Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 63
July 4, 2014
Free to Fly
…and you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32, ESV
I am sharing “Free to Fly” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday and Give Me Grace.
Photo Credit: Thomas Ulrich, via Pixabay
The post Free to Fly appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
July 3, 2014
A Sheltering Tree
Photo Credit
I’ll never forget the moment it happened. After weeks of meeting with the same group of women for Bible study, one brave sister finally decided to be real. She peeled back the mask and let us see her pain. She told her story.
I am sure she was frightened. Would we look at her with pity? Would we judge her?
From the other side of the room, another courageous voice broke into the silence. “That happened to me. too.”
She was not alone.
Her story melted the facade of perfection that had clouded our view. None of us was alone. Each of us was beautifully broken.
That night we walked out into the night air with a lighter step. Telling our stories had opened the door to healing and helped set us free from the bondage of private pain.
We would walk forward together as one.
Coleridge once said that friendship is a sheltering tree. That day, a sisterhood stood strong to support one woman and covered her with tender care.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15, MSG
Q4U: Have you found freedom and shelter from telling your story in community? I’d love to hear your story.
The post A Sheltering Tree appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
July 2, 2014
Bitter or Better? (Thought-Provoking Thursday)
Photo Credit: Pixoman, via Pixabay
Some days, I have more questions than answers. Today was one of those days.
Someone who loved sacrificially and served faithfully has been cast aside.
I tell you, ministry can be brutal.
Days like this remind me of Job –a righteous man with a riches to rags story. He lost everything he’d worked for, so his wife told him to curse God and die.
Job chose to push through his doubt and continue pursuing God. He came out on the other side a better man.
I can’t control what will happen tomorrow, but I can choose to stay the course.
Will I be bitter or better? The decision is mine to make.
Work at getting along with each other and with God.
Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God.
Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity.
Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent.
A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time.
Hebrews 12:14-15, MSG
Something to think about…
I am sharing “Bitter or Better” and joining like-minded sisters at Three Word Wednesday, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Recommendation Saturday, Faith-Filled Friday, Essential Fridays, A Group Look, and Thriving Thursday.
Looking for more thought-provoking posts? Check out the ones written by my blogging friends in today’s link up.
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 Bitter or Better? (Thought-Provoking Thursday) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
My Intentions
Photo Credit: Ged Altmann, via Pixabay
How do you end well? This is the question posed by Jean Fleming in her powerful book Pursue the Intentional Life. Over two decades, Jean prayed and planned and purposed to live her life looking toward the finish line and beyond to her sweet reward.
Rather than fritter my life away, I want to “hold fast” to Christ each day with unwavering resolve. I believe that a”beauty full” life is possible as I pursue Christ.
I intend to
Look forward with expectancy and joy.
Love my people and my Jesus with reckless abandon — fully engaged in what matters.
Listen attentively to the leading of the Holy Spirit and embrace every opportunity to make Christ known.
Learn to savor each moment as a miraculous gift from God.
Every day, my life is writing a story. My prayer is that God’s love will weave in and out of every plot line and point every reader to the grander story of redemption.
Q4U: What intentions are you purposing to live by as you pursue Christ?
I’m sharing “My Intentions” and joining like-minded sisters for an #inbooks linkup.
Let’s “Hold Fast” in 2014.
The post My Intentions appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
June 28, 2014
The Round Up
There’s more to come:
We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles,
because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us,
and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue,
keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.
In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged.
Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers
to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
Romans 5:3-5, MSG
I am sharing “Arms Open Wide” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday and Give Me Grace.
Photo Credit: Ana J. Brown, via Pixabay
The post The Round Up appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
June 25, 2014
What Are You Wearing? (Thought-Provoking Thursday)
Photo Credit: PDP, via Pixabay
The other day I needed a new dress.
I crossed my fingers and reached far back into dark hole section of the closet in search of an unworn dress that I faintly remembered.
It was one of two dresses I’d brought home for my husband’s approval on the weekend before Mike and Sherree got married in 2010. He’d picked the other dress, and this black and white number faded into oblivion.
Rescuing the garment from the shadows, I held up the dress for inspection. It still had the tag on it.
“Come with me, little dress.” I pulled it over my head, and it landed nicely in all the right places. I added a pretty black and white heart necklace to match. I glanced in the mirror on the way out of the bedroom and smiled. This dress and I are going to be friends.
At work, I was the fashion diva of the day. “Nice dress.”
Score!
When I got home, my husband gave me “the look.” You know, the look that says, “You are hot.”
“You know,” he said. “I didn’t pick that dress because I thought you’d look like a zebra. It looked different on the hanger, but now that I see it on…” Apparently, zebras are in season.
I donned the zebra dress again today. As I pondered its magical powers, God gently spoke to me about the dark hole in the closet of my heart where I place things I don’t want to wear.
What else have you not put on because you think it won’t look good on you, Lyli?
Sometimes, you don’t know how good something fits until you take a chance and wear it.
Something to think about…
I am sharing “What Are You Wearing?” and joining like-minded sisters at The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Recommendation Saturday, Faith-Filled Friday, Essential Fridays, A Group Look, and Thriving Thursday.
Looking for more thought-provoking posts? Check out the ones written by my blogging friends in today’s link up.
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 What Are You Wearing? (Thought-Provoking Thursday) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
June 20, 2014
A Blueprint for Discipleship
I met her in the eighth grade. I’d never really known anyone like her. She was poised. She spoke with grace. Her countenance reflected a peace I’d never really seen in anyone. This woman loved Jesus.
As a new believer, I looked on at her life and wondered how I could be more like her. I really didn’t have time to chat with her about it much though. I was just one of 20 or so students in her physical science class at the Christian school I attended. I was a name on her roster. We really didn’t have a personal relationship, just a formal one.
One glorious day, she asked me to stay after class. She said she’d like to chat with me one on one later that week, and let me know what time she was available.
I really had no idea why she wanted to see me, but she was an amazing woman and my teacher. So, I showed up at the time we agreed upon. I am sure that my knees were knocking a little as I crossed the threshold into that classroom…
I’m delighted to be sharing “Blueprint for Discipleship” over at Missional Women today. To read the rest of this post, head on over here.
The post A Blueprint for Discipleship appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
June 19, 2014
A Blank Slate
Photo Credit
Six weeks ago, I did not know the first thing about Summer DeCoste and Alyssa De Los Santos. We were thrown together by (in)courage to lead a (in)couragers community group. We had 48 hours to brainstorm the focus of our group (Insert scream of terror here.)
I’ve learned so much through the experience.
First, I learned that Alyssa De Los Santos and Alyssa Mae Santos, a bloggy friend, are not the same person. (Oops!)
Second, I learned that if you lead a community group with a girl from San Antonio, you might be the only Miami Heat fan in a group full of Spurs fans.
Third, I’ve learned that if you pick up a figurative paint brush and start coloring on a community canvas in your favorite ordinary color, a blank slate may just turn into an extraordinary masterpiece. A splash of color from each ladies’ inkwell will add grace and beauty with just a tint of fun.
I will forever be thankful that I purposed to pick up my brush.
The post A Blank Slate appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
June 18, 2014
Climate Control (Thought-Provoking Thursday)
Something to think about…
I’d love for you to join us over at (in)courage today to chat about Jean’s incredible book Pursue the Intentional Life. #inbooks
I am sharing “Climate Control” and joining like-minded sisters at The Weekend Brew, Still Saturday, and Give Me Grace.
Looking for more thought-provoking posts? Check out the ones written by my blogging friends in today’s link up.
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 Climate Control (Thought-Provoking Thursday) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
June 14, 2014
Arms Open Wide
But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith
by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love,
keeping your arms open and outstretched,
ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ.
This is the unending life, the real life!
Jude 1:20-21, MSG
I am sharing “Arms Open Wide” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday and Give Me Grace.
Photo Credit: Dean Smith, via Free Images
The post Arms Open Wide appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.
