Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 39
January 13, 2016
Yes and No
Photo Credit / Quote: John Maxwell
I jotted down the question as soon as I read it.
I can’t remember now where I saw it online, but it grabbed my attention immediately:
What will you say YES to more in 2016? What do you want to say NO to more?
Great question.
I shared it as an icebreaker with my online Bible study group, and the answers spoke volumes:
More YES to
Reading my Bible
Being fully present for my family
Taking care of myself physically and emotionally
Resting
Talking to God
Being good to myself
Making time for to Jesus
Listening to what He says the future holds
Cultivating a heart of thanksgiving
Trusting God
More NO to
Fear, doubt and lethargy
Being too busy
Wasting time on things that don’t matter
Listening to negative talk
Binge eating
Whining
Hanging out with people who aren’t good for me
Worry and anxiety
Getting wrapped up in the urgency of everything
Thinking I’m not “enough,” making excuses, overextending myself, and living exhausted
Jesus said YES to me and set me free from condemnation and defeated living.
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.
I Corinthians 6:12, NLT
Only slaves have no power to say YES or NO.
This year, I’m determined to jump right off my self-imposed Hamster wheel and live life differently.
I’m going to heed good advice and learn to say NO to the good so that I can say YES to the best.
I’m going to stay away from the shiny temptations that suck the life out of me.
I’m choosing rest and relationships over time wasters and worry.
I’m kicking fear to the curb and walking in faith.
Let’s say YES to freedom in Christ and NO to bondage and defeat.
Something to think about…
I’m sharing “Yes and No” 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. 
As a courtesy, please link back to 3-D Lessons for Life in your post. Grab and share the Thought-Provoking Thursday button to spread the word. Use #ThoughtProvokingThursday to share your post and connect on Twitter.
Check back later to see what other GREAT posts have been linked up! Visit the post immediately before yours and leave an encouraging comment.
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January 10, 2016
Let’s Choose Rest
Psalm 91:1, NLT
I long to sit quietly at His feet and listen to His heart.
But most days, I am running around like Raggedy Ann with a million things to do.
I miss Him when I wake up late and rush off to work in the morning.
I forget He is close by as I work through my lunch hour to finish one more project.
I fail to notice Him as I unload the dishwasher after dinner for the hundredth time.
I ignore Him as I plop down exhausted on the couch in a comatose state and reach for the remote.
The truth is that I am scared of the quiet. I am frightened of what He might say. I fear slowing down.
I live in lack because I refuse to surrender the reigns to the One who holds the keys to abundant life and peace.
Yet, He speaks so tenderly to me.
My child, draw close to My heart and find rest.
I’m tired of running ragged. I want to be still and know that He is God.
I want to press in to know Him and spend my time investing in moments that have eternal significance.
I choose rest.
I will linger long and be fully present for my loved ones.
I will treat my body with tender care.
I will set aside time to remember God’s goodness.
I will cultivate a heart of gratitude.
May I purpose to choose His rest, rather than feeling frazzled and fatigued.
Rather than live a weary life, I want to worship.
Rather than being overworked, I want to be overwhelmed by His presence.
I choose rest.
Let’s Talk: How do you choose rest?
Join me in 2016 and #ChooseRest.
The post Let’s Choose Rest appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
January 6, 2016
No Gain without Pain
Photo Credit
As I dragged my left limb out of the car tonight, Bruce looked at me and said, “No pain; no gain.”
I wanted to punch him.
Monday, I decided to start working out again, and now I can barely walk.
Being healthy is painful. In my flesh, I’d rather be trolling Facebook while I am gorging on Hershey’s kisses.
Quitting is not an option, though. It’s not an option because I keep hearing Lysa Terkeurst in my head:
The decisions you make today matter. Every decision points your life in the direction you are about to travel. No decision is an isolated choice.
~The Best Yes, p. 64
I am determined to choose wisely. I want my direction to please Him in every way.
Like the Apostle Paul, I want to pursue Christ with every fiber of my being.
To live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Yeah, that is a hard word. Do I want to know Christ? Then, I must die daily. I must press in to the pain.
Tonight, as I read Paul’s letter to Timothy, I heard the wise warrior Apostle saying to his protegé:
Never forget you are in a battle, soldier.
Here’s our marching orders:
Stand strong in grace: When you are weak, your God is infinitely strong. His grace is sufficient to meet your every need.
Dig in with determination: Stay in the trenches. Persevere. Endure hardship.
Fix your eyes on Jesus: Remember you are on the winning team. God’s Word is never chained.
Tomorrow is a new day, and I’m going to put my big girl pants back on and choose wisely.
I choose Jesus. I want my all to bring him glory no matter what the cost.
No gain without pain.
Something to think about…
I’m sharing “No Gain without Pain” 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.
As a courtesy, please link back to 3-D Lessons for Life in your post. Grab and share the Thought-Provoking Thursday button to spread the word. Use #ThoughtProvokingThursday to share your post and connect on Twitter.
Check back later to see what other GREAT posts have been linked up! Visit the post immediately before yours and leave an encouraging comment.
An InLinkz Link-up
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January 3, 2016
Strive Together
Photo Credit
One year ago, I wrote a simple post declaring my desire to #PrayBig in 2015. I surrendered my mountains to my God. In desperation, I cried out to the only One who breathes new life into hopeless situations:
Lord, have Your way in me.
Only God dismantles strongholds and softens hard hearts.
Only God creates beauty out of brokenness.
Only God restores and redeems the desolate and desperate.
Only God.
Now, 365 days later, He’s given me eyes to see. He’s lifted the veil and spoken tenderly to my weary heart. He’s reminded me that He’s singing a sweet victory song over my life.
His miracles are unraveling as I watch and pray.
Now, 365 days later, God is still on the move. Greater things are yet to come.
Do you believe?
Let’s Pray BIGGER in 2016 and beyond.
Join me in waging war on our knees for our families, our churches, and our communities.
Let’s ask God to give us the passion and purpose of Paul and the early church who partnered together. Let’s continually strive for one another and cry out to God with united hearts:
Let’s shout out for His deliverance from darkness and salvation for the lost.
Let’s submit to God’s Kingdom purposes and serve one another with selfless love.
Let’s stand strong in the gap for one another remembering that God’s joy is our strength.
Let’s reach together for the hem of His garment. God might just surprise you and do something spectacular.
Let’s Talk: How did God show up big for you in 2015?
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Friends, I will be sharing a new “theme” for 2016 soon, but Pray Big is here to stay.
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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 “Strive Together” and joining like-minded sisters at Give Me Grace, Still Saturday,The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, Live Free Thursday, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Three-Word Wednesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Sharing His Beauty, and Playdates with God.
The post Strive Together appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
Freedom is a Person
Photo Credit
During my last year in high school, I counted down the days until my eighteenth birthday on a calendar. Eighteen stood for adulthood and freedom to me. I longed to make my own choices and dreamed of exploring the world without the restrictions of parental supervision. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that getting a year older only meant greater responsibility. Sure, I might get to travel, but I’d have to pay for the plane ticket. Sure, I might drive my own car, but I’d pay for the insurance.
Adulthood wasn’t exactly the freedom I had expected.
When I read John’s Gospel, I see how the Pharisees didn’t get it either. They thought that their Abrahamic heritage gave them clout with God. They held on to their traditions and strict regulations believing that the door to heaven would swing wide open for them. Like me, the Pharisees failed to understand that freedom is not your position. Freedom is a person.
Christ came to set us free, and as we surrender our lives to Him, the Spirit of the resurrected Christ comes to dwell in us. Truth inhabits our lives in the Living Word, and as we walk with Him and yield to His Spirit, freedom results. This is why Paul and Silas could sing in prison. Earthly chains do not hold the child of God who is abiding in Truth. Freedom reigns.
Now that I am free in Christ, my full-time job is to share the Good News. Every day, we rub shoulders with people who are living lives that are imprisoned to sin and weighted down by discouragement. The enemy of their souls tells them that freedom is found in selfish pleasure.
We are called to be a light in a dark place. Who do you know that needs to be set free? We can point others to freedom by sharing how we came to know the Truth and explaining that Christ alone will set them free. Pray that God will open up the door for you to speak truth into the lives of those who so desperately need Him.
Let’s Talk: How do you define “freedom”? How has the Truth set you free?
“Freedom is a Person” was originally published at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s Daily Devo.
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I am sharing “Freedom is a Person” and joining like-minded sisters at Give Me Grace, Still Saturday,The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, Live Free Thursday, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Three-Word Wednesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Sharing His Beauty, and Playdates with God.
The post Freedom is a Person appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
December 31, 2015
Read in 2015
Photo Credit
In case you forgot, I love to read. Stacks of books seem to pile up all over the house — most of them half read. Other women buy shoes; I buy books.
Here is a quick wrap up of what I read in 2015:
The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You
The Rundown: Jessica Turner inspires her readers to grab back “pockets of time” to dedicate to practical self-care and personal endeavors.
Memorable Quotes: “If what you do doesn’t matter to you, it’s really not going to matter to anyone else,’ Work to fill your life with things that matter” (p. 35). “Relationships are the currency that matters, not the conditions of our homes” (p. 48). “..sometimes we have to let go of self-imposed have-to’s and settle for good enough. Just because you’re passionate doesn’t mean you have to do it” (p. 205). “If you don’t take proper time to rest, you’ll pay the price in one way or another” (p. 237).
Biggest Takeaway: I really appreciated how Turner challenged her readers to “turn moments of comparison into catalysts for celebration.” In addition, I tracked my time as she suggested and realized that I do have significant “pockets of time” available that I need to vigilantly reclaim back for my passions, rather than squandering them away while trolling Facebook.
Chasing God
The Rundown: Angie Smith encourages her readers to simply enjoy spending time with a God of grace, rather than checking off legalistic spiritual “to do’s” as we chase down our skewed view of a God of rules and regulations.
Memorable Quotes: “Religion is what we build with our own hands when we can’t stand to feel like observers. And when it crumbles, we blame God. We have determined the man-made ceiling to be our own instead of the heavens themselves, and we have allowed our insatiable hunger for understanding to strangle the mystery we’re supposed to embrace” (p. 4). “The truth is that our journey with God isn’t really about living, and He never claimed it would be. It is, and has always been, a gradual death to everything we love outside of Him (p. 12). “He asks us to have the kind of faith that wakes in the morning not knowing how He will provide, but believing that He will, based on what we know of His character” (p. 118).
Biggest Takeaway: Smith unwraps religiosity and shines a light on true intimacy with Christ. Her book makes you examine your own life to see where Pharisaical tendencies have seeped into your thinking and way of viewing God.
Love Idol: Letting God of Your Need for Approval and Seeing Yourself through God’s Eyes
The Rundown: Jennifer Dukes Lee confesses that for years she craved acceptance and approval. She spurs on her readers to lay down the “love idol” and accept God’s unconditional love. We are “pre-approved” by our Father.
Memorable Quotes: “Eyes cannot look in two different directions. I want mine on Jesus–not on yesterday’s failures or successes, not on today’s agenda, and definitely not on the world’s scorecard. Eyes. On. Jesus” (p. 112). “When we uproot idols, we make room for God. We discover a love that is already ours” (p. 129). What if we became less interested in wowing others and more focus on being wowed by God?” (p. 168).
Biggest Takeaway: This beautifully written book affirmed my spirit and reminded that God pursues me with the reckless abandon of a lover. I am completely loved. I am fully accepted. I am His.
The Antelope in the Living Room: The Real Story of Two People Sharing One Life
The Rundown: Melanie Shankle shares how marriage is a mystery and a magical gift from God. With humor and a big dose of fun, she pulls back the curtain and lets us see how God puts two completely different people together to create beauty and joy.
Memorable Quotes: “In a lot of ways home improvement is like marriage. It’s not glamorous. It can take a lot of hard work and effort. There are days it feels like it might be easier to burn the whole thing to the ground and start all over again. Then you remember how much you love the house or your husband and you recommit yourself to what it takes to see the whole thing through. Even when it might involve paintbrushes and compromise and sanding and scraping all the rough edges” (Kindle location 1018). When I look in his eyes, I don’t see perfection. I don’t see a love story that would necessarily be something people would watch on a big screen and dream about. I see someone who will fight for me and protect me and love me in spite of all the ways I am still a wreck. I see home. Wherever he is. That’s my home” (Kindle location 2433).
Biggest Takeaway: It’s good to laugh and to realize that we are works in progress. Melanie’s marriage memoir tickled my funny bone and nudged by noggin’ to think about how it’s a gift to be Mrs. Dunbar.
Impact My Life: Biblical Mentoring Simplified
The Rundown: Elisa Pulliam schools her readers in the role of a mentor.
Memorable Quotes: “It is the willing spirit that matters, not life experience, a gifted personality, or a seemingly perfect life. Expertise and degree qualifications do not matter to hurting hearts, lost souls, or women hungry for love wrapped in truth” (p. 2). “A redeemed woman need not be ashamed of a forgiven past” (pp. 29-30). “Our mentoring should reflect a natural overflow of our position in the body of Christ, as we pursue the things of Christ” (p. 42).
Biggest Takeaway: Part three of this book provided an inspirational acrostic on Mentoring — meeting, encouraging, noticing, teaching, offering, responding, inspiring, navigating, growing.
Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World
The Rundown: Emily Freeman stimulates a desire in her readers to slow down and recognize the beauty in their everyday ordinary. The Kingdom of God is in our here and now, so we should “celebrate on purpose the messy, the lovely, and the unexpected moments of life” and “move toward others as Christ moves in us.” She argues that “what gives moments meaning is not the moments themselves but the presence of Christ with us in the midst of them.”
Memorable Quotes: “It’s easier to celebrate in the beautiful small, but often it is in the terrible, the unexpected, and the uncomfortable small where we grow closer to Christ, share in His suffering, and ultimately find out true home” (p. 54) “Daily, I’m given the opportunity to recognize the gift of obscurity, trusting that Christ is doing invisible kingdom work in the stairwells of everyday life” (Chapter 6, Kindle location 1363). “Move toward others even as Christ moves within you. I am asked, invited really, to move toward others in my weakness” (Chapter 9, Kindle location 1723). “… letting go doesn’t mean I’ll be left with nothing. It means I can more fully hold on to Christ and trust the life He is building within me” (Chapter 11, Kindle location 2113). “…Love sits with” (Chapter 13, Kindle location 2517
Biggest Takeaway: This book challenged my thinking on so many levels. Freeman re-framed the word “smallness” for me and helped shape my understanding of my role in God’s kingdom. I was also really convicted by her perspective on how we are to handle “boredom.” I think sometimes I miss the beauty of the everyday ordinary of today because I am looking forward to something spectacular down the road. I also loved it when she said, “Don’t try to change your attitude. Bring your attitude into the presence of Christ.”
The Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World
The Rundown: Paul Miller’s book on prayer is unique and encouraging. He allows us to see how he has personally grown in His intimacy with Christ and with his family by persevering in prayer that is honest before God during difficult times. God teaches us to really pray in the schoolroom of suffering.
Memorable Quotes: “…a praying life isn’t something you accomplish in a year. It is a journey of a lifetime” (p. 21). “To learn how to pray is to enter the world of a child, where all things are possible. Little children can’t imagine that their parents won’t eventually say yes. They know if they keep pestering their parents, they’ll eventually give in. Childlike faith drives this persistence” (p. 39). “We can’t pray effectively until we get in touch with our inner brat. When we see our own self-will, it opens the door to doing things through God. Instead of singing Frank Sinatra’s song ‘My Way,’ we enter into God’s story and watch Him do it His way. No one works like Him” (p. 161).
Biggest Takeaway: This book was a game changer for me. I will return to it often. One prayer practice that Miller shared that I hope to start using is choosing a “prayer verse” for each of your loved ones. He writes it on a 3×5 card and prays that Scripture daily for each person on his list.
Playdates with God: Having a Childlike Faith in a Grownup World
The Rundown: Laura Boggess shares how she draws into greater intimacy with her Father by setting a weekly “playdate” with her Abba. She rouses her readers to remember their days of innocence and to reengage with a child-like sense of wonder and freedom as they live out their everyday ordinary.
Memorable Quotes: “Every moment is sacred when we pay attention to it” (p. 53). “The more I step out of my comfort zone, the more sensitive my ear is to the voice of the Spirit” (p. 105). “When did I forget the way of slowing down leads me into the arms of the Father?” (p. 162) “To grow in my relationship with God, to step deep into an intimate relationship with Jesus… I must set aside regular time to meet with Him. Time to play and pray, the two parts of Sabbath” (p. 176).
Biggest Takeaway: Laura makes an intentional effort to look for God in her circumstances. She sets aside time to draw near to her God and connect with the beauty of His creation and character in a meaningful way. I want to have that kind of passion for my Father God.
Pray Big: The Power of Pinpoint Prayers
The Rundown: Will Davis, Jr. galvanizes his readers to pray BHAP’s — big hairy audacious prayers — that are bold, Scriptural, and pinpoint specific.
Memorable Quotes: “As a follower of Christ, you need to know that you’re on solid Biblical ground when you’re seeking miraculous things from God” (p. 31). “Never stop believing and hoping in the redemptive work of God. Your very next prayer may be the one that turns the tide and moves your lost friend toward God” (p. 64). “Jesus is in the business of setting captives free, of breathing life into the spiritually dead, and of turning skeptics into servants” (p. 76). “The most powerful gatherings in the world are those that meet in Jesus’s name. When they meet aligning with His purposes and seeking His glory, He is there with them” (p. 102). “When you make the daily dive into into a world of sin, temptation, mixed messages, and spiritual chaos, you’d better be fully prepared. The daily protection, discernment and guidance you need are accessed primarily through prayer–by specific pinpoint praying for yourself. Without it, your guaranteed to fall hard” (p. 157).
Biggest Takeaway: In one of the final chapters Davis discusses the importance of praying big for yourself. He lays out 7 prayers including “Lord, help me hate sin” and “Father, give me the gift of brokenness.” I can only imagine the impact of such purposefully surrendered prayers in the year ahead.
Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story
The Rundown: Joni Eareckson Tada and her husband Ken share the lessons they’ve learned through serving one another in a unique marriage colored by physical suffering and the tribulation.
Memorable Quotes: “…nowhere else — and with no one else — will you have quite the chance to experience union with Christ than through a hard-fought-for, hard-won union with your spouse” (Kindle location 2718). “…love is placing the welfare of another in front of your own” (Kindle location 2743). “…loving that one to whom you said yes, well … it’s just another way, maybe the best way, of loving and serving God” (Kindle location 2771).
Biggest Takeaway: Reading Joni’s story reminded me that I have absolutely nothing to complain about EVER. The marriage relationship will sanctify you if you cooperate with God’s leading and surrender your will to His plan. Even in the darkest moments of life, there is joy in Christ.
Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy Lives
The Rundown: Wayne Muller unpacks the spiritual practice of rest and renewal that helps us to quiet our hearts and remember the abundance God provides.
Memorable Quotes: “All life requires a rhythm of rest” (p. 1). “The world seduces us with an artificial urgency that requires us to respond without listening to what is most deeply true. In Sabbath time, we cultivate a sense of eternity where we truly rest, and feel how things can wait, and turn them gently in the hand until we feel their shape, and know the truth of them” (pp. 84-85). “Sabbath is an incubator for wisdom. When we allow the rush of pressure of our days to fall away, even for a short period of time, we are more able to discern the essential truth of what lies before us” (p. 165).
Biggest Takeaway: On page 196, Muller states: “Sabbath time is set apart for remembering the holiness of life.” I am prone to forget, and so practicing the spiritual discipline of Sabbath helps me to “be still and know that He is God.”
Speak Love: Making Your Word Matter
The Rundown: Annie Downs believes that words give us power to make a difference in this world. She encourages her readers to “speak love” and breathe life into others.
Memorable Quotes: “The world could change because of your words. It changed because of God’s words, and it changed because of Jesus’s words. And that’s the model by which you were formed. You are made in God’s image” (p. 59). “Your voice rising to God is an atmosphere-changer. It changes the mood. It changes what is going on in the spiritual realm” (pp. 80-81). “Remember this truth: you are always speaking life or death” (p. 151).
Biggest Takeaway: Downs nails it when she rallies her readers to “speak love” to themselves — negative self talk is a destructive. To love our neighbor, we must first love ourselves. If I wouldn’t say “that” about a good friend, why do accept verbal self mutilation? I am a beloved daughter of the King, and I need to treat myself with self respect in my thought life.
Let’s Talk: What did you read this year?
I am sharing “Read in 2015” and joining like-minded sisters at Give Me Grace, Still Saturday,The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, Live Free Thursday, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Three-Word Wednesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Sharing His Beauty, and Playdates with God.
The post Read in 2015 appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
December 23, 2015
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
I’ll be home for Christmas, friends.
See ya in the new year!
Here’s a little Christmas cheer to keep you company:
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
The post I’ll Be Home for Christmas appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
December 21, 2015
The Year in Review 2015
January: Pray Big
Every morning, I wake up and lift my heart to God in prayer.
I praise Him for His glory and goodness.
I surrender my agenda and expectations to His greater kingdom purposes.
I yield my desires to do His will.
And, then I ask for Him to move a mountain.
February: Superman
A year ago, Superman hung up his cape one last time after fighting an epic battle. His home-going was brutal and beautiful all at once. I miss the Man of Steel. He was a rare breed — a devoted family man, a mentor to his brothers, and a hard-working servant to his community.
On Saturday, fifty or so of his closest friends gathered to remember and to reflect. We sat in a tight knit circle forged by faith and friendship, and we told stories of Superman’s feats while here on earth.
March: Into the Deep
I’ve also come to see that there is great beauty to be found in the deepest and darkest of waters.
Do you want to go into the deep?
His sovereign hand will be your guide.
Just jump in and meet Him there.
April: Full-Throttle Faith
Some days, you just need to grip the steering wheel and keep moving forward — even if you are just inching along.
For the last five years or so, there’s been a dashboard light blinking in my heart. I am pressing down on the accelerator full throttle, but the road of life has hit me hard. I am spurt, spurt, spurting along most days.
May: The Hard Hallelujah
Sometimes, we choose to lift up empty hands to our God and bless His name with our lips even though our heart is breaking.
June: Organize Your Prayer Life
I don’t want to be a mediocre pray-er. I want to be a world changer.
I believe in the power of prayer. I believe that prayer is my battlefield.
Every good soldier marches onto the field with a battle plan.
July: Run Deep
I want to run deep.
I want to stand in the deep with my family.
I want to walk deeper with my friends.
I want to dig deeply with you, dear reader.
I want to plunge into the deepest of the deep with my Jesus.
August: But God
I was empty, but God filled up my tank today. I am so thankful.
September: Love On
Love creates the space that helps me to move forward into freedom and victory.
October: Pray Big for 31 Days
God delights when we confess our need for Him. He sees your trembling heart full of love that is holding fast to His promises.
He sees you.
Your prayers are a sweet aroma of sacrifice that rises straight to the heart of the King of Kings.
One glorious day, He will thunder down and crumble your mountain.
November:
I feared the worst until God finally assured me that her case was not as complicated as I thought.
You see, I forgot she’s got an unbeatable Defender in her corner.
He’s already declared her innocent. Victory is certain.
Case closed.
He pleads our cause.
December:
I must decide to turn off the clamor and tune into the Light. Hope is ever alive in my heart because the Light of the World has come. He has conquered sin and death and darkness.
God is not dead, nor does He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, goodwill to man.
“The Year in Review 2015.”
The post The Year in Review 2015 appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
December 16, 2015
Light Has Come
Photo Credit / Isaiah 9:2
I once wandered weary in this world,
Lost, bereft of hope and purposeless.
I once wondered why darkness prevailed,
Overcome, fearful of shifting shadows and joyless.
But then, I heard the Greatest Story ever told:
A star in the sky. A babe in a manger.
Halleljuah, the Light has come.
A song of worship now reigns in my heart,
I will never walk in darkness again.
Something to think about…
I’m sharing “Light Has Come” 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.
As a courtesy, please link back to 3-D Lessons for Life in your post. Grab and share the Thought-Provoking Thursday button to spread the word. Use #ThoughtProvokingThursday to share your post and connect on Twitter.
Check back later to see what other GREAT posts have been linked up! Visit the post immediately before yours and leave an encouraging comment.
An InLinkz Link-up
The post Light Has Come appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
December 10, 2015
Come and Behold
Photo Credit
I slept so little one night last week that my man insisted that I stay home from work to get some shut eye. Ever the obedient wife, I let my boss know that I was taking the day off, and I slipped back under the covers.
Set free from all responsibilities and deadlines for a day, I slept soundly for the first time in days. I woke up fully rested hours later and stayed in my pj’s all day.
My body had desperately needed rest, but I’d been so busy with my to-do list that I hadn’t even noticed.
Honestly, I can’t believe it’s December 9th already. Where did November go?
Life is rushing by me. Precious moments are slipping by, and I want to grab them back.
My problem is that I think I need to speed up and do more to cram it all in, but that just makes me cranky and worn out.
That day in my pajamas I laughed loudly. I listened intently. I lingered intimately and cuddled close to my man. I slowed down and really savored the important details that hold eternal worth.
God doesn’t care if I meet my deadlines or if I answer all my e-mails.
I don’t want to miss Him.
I need to turn off the noise and tune into the Savior.
O come, let us adore Him.
Slow down and linger.
Come and behold Him.
Worship Christ with your all.
Something to think about…
I’m sharing “Peace and Goodwill” 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.
As a courtesy, please link back to 3-D Lessons for Life in your post. Grab and share the Thought-Provoking Thursday button to spread the word. Use #ThoughtProvokingThursday to share your post and connect on Twitter.
Check back later to see what other GREAT posts have been linked up! Visit the post immediately before yours and leave an encouraging comment.
Hey, friends! This week, Thought-Provoking Thur sday is celebrating its second birthday! Yay! I wish I could share a cupcake and sprinkles with each of you. Thank you for sharing your stories here each week.
An InLinkz Link-up
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