Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 54

Adoption

 

I’m sharing “Adoption” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday and Give Me Grace.
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Parched?

Photo Credit: Steve Buissinne, via Pixabay

I spoke with an old friend on the phone tonight for just a couple of minutes.  We don’t run into each other often, but I’ve known her for over 3 decades.  I’ve crossed paths with her in the hallways as a teenager.  I’ve sat in her office at work.  I’ve chaperoned midnight roller skating parties with her in the youth ministry trenches.   I’ve chatted with her and her mom over lunch on a Friday afternoon.

I’ve observed her interact with all sorts of people in so many settings.

I’ve never heard her say an unkind word about anybody.

Her disposition is peaceful.  Her life is yielded to Christ.

She’s younger than I am, but I’ve always wanted to be a little like her when I grow up.  (I’m still working on that.)

After our conversation, I remembered a thread from the lesson tonight at church.  It was actually a “panel discussion” where church members could text in questions on the subject of relationships — based on the sermon this past Sunday.

One of the questions posed:  “How do you know that it’s time to end a friendship?”

Our pastor pointed us to Proverbs.  He encouraged us to read and reflect on the importance of spending time with people who helped pull us in the right direction.

I did a quick search on “friends” in Proverbs tonight and was reminded that a good friend is like a cool drink of water on a hot day.

Are you parched?

Something to think about…
I’m sharing “Parched?” 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.

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Read in 2014

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 2014:
God is Able

The Rundown: Priscilla Shirer unpacks the beautiful promise of Ephesians 3:20-21 phrase by phrase.  Each chapter delves deeply into the nuances of Paul’s words written while in prison and under inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Shirer challenges her readers to place their hope and focus firmly on the One for whom nothing is impossible.
Memorable Quotes: “As soon as you connect your current circumstances to your God, He raises a banner of hope in your heart and mind.  As soon as you believe He can do this–that He is able–something called abundant life actually shows up, right in the middle of the dreariness” (p. 36).  “The same God who is saving you from hell is also willing and able to save what’s left of your nerves and your workweek” (p. 107).
Biggest Takeaway:  I loved this book.  We are in a valley season right now at my house, and looking at the details of this powerhouse promise truly encouraged my spirit.  Priscilla reminded me that my life of faith in the valley is a display case for His glory.

Unquenchable:  Grow a Wildfire Faith that Will Endure Anything

The Rundown: Carol Kent encourages her readers to fan the flame of faith and draw near to the warmth of their Savior so that a wildfire passion will continue to burn strong through the most difficult storms.
Memorable Quotes: “…my role in God’s kingdom is to see every day as an opportunity to embrace the holy ground that I am standing on, to fully understand that no act of kindness or demonstration of love is ever wasted, where or not I see tangible results…True wildfire faith means having strength, endurance, and a solid abiding trust in God — in darkness and in light, in pain and in wellness, in sadness and in laughter.  It is recognizing that today, no matter where I am or what my circumstances may be, because I’m the image bearer of Jesus Christ, the ground I am standing on is holy ground” (pp. 87-88).   The very act of caring for God’s people, of meeting their needs in acts of service, generates sparks to feed our own wildfires and also sends sparks flying into the lives of others” (p. 112).
Biggest Takeaway:  Carol is one of my favorite authors.  She has an inspiring personal story, and this book encouraged me that God is going to use my struggles to light a flame of faith in others as I continue to move forward and trust my Jesus.  If you are going through a fiery season, this is a great read that will encourage your spirit.

Pursue the Intentional Life

The Rundown: Jean Fleming challenges her readers to “number their days” and to finish well.   Purposeful discipleship requires planning for the challenges to come.
Memorable Quotes: “Every life creates an atmosphere” (p. 36).  “When I number my days, each day rattles with sharp significance” (p.52).  “Whatever time I have left is a gift, a bequest, a responsibility, a stewardship” (pp. 54-55).  “… Jesus wants to live in me and stick out all over” (p. 118).  “Confronting the brevity of life leads me to solemn and earnest living” (p. 183).
Biggest Takeaway:  At age 47, this book was a “game changer” and a timely read for me.  It reminded me that I don’t get to slow down and putter out.  I am called to live a “Beauty Full” life for Jesus.  I want to “do life big” for Him until my last breath.

You are Loved: Embracing the Everlasting Love God Has for You

The Rundown: Sally Clarkson and Angela Perritt put together a quick read that packs a powerful punch.  Each chapter shares a Scriptural truth coupled with personal narrative to drive home a simple truth — because sometimes you need to be reminded that God loves you.   Every chapter ends with a simple 5-day Bible study that encourages the reader to reflect on the reality of God’s agape love. This is a great tool for small group ministries and one-on-one discipleship.
Memorable Quotes: “Sometimes those we choose to love cannot love us back and continue in the habits of criticism, harshness, or passivity. Yet, even though we cannot control the behavior of others, we are still called to love. Whether or not someone responds to our love is not our responsibility—we are to be obedient and leave the results in God’s hands.”  “When a woman feels truly loved, she is confident in herself, she is more generous of heart to be able to reach others, and her faith grows strong because of the deep acceptance she receives and lives in.”
Biggest Takeaway:  Completing this Bible study with friends online encouraged my spirit and reminded me that God’s love is unconditional.  Because His love is poured into me, I am called to love others sacrificially.

24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life

The Rundown: Dr. Matthew Sleeth proposes that the spiritual practice of Sabbath will benefit you and your family physically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.   Living a “24/6″ life is the prescription to a happier, healthier you.
Memorable Quotes: “The covenant [of Sabbath] was like a marriage agreement between God and His people.  Breaking the Sabbath would be akin to a wife talking off her wedding band and throwing it in her husband’s face on national television”  (p. 37).  “People don’t save the Sabbath, it saves us” (p. 58).  In learning how to rest, we actually gain the knowledge of Christ.  We learn to be gentle and humble and to give up our pride” (p. 85).  “God rarely shows up at the foot of our beds and wakes us from sleep.  We must listen for God in the narrative of life.  Stopping one day a week allows my hearing to improve”  (p. 156).
Biggest Takeaway:  Sleeth and his family begin the Sabbath on Friday evenings and practice hospitality by inviting others in to their home for a meal.  He linked community and Sabbath for me in a beautiful way that I hope to incorporate.

Let’s All Be Brave:  Living Life with Everything You Have

The Rundown: Annie Downs challenges her readers to “embrace the God-given courage that lives inside.”  Taking a step of faith toward the calling God has for us might just change the world.
Memorable Quotes:  “.. sometimes you set sail without a view of the destination, trusting the tools you’ve got. And once you are there, you stay. You move forward, not backward. You burn your ships” (p.17).  “If there are seeds of courage living in all of us, waiting to bloom, words are the sun and the water that cheer on those seeds to their fullness” (p. 92).  “…. your words are changing the atmosphere” (p. 96).  “The road to courage is lit by God’s wisdom” (p. 120).  “…be brave enough to love the people around you, even if it looks like sacrifice and feels like loss” (p. 135).  “We all need trailblazers” (p. 173).
Biggest Takeaway:  Annie’s chatty writing voice invites you in, and then she kicks you in the gut.  This book stirred up so much in me, and I am still processing it all.   I am not called to live a safe life and make safe choices.   Read this book — if you dare.   You won’t be the same when you are done.

What Your Heart Needs for Hard Days: 52 Encouraging Truths to Hold on To

The Rundown: Holley Gerth has put together a 52-week devotional that covers the book of Psalms and breathes life into all the right places.  I have bought this book for several friends as a gift, and quickly decided that this is one of my all-time favorite devotionals.
Memorable Quotes: “If we try to make ourselves stop hurting before we’ve finished healing, then we go through life with hearts that are bare and vulnerable.  It takes time to be ready for the joy again, and we need to be patient” (p. 56).  “Sometimes we need to step back to realize, in the best possible way, that the world doesn’t rely on us as much as we think.  Everything can go on just fine without us for a bit.  Here’s the catch: we’ll never know unless we take time off now and then” (p. 208).
Biggest Takeaway:  Holley points out that Psalms 134 explains that those who go through hard times have a special calling to “minister in the night”  (p. 216).

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas

The Rundown: Ann Voskamp has written a beautiful Advent book for the family that traces the story of Christ from Genesis to Bethlehem.
Memorable Quotes: “Miracles happen whenever we speak works that make souls stronger.  Miracles happen wherever we look for shoots of Jesus’ love for everyone.  Miracles happen in the drawing close to the little people, the least people, the lonely people, the lost people — because this is drawing close to Jesus”  (p. 8).  “Whenever you fall, whenever you fall short, whenever you sin, your God whispers to you with a love that wraps around you like a gentle arm: ‘Wherever you are, I will always come find you’…”(p. 11).  “…believe that the love of Jesus is in the place where you don’t expect it.  Then live into the surprise of a love like that” (p. 69).  “We are all saved and rescued from the hopeless dark because God came with infant fists and opened wide His hands to hold yours” (p. 87).  “…we have Jesus with us — the greatest Gift of unfailing, unbeatable, unstoppable love that we can keep unwrapping all our days” (p. 154).
Biggest Takeaway:  The Bible is God’s love story.  The Dunbars loved, loved, loved this book (and we have no children!).  We will read this again next year and every year that follows.  What a beautiful book!

Praying thru the Tabernacle

The Rundown: Jon Courson walks his readers through the Old Testament Tabernacle and explains how each room ties into the heart’s attitude in prayer.
Memorable Quotes:   “The dungeon doors of depression will swing open in the midnight hour if you begin to thank God and express your gratitude to Him. You see, a grateful man will always be a great, full man.”


Biggest Takeaway:  This is a quick 62-page read and a great resource for anyone who wants to follow a Biblical prayer model.

Girls with Swords: How to Carry Your Cross Like a Hero

The Rundown: Lisa Bevere examines the elements of sword play and draws spiritual analogies to support her premise that each of us is a warrior in a spiritual battle that needs to be armed and empowered by God.
Memorable Quotes: “Tempered daughters of God are resilient.  We have the capacity to flourish under all types of trials in every season” (p. 113).  “If the early church took the message of the Cross everywhere they went, and hearts were encouraged, the sick were healed, and the oppressed were set free, why shouldn’t the same be true of us?  Are you looking for a sign that Jesus still wants to do wonders?  The Cross is our sign, and you are His wonder!” (p. 219)
Biggest Takeaway:  This book “grew on me” toward the end.  The last 3 Chapters dealing with the sword of silence, the sword of reconciliation, and the sword as a cross we carry were definitely the most thought-provoking.

Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You

The Rundown: John Ortberg draws from God’s wisdom and the life of his mentor, Dallas Willard, to encourage his readers to tend to their souls.  Rather than striving, he encourages his readers to rest in the freedom that comes from knowing Christ intimately.
Memorable Quotes: “Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day.  You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry in your life” (quoting Willard, p. 20).  What matters is not the accomplishments you achieve; what matters is the person you become” (quoting Willard, p. 49).  “The soul is healed by confession” (p. 65).  “God wants to make every moment of life glorious with His presence.  This is the core of the ‘with God’  life” (p. 121).   “The test of a sustaining spiritual practice is: Does it fill you with grace for life?” (p. 130)   “Jesus was often busy, but never hurried” (p. 134).
Biggest Takeaway:  I need to learn to tend my soul’s garden well before I can plant seeds.

You’ll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times

The Rundown:  Max Lucado unpacks the life of Joseph to encourage readers that God is working behind the scenes to redeem our painful experiences and heal our brokenness.
Memorable Quotes: “Don’t see your struggle as an interruption to life but as preparation for life” (p. 55).  “The cemetery of hope is overpopulated with sour souls who have settled for a small god.  Don’t be among them.  God sees a Joseph in you.  Yes, you!  You in the pit.  You with your family full of flops and failures.  You incarcerated in your own version of an Egyptian jail.  God is speaking to you.  Your family needs a Joseph, a courier of grace in a day of anger and revenge…Will you be a Joseph?” (p.159).
Biggest Takeaway:  This book was right on time for me.  If you are in a valley season, you will be comforted by its message.  If you aren’t in a valley season now, you will be one day soon, so bookmark it for future reference.

Q4U:  What are you reading right now?

 

 

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I Surrender

I was mad.

I was spit fire mad.

Someone spewed out unkindness publicly.  The foolish words pierced like swords.

I wanted to take those words and hurl them right back with a twist.   I needed a righteous comeback.  (Is there such thing as a righteous comeback?)

The correct words did not come, so I decided to Google my response.  I can’t remember what I typed into the search box exactly, but I do remember that the Lord stopped me right in my tracks.

On my screen appeared the words I needed to hear.  It was a prayer actually.  A “Pray Big” kind of prayer that only broken people with empty hands are brave enough to utter.

Lord, have Your way in me. 

I am getting weepy as I type this.

Lord, have Your way in me. 

Want God to move mountains in your life this year?  This is where we begin.

I surrender.

++

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,  The Soli Deo Sisterhood, Testimony Tuesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Sharing His Beauty, Playdates with God, and Unforced Rhythms.

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Expectation

 

I’m sharing “Expectation” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday, The Weekend Brew, and Give Me Grace.

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LONG Days SHORT Years

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How are you doing?  Is 2015 treating you well?  It’s been a week now since this new year thing kicked in for real.

Did you have to go back to work on Monday after a couple of weeks off?  I did.

I went back to work and logged on to discover one trillion emails.

All right, maybe it wasn’t a trillion, but it felt like a trillion.

Monday was a long day, and Tuesday wasn’t much better.

Some days are long.  Right?  They are full of dirty clothes, unpaid bills, whiny relatives, and traffic.

But you know what?  My week hasn’t been that bad.

I could have had no clothes, no money in the bank, no family, and nowhere to go.

I am blessed.

I was reminded by a wise sister that I need to laugh it off because “Days are long, but the years are short.”

I am not promised tomorrow.

Today was a good day to be alive.

“Abraham didn’t focus on his own impotence and say, “It’s hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child.” Nor did he survey Sarah’s decades of infertility and give up. He didn’t tiptoe around God’s promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That’s why it is said, “Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right.” But it’s not just Abraham; it’s also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless”  (Romans 4:19-24, MSG).

This year, I want to “embrace and believe” that God brings life back into hopeless situations. I’ve determined to “Pray Big in 2015.”  Want to join me?  Read more here.

p.s.  — Make sure you click on “a wise sister” and watch the video.  You won’t regret it.
Something to think about…

I’m sharing “LONG Days SHORT Years 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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Pray Big 2015

Photo Credit: Amanda Carden, via Shutterstock

 

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.

I cry out to Him for that mountain to crumble.

I believe that God is bigger than any obstacle or stronghold.

Yet, my mountain remains — immovable and unyielding.

Do you have a mountain?   I bet you do.

Like me, you may be discouraged by the darkness that looms large in your view.

You aren’t alone.

If we sat down today in my kitchen and shared our stories, I bet we would see similarities.

That’s exactly what happened to my husband and I just a few weeks ago.  Our friend Mikey and his bride Sherree invited themselves over and stepped into our valley.  They sat down and listened to the nitty-gritty, and they didn’t try to fix us.  They didn’t pretend that they had it all together, either.  They shared their own messy mountain tale, and then we decided to invite someone else into the conversation.

Four hearts bowed together in front of an altar aflame.

Together, we asked God to move two mountains.

With worshipful hearts, we cried out to Him for those mountains to crumble.

We prayed big.

+++

In the Old Testament when David faced defeat and discouragement, he continually lifted up empty hands to heaven and cried out for mercy.

Why do we think that we can’t do the same?  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.

++

May my prayer be set before You like incense;

    may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Psalms 141:2

++

This year, I am going to be a bit rebellious again and choose a two-word theme.  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 us to share our stories and surrender them to our mountain-moving God in prayer.  Let’s cry out to God together.

p.s. — Ladies only allowed in the Facebook group please — sorry fellas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am sharing “Pray Big” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday, Give Me Grace, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Recommendation Saturday, Faith-Filled Friday, Thriving Thursday, Tell His Story,  Three-Word Wednesday. Testimony Tuesday, Rich-Faith Rising, Sharing His Beauty, Playdates with God, and Unforced Rhythms.

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5 Tips for Reading Through the Bible in a Year

For years, I made the commitment and failed miserably over and over.  I can’t tell you how many consecutive Januarys I made the resolution to read my Bible from cover to cover.  I was an enthusiastic starter, but a terrible finisher.

I had great intentions.  I love the Bible, and I love Jesus.  But, somewhere in the middle of March, I would get lost in Old Testament genealogies and determine that I was more of a “New Testament Girl.”

I changed my ways after a little inspiration. I attended a workshop at a women’s conference where a passionate sister shared her heart on the importance of reading and knowing the whole counsel of God.  Her enthusiasm for the subject inspired me to try once again – plus she gave me some practical advice that helped me to do so with greater success.

As a “New Testament Girl,” I want to share 5 tips that will help you complete the goal of reading through the entire Bible…

I’m sharing over at Missional Women today.  Head on over here to read the rest of this post.

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The Year in Review 2014

It’s a wrap.  365 days later, 2014 is done.  Can I tell you how thankful I am for God’s mercy rained down on my family this year.  If you had asked me in January how I was going to make it through to December, I probably would have had a good cry.  (In fact, I think I actually did have a cry or two.).  But, here I am in December, and we are in a much better, stronger place.  Life hasn’t gotten much easier, but we have dug down deep into Him, and He is holding us fast.

I am so thankful that you have walked this journey with me.  Your prayers, your e-mails, your love in the comments on this blog — every bit of it has encouraged my spirit deeply.  I know that I haven’t been the best at responding this year, but I want you to know how much you mean to me.  You have been Aaron and Hur holding up my arms in battle.  Bless you.

As we close out this year, I wanted to share one post from each month that captures the spirit of this year for me.  This is kind of a time capsule of 2014 for me.  So, if you want to catch up or re-visit some of my story, here it is.

January : Hold Fast

May He tattoo these two words on my heart:  Hold fast.

I know He specializes in stormy seas, and He won’t let me slip through His mighty fingers.

February: A Warrior Princess

 

 

 

 

 

 

My King fights for our redemption.  As His Warrior Princess, I am equipped with formidable weapons to wage war and uphold the defenseless.

March: A Soul Set Free

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am a soul set free.

He has broken away chains of bondage.

April: Phoning it In

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I am not careful with my heart, delight will turn into a duty,

and duty could transform into drudgery.

and drudgery might pave the road to danger.

May: In a Pressure Cooker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…once the lid comes off and the steam is released, I am going to be softer to His touch.

I need to wait.   I need to trust the process.

 

June : What Are You Wearing?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes, you don’t know how good something fits until you take a chance and wear it.

 

July : Eyes Wide Open

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Abba doesn’t drift off to sleep on the job.  He is in tune with my every noise and movement.  His eyes stay wide open every moment of my life.

 

August : Crossroads

 

 

 

 

 

The bridge looms ahead — to cross or to burn.

My feet on the road must yield and not turn.

 

September : Gloom and Doom

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t want to hide inside when it’s a little cloudy outside.  Lord, help me to open up the windows and let the light in.  Help me to walk forward with the wind at my back and eyes lifted firmly toward the heavens.

October : Hold Fast in Hard Times (A 31-day Series)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a ship “hold fast” implies that rigging is tied securely.  During inclement weather, sailors would actually wrap themselves in the lines to help maintain their grasp.   Seamen often tattooed this phrase on their knuckles as a reminder.  With this information in mind, I had to smile when I read Hebrews 4:14 in The Message:

Now that we know what we have—

Jesus, this great High Priest

with ready access to God—

let’s not let it slip through our fingers.

This sailor is securing herself to Her Savior.

November : Hit the Reset

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thing I do know is that God has provided a perfect “reset function” for my soul.  Have you been mis-functioning lately?  Confession will clear that right up and put a new zip in your spirit.

December : God Came Near

 

 

 

 

 

You see, I don’t worship a distant God.  My life is surrendered to a Heavenly Father who took on flesh and dwelt among the broken.  He came to seek and to save the outcast.  He pursues and woos and remains present.

God Himself is with us.

This Advent, may I remember that God came near, and I must do the same.

 

“The Year in Review 2014″

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Christmas Love

I’m taking a thought-provoking break for the next couple of weeks.  Wishing you all “Christmas Love” as you celebrate the Savior and make memories with your family.

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