Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 53

Give Me Vision

Photo Credit:  Jay Mantri, via Pixabay

I was in the DMV when I realized the sad news.  My vision is mediocre at best.  The lady behind the counter asked me to look through the view finder and read the bottom line.

All I saw was a blur of miniscule letters.  I walked back to my car wearing a frowny face.

Now, six years and three pairs of glasses later, I pick up a magnifying glass to read the directions on bottles.  I don my glasses to see the computer screen.

I’ve accepted that I need help to see physical objects clearly.

However, when I try to assess the landscape of my life, I still stubbornly insist on trying to read the writing on the wall without accepting assistance.

I fail to remember that my perception is limited.  I miss the finer details of God’s Hand in my circumstances.

Like the prophet of old, I need to ask God to give me vision to see things like He does.

Open my eyes, Lord, so that I may see.

Help me behold your enveloping protection.

May I access your abundant provision.

I want to clearly witness every glorious detail of your power displayed.

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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 “Give Me Vision” and joining like-minded sisters at The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, Live Free Thursday, Thriving Thursday, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, 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 Give Me Vision appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Abide

 

 

I’m sharing “Abide” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday and Give Me Grace.
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Superman

Photo Credit: Erika Wittlieb, via Pixabay

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.

Looking back at a life well lived causes you to examine your own life — to think about your legacy.  Each time a brother or sister stood to tell a Superman tale, I picked up a nugget of wisdom of infinite value to this ordinary woman as she seeks to flesh out her faith in an increasingly troubled world.

Tonight, I wanted to share with you what I learned — because it would be selfish of me to keep this to myself.

Qualities of a Super Man

Rather than look down with superiority, a Super Man will look you right in the eye like you matter to him.  He will listen to you and remember you.  He will seek you out to encourage you, even though you may be younger and weaker than he is.
Rather than use his brute strength to live it up and party, a Super Man will work hard, save, and sacrifice.  He is forward thinking, and he prepares for what might come tomorrow.
Rather than tell you what you want to hear, a Super Man is a truth teller.  He doesn’t care if you get mad at him — He is more concerned for your eternal destiny.  He is passionate about pointing you in the right direction.
Rather than accept defeat when the odds are great, a Super Man will persevere and stay the course.  He will tap in to his heavenly Power Source and believe that a greater good is at work in his circumstances.
Rather than whine and complain about dark times, a Super Man will focus on pouring his life into others.  With every fiber of his being, he will impress upon them the importance of knowing the Truth and living it with reckless abandon.

I am so thankful that Superman and I crossed paths.   I am looking forward to that glorious day soon when we will meet again on the other side.

Something to think about….

 

I’m sharing “Superman” 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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Lay Me Down

Photo Credit: Katie Grimmer-Laversanne, via Free Images

I am not good at waiting.  I guess because I grew up in the age of microwaves and instant everything.

I wish I could tell you that while I sit in the waiting room I am peacefully at rest, but that is not the case.

In actuality, I am more of a Sara type.  I want to make things happen at any cost.

I think God needs my help.

I know He is the Savior of the world in my head, but sometimes that doesn’t drop down to my heart.  So, I come up with contingency plans.

I think about what I can do differently and say better in hopes of changing things.

But then He puts me in a corner where I am helpless, and all of my scheming is unveiled.

He leaves me bare, and I realize that my way is lifeless.

When I demand my way, I end up with nothing.

I end up in the exact spot I feared to enter.

There in the darkness, I realize that I am not alone.  He speaks to me tenderly.   He woos me to His side with words of compassion.  He picks me up and lifts me out of the mire.

I lift up empty hands to Him and hope blooms again.

Maybe you are like me — reluctant to trust Him with everything.   Maybe you have schemed and tried to save yourself.

If you’ve landed in a dark place, I want to remind you that you don’t have to stay there.  You can offer up your pain and brokenness to Him.

You don’t have to be a Sara type.

Let’s choose differently.

I want to join in with Anna.  I want to take my grief and my loneliness and my shattered dreams and offer them up to Him.

I want to worship with reckless abandon day and night.

I want to persist in praise.

I want to keep looking forward with hope for my Salvation.

Lay me down, Lord.   Make my life an altar.   

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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 “I Surrender” and joining like-minded sisters at The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Thriving Thursday, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, 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 Lay Me Down appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Decked Out

 

I’m sharing “Decked Out” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday and Give Me Grace.
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Push the Pause Button

Last week, my husband kidnapped me, and we disappeared for a week.  We spent seven glorious days sailing the ocean blue free from e-mails, voice messages, deadlines, and bills.  In the late afternoon, we each plopped down into a comfy chair and watched the sun settle down for the night.  We slowed down and took a breather.

There in the quiet God spoke to me in a way that replenished my soul.  He reminded me that He has the whole world in His hands.

Sometimes we just need to push the pause button.

Something to think about…
I’m sharing “Push the Pause Button” 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 Push the Pause Button appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

4 Keys to Keeping on Mission as a Dating Couple

To succeed at any great endeavor, you need to have a plan.  Don’t you agree?  For example, as a college student, I had a calendar, a course catalog, and a budget.  I didn’t just show up to class and expect everything to fall into place.  I made sure I had my textbooks purchased, and I had read the syllabus before day 1.  I came with sharpened pencils and a nice notebook to take notes.   I had my “game face on.”

The same preparation principle applies to almost everything I can think of – for example, running a marathon, spending a summer in Europe, and purchasing a home all require careful thought and a well-laid out plan.

Why then do we not understand that dating requires the same type of careful planning and preparation?  When you meet the man of your dreams, you want to make sure that you have your “game face on.”

Dating success is more than just purchasing some cute outfits and making sure that your hair looks perfect.  If you want to stay on mission, you need to have a plan.

My suggestion is that you get some new sharpened pencils and a notebook, and then sit down with your man over a cup of coffee to discuss what your mission is as a dating couple.

If you need some direction, my man and I would like to offer you some advice.  Here are four key principles that helped guide our dating season that I think will be beneficial to you….

I’m sharing over at Missional Women today.
To read the rest of this article, join me over here.

The post 4 Keys to Keeping on Mission as a Dating Couple appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Pray Big Playlist

Photo Credit: Skyler H., via Pixabay

A few weeks ago, my bloggy friend Kristin decided to create a playlist for her “one word” for 2015.  She asked her Facebook friends for some suggestions, and I immediately jumped in because I love music, and her word is “joy.”

Afterward, I took a mental trip back to 2012 when I declared my theme for the year was “Ain’t Nobody Gonna Steal My Joy” and thanked God for getting me through the dark season that followed.  I’ve learned the hard way that choosing a theme for the year can kind of “kick your butt” when you go through a  valley of testing.  It’s not easy to do “Cartwheels of Joy” when you are in a hospital bed.  Last year, when I told my husband that my theme for 2014 was “Hold Fast,” he actually cringed, but we’ve come to see in full color that God is the Anchor through the storm.   I have no regrets.  When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

Over the last month, I keep picking up on prayers in song lyrics whenever I turn on the car radio or step into church.  I’ve been scribbling down song titles and realized almost immediately that God was giving me my own “Pray Big Playlist” for 2015.  So, with a tip of the hat to Kristin, I wanted to “share the love” today for all of you who may need a little musical inspiration as you lift up holy hands to our mountain-moving God this year.

Pray Big Tunes

“I Surrender” by Hillsong Live

I surrender.

I surrender.

I want to know You more.

I want to know You more.

Like a rushing wind,

Jesus breathe within.

Lord, have Your way.

Lord, have Your way in me.

“God, I Look to You” by Bethel Music

God, I look to You.

I won’t be overwhelmed.

Give me vision to see things like You do.

God, I look to You.

You’re where my help comes from.

Give me wisdom. You know just what to do.

“The Greatness of our God” by Hillsong Live

Give me eyes to see

More of who You are.

May what I behold,

Still my anxious heart.

Take what I have known

And break it all apart,

For You my God, are greater still.

“Fall Down” by Trevor Morgan

Fall down on me.

Drop me to my knees.

Pour over me

Deeper than the sea.

Rain on me

With love until I drown.

I need You to fall down.

“Holy Spirit” by Jesus Culture

Holy Spirit You are welcome here.

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere.

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for,

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord.

Let us become more aware of Your presence.

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness.

“Here for You” by Matt Redman

Let Your Word move in power.

Let what’s dead come to life.

We are here for You.

“Slow Me Down” by Robbie Seay Band

Slow me down, O Lord.

Slow me down.

Help my heart to hear Your sound.

Speak into my life.

Lord, speak now.

Slow me down, O Lord.

Slow me down.

“Cast My Cares” by Tim Timmons

In the middle of the night,

I’ll pray with confidence.

In the middle of the fight,

You’re greater still.

In the middle of a fire,

Your love is holding me.

You are, You are my song.

You’re my hope, when hope is gone.

So I will cast my cares on You, the Almighty.

I will cast my cares on You ’cause You’re good.

I will cast my cares on You ’cause You love me.

 

“I Lift Up My Hands” by Chris Tomlin

I lift my hands to believe again.

You are my refuge; You are my strength.

As I pour out my heart, these things I remember:

You are faithful, God, forever.

“Lift My Life Up” by Unspoken

All my dreams, all my plans.

Lord I leave it in Your hands.

I lift my life, lift my life up.

Have Your way in me.

Have Your way in me.

Q4U:  What song is your heart singing right now?  What’s on your playlist?

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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 “I Surrender” and joining like-minded sisters at The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Thriving Thursday, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, 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 Pray Big Playlist appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Take a Breather

 

Sometimes you need to take a breather.  
How’s that for Thought-Provoking?  

 

I’m going to “Take a Breather” and share some quality time with my man this week.  See ya next week!

 

 

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Sun Washed

Photo Credit: Helga Strazzanti, via Pixabay

Have you ever sat on a sandy beach and waited for the sun to set?

Here’s the thing:  you can’t rush the sun.  You have to sit quietly and watch.  If you aren’t patient and get distracted, you will miss the beauty.

The sun will set in a vibrant display.  But if your gaze is not fully directed toward the light, you won’t get to bask in its glory.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how God is always showing off, but sometimes, I fail to see Him because I’m not patient enough to plant myself down and wait.

I want God to be on my timetable, but I need to be on His.

Slow me down, Lord.

I want to be sun washed as I sit at Your feet and wait in expectation.

 

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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.

 

The post Sun Washed appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.