Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 28

Love is My Superpower

 

As a child, I had a strong sense of justice. I lived in a home where the scales tipped heavily down in one direction, and I thought it was my job to defend the defenseless.

I pushed and shoved in hopes of righting a wrong. What I realized after many rancorous battles was that she who yells loudest does not win.

Hostility never saves the day.

All my self-righteous indignation did little to change the acrimonious state of affairs in my environment.

I can’t strong-arm my way to greater peace. Pride never tears down strongholds of hatred and abuse.

Years of pain and misunderstanding later, I sat vigil in a hospital room next to the sick bed of the pesky person who I’d viewed as my adversary for close to three decades. Caring for a fragile shell of the broken bully cut through the layers of bravado.

I saw the raw weakness and need in the eyes of my enemy. God spoke clearly to me on that day. The Great Physician told me to lay down my sword and put on my servant’s hat.

My job is not to chastise and cajole. My calling is to support and strengthen.

If I became a helper, God would step in as a Healer.

Using my own might, my flesh will never succeed in this endeavor, but I’ve got access to God’s supernatural strength as I rely on the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in me.

I’ve learned that love is my superpower…

I’m sharing over “Love is My Superpower” as part of Kristi’s ongoing series #YourStory.

To read the rest of this post, join me here.

 

 

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The post Love is My Superpower appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Tuckered Out

I’m tuckered out.

Thanksgiving sucked the life out of me.  I can’t seem to keep my eyes open.

So, today I worked from home and wore my PJ’s all day long.

PJ’s for the win.

Sometimes, you just need to slow down and make time for some serious soul care.

5 Things that Revive My Tuckered Out Soul

Napping on Sunday afternoons: It’s okay to take a nap.  Really, it is. My friend Lolita gave me this lovely sleep mask that helps me black out the world, and I’ve also discovered that Lavender essential oil on my feet gets me in the mood.
Singing loudly with my Husband: We like to get in the car and drive to nowhere with the radio on the oldies station.  Trust me you will feel better after two verses of “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.“
Laughing with a friend: My friend Barby came over on Friday, and we took turns sharing all the crazy things our Cuban relatives said on Thanksgiving.  I showed her the video of my dad dancing solo in his Donald Trump outfit.  It’s good to giggle with a good gal pal.
Reading a good book: Right now I am reading John Maxwell’s 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth .  It’s full of inspiring proverbs like this one on page 32:  “Nobody ever got ready by waiting.  You only get ready by starting.”  I’d also like to suggest Dolly Lee’s book 7 Days of Soulcare (more details on this sweet read at the end of this post.)
Counting My Blessings: Every year in November, I make a list of what I am thankful for from A to Z. I’ve shared each day on my Facebook page.  Last year, Bruce and I took time to jot a few blessings down every Sunday, and we put them into a jar.  Now, we are on year two of this journey.  Our plan is to take revisit one week of blessings from last year’s jar every Sunday, and then  add new blessings to the jar for next year.  I am so excited about this!

Are you tuckered out?  Take time to do what makes your soul happy.

Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “Tuckered Out” with like-minded friends at Faith-Filled Friday.

 

 

Thought-Provoking Thursday Spotlight:
Dolly Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What if we let God do the extraordinary with our ordinary by connecting with Him in our everyday moments? In her book 7 Days of Soul Care Dolly Lee invites readers to surrender fear and to courageously embrace the journey of living more fully into their amazing true identity as God’s Beloved. Using creative stories, Scripture, thoughtful journal questions, and heartfelt prayers, Dolly guides the reader through soul care practices she has learned to implement over the past seventeen years. She writes out of her own battle with anxiety, depression, and PTSD and shares how God’s grace and love transformed her—and still changes her.

Want to read more of Dolly’s story?  Head on over to Amazon to purchase 7 Days of Soul Care.

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Dolly Lee believes God’s love can transform a person from the inside-out if one surrenders to His love. She’s thankful God’s grace allows second acts and second chances. She attends Fuller Seminary and writes at her blog Soulstops.com where she invites readers to stop and connect with God. She lives with her family and one lovable dog in California where she loves to hike, read, share meals and laugh with family and friends. Her goal is to collect enough in royalties from the sale of her book, 7 Days of Soul Care, to donate $500 to the work of International Justice Mission.

 

 

 

Thought-Provoking Thursday Linkup:

 

Have you written something thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.

Being Politically Right is Not About Me

 

Facebook is a scary place this November in this 2016 post-election season. The Trump-ers are blowing their horns loud and proud. They are on the winning team, and they think they know best. But, the Clinton Crew are not going quietly either. They’ve adopted the hashtag #NotMyPresident, and they are taking their anger and unhappiness to the streets in protest.

I think I’ve unfollowed like a million angry politically loud friends on social media this year. I just can’t handle the noise.

Why can’t we just learn to listen to one another and realize that no one in the White House is going to make things right?

We live in a broken world, and only God can redeem and restore us. He alone can uproot the seeds of sin and death that our willful, disobedient choices have planted.  Only God can unite and heal what seems completely broken and divided.

As we look toward the next four years, what exactly is my role as a Daughter of the King in the midst of a disruptive, captive land? My job is not to prove how right I am. I am not here to be the Holy Spirit and convict the hearts of men….

 

I’m sharing “Being Politically Right is Not About Me” over at Missional Women today.

To read the rest of this post, join me here.

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The post Being Politically Right is Not About Me appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

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Create Space

What started out as a lovely day ended badly.

Someone I love hurt me deeply. The wound is not a new one. It’s a deep laceration that constantly re-opens and stings. The foul stench of bitterness quickly infects the raw flesh if I don’t disinfect and dress the hurt.

Bloody and bruised, I craved rest. I collapsed into my favorite new chair by the window and wasted several hours just watching squirrels run along the fence and jump into our palm tree. I sat mesmerized as a four-legged explorer wagged his plump tail and edged up the tree trunk toward Nirvana.

Mr. Squirrel lifted the roof to the tiny green feeder that housed the edible reward, crawled completely inside, and emerged moments later carrying a  yummy nugget. I smiled as he stood up on two hind legs and examined his prize.

Dig in, dude, I thought. Witnessing his victory reinvigorated my spirit. The throbbing hurt of that morning was replaced by a curious joy in creation.  I thanked God for the blue sky, the placid lake, and my furry friend who reminded me that persistence pays off.

In Rhythms of Rest, author Shelly Miller encourages her readers to “wait for a nibble–a small glimpse that God has something for me, even though I can’t always see it” —

When the mind is focused entirely on a problem, we lose sight of God’s place within it. We pit ourselves against all the details as if the problem is ours to conquer immediately. Anxious and tense, we can wrongly assume that unless we achieve total victory, we will lose the battle and defeat will be our legacy.

Sabbath provides space between you and your problem, enabling you to see from God’s perspective, often with surprising results, like a word breaking through your questions about life and awakening you to something more important.  God is always near, but we often miss His powerful presence in the midst of the pain and hardship.

Your weary soul needs rest. Carving out time to sit at His feet and breathe in His grace will renew your passion and purpose.

4 Ways to Create Space

Invite God to a tea party. Get up a little early and savor the sweet conversation in the quiet while you sip a cup of tea. (Yes, coffee is fine if you are not a tea drinker. Check out this for inspiration: Coffee with God.)
Take a walk with your Creator. Explore the outdoors. Ask God to give you fresh eyes to see the beauty in your surroundings.
Sing karaoke for a one-person audience: Get your praise on, sister! Combat negative thinking by cultivating a heart of gratitude.
Make God your pen pal: Write God a love letter. Pour out your heart to the One who mends the brokenhearted.

Create space to connect with your Creator, and He will re-calibrate your weary soul.

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Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “Create Space” with like-minded friends at Faith-Filled Friday.

 

 

Thought-Provoking Thursday Spotlight: Shelly Miller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you tired of being tired?

Do you struggle with giving yourself permission to rest?

Feel guilty when you aren’t being productive?

Secretly dream about a sick day to lay at home and read all day?

Yeah, me too.

If busy has become your recurring answer when people ask, “How are you?” maybe it is time to pause and make rest realistic instead of miraculous.

In Rhythms of Rest, I dispel legalistic ideas about Sabbath, showing you how times of rest — whether for an hour, a morning, or a whole day — can change perspective about the way you approach life. With encouraging stories from people in different stages of life, you will glean simple ways to be intentional about making times of rest doable.

In order to extend compassion to others, we must first be compassionate to ourselves. When was the last time you chose rest for yourself?

You are unique and the way you rest is unique to you too. Sabbath is not about resting perfectly but resting in the One who is perfect.

 

Want to read more from Shelly?  Head on over to Amazon to purchase Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelly Miller is a veteran ministry leader and sought-after mentor on making rest a rhythm of life. She leads the Sabbath Society, an online community of people who want to make rest a priority, and her writing has been featured in publications internationally.

Her first book, Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World, released with Bethany House Publishers in the fall of 2016 with a second book launching in 2017 with Lion Hudson. Shelly has appeared multiple times on Premier Christian Radio with the Thought For the Day and speaks at venues around the U.S. and UK.

Shelly is married to H, an Anglican minister who resources church planting in the UK. Together they have two children, Murielle and Harrison. Having lived across the United States, she moved to London in 2015 to start a new adventure in the land of her ancestors.

Connect with Shelly at ShellyMillerWriter.com

 

 

 

Thought-Provoking Thursday Linkup:

 

Have you written something thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.

Fresh Air

 

In a world that is struggling to breathe, you are called to be a breath of fresh air.

Don’t get sucked into the contaminated vortex that will poison your heart, mind, and lungs. Step away and breathe in His grace so that you can breathe out His praise.

Stay connected to God and let the purity and power of His Word oxygenate your soul so that you can infuse this world with His love and peace.

How to Be Fresh Air in a Contaminated Atmosphere

Be a uniter, not a divider (Philippians 2:1-3)
Be humbly submissive, not arrogantly demanding (vs 4-8)
Be quick to obey, rather than readily rebellious and selfish (vs 12-13)
Be an encourager, not a complainer (v 14)
Be pure and righteous, rather than ruthless (v 15)
Be a loving light bearer, rather than a legalistic hammer hitter (v 15)
Be an upholder of the Word, rather than an opposer of opinions (vs. 16)
Be a pursuer of righteousness, rather than a wayward wanderer (v 16)
Be a sacrificial offering, not an obstinate hoarder of your heart (v 17)
Be a cheerleader who rejoices, not a condemner who casts blame (v 18)

You can rise above the chaos and circulate the refreshing breath of God’s redemptive power throughout your environment.

Be a breath of fresh air in a polluted world.

 

Breathing Exercise:

Read Philippians 2:1-16. How can a humble servant help oxygenate this world?

Listen to this grace anthem. Tell God you want to breath in His grace and breathe out His praise forever.

Breathe a prayer of thanks to the Living God and commit to carrying His light-giving message into the darkest corners of this broken world.

 

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Thank you for joining  me on this journey for 31 days!

Here’s a bonus gift for you:  Check out the “Just Breathe” Playlist on Spotify

 

 

 

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I am sharing “Fresh Air” and joining like-minded sisters at Give Me Grace, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Fresh Market Friday, Blessing Counters, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Three-Word Wednesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Testimony Tuesday, and Moments of Hope.

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The post Fresh Air appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Flying High

I felt suffocated.

A series of doors had slammed shut in my face, and suddenly I found myself trapped in a dark place. The enemy forged chains of fear and doubt and shackled me in a prison of defeat.

Can you relate? Perhaps right now you feel walled in by chaotic circumstances.

Here’s what I’ve learned about escaping an entrapment: the harder I push against the stronghold in my own strength, the harder it is to breathe. I end up exhausted and right back where I started.

The key to freedom is surrender, not self-defense. Rather than huffing and puffing hot air, I need to stand still and look up to God. When I shift my perspective upward, I tap into His powerhouse strength.

You are destined for freedom, friend. As you trust God to shield you, He will transform your test into a triumph.

I must confess that while I know this is true, sometimes I stay bound up in anxiety because I’ve forgotten what it feels like to fly high with my God. I lose my nerve. I wallow in the mire because I’ve grown accustomed to the shallows.

Are you ready to fly free, rather than flounder in fear?

3 Keys to Flying High in God’s Freedom

Obedience: Choose to walk right, even if you don’t see any results. Your deliverance is inevitable. Trust God’s timing and stay faithful to what you know is true. One day soon, you will look back and see His loving fingerprints all over your circumstances.

“The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all His rule were before me, and His statutes I did not put away from me. I was blameless before Him, and I kept myself from my guilt. So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight” (Psalm 18:20-24, ESV).


Mercy: Don’t let dark days turn you into a bitter person who lacks empathy for others. We are all wounded birds trying to take flight. Helping others soar will strengthen your wings.

“With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous” (vs 24-25).


Humility: God pours out His grace on those who depend on Him. Rather than demand your own way, focus on praising the One who is your Rock of Salvation.

“For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down” (vs 26).

When you feel fenced in by life, cry out to your God. He will free you up to fly.

Breathing Exercise:

Read Psalm 18. Note every active and deliberate move God makes to rise up to your defense.

Listen to this song of surrender. Let God remind you that He is your Deliverer — even on those days when you feel like you can’t go on one more step.

Breathe a prayer of thanks to the God who is your strength and shield. He is forever coming to your rescue. You were destined for freedom. Get ready to fly.

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Something to think about…
I’m sharing “Flying High” with like-minded friends at Faith-Filled Friday.

 

Have you written something thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.

Fresh Wind

I’m running ragged.

It’s why I didn’t want to jump into this series. Writing posts about resting in God’s care at 2 AM when you are sleep deprived and surviving on caffeine-fueled adrenaline seems rather hypocritical.

But here’s the thing, I knew God wanted me to write this. Yes, I am exhausted and probably not the best example.

Why would I tell you to “just breathe” when I need an oxygen mask?

Here’s what I’ve learned after 29 days of writing when I should be sleeping.

It’s not about me.

God never asked me to be strong. He doesn’t expect me to scale the mountain and jump off the precipice using my own energy.

What is it that you are scared to do for God? Whatever is rising up in your heart is meant to take flight. Sure, you may have a broken wing, but God uses wounded birds to display His glorious work to a watching world.

All you have to do is start fluttering your wings.

I used to think that “waiting on the Lord” meant I needed to sit still, and somehow He would magically fill me up with His power. But, God never anoints those who are sitting on the sidelines.

God’s plan for you was never for you to live in a perpetual “time out.” He pours His power into those who rise up from the valley and press into Him.

Flap your wings of faith, and God will fill you with fresh wind.

Remember you are already seated with Christ in the heavenlies. He’s designed you perfectly for flight (Ephesians 2:1-10).
Recall all the brave flyers who have gone before you. As you keep an eagle eye on Christ, He will keep you on course (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Realize that you can rise above the shadows even on the hardest of days if you stay tethered to Christ’s strength (Colossians 2:6-7).

As you jump out of your nest of comfort, God will undergird you and empower you to soar above the strong wings of adversity.

 

Breathing Exercise:

Read Isaiah 40:27-31. Remember that in order to fly, you have to jump out of the nest. You weren’t  designed to settle. You were created to soar.

Listen to this song of surrender. Breathe a prayer to the God who is the wind beneath your wings. Ask Him to give you courage to start flapping your wings of faith.

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Something to think about…
I’m sharing “Fresh Wind” with like-minded friends at Faith-Filled Friday.

 

Have you written something thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.

Inside Out

I am disappointed.

You think you know someone, and then they turn around and behave in a way that completely kicks you in the gut and makes it hard to breathe.

This world is shifting sand.

Man will fail you every time.

I am so thankful that God is unchanging and true. Some people don’t believe that His Word is relevant to today. They cry foul because they think the Truth is narrow-minded and flawed.

The Word of the Lord is right. His precepts hold true yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

An unchanging God can be perfectly trusted to keep His promises in an imperfect, wishy-washy world.

His words are never empty nor void. His purpose always prevails.

How God’s Faithfulness Sustains Us

He continues to love us, even though we aren’t very lovable sometimes (Psalm 36:5-9; Psalm 32:10).
He completely forgives our sin (I John 1:9; Colossians 1:9-14).
He protects us from evil (II Thessalonians 3:3; II Timothy 4:17-18).
He strengthens us through suffering and temptation (I Peter 5:10; I Corinthians 10:13).
He extends His unending mercy to us when we are weak (Psalm 86:5-7; Lamentations 3:22-27).

God’s Truth is solid to the core and sound from the inside out.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but His eternal Word is unfading.

His counsels and commands are good and glorious.

His promises will hold true.

Let God’s unchanging Word be your plumbline.  His Truth forever breathes life and peace over His children. 

 

Breathing Exercise:

Read Psalm 33. Take special note of vs. 18-19.  God’s got His eye on you, and He’s ready to run to your rescue. His Word is at work all around you.

Listen to this extended worship song. Breathe a prayer of thanks to your faithful God who makes everything sound inside and out.

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I am sharing “Inside Out” and joining like-minded sisters at Faith-Filled Friday, and Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, and Testimony Tuesday.

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The post Inside Out appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Breathtaking

He hit me like a lightning bolt.

I was standing alone on the edge of a dirt road in Cuzco, Peru in June 2004. Before me stood the glory of God.

A mountain soared up and peeked in the clear blue sky. This Florida girl from the land of flat was in awe.

“I am bigger than this,” He whispered. “I move mountains with a mere breath.”

God literally took my breath away.

He cradles the whole world gently in the palm of His mighty hand.

He is alive and actively at work. He is intricately involved in every aspect of life. Nothing escapes His notice.

When was the last time you stopped to consider the greatness of Your God?

Stand Amazed at His Breathtaking Grace

God’s grace wipes away all your sin. You are breathing in the fresh air of God’s forgiveness today (Psalm 51:1-15).
God’s grace marks you with blessing. The invigorating wind of God’s unmerited favor caresses you (Psalm 67:1-7).
God’s grace redeems what the enemy sought to destroy (Psalm 103:1-18). He breathes fresh wind over your life and restores the right.

You are sheltered in His glorious grace.

As you stand in the shadow of God’s majesty, you can’t help but catch your breath in speechless awe. You are loved by the One who spoke a word and created this universe.

Your wonder working God is breathtaking. He transforms the broken into beautiful.

Breathing Exercise:

Read Psalm 66. How great is our God! Give praise to your wonder working God for His glorious grace in your life.

Listen to this grace anthem. Breathe a prayer of worshipful awe to the One who takes your breath away.

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I am sharing “Breathtaking” and joining like-minded sisters at Faith-Filled Friday and Moments of Hope.

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