To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Faith

GO BOLD IN YOUR FAITH

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(Photo Creds: Pinterest:  Life Church TV Mission statement excerpt)

Happy Sunday everyone! As we launch into the week I wanted to share this little Mission Statement excerpt which is probably the coolest I’ve ever seen.

Technically It may be part of this church’s vision statement, but they have a list of them and this one captures my heart. I thought you’d love it as well.
In the theme of graduation, Spring time and launching into new seasons of life, what better way to GO BIG than to truly have BOLD FAITH. I am working on my ability to “BET THE FARM” but I’m going to truly focus on it this week.

Questions I’m asking myself:  What areas of my life am I not being FULLY FAITHFUL? Where do I need to be more BOLD and am not due to fear, finances, time or whatever barrier I can drum up? Just why am I not willing to “Bet the Farm?”  (I think those will keep me busy for a bit…YIKES)

Have an amazing week and know that I am praying for each and every one of you to be BOLD IN YOUR FAITH.

Point out someone’s BRILLIANCE

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GRADUATION IS by far one of my favorite times of the year, and I love this pic coupled with one of my favorite bible verses.  (One that I have to remind myself of often, and also a “mom” favorite!)

Once again this year, we have several friends and family members graduating, from high school and college. What a great time of celebration and hope for a bright future.

I wanted to share a story that meant the world to me last year at my boys’ graduation. I have some neighbors,-turned-friends who have been long time supporters of me and the boys. I am especially close to Susie. Her husband Sid is one of those super cool guys my boys have always loved to be around, and more importantly a spiritual leader type of guy that has a way of encouraging even when we don’t know we need it. In 12 years, he has been a great encourager to me two key times and graduation was one. (I share that it was two times because I feel like it is important to note that it doesn’t have to be daily, or weekly, but any encouragement is important). In short, he pulled me aside and spent a good 10 minutes just “talking into” me God’s words of wisdom and celebration and assurance of a job well done… I was stopped in my tracks at their graduation party and had to take a moment to just soak in those words. It was powerful.

Why does this matter? Your words are powerful. You have the power to lift someone up and TAKE THEM TO A NEW LEVEL.

TAKE THE TIME. We have all had those moments when we felt something inside of us urging us to stop and take a few minutes to POINT OUT SOMEONES BRILLIANCE, or to truly embrace their moment of success. TAKE THE CLUE and pull them aside and speak God’s love over them. It will impact and inspire both them and you!

(Photo credit: We Heart It)

Time to stir the nest!

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I just had to write this blog because I have been hit over the head, so to speak, with this concept about three times in less than two weeks. So I figured the universe is trying to tell me something. Ever have that happen? First it was sermon illustration, then a podcast, then on the radio…

So, check out the D.C. Eagle Cam and you will be amazed. You may have to check in a few times but it’s worth it. This is a live camera feed on the “First Lady” and “Mr. President’s” baby eaglets, which just were named this week: Freedom and Liberty. I love stories like this and today’s technology which enables us to take part in the experience.

Today, the idea of “Stirring the Nest” can be best illustrated by how the “First Lady” will eventually have to get those young babes out of the nest and ready to fly on their own. After all, they can’t live their forever! blog_793974_2896877_1462244166

By the way, we can’t live where we are, in the comfort of our habits, and grow at the same time. We have to be stirred to push through to the next level that God has planned for us. So, just like the mama Eagle, the feathers sometimes are taken away and we find outselves sitting atop a downright”thorny” situation, and we have to look over the edge of the nest (so to speak) and develop our faith, then jump out to what’s next. We also should know that just like the mama will soar down and ensure the babies won’t fall to their deaths, that God has put people in our lives that help ensure we land safely.

I have been thinking about this idea of what area in my life needs stirred.  Honestly I think it’s a few.  What are those areas that are getting a bit “thorny” for you? Health? Friends that aren’t really making you a better person? Laziness? Your career? Just realize that whatever it is, you will not only fly, but SOAR like an Eagle if it’s time to launch!

(Photo credit: Pinterest via stop.com)

Plan on finishing!

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I so love this. Caleb was 85 years old when he made this statement. Today, to meet an 85 year old who has that type of robust strength is rare. Even in the biblical time period according to references this was true. What was the difference?

Surely, we all have our ancestors to thank for some of our genetic make up. In this case however, there are two key things that I feel need pointed out…

  1. Boldness: “I am just as vigorous.” – He made a choice not to back down in anyway.
  2. Faith: “Perhaps the Lord will be with me…” (Verse 12) – He decided to claim the promises and take the land.

I want to be like Caleb and FINISH STRONG INSIDE AND OUT. We all need to do this in order to live the life God intended for us all!  Where do you need to be bold this week? We have all been given the promises, we just need to decide to GO AFTER THEM STRONG.

Now… GET OUTSIDE and build the strength necessary to do just that!

(Photo credit: We Heart It)

Let it begin with you!

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For those of you on this journey this week, today is day six, but I especially love day seven as we begin our new week! ONWARD! How great is that? The simple message on the website says:

“Let it begin with you. Make a ripple, to change the world.”

Tomorrow is the walk and it is truly a terrific community event. Regardless of where you may be, I hope that you took the time this week to review the messages and goals of GiveSevenDays.

I am praying that we will all MAKE A RIPPLE and CHANGE THE WORLD. Let it begin with US. 

Join me for the SevenDays events, starting today

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Take a moment right now to watch this awesome video clip!

That video will help tell the story better than I can! The bottom line is that there is a group of super cool people that are trying to change the world by helping to rewrite the story on how we all approach the differences we have. As our world becomes increasingly diverse, it is incumbent upon us take time to learn about other cultures, religions and create a better understanding!

I wanted to use my blog this week as a platform to showcase the great events that are being held this week right here in Kansas City. The events are listed here, if you’re interested (and I so hope you are!). Tonight, on Tuesday, is a tremendous kick-off event that promises to provide us with a perspective on Interfaith.

I had the honor to hear Rabbi Alon Goshen-Gottstein speak while I was in Israel recently so the fact that he is making the trip to KC is down right exciting. He is the founder of the Elijah Interfaith institute, and his mission is inspiring. He will speak at Rockhurst High School at 7 p.m.!

I hope your schedule will allow you to attend one or more of the events. If you are free next Monday, April 18, the events culminate with an evening walk that is a fabulous show of community unity! I look forward to seeing some of you there! I know you will be inspired.

Adventure calls

blog_786682_2885967_1460298022Pure Beauty. I daydream, if you want to call it that, of taking a long road-trip adventure (In my mind that is what this gal is doing!) where you just go out and try to hear what God says about so many things.

What I have figured out along the way, and why this quote stood out to me, is that God seems to mold us during the “everyday adventures” if we are willing to listen and if necessary look back and own it.

I have a bold prayer today that both myself and all of my friends and family will be open to God’s plan for us through the big and small adventures that make up the days of our lives! Love you all! Listen deeply!

(Photo credit: We Heart It)

SevenDays: A conversation that matters

blog_787945_2888090_1460593470Tuesday was the kick-off to the annual SevenDays events in Kansas City. I attended a terrific session on Tuesday night to hear Rabbi Alon Goshen-Gottstein speak on the topic of Interfaith and why it matters. I wanted to provide an overview of that session for you, but I also wanted to share a quick story on the topic.

I asked one of my boys to attend the session Tuesday night explaining why this idea of Interfaith is important. He was confused because in his mind he is certainly open to all races and religions and as far as he was concerned there was not a good reason to learn more about the topic. I loved that, because I think it explains how many feel. Not long ago most of our country could say that they embraced all others. As generations have become educated and society progresses we have indeed made great strides forward.

I have to admit that I also didn’t like this response at all, because I personally know that there is so much more. It wasn’t until just a few years ago (well into my 40s) that I attended a friend’s Passover Seder, which was an important step in understanding her faith. I still haven’t made the steps necessary to learn about my Muslim neighbors, and the list goes on. So, yes, we have made progress, but we have to do more to make the impact that is possible and necessary.

This summary below is just that, a high level overview… I’d love to hear your thoughts and also if you have questions, I’d be happy to moderate getting those to the Rabbi.

Why Interfaith? A lot of reasons, but in our current environment, understanding is the imperative to solving global issues that didn’t really exist prior to the current fast-paced communication and social media opportunities that ensure we have at our ready world-wide news and can react and respond right away.

A great example he gave:  In our country we enjoy freedom of religion, which is why my son answered as he did – makes sense. Unfortunately other countries do not enjoy freedom of religion. It is important for us all to understand the implications of this on world peace.

4 keys ways we can inspire each other in interfaith:

  1. ENCOUNTER one another – Yep, invite your Muslim neighbor over, or if you are Muslim, invite your Christian neighbor over to begin a conversation of understanding.
  2. STUDY other countries, religions, beliefs – We must challenge ourselves to understand fully the traditions of others to truly understand them.
  3. PRAYER–  The Rabbi included this and I thought it was great. This may seem like an easy list, but it isn’t. Even taking the first step seems some how beyond our ability to just jump out and make it a priority. We need to pray that God would give us a passion for understanding.
  4. SERVICE – Perfect that he ended with this. The idea being that once we come together we can translate that into ACTION that makes our communities and countries stronger.   Let’s contemplate that today!

In case you didn’t read Tuesday’s blog, there are some great activities/events happening in KC this week as a part of SevenDays. Check out the website for the full details.  And if you want to know more about Rabbig Goshen-Gottenstein’s interfaith work, check it out here.

Have a strong wrap to your week!

The word of God

I cannot wait to blog this week!blog_784142_2882018_1459691317

I stole this amazing idea from a blog I read Friday about the thought of “deloading.” It’s a concept those in the fitness world know well, and the rest of us have a bit to learn from this in life management. I shared a bit of it with some good friends on Saturday and it resonated deeply with them, too. I believe it will make a difference in your life.

In the meantime, the truth above is an ABSOLUTE TRUTH. As I have aged I have learned this to a greater degree. It’s a shame we aren’t wise enough (or at least I wasn’t) in our youth to embrace this as deeply. The word of God and the lessons, inspiration and help it offers, is a weapon like no other. My prayer today is that your week will be filled with people and truth that makes your life rich and amazing.

Happy Easter Sunday!

blog_782046_2879190_1459085848Easter is an incredible holiday.

The Bible verse in this photo is my favorite and a perfect “simple thought” for Sunday. I love to remember that Jesus came to serve and save. The action has the opportunity to center us around a common purpose. I believe he wants us to serve others in the same spirit, every chance we get. We are in fact called to do so!

Let us pray today that our country will come together and unify around the idea of service and love for one another – ALL OTHERS.

Happy Easter my friends!

(Photo Creds: I Heart It)