Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 49

Mend Fences

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I missed the memo.

Apparently, today was “Angry Email Response Day.”   If I had known, I probably would have taken the day off and gone to the beach.  Alas, I missed the announcement and got swept up into the verbal tumult.

My initial gut reaction when I read an inflammatory response is quite similar to a pit bull in a cage.  I want to bark loudly and sink my sharp teeth deeply into someone’s flesh.

Not pretty, I know.

Instead, I chose a somewhat less violent alternative.  I checked my Facebook feed as I simultaneously whined like a petulant child.

My husband offered to punch someone for me.  (Note:  He was kidding.  Bruce is not like me.  He is peace loving and non-confrontational to a fault.)

However, the only punch that was volleyed was by God.  Yep, God volleyed a Holy Spirit punch right at me.

I glanced down at my Facebook page in the middle of my tirade and read the words:

Humility
Gentleness
Patience
Love

Rather than selfishly hurl stones, I am to tenderly pick up the heavy weights and re-purpose them to mend fences.

Something to think about…

 

 

I’m sharing “Mend Fences” 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 Mend Fences appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Strolling Along

I’m sharing “Strolling Along” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday and Give Me Grace.
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It is Finished

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My spirit was unsettled.

Days later, I was still rehearsing a conversation.   I thought about how I could have answered differently.  I imagined myself speaking words that were more articulate and persuasive.

My husband gave me a hug and told me not to let people rent space in my head.

But, I wanted so badly to change the way the playback tape ended.

I wanted the last word.   I wanted it so desperately.

I confess that I have a hard time stepping away from a verbal battle — especially in my head.  I will revisit and replay conversations ad nauseam.

It’s ugly and unfruitful.

When I open up the Gospels I see Jesus speaking not a word.  He does not defend Himself.   He does not retaliate.  He stays on mission.

He lays down His body and sacrifices Himself for those who mock Him.  He forgives.   He loves.

Recently, the worship team at my church introduced a song that is helping me to remember.

 

 

Lord, help me to remember You alone get the last word.

 

Something to think about…

 

 

I’m sharing “It is Finished” 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 It is Finished appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

A Warm Hug

I’m sharing “A Warm Hug” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday and Give Me Grace.
Photo Credit: Jeong Eem Lee, via Pixabay

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Pack Light

 

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My man and I like to take short little getaways — just 4  days away to see the sights and spend time together.

The day before our departure, I always ask him to do 2 things:   print my packing list and pull down the red suitcase.  I stuff mostly books and a few toiletries into the bag — all the essentials for a temporary stay.

Rather than pack my big bottle of shampoo, I have a travel size sample.  I use the tiny toothpaste the dentist gave me, and I don’t worry about possibly running out.  It’s just a short trip.

When we arrive at the hotel, I usually don’t fully unpack.  I kind of live out of the suitcase.   Most of the time we are adventuring outside, and I only come back to the room to lay my head on the pillow.

I never settle in.   I don’t try to warm up the place and make it mine.

It never feels like home.

Tonight, I am thinking about how it’s wise for me to pack lightly for the journey called life.  I need not worry that I am going to run out of what I need.  I won’t be here for long.

Rather than nesting inside a cramped, sterile space, I want to throw the door open and step out into the wild adventure with My God.

Time goes by so quickly.

One day soon, I’ll be home.

Something to think about…

 

 

 

 

I’m sharing “Pack Light” 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 Pack Light appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

The Secret Place

Photo Credit: Miguel Palomino, via Pixabay

 

Some days, I want to hide.

I want to turn off my phone and delete all my e-mails.  I think about how wonderful it would be to say goodbye to all the ugly.

Some days, it’s hard to face the unlovely.

But then, I remember.   I remember that God didn’t say all my days here on earth would be pretty and peaceful.   I remember that there is work to be done, and if I give up the fight, who will stand and protect my piece of the battlefield?

I gain strength when I remember that I am not facing the ugly on my own.   I gain hope when I remember that others before me have stood their ground and stayed the course.  I gain courage when I remember that the Creator of this universe is my Hiding Place.

Like Moses, I want to stand on the Rock and watch God’s glory go by.  But first, I must position myself in the secret place.  I must stand still and look for His splendor.

My song of deliverance is coming.

King of Glory, I wait for you.    

++

This year, 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.

 

 

 

I am sharing “The Secret Place” and joining like-minded sisters at Recommendation Saturday, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, Live Free Thursday, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Three-Word Wednesday, The Soli Deo Sisterhood, Testimony Tuesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Sharing His Beauty, and Playdates with God.

The post The Secret Place appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

A Fresh Start

I’m sharing “A Fresh Start” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday and Give Me Grace.
Photo Credit:  Jody Davis, via Pixabay

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

On My Heart (vol. 2)

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I thought from time to time it might be nice to give you a peek at what’s tugging at my heart strings.

Right now I am…

Celebrating:  An old friend was in town over Easter, and I was delighted to learn that she is now a married woman.  It was so much fun seeing how God has worked in her life, and her wedding album was beautiful.   I love it when Jesus girls get happy endings!

Watching: I’ve tuned in to A.D., the Bible Continues on NBC, the last two Sunday nights. (I winced and closed my eyes through some of the more violent parts.)  I also finally sat down to view Episode One of Your Big Family Renovation with Jen Hatmaker.  I really enjoyed watching the Hatmakers do their thing and help out another big family with a limited budget.  I could only find one episode though, so I am not sure if more are coming since Episode one aired at the beginning of March.

Reading: I just finished reading Chasing God by Angie Smith, and I am working my way through several other half finished books, including Heaven by Randy Alcorn (which is a million pages long and may take me a few years to finish!)

Planning: I’m dreaming about taking a dip in our new pool!  That is if it ever gets finished….

Listening: I downloaded the new Passion Album Even So Come.  My favorite new song on the album so far is “Draw Near” by Kristan Stanfill.

Making: I am making good use of my crock pot these days.  I love how easy peasy it is to make a big hearty meal, and the whole house smells yummy yummy all day while the food is heating up.  Here is my favorite “go to” meatball recipe.  I make this whenever I have a big group of friends over, or if I have to take an appetizer to a pot luck.

Pondering:  My dad discovered these great pictures of his parents recently.  I never met them because they both passed away in Cuba when I was little.  I find myself wondering how different my life might have been if that whole Fidel Castro thing hadn’t messed things up for my dad’s family. 

Feeling: Brand new!  I visited the hair salon last week.  What is it about getting a good hair cut that makes you feel lighter and fresher?

Loving: I love, love, love the Missional Women App!  It’s packed full of awesome resources including an ESV audio Bible and lots of other goodies.

 

Q4U: What’s on your heart right now?

 

 

I am sharing “On My Heart (Vol 2)” and joining like-minded sisters at Faith-Filled Friday, Friendship Friday, The Soli Deo Sisterhood, Sharing His Beauty, and Playdates with God.

The post On My Heart (vol. 2) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Mental Management

Photo Credit: Mike Foster, via Pixabay

 

Mental Management.

The two words captured my attention.

I was sitting on my couch in front of the TV.  The game was on, but I hadn’t been paying much attention because I tend to do 3 things at once.  On this particular night, my focus was more on Facebook than the score.

The commentator was talking about the “new sensation,”  a rookie player who held great promise for the future of our team.  He had size, natural talent, and drive.

However, his Achilles’ heel was that he was a hot head.  He got into foul trouble frequently because he let the opponent antagonize him off the game plan.  He’d been sidelined on the bench early on in far too many games.   As a result, the assistant coach had been assigned to help him develop his “mental management.”

“I could use a mental management coach,” I thought.

My Achilles’ heel is often my thought life.  I possess all the skills and tools required to be a success, but the game of life is not for the fainthearted.

If I want to finish well, I need to discipline my mind.

 

 

 

Something to think about…

 

 

 

I’m sharing “Mental Management” 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 Mental Management appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Here I Am To Worship

Photo Credit: Simon Steinberger, via Pixabay

 

I watched a memorial service online this week.  I did not attend the actual service several months ago because I’d cried through a few too many funerals in 2014, and no one would notice if I missed this one.

As I watched, I felt compelled to pick up a pen start scribbling down notes… because this was a life well lived, a life lived full throttle for Jesus that impacted many.

I watched as women stood up and spoke of her impact, her love, her passion.

I want to live a life like that.

So, this morning, I revisited my notes – wisdom scrawled on a post it:

Moderation in Everything.  Extreme Jesus
A Kingdom mindset
A life of daily miracles that purposes to see God’s goodness
Might and Conviction
Accepting that God’s cause is not always a successful one by earthly standards
Remembering that God is not interested in success, only in our obedience
Live full throttle for Jesus

I want to live a life like that, but I don’t know if I have the necessary DNA some days.

And then God reminds me.  He reminds me as I am sitting at His feet seeking once again to find the strength to face my today.

Daughter, your job is to obey, not to provide.  I am your Provider.  You simply surrender to all that I AM. 

Here I am to worship, Lord.

++

This year, 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am sharing “Here I Am to Worship” and joining like-minded sisters at Recommendation Saturday, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, Live Free Thursday, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Three-Word Wednesday, The Soli Deo Sisterhood, Testimony Tuesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Sharing His Beauty, and Playdates with God.

The post Here I Am To Worship appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.