Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 73

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

Thunder Victory

“Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord,

shout triumphantly to the Rock of our salvation!

Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving;

let us shout triumphantly to Him in song.”

Psalms 95:1-2, HCSB

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Joining like-minded sisters at

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

Lessons Learned in 3-D — Spiritual Warfare

What a crazy month this has been!  God is stretching me and teaching me so much through some “fiery situations.”   I want to be intentional about remembering the lessons learned during this season.  That’s why I put these weekly Top 10 posts together.

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

1.  A rat can crawl up into your car and eat away at some belt that controls the power steering on your car.  This may or may not be spiritual warfare, but probably is if your step-son calls five minutes earlier to say that he is having car problems, too.  And then, your husband plugs a piece of equipment into the wall and almost starts a fire.

2.   Sometimes the best therapy is to pull out an old CD for a road trip and sing off-key karaoke at the top of your lungs.  (Thank you, Jeremy Camp.  Your album Restored has helped restore me.)

3.  Michelle reminded me that “A holy endorsement  is the only one you’ll ever need.”

4. On a similar note:  “Here’s the lie: that our worth as humans is dependent on what any other human says, does or thinks.”  (Thank you, Melanie, for pointing me to this “spot on” article by Sam Ponder titled “Examining Truth and Twitter.”)

5.  My new daily prayer:  ”Lord, keep my loved one who needs you so desperately.”  – Thank you, Leila, for sharing your story and showing me how to pray.

6. Favorite Pinterest Pin this week:  12 Days of Love Notes (a great Christmas idea from Dating Divas)

7.  I just completed a study of Ephesians with an amazing group of women as part of the Hello Mornings Challenge.  In studying the armor, I read David Guzik’s commentary on Ephesians 6 on Blue Letter Bible, and he provided an eye-opening explanation of ”demanding moments” in spiritual warfare

- A flood of depression or discouragement, feeling like a black cloud.
- When a relatively insignificant thing gets blown way out of proportion.
- An opportunity to speak with someone about what Jesus did for you.
- Opposition against a sense that God wants you to do something, to follow through on something.
- A sense of panic and helplessness.

8.  I want to be a “dangerous woman.”  Thank you Lynne Hybels for sharing this prayer creed on your website:

Dear God, please make us dangerous women.

May we be women who acknowledge our power to change, and grow,

     and be radically alive for God.

May we be healers of wounds and righters of wrongs.

May we weep with those who weep and speak for those who cannot

    speak for themselves.

May we cherish children, embrace the elderly, and empower the poor.

May we pray deeply and teach wisely.

May we be strong and gentle leaders.

May we sing songs of joy and talk down fear.

May we never hesitate to let passion push us, conviction compel us,

     and righteous anger energize us.

May we strike fear into all that is unjust and evil in the world.

May we dismantle abusive systems and silence lies with truth.

May we shine like stars in a darkened generation.

May we overflow with goodness

in the name of God and by the power of Jesus.

And in that name and by that power, may we change the world.

Dear God, please make us dangerous women. Amen.

9.  I am beautiful.  I am meant for so much more than all of this.  I am treasured.  I am sacred.  I am His.  (Thank you, Mercy Me and Patty for reminding me.)

…

…

10.  Kid President made me smile and shared some wisdom in his VLOG “20 Nice Things We Should Say More Often” :

…

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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 Jesse and friends this weekend for

Filed under: Lessons Learned in 3D Tagged: Christianity, Life Lessons, Link Love, spiritual warfare

A Consuming Fire

Apparently, God is a bit of a pyromanic.   Last week, I read in Hebrews 12 that He is “a consuming fire,” and I can’t seem to stop thinking about it.  My Holy God is using the flame to refine my life — removing all that is not holy, all that will harm me.   This forging is a painful process, but one that results in greater growth and beauty.

May I never resist the flame.

Consume me, Lord.

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“So be truly glad.

There is wonderful joy ahead,

even though you have to endure

many trials for a little while.

These trials will show

that your faith is genuine.

It is being tested

as fire tests and purifies gold—

though your faith is far more precious

than mere gold.

So when your faith remains strong

through many trials,

it will bring you much praise and glory and honor

on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

I Peter 1:6-7, NLT

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Q4U:  How has God used the flame to refine your life?

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

I am linking up with like-minded sisters at Thought-Provoking Thursday, 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, Hear it on Sunday: Use it on Monday, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays and Faith-Filled Friday
Filed under: Three-Word Wednesday Tagged: Christianity, Devotional, fire, God, refining, Three-Word Wednesday

Enter In

Joining like-minded sisters at

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

Lessons Learned in 3D — The Procrastinator’s Edition

A while back, I decided that each Friday on the blog I would share what I am learning in the form of a top 10 list.

And then, life decided to get a little crazy.

So, I am just a tad bit behind.

Actually, I am three months behind.

Oops!  How did that happen?

Obviously, I have some catching up to do.

Here in no particular order are 10 things I have learned over the last 12 weeks:

1.  A home-cooked meal during a stressful week can be a game changer and help lighten the mood.  I suggest you pull out your crock pot and try Carolina Hot Pot.  (I added an extra jar of mild salsa at the end to cut the heat a bit.)

2.  A two-week vacation away from internet and cell phones will refresh your spirit (until you get back to civilization and discover that you have 300 e-mails). We had a wonderful time in Alaska.

3.  Beth Moore reminded me that these “4 words resound in your mind, leap from your mouth, and strengthen your step this day” —   Name the name.

4.  Writing a blog post every day for 31 days is not an impossible task.   (Remind me to send The Nester a thank you card.)

5.  Pinterest is packed full of fun ideas for Thanksgiving.

6. Biggest take-away about relationships from Beth Moore’s Sacred Secrets study:

Authenticity with All
Transparency with Most
Intimacy with Some

7.  Kevin DeYoung taught me a new framework for praying using Scripture – The 3R’s. 

8.  Praise and worship is a great prescription for a heavy heart. 

9.  I am clinging to this truth:

“And The Lord is faithful,

and He will strengthen

and protect you from the evil one”

(II Thessalonians 3:3, NASB).

10.  Cowboys make great theologians.  I snapped a picture of this sign when we had dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse earlier this week:

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 Jesse and friends this weekend for

Filed under: Lessons Learned in 3D Tagged: Christianity, Life Lessons, Link Love, Top 10

Walls Come Down

My husband dropped me off at church last Wednesday night, and then he took quite a while to join me in the sanctuary.  I played Words with Friends on my phone and checked twitter as I waited.   We had arrived early, so there was “time to kill.”

When my husband finally appeared, I asked him if he had stopped to chat to Jon.  Because He always runs into Jon in the parking lot, and Jon is a talker.

“No,” he said.”  And then he proceeded to tell me about a horrifying voice message he’d listened to as he sat alone in the car.  He had no idea that the message would be an emotional bomb.  The news exploded  while I sat in the sanctuary blissfully unaware that my husband’s heart was breaking into a million little pieces.

I grabbed my husband’s hand, and I prayed.    There was nothing else we could do.

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The next day, as I sat at work, I wanted to encourage my husband’s heart, so I sent him a quick text.   His response made me smile.

We are going to shout loud.  Loud until the walls come down.  We win.

What walls are you facing today?  Is the enemy trying to tell you that there is no hope?  Don’t believe it, my friend.

Walls are meant to come down.  Keep shouting.

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“But you, God, shield me on all sides;

You ground my feet, you lift my head high;

With all my might I shout up to God,

His answers thunder from the holy mountain.”

Psalms 3:3-4, MSG

Q4U:  Have you seen a wall come down in your life?  I would love to hear your God story.

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

I am linking up with like-minded sisters at 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, Hear it on Sunday: Use it on Monday, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays and Faith-Filled Friday
Filed under: Three-Word Wednesday Tagged: Christianity, Devotional, God's power, praise, shout, spiritual warfare, Three-Word Wednesday

Secret Place

“For in the day of trouble

He will conceal me in His tabernacle;

In the secret place of His tent

He will hide me;

He will lift me up on a rock.”

Psalms 27:5, NASB

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Joining like-minded sisters at

Photo Credit:  Otávio Brito
Filed under: Scriptural Inspiration Tagged: God's Protection, Scripture, Secret Place

Confessions of a Book Addict

 

Other women collect shoes.  I collect books.

Today, Kelly is hosting a link up of “Winter Reading Lists.”  So, I decided to join in on the fun and basically confess my sin of book addiction here on the blog.  I have stacks of un-read books all over the house hidden in drawers, closets, and book bags.  So, I am going to pick 3 from my list to read before  the end of Winter (except I live in Florida, so I am not quite sure when that is…)

Book 1

 Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman.  

 I finally surrendered and purchased this in January, but have not managed to crack it open yet.  It’s on my list for Winter.  Maybe I will get to it by Spring…

Book 2

Girls with Swords:  How to Carry Your Cross Like a Hero by Lisa Bevere.

A friend read this early in the year and raved about it on Twitter.  It’s been collecting dust on my nightstand for several months now…

Book 3

God is Able by Priscilla Shirer.

I am thrilled to announce that I have been asked to review Priscilla’s upcoming book, and I will be hosting a giveaway later in the month.  Stay tuned!

Q4U:  What are you reading?  Are you a book addict like me?  

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

I am joining Kelly and like-minded sisters today.

Filed under: Reading List Tagged: Giveaway, Reading List

Be a Light

 

My husband and I decided to take a big step of faith a few weeks ago.  We prayed a rainbow prayer.  We moved forward believing that God is able to do the impossible.

But, sometimes the pathway to a  miracle is filled with potholes and roadblocks.  The road is unpaved and seemingly un-safe.

So, I started to wonder, “Does God really want me to go this way?”  Surely, it would be smoother sailing if God had appointed this journey.  Maybe this is a “me” thing, and not a “God thing.”

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On Monday, God wanted me to know without a doubt He had divinely called me to walk this road.  So, He sent me a very clear message.

I found my confirmation in the most unlikeliest of places.   I was sitting on a toilet in the ladies’ restroom at work.  I looked straight in front of me and saw  my sign.   It was literally hanging on the inside of the bathroom stall door staring back at me.

Be a light in the darkness.

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Lord, did you really just tell me to “go for it” while I am sitting in a public restroom?

Indeed, He did.

Be a light, Lyli.  I will give you the fuel. 

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“…let your light shine before people,

so that they can see your good deeds

and give honor to your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16, NET

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Q4U:  Is God calling you to take a step of faith and “Be a Light” in a dark place?  I would love to hear your story.

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

I am linking up with like-minded sisters at 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, Hear it on Sunday: Use it on Monday, The Weekend Brew, Still Saturday, Spiritual Sundays and Faith-Filled Friday
Photo Credit 2:  Mihai Tamasila
Filed under: Three-Word Wednesday Tagged: Be a Light, Christianity, Confirmation, Devotional, God speaks today, Miracles, Three-Word Wednesday