral), and I did a careful review of my phone contacts after the hurricane to ensure I had not forgotten to check in on anyone. I wanted to make sure everyone was safe, and if anyone needed a place to land, we invited them to our house as we pulled all the food out of the freezer for a hodge podge potluck meal on the fly.
Yes, we love your dog and your children and your dirty laundry. I heard myself say this on the phone to more than one friend. Come on over now. The door’s open.
As I sit here in bed typing this tonight, I wonder why we wait until the roof almost comes off our house to show up for people. I want to be the one who picks up the phone on a sunny day as well as when it rains. I want to be that friend who remembers birthdays and calls to see how you survived your week…. because Mondays are sometimes just as hard as hurricanes.
For the last year, my husband and I have been working with a mentor. Craig encouraged us to pray about what areas in our life we value and want to set as a priority to invest time in cultivating. I chose friendship — because I can’t make it through without my praying friends… and because I think Jesus modeled for us the importance of developing intimate friendships.
Maybe like me, you long to be a better friend, but you just never find time to pick up the phone and call, and then weeks go by before you see someone. I decided I didn’t want to do that anymore. So, here is what I did: I invited my friends to sign up for my weekly check in. On Fridays, I do a short video on my iPhone sharing a high and low for my week, and I text it to several friends. I am also using a wonderful video walkie talkie app called Marco Polo to connect with several friends for this purpose, and one of my friends and I do a daily Marco Polo for accountability where we read the same passage of Scripture and share 1 takeaway.
So, here is my challenge to you: Pray about how you will be a more intentional friend on regular sunny days. Maybe you want to do a weekly check in with a couple of friends. You don’t have to go crazy and do a video like me, but maybe you could send an e-mail or text if that is easier. I personally love the video format because it’s more personal, and my friends who are young moms can watch it at any time. Plus, I hate typing long e-mails!
5 Tips for the Weekly Friendship Check In
Keep it short
If I am texting, I keep the videos under 1 minute. If I am doing a Marco Polo, I shoot for under 5 minutes. The point is to check in, but not to gobble up a big chunk of your friend’s time.
Keep it simple
Use the format that best works for you and your friend. I love Marco Polo, but not all of my friends wanted to download the app, so I am texting with a few friends, and I am using Voxer and What’s App with a friend or two who preferred that medium.
Keep it consistent
You need to check in once a week — unless you actually see that person or meet for coffee (which is even better, but won’t happen as regularly). If my Friday’s are very busy, I will sometimes do the check in on Saturday or Sunday. But, I do a check in once a week without fail.
Keep it positive
The check in is not for whining or for venting. It’s for sharing life and keeping in touch. It’s for encouraging one another. It’s for upholding one another in prayer.
Keep it private
If a friend responds to your weekly check in, what she shares is private and should not be broadcasted to others. I do use the same initial video for several friends, but I respond to each individually. I don’t send the video in a group text unless all of the friends on the text are very comfortable with one another and prefer the group format.
Okay, my friends, this Friday blog post is really my weekly check in with you — my readers. It’s my joy to share with you here in this space. I hope you will let me know in the comments how I may pray for you. It’s late here in Florida, and my hubby is happily snoring in bed beside me as I type this. I am exhausted after a long week of fighting the storm, but I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know that y0u are important to me.
How are you doing? You can leave a comment, or if you are subscriber, just reply to the e-mail in your inbox.
Be blessed, friends. I am thankful for you. Thanks for checking in with me here every week.
Challenge: Take 5 minutes this Friday to make an intentional investment in friendship.
Challenge: Take 5 minutes this Friday to make an intentional investment in friendship.
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