Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 72

Love Song

For the Lord Your God is living among you.

He is a Mighty Savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With His love, He will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Zephaniah 3:17, NLT

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Joining like-minded sisters at

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Prince of Peace (Thought-Provoking Thursday)

 

All of last week, I was looking forward with great anticipation to Friday evening.  The Women’s Ministry at my church was hosting a Ladies Christmas Event, and Cheri Keaggy would be leading worship.  I love my husband, but sometimes it’s good to get away with the girls.

The sanctuary looked spectacular.  I plopped down in my chosen seat toward the back and took it all in.  Giant snowflakes hung down from the ceiling.  White lights twinkled happily, and beautiful Christmas trees filled up the stage.

The theme for the evening was Heavenly Peace…

….except my peace was about to be disrupted.

There in the “sanctuary” while women chatted cheerily and Casting Crowns “Peace on Earth” played in the background, I was suddenly robbed of my peace.

My iPhone started to ding ding ding with urgent text messages.  A friend was hurting.  Her world had imploded.  I wanted to jump out of my seat and find her.  Tears welled up in my eyes.

I sent a text to my husband — making him aware of the situation and asking him to pray for this family.  I lifted my eyes to the Lord and asked Him to rain down His peace.

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On Saturday, I spent the day researching Scriptures on peace.   I had to smile when I read Isaiah 9:6 in The Message translation:

For a child has been born—for us!

the gift of a Son—for us!

He’ll take over

the running of the world.

His names will be: Amazing Counselor,

Strong God,

Eternal Father,

Prince of Wholeness.

In a world where darkness seeks to rob me of my peace, I must remember that Christ came to make things Whole.

He is my peace.

As I lay my burden at His feet, the Prince of Peace will take over and give me counsel, strength, protection, and peace.

Something to think about….

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 the hashtag #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. 

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Fully-Dimensional Faith

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

The honest answer is that when I started blogging, I wanted to stay true to my teaching roots and title my blog “Lessons for Life,” but that was already taken.  I added the “3-D” in front of it on a whim.  My husband’s business is nicknamed 3-D, and it’s a phrase that we use often at Casa Dunbar.

When I moved my blog to wordpress.org, I had to decide if I wanted to change the name of this blog.  I prayed about keeping 3-D Lessons for Life or tossing it for a new “revamped title.”  As I thought about who I am and what this space on the web has become, the Lord impressed on me that the phrase “3-D” needed to stay.

God has called me to live a fully-dimensional faith.  That’s the focus of my life and why I write here about life lessons.  I want to pursue Christ with every fiber of my being.

Living a 3-D faith requires

a commitment to growing intimacy with Christ
a charge to affirm others and walk in community
a call to reach out in love and live a life of service

This 3-fold focus was birthed in my heart through studying Paul’s prayer:

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father,

this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth.

I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—

not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—

that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in.

And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love,

you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus

the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.

Reach out and experience the breadth!

Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights!

Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19, MSG

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Q4U:  How would you describe a “fully-dimensional faith”?

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I am joining like-minded sisters at  The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Thriving Thursdays, Tell His Story,  Wednesdays in the Word, Three-Word Wednesday, A Little R and R, Tuesdays Unwrapped, Soli Deo Gloria, Rich-Faith Rising, Playdates with God, and Hear it on Sunday: Use it on Monday.

The post Fully-Dimensional Faith appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Hope Overflowing

Oh! May the God of green hope

fill you up with joy,

fill you up with peace,

so that your believing lives,

filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit,

will brim over with hope!

Romans 15:13, MSG

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Joining like-minded sisters at

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

Lessons Learned in 3-D — Advent Adventure

 

This week has been a whirlwind.  The tree is up, but the rest of the decorations and a ton of unwrapped gifts are crowding the dining room table.  They are taunting me — telling me that Christmas is less than a month away.  (If only I could stop the clock for a few minutes to wrap the gifts and clean the house?).

I am trying not to listen to the voices of Christmas condemnation in my head.  This year, I have decided that I am going to say NO to Christmas craziness.  Instead, I am going to celebrate Advent.  The idea of Advent is a new one to me, but I hope to embrace it fully.  This year, I want to learn how to slow down and celebrate His coming.

On Fridays, I take time out to reflect on what God is teaching me.   I am a slow learner, so these posts help to reinforce the truths that I hope I will never forget.

Here in no particular order are the top 10 things that I learned this week:

1.  Dressember is more than just wearing dresses all December.  It’s a movement to bring awareness to the issue of Human Trafficking.  For more info, head here.

2.  Favorite Christmas Tune heard on the radio this week — “Born is the King (It’s Christmas)” by Hillsong

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3.  I need to be more intentional about speaking God’s blessing to those in my circle of influence.  I love this post from Lisa’s Notes.

4.  Favorite Scripture for the Week is from Luke 1:28 (MSG) where Gabriel appears to Mary:

Good morning!

You’re beautiful with God’s beauty,

Beautiful inside and out!

God be with you.

5. Favorite Pinterest Find:  Light Em’ Up — 100 to Light Up Your Community with Kindness

6.  Favorite Inspirational Advent Instagram Photo came from Kris Camealy:

 

7.  Favorite quote of the week came from reading all about Nelson Mandela, an amazing world changer:

“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”

8.  I need to “listen for the beat of His song” for me.  – Thank you Mandy for sharing this beautiful Advent post that encouraged me today.

9.  Michelle was over at Diane’s place this week, and she reminded me that “Jesus is Emmanuel. God with us. No matter what.”

10.  If you tell God that you are blogging for Him, then you should not be surprised when He asks you to step outside of your comfort zone.  That’s exactly what happened to me this month when I got an e-mail from Michelle.  She is taking a bloggy break and wanted to know if I was interested in hosting Thought-Provoking Thursday.   I asked my husband what I should do, and my favorite cheerleader gave the idea two thumbs up.  So now, two weeks later, I have moved my entire blog to wordpress.org, and I feel like a tiny fish in a very large pond.

So, next week on Thursday, I want to cordially invite you to join me for the Thought-Provoking Thursday Community.  If you have trouble swimming in big ponds like me, just wear your floaties and jump in.  I promise the water will be warm.

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Q4U:  What have you learned this week?  I would love to hear about it…

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I am joining Jessie and friends this week

The post Lessons Learned in 3-D — Advent Adventure appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Marriage — It’s Not About Me

 

At 41, I honestly did not think I would ever get married.  Nearly a decade had passed since my last date.  I chose to not worry about it though.  If God wanted me to be a wife, then certainly he would send me a husband.

In early 2008, I partnered with two other singles at my church to start a small group.  Our focus was to serve – each month we would put feet to our faith in our community.  Our group leader gave me a ride to our first event – we would help organize the monthly clothing drive at our church’s homeless ministry The Refuge.  On the way there, we chatted easily and laughed frequently.  Was there a spark?  “Lord, are you doing something here?” I thought.

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I am sharing over at Missional Women today.  To read the rest of this post, head on over here.

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Comfort and Joy

I love watching cheesy Christmas movies on television.  One of my all-time favorites is a made for television movie called Comfort and Joy.  Have you seen it?  In the movie, Jane is a single gal who is moving up the corporate ladder.  She is all fun and no play.  Then, one day, she is knocked unconscious in a car accident, and she gets a glimpse of what her life would be like had she chosen a different road.  The tagline for the movie is “What if the life you’re living isn’t the one you’re meant to live?”

Have you ever asked yourself that question?  I think many people do.

The title for the movie is taken from the lyrics to the Christmas Carol “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”

God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Saviour

Was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan’s power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

Close by today, someone I know is seeking answers.  Life lacks meaning and purpose.  What if the life they are living is not the one they are meant to live?  What if there is more?

In Luke Chapter 1, a simple girl comes face to face with an angel.  He tells her the Good News –  he gives her a glimpse of a different life ahead.  She is forever changed by these tidings of comfort and joy.

 

And Mary said,

I’m bursting with God-news;

I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.

God took one good look at me, and look what happened—

I’m the most fortunate woman on earth! (vs. 46-47, MSG)

Who do you know that needs to hear this Good News?  Someone in your circle of influence needs God’s comfort today.  Is there a person close by whose life is lacking joy?  I am called to share the Good News that dispels dismay.  I am a modern-day herald.  I must point those who have gone astray to the One who came to set them free from the enemy’s power.

I am praying for God to give me eyes to see that person who needs to hear the glad tidings.

His comfort and joy changes everything.  This Advent, may I burst with the God-news.

Q4U:  How do you plan to share God’s comfort and joy with others this Christmas?

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I am joining like-minded sisters at  The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Thriving Thursdays, Tell His Story,  Wednesdays in the Word, Three-Word Wednesday, A Little R and R, Soli Deo Gloria, Rich-Faith Rising, Playdates with God, and Hear it on Sunday: Use it on Monday.

The post Comfort and Joy appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Moving In

I am a nester.  Once I settle in, I don’t like to move.

For three years, the same little spot on the web has been my home.  I made it mine.

I was comfortable there.

But, I forgot something.  I serve a God who likes to shake things up.  He moves.  He moves in spectacular fashion.

Last week, He moved in my life.

So, I followed His lead…..

Welcome to my new bloggy home.

I am unpacking the boxes and trying to decorate this spot to make it just as comfy as the one I left behind.   I hope you will stop by often to visit.

I love it when friends stop by to chat.

 

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Lessons Learned in 3-D — O Christmas Tree

I cannot believe that December is already here.  Oh my, how quickly time slips by!  That’s why every Friday on the blog I like to put together a list of things that I am learning to help me “take note” of how God is working in my life.

Here in no particular order are 10 things I’ve learned lately:

1.  This month, my parents celebrated 48 years of marriage, and my grandparents celebrated 68 years.  That’s a lot of years people.  My grandfather says that secret to a good marriage is to treat your spouse with respect.

2.  I love old family photos.   Don’t you?  I need to be more intentional about taking pictures of my family because time slips by so quickly.   Here’s a little “Throwback Thursday” action with my adorable abuelos.  My grandparents still look amazing, right?

3. On another note, I am slightly obsessed with PicMonkey.   I cannot stop making cute graphics for my blog’s Facebook page.  I may need to join a support group to deal with my addiction.

4.   Paula Deen’s corn casserole is always a huge hit at the office Potluck.  I love this easy peasy recipe!

5.  I have been counting down the days until Thanksgiving because that is the day that we put up our tree and pull out the Christmas CD’s.  My new favorite Christmas CD is Peace on Earth by Casting Crowns.

6.  I am a huge fan of Amazon Prime.  Free two-day shipping has rocked my world.  — Imagine my surprise when I learned about Amazon Smile.  Order anything and a percentage goes to the charity of my choice.  Love it!

7.  Do you follow She Reads Truth?  They offer great Bible reading plans for women, and their devotionals are AMAZING.  On Wednesday, they shared a verse that really encouraged me:

“If your heart is broken,

you’ll find God right there;

if you’re kicked in the gut,

He’ll help you catch your breath.”

Psalm 34:18, MSG

8.  I recently discovered this awesome song and had to share it with you.  Love the last line of the lyrics:  “When nobody stands, stand on your own…”

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9.  If I spend time with women who are passionate about the Great Commission, then my passion for Him ignites.   I am so honored to be a Contributor for Missional Women.  Have you heard about the upcoming Missional Women Conference?  Early Bird tickets go on sale on Black Friday.

10.  This weekend, God sent me a sweet surprise.  Don’t you love surprises?    I am excited to share with you that this blog will soon be hosting a link- up blogging community on Thursdays.  In order to get that party started, I am working with the folks at OutstandingSETUP to move my blog to wordpress.org.
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Q4U: What have you learned lately? I would love to hear about it.

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Thanks for stopping by! I would love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

I am joining Jessie and Emily and friends this weekend.
Filed under: Lessons Learned in 3D Tagged: Christianity, Life Lessons, Link Love, Top 10

Overflow with Thanksgiving

“…Thanksgiving is our dialect.”

Ephesians 5:4, MSG

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“…let your living spill over into thanksgiving.”

Colossians 2:7, MSG

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I am joining like-minded sisters at Three-Word Wednesday, Faith-Filled Friday, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Still Saturday, and The Sunday Community.  

Filed under: Scriptural Inspiration Tagged: Christianity, Devotional, Give thanks, Scripture, Thanksgiving