Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 66

Phoning it In (Thought-Provoking Thursday)

Photo Credit: PDP via Pixabay

When I got married in 2009, we decided to forgo cable.  The budget was tight, and we didn’t watch a whole lot of TV anyway (this was our reasoning.).  The problem was that I live in South Florida, and I like basketball.   When Miami unexpectedly acquired LeBron James,  suddenly not having cable was a great tragedy.

After a season in basketball darkness, we paid off some debts and decided to splurge on cable — and I introduced my husband to Dwayne Wade on a weekly basis until they became friends.  Right now, I am sitting in my living room typing this during half time.

Now that we have more than 3 channels again, I’ve discovered that my husband and I have much different tastes in programming.  I could watch House Hunters and Property Brothers all day, but he ends up leaving the room after about fifteen minutes.  I have also learned that there is actual programming on the Weather Channel — my husband seems to enjoy watching footage of tornadoes ravaging entire cities.

A few weeks ago, my husband was away on Monday nights for about a month.  So, I did what any girl set free from male “remote control domination” would do.  I watched Dancing with the Stars — because DJ is on this season, and I couldn’t resist.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Winnie Cooper was also participating.  Double the fun!

I was slightly traumatized after episode 3 because the “powers that be” decided that it would be a good idea to do a “surprise dance partner switch.”  I was already used to watching DJ with Mark Ballas, and the thought of squeaky clean Candace possibly having to dance with bad boy Max made me squirm for her.

The following week, I was not able to tune in — husband was back home that night, and he is not a fan of ballroom dancing, sexy costumes, or prickly judges.   But I later learned that Max ended up dancing with Winnie Cooper, and it did not go too well.  The guest judge actually accused him of “phoning it in” that night.

I watched the performance (thank you You Tube), and I certainly didn’t think he had given a half-hearted effort.  But, for some reason, I’ve been thinking about that judge’s snarky comment quite a bit.  Maybe it’s because I look into my heart, and I wonder if I like to “phone it in” a bit too much myself.

I know what I am called to do.  I am a wife.  I am an employee.  I am church member.  I am a friend.

I’ve worn these hats for several years now.  If I step into my roles with love and passion, I am pleasing to God.

I can’t “phone it in” with my husband or with my boss or with God.

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.

Something to think about…

 

I am sharing “Phoning it In” and joining like-minded sisters at Three-Word Wednesday, Still Saturday, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Recommendation Saturday, Faith-Filled Friday, Essential Fridays, 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 Phoning it In (Thought-Provoking Thursday) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

A Living Hope

Praise be to the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In His great mercy He has given us

new birth into a living hope

through the resurrection

of Jesus Christ from the dead,

and into an inheritance

that can never perish, spoil or fade.

This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

who through faith are shielded by God’s power

until the coming of the salvation

that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

I Peter 1:3-5, NIV

 

I am sharing “A Living Hope” with like-minded sisters at

Photo Credit:  Mario Trejo, via freeimages

 

The post A Living Hope appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Bring a Bucket (Thought-Provoking Thursday)

 

Photo Credit: PDP, via Pixabay

I think we’re sometimes in the habit of seeing only thimblefuls of God’s activity occurring in our lives–and considering that to be normal.  We think small things are all that God is capable of doing because that’s all we’ve ever seen Him do.  So we walk down to the shoreline of His ability, carrying our little cups and containers, dipping our little thimbles of expectation into the ocean of His vast greatness.  We think that’s all that we can expect, so that’s all we bring.  Then we’re disappointed and discouraged when we experience only a thimble’s worth of God’s activity in our circumstances.  That’s usually when we accuse and blame Him: ‘God, You must not really be able.  God, You must not really be good.’  But honestly, we got exactly what we came expecting.  He doesn’t give us more than the capacity we bring Him will allow.

Bring a thimble?

Fill a thimble.

But if we would come to the ocean of God’s measureless power bringing our wheelbarrows and five-gallon buckets, that’s exactly how much of Him we’d get to experience.

Bring a bucket?  Fill a bucket.

God is Able, Priscilla Shirer, pp. 124-125

Something to think about…

Psst… I am giving away a copy of this awesome book this week.  To enter the giveaway, head on over here.

I am sharing “Bring a Bucket” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Recommendation Saturday, Faith-Filled Friday, Essential Fridays, 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 Bring a Bucket (Thought-Provoking Thursday) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Confessions of a Book Addict: God is Able (Giveaway)

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.  

I am happy to report that I finally managed to finish reading one book from cover to cover this year, so today, I am sharing my insights on this great read.

Photo Credit: Going Beyond Ministries

 

God is Able by 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.

Here are some “take away” truths that captured my attention:

God allows us to go through seemingly impossible situations to draw us into greater intimacy with Him:  “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).

In difficult times, I must believe that God is good and trust in His sovereign hand:  “Just because you can’t see it or feel it or tell your friends about it right now means only one thing: not that He’s unable, but that His sovereign love is acting right this moment out of sight and without your knowledge” (p. 65). 

My God cares about the nitty gritty of my life:  “Nothing escapes His attention” (p. 104).  “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). 

I should rejoice that my life is a display case for His glory:  “…everything He restores, rekindles, and resurrects in our lives is specifically designed to exhibit His power, to bring Him glory” (p. 141).  “Relax in the hope infused into you by God’s power, no matter what your today or tomorrow looks like” (p. 157).

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 melded personal examples and sound doctrine together to weave an encouraging message for the Body of Christ.  Here is a little video inspiration from Priscilla’s Going Beyond Ministries to whet your appetite a bit:

#GodisAble from Going Beyond on Vimeo.

 

I would love to hear about what you are reading.  Feel free to share in the comment section below and then click on the Rafflecopter to be entered in a Giveaway of Priscilla’s book.

Just make sure to enter on or before April 21st to participate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

I am sharing “God is Able” and joining like-minded sisters at Three-Word Wednesday, Words of Life Wednesdays, Tell His Story, A Little R and R, Testimony Tuesday, Soli Deo Gloria, Rich-Faith Rising, Sharing His Beauty, Playdates with God, and Hear it on Sunday: Use it on Monday.

The post Confessions of a Book Addict: God is Able (Giveaway) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

A Lasting Mark

May God, who puts all things together,

makes all things whole,

Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,

the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant,

Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd,

up and alive from the dead,

Now put you together, provide you

with everything you need to please Him,

Make us into what gives Him most pleasure,

by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.

All glory to Jesus forever and always!

Oh, yes, yes, yes.

Hebrews 13:19-21, MSG

 

I am sharing “A Lasting Mark” with like-minded sisters at

Photo Credit:  Robert Aichinger, via SXC

The post A Lasting Mark appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Lessons Learned in 3-D: Resignation

This week has been gut wrenchingly hard.   My pastor’s resignation has left my whole church grieving.  I’ve experienced so many emotions — heartbreak, confusion, despair, and anger.  When someone you love and respect disappoints you, I think it’s easy to become callous and bitter.  If you don’t turn to Jesus, you tend to “resign” yourself to defeat.

This week, I was reminded that God is sovereign.  No matter what happens — my foundation is sure.  As I lean into Him, I can move forward with hope and confidence because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Here are 5 lessons I learned this week through the sadness:

1.  I am called to live a crucified life.  Bob Franquiz reminded me that “You are only accountable as you want to be… No amount of accountability can replace a heart that is right with God.”

2.  I should be grateful for my disillusionment with man and move toward greater intimacy with Christ.  I need to understand that my brothers and sisters are human.  I love how Sarah Bessey explained this:

It’s freedom for the disillusioned because now we get to enjoy the richness of relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit without any intermediary or filter. I get to follow Jesus, not you. I get to be part of community that is rich and full.”

3.  Rob Hoskins encouraged me to always walk in grace:

However justifying or soothing that feeling of condescension might be as it wells up within you, I urge you to identify it and dismiss it for what it is—a Satanic ploy to destroy you and the body of Christ. Any joyful inclination that one might feel in the failure of another is in itself a moral failure.

4.  I don’t need to know the details of someone else’s sin — even if they are a public figure.  Pat Seiler said it well:

It’s a good time to examine your conversations and desire for information.

We don’t need to know details; we don’t need to spread what we know. If you do, are you gossiping? Consider this verse: “He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.”

5.  The enemy is subtle and patient.  I need to put my armor on daily.  Ron Edmonson explained:

Stand guard. If we ever believe we are above temptation we have opened the door for the enemies prowl to be effective. Most of the time it begins subtly. No one wakes up in a single day and thinks about destroying their personal life. It happens gradually over time.

Q4U:  What did you learn this week?

I am sharing “Mindfulness” and joining like-minded sisters this weekend at Saturday Linky Love, The Weekend Brew, Whatever is Lovely, Five on Friday, Random Five Fridays, Friday Finds, Women of Worship and The Friday Five.  

The post Lessons Learned in 3-D: Resignation appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Helpless (Thought-Provoking Thursday)

Photo Credit: PDM, via Pixabay

You know that moment when you know you are about to crash — you can see the other vehicle coming straight for you at the last second, and you hit the brakes and hold your breath and lock your arms and your gut screams “Stop now.”

That happened to me this weekend.  Except I wasn’t in my car.  I was sitting in the sanctuary.

Someone I love and respect made terrible choices, and I am a wreck.

The morning after the crash, I sat down to read and was reminded that I have a Good Shepherd who will never leave me nor forsake me.  He laid down His life to protect me.

I remembered that I am but a helpless sheep.  I am prone to wander.  I am stubborn and really stupid sometimes.  If I don’t listen closely to the voice of the Good Shepherd and follow Him down the right path, I am open to the attacks of wolves who seek to destroy me.

May I never forget that I am helpless without Him.

Something to think about…

I am sharing “Helpless” and joining like-minded sisters at Spiritual Sundays, Recommendation Saturday, Faith-Filled Friday, Essential Fridays, 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 Helpless (Thought-Provoking Thursday) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Evidence for Christ that Can’t be Ignored

 

A few years back, I served on a jury.  The entire experience was fascinating.  I sat mesmerized as the Prosecutor and then the Public Defendant presented their cases.  Witnesses took to the stands and answered questions about the defendant and his actions.  As a jurist, I was asked to consider all aspects of the case, examine the facts presented during testimony, and render an impartial verdict in accordance with the law and based on the evidence provided.    A person cannot be convicted of a crime if the prosecution does not prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

I found myself wishing that someone had taken video footage of the crime.  The defendant posed one version of the events, but the arresting officers’ description was starkly different.  Who is telling the truth?  Could I know beyond a reasonable doubt?

Doubting the veracity of a person’s story is common today.  We live in a world where truth is twisted, and unscrupulous people abound.  Rare is the night where I don’t turn on the 6 o’clock news and hear about a political official, athlete, or famous person who has fallen from grace.

It is in this environment that I must answer the question “Why should I believe that Jesus is real?”  I am not surprised that people doubt.

Thankfully, the evidences for the claims of Jesus are powerful…

I am sharing “Evidence for Christ that Can’t be Ignored” at Missional Women today.
To read the rest of this post, head on over here.

The post Evidence for Christ that Can’t be Ignored appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Whirlwind

Ocean saw You in action, God,

saw You and trembled with fear;

Deep Ocean was scared to death.

Clouds belched buckets of rain,

Sky exploded with thunder,

Your arrows flashing this way and that.

From Whirlwind came Your thundering voice,

Lightning exposed the world,

Earth reeled and rocked.

You strode right through Ocean,

walked straight through roaring Ocean,

but nobody saw You come or go.

Psalms 77:16-19, MSG

 

I am sharing “Whirlwind” with like-minded sisters at

 

Photo Credit: Rebecca Phillips, via SXC

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

Me in 3-D (Ultimate Blog Party 2014)

 

Me and My Man — July 4, 2009

Welcome

This week, 5 Minutes for Mom is hosting their annual Ultimate Blog Party 2014, so I am putting on my party hat and rolling out the welcome mat.  If you are new here, I am so glad that you found my little spot on the web!

Who am I?  I am

a Disciple: My heart beats for Jesus.
a Wife:  Go Team Dunbar!!!!
an Educator: I get a kick out of breaking complicated concepts down in a way that helps people understand ideas more clearly.
a Mentor:  Grow, learn, encourage, and pray are my favorite action verbs.  

I love God — this blog is about what I am learning as I pursue Him.

Here you will find

Short devotional thoughts :  I don’t have much of an attention span.  Please note I used the word “short.”  I wish I could say that I read Bonhoeffer, but my mind begins to wander after page 3.


Life-changing truths discovered by examining the lives of courageous women : I think Jesus Chicks rock!  I love reading a good story.


Insights gleaned from analyzing powerful words :  I am a word nerd.  The Strong’s Concordance and I are good friends.


Some reflections about spiritual disciplines and my crazy life :  I wish I could say that I have it all together, but my life is kind of like an “I Love Lucy” episode.


Scriptural inspiration :  Reading the Bible helps keep me sane.


Lessons learned from my every day interactions :  Every day, God teaches me something through those I rub shoulders with….  I am not always a good student.

Why is this blog called 3-D Lessons for Life?

God has called me to live a fully-dimensional faith.  I want to know Christ and make Him known with every fiber of my being.  I hope that what I share in this space will be an encouragement to others.  

To learn a little bit more about me, check out

25 Random Facts About Me
Eclipse
The Limp
The “C Word”
A Song in the Night
A Soul Set Free

On Thursdays, I host a linkup community called Thought-Provoking Thursdays.  I would love for you to stop by and meet some of my bloggy friends.  It’s a great place to find some mid-week encouragement for your spirit.  

I serve as the Social Media Manager for Missional Women and am honored to also be a Contributor at Start Marriage Right.  I have guest posted for Finding Heaven Today, Inspiration-Driven Life, Granola Bar Devotional and (in) courage.

Thanks for stopping by. I enjoy making new friends and would love to connect with you on Bloglovin, Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Pinterest. I look forward to chatting with you.

 

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