Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 34

5 Ways to Be a Healing Balm

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I could not watch the video. Everything in me wanted to cry and throw up at once.

Instead, I closed my web browser and picked up my phone.

“Someone turn off the news please,” I texted to my best friend.

Her response captured my sentiments exactly: “The rapture would be good right about now.”

I’m ready.

I’m ready for overwhelming joy, implacable peace, and perfect love.

I’m ready for the “no mores.” No more weeping. No more hatred. No more violence. No more sorrow and death.

I’m ready for suffering to be a distant memory.

Unfortunately, God’s time-table is not mine. I am still here in this broken world living and breathing and trying to figure out how to love my neighbor — even if he is holding an assault rifle or gripping my neck in a choke hold until I can’t breathe.

I am here for such a time as this. I am here to be a voice crying out in the wilderness. I am here to shine my little light brightly in a dark place until blind eyes are opened and captives are set free.

I am not allowed to bury my head the sand and hope that someone else will clean up this mess.

I must jump into the mess with the love of Christ.

Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal, so I must use my hands and feet to bring God’s transforming touch to those who need him so desperately.

5 Ways to Be a Healing Balm in a Broken World

Listen: Rather than choose sides, affirm that the emotions and positions of each person should be valued. No one is right. We all need to learn from one another.
Weep: Grieve with the hurting. Step into their pain to extend compassion. Standing on a soapbox of self-righteousness only opens the wound of another further.
Pray:  “Prayer is the soil in which hope and healing grow best.” [Source] Ask God to bring peace and reconciliation.
Give: Extend the hand of kindness and friendship to the hurting. Tender-hearted service is a remedy that soothes the trauma.
Speak: Tell the hurting how God has healed you.  Don’t be afraid to share your story with those who need God’s restoration.

Don’t closet yourself up from the chaos. Step out and apply the salve of God’s love and mercy to a hurting world.

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Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “5 Ways to Be a Healing Balm” 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.

Summer Showers

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I am a Florida girl. I live in the land of perpetual summer where flip flops are the uniform year round.

In June, however, we do experience a bizarre weather phenomenon that I like to call the 3 PM shower. Almost every day at 2:30 or so, I will look out the window and see a gradual shift in the atmosphere. Dark clouds roll in and cover the pretty blue skies like a blanket, and the wind starts howling through the trees. Everything changes.

I’ve lived in the Sunshine State since I was 5 years old, but this always catches me by surprise. Honestly, I am not a fan of the rain. I know that the green blades of grass need the water like a baby needs mother’s milk, but I hate having to pull out my umbrella.

I was lamenting the stormy weather one afternoon at work when my co-worker Lorene, who is a living ray of sunshine, shared that she doesn’t mind the rain one bit.

“Every summer, I tell the Lord that I am okay with the daily rain showers. Just don’t send a hurricane.” We haven’t put up our storm shutters in over a decade, and her comment woke me up and reminded me that I really shouldn’t complain about a sprinkle because God is mercifully sparing me from an onslaught.

Yes, summer is cannon balls in the pool, popsicle smiles, and bare feet in the sand. I just got back from spending three days at the beach with my husband, and my heart is bursting with happiness. But, before we left, the transmission blew out on his car and rained on my parade.

God is teaching me that I always need to pack an umbrella. Rain will come. I must expect it, even on sunny summer days.

Thankfully, I don’t need to fear that the sky is falling because He is sheltering me from the storm. The umbrella of His favor never leaves me.

Maybe like me, you are facing a little wind and rain right now. How do we keep smiling when the weather is suddenly dark and gloomy?

I’m sharing Survival Tips for Summer Showers over at Kristin Hill Taylor’s blog today.

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

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The post Summer Showers appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

The Deeply Rooted Life

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My childhood home sat on a man-made lake bordered by large trees on one side. My friends and I loved to sneak around the corner, climb up high in the heavy branches, and peer through the cascading leaves down to the deep blue water. That tree-lined corner of our world provided shade and shelter, and we loved to explore its depths.

I grew up in the land of hurricanes and storm shutters, so one dark summer night, the wind and rain lashed down unmercifully as we sat in our homes huddled around a battery-operated radio waiting for the storm to pass. After what seemed like an eternity, the sun peeked out through the clouds, and my parents opened up the door to the outside once again. Only a day or two had passed, but I’d learned so much through the experience that I felt older and wiser. Around my home, evidence of the storm continued my education. Pieces of debris, downed power lines, and broken branches littered the street. I inched carefully along the sidewalk around the corner to my favorite spot and discovered my tree hangout sat relatively unscathed. The relentless wind tried to topple the giant beauties, but they still pointed up to the sky and displayed the glory of God. The roots of steal broke through one portion of the sidewalk, but still remained firmly positioned.

As I read Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae, I think about how the trees of my childhood picture a life of faith. When our hearts and minds are deeply rooted in the Word, the storms of this world cannot unsettle us. The challenge is to stay connected to our source of strength. As we tap into the water of life, we continue to flourish, and our branches extend out to others in response. With overflowing gratitude, we seek to provide shelter and shade for others.

Paul’s life pictures the deeply-rooted life perfectly. In I Thessalonians, we see how he continued to grow in relationship to Christ, and out of thanksgiving and love, he prayed for the saints to continue to persevere in faith.

Today, you will cross paths with someone whose life has been unmercifully broken by the storms of life. Will thanksgiving overflow from your heart and point them to God’s shelter and shade? May our deeply-rooted lives stand strong and display His glory to a world that’s watching.

 

Let’s Talk: How do you stay deeply rooted to Christ?  Does your life provide shelter and shade to others?

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“Deeply Rooted Lives” was originally published at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s Daily Devo.

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

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The post The Deeply Rooted Life appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Soar

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I fought back tears as I hung up the phone.

I’d apologized, even though I hadn’t said anything wrong. I tried to act redemptively, but her vinegary response had deflated my spirit.

Rather than wallow in negative thinking for the rest of the day, I decided to press play on worship and tune into Truth.

I will say no to sour living. I choose to soar.

I recognize that the enemy of my soul seeks to defeat me by hurling fiery darts to wound me deeply until I’m paralyzed by anger and bitterness.

I must choose to remember His promises that affirm my heart, rather than rehearse lies that keep me bound in a stronghold of unforgiveness.

10 Scriptural Affirmations that Strengthen Your Soul & Help You Soar:

I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
I am loved with an everlasting love by One who draws me with His lovingkindness (Jeremiah 31:3).


I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
 As I hope hope in the Lord, my strength is renewed. I will soar on wings like eagles. I will run and not grow weary. I will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).
I do not have a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind (II Timothy 1:7).
The Spirit of God that raised Christ from the dead lives in me (Romans 8:11).
I dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty, who is my refuge and fortress (Psalm 91:1-2).


I have everything I need for a godly life through my knowledge of God who called me by His own glory and goodness (II Peter 1:3).


I will be blessed for persevering under trial and receive the crown of life for having withstood the test (James 1:12).
I am victorious through Christ. I can always give myself fully to the work of the Lord because I know that my labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Rather than allow the enemy to steal your peace and squelch your joy, choose to strengthen your wings and soar above the clamor.

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Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “Soar” 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.

Crushed

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“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, ESV).

Is your heart crushed?

 

 

Something to think about…

 

I’m going to be mostly offline this week, friends.   Listening for His voice in the quiet.

 

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.

Today is not a DIY Project

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“It says right here that you need to wear leather gloves and goggles,” I say to my husband. He’s decided to take down the mirrored wall in our living room that is 1970’s chic. The problem is that we don’t really know how to tackle it. It’s glued on there like cement. So, I do what every Do-It-Yourself-er knows to do – I watch a video on You Tube for instruction.

My husband turns toward me briefly and flashes a lopsided gin. “Nah, I can do this,” he assures me. He is not interested in the video at all.

“Listen up, dude, that wall is glass. It can break into a million pieces and cut you up. Promise me you will wear big goggles and a long shirt. I happen to like your baby blues, and I do not want to end up in the emergency room with you again.”

I shake my head and wish I had a less stubbornly independent husband. What is he thinking? He needs protection.

It’s not until the next morning as I am sitting up in bed that God reminds me I am just as stubborn. You see, I tend to face my day with the same recklessness that my man faces a remodeling project.

Every day, I am facing a wall plastered in pride that needs to come down. I’ve lived with its ugliness for so long that I wonder how to even begin tackling it.

I can’t brashly say “I’ve got this one, God.” Dismantling a stronghold of sin is not a DIY project. I need protection. I must arm myself with powerful tools.

If I try to take down that wall in my own strength, I am going to end up wounded and weary. So, I turn to the Master Builder for instruction.

How to Dismantle a Wall:

Step One: I must protect myself. It begins by walking in peace and covering my mind with a helmet that will project my thinking when the darts of the enemy start flying. My tender heart should be encased in an armored plate of His righteousness that is just right for my size.

Step Two: I must immerse myself in the instruction manual. I need to tie its wisdom tightly around my core. Truth will help me hold things together if life starts falling apart.

Step Three: I must pick up the right tools. Faith will shield me from any shards that try to penetrate my life. The sword of the Spirit is sharp enough to pierce through any barrier that stands in my way.

Step Four: I must get on my knees every morning and call out to God for His all—powerful intervention. I’m adopting two new hashtags: #ArmorOn #PrayedUp

Today is not a DIY Project.

Rather than make a DIY mess, let’s arm ourselves with God’s protective gear and powerful weapons as we partner with Him to tear down walls and transform the atmosphere.

 

 

Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “Today is Not a DIY Project” 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.

5 Ways to Get the Word Out

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When I started middle school, my parents decided to send me to private school.  I’d picked up some less than desirable vocabulary in the hallways of my public school, and they decided to be proactive by sending me to a school that would help combat my rebellious, twelve-year-old potty mouth.

The school that they chose taught the Bible as a subject. I would be attending one hour of daily instruction on the Holy Scriptures. I wish I could say I was excited about it, but all I could picture was the sweet sixty year old lady who taught Sunday School at my grandmother’s church standing at the front of the room with a flannel graph image of Jesus. I imagined myself struggling to stay awake.

I did not own a Bible, so we purchased one. I carried it to school, placed it in my new locker, and expected the worst.

Boy, was I in for a surprise!

I entered into Mr. Kenneth Bender’s Bible class on day one, opened up the pages of the New Testament, and read the Greatest Story Ever Told with my own eyes for the first time. The Word of God was alive in the life of my teacher, and his enthusiasm was contagious. I wanted to have the peace and joy that was readily visible in this man’s life.

God’s Word transforms.

It’s a hammer that breaks up the rocky places of our hearts.

“Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29, ESV). “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

 

It’s a light that shines new life and wisdom into our blinded eyes and deadened souls.

“The law of the Lord is perfect,   reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure,   making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:7-8).

It’s a megaphone in our ears that speaks truth to our spirit and teaches us how to live.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).  “ 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).

Our job is to get the Word out. All around us every day we rub shoulders with people who desperately need salvation. We cannot hoard the Bible. We must share it…

I’m sharing 5 Ways to Get the Word Out at Missional Women today.

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

 

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The post 5 Ways to Get the Word Out appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

You Stand Secure

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“Change the channel,” my husband commanded. I’d turned on the news to listen to the weather report, but instead violent images splashed across the screen as the reporter outlined a dark night of terror. My face was furrowed with anxiety as I sat paralyzed by the news.

We live in a fallen world where pain and trouble wreak havoc. I am beginning to understand why 3 million adults are diagnosed with Agoraphobia each year in the United States alone. With death and destruction happening in unexpected places like airports and soccer stadiums, part of me wants to hide under the bed permanently. Is it safe to travel anywhere in today’s world?

When fear seeks to swallow up my faith, I often turn to the Psalms. David was a warrior who did not lay his head on a soft pillow of comfort. He faced trouble every day of his life, but rather than wallow in constant despair, he cried out to his Omnipotent God. David believed that His Defender would envelop him with strength and protection in the midst of the onslaught. He didn’t look to the future with trepidation because he looked back and remembered how God had safely carried him on every step of his journey.

Matthew Henry captured the truth of this Psalm perfectly: “Those that with a holy reverence fear God need not with any amazement to be afraid of the power of hell or earth.” In the New Testament, we see how Paul faced severe persecution and affliction during his entire ministry, but he boldly moved forward trusting that God would go before him and deliver him. Paul did not allow fear to paralyze him from marching ahead victoriously and partnering with God to share the Good News.

With God’s help, we always have a firm ground to stand on in this unstable world.  Psalms 112:17-18 says, “Surely the righteous will never be shaken, they will be remembered forever.  They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

Come what may, you stand secure today in the circle of God’s protection.

 

Let’s Talk: How has God’s overcoming power helped you through a stormy season?

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“You Stand Secure” was originally published at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s Daily Devo.

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

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The post You Stand Secure appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Speak Life

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I often process my day on the phone with best friend while I am driving home from work. We don’t get to chat as often now that I am no longer single, and she is no longer childless. But, we try to steal pockets of time when we can.

Every once in a while one of us will have a meltdown. By meltdown, I mean there is either a sea of tears or a spit fire of angry words. I reserve this for conversations with Barby in hopes of sparing Bruce from having to experience my crazy side.

Nothing gets me more angry than negativity. Wounded people delight in stabbing you with their words, and sadly, this happens in my life often.

Words have power.

I’ve learned I don’t have to react in pain. I can choose to respond with love and grace. I can fight the ugly.

5 Ways to Speak Life

Validate: Take time to verbally note another’s character. Declare their worth. Kill them with kindness. (Hebrews 3:13; Ephesians 1:15-23; II Thessalonians 2:13-17).
Celebrate: Rather than compare and criticize, let’s cheer for each other and champion another’s success (I Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:23-25; Philippians 2:3-4).
Encourage: Rather than use the Word of God as a weapon of condemnation, let’s refresh others with timely wisdom that gladdens the heart (Proverbs 15: 23 & 16:24).
Forgive: Remember you have an enemy, but it’s not the broken person standing before you. As we let go of our hurt, the shackles of bitterness fall, and we are free to love and extend grace (Ephesians 4:29-31; Colossians 3:12-17).
Restore: Pursue peace with your words. Seek to rescue the hurting (II Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 12:14-15).

Rather than undermine each other, let’s purpose to uplift with our words.

 

 

 

Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “Speak Life” 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.

Pray Like a Wild Woman

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I stood eye to eye with my best friend at the end of the conference.  We spoke life over each other and committed to keep fighting the good fight together.

I honestly don’t remember much from that day, but this one moment keeps replaying in my mind.

Beth Moore speaks, and we repeat in unison.

Only one phrase from the entire commissioning echoes in my heart.

Pray like a wild woman.

Wild. Untamed. Unrestrained. Uninhibited.

Pray fierce.

Pray without fetters.

Cry out like a savage beast raving through the wilderness.

Face the unknown with outrageous faith that believes God will show up and make some noise.

Pray like a wild woman.

I turn on the news and see disorder, distress, and death, but that does not deter me. I turn to prayer. I dare to believe that God will respond with His presence, His provision, and His peace.

I see healing and hope where others see despair.

I speak love and life where most are overcome with doubt.

I feel the power of the Spirit at work in the desert places. Restoration is certain. Redemption is near.

In a world gone mad, persevere and pray like a wild woman.  God’s Word is never caged, and neither are you.

 

 

 

Let’s Talk: Have you ever prayed like a wild woman?

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My desire is to lift up holy hands and “Pray Big.” Want to join me? I’ve created a private “Pray Big” Facebook group for like-minded sisters to share their stories and surrender each one to our mountain-moving God in prayer. Let’s cry out to God together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I am sharing “Pray Like a Wild Woman” and joining like-minded sisters at Give Me Grace, Let us Grow, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Fresh Market Friday, Blessing Counters, Grace Moments, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Three-Word Wednesday, Intentional Tuesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Testimony Tuesday, Moments of Hope, and Sharing His Beauty.

 

The post Pray Like a Wild Woman appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.