To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Christian

Memorial Day: A day to honor

Memorial Day is about honor.

As we kick off this week, focused on honoring those who have served our country and lost their lives, I pray that we will all consider the impact this sacrifice has had on our lives. In America, we experience freedom of every possible type. This has come at a price. It will personally be a great joy to lift up to God my many thanks for this gift. My gift in return will be to not only live a life of excellence, but to inspire others to do the same.

Let’s focus this week on honor, because we need to keep it front and center.

Have an amazing long weekend. I pray that you will be refreshed and that a spirit of honor will fill your heart and home.

I want to also take a moment to recognize not only those who have left us through their service to our country, but to all who have gone ahead of us. We are who we are because of their impact on our lives.

(Rewind — this is a throwback post to 2018).

So… What is your super skill?

Okay, so first off… how darling is this little guy? I loved him immediately!

Let’s dive right in. I was listening to a podcast this weekend (Small Changes, Big Shifts), and the guest, Randy Floyd, LSCSW, was sharing that he felt self awareness was the greatest “super skill” to have. How cool is that? I have never really thought about super skills. I guess I didn’t even know that was “a thing.” So, assuming it is, let’s chat about it for a few minutes…

I really like the self awareness perspective. One of the most powerful realities for all of us is to accept that once we really understand something about ourselves –(how and why we react, respond, celebrate, spend time, think about money, etc. )– we then magically become able to process it, as well as make any changes we might like (or need) to in order to reach a better version of ourselves. Sure, it may take some guidance, but once we “know,” we add a great deal of power to our personal growth arsenal. I’m not sure I can or want to challenge that one as the best super skill, but perhaps a good discussion would be interesting.

So… how about the super skills of:

Confidence, courage, bravery or kindness (despite all obstacles). Or how about if your super skill was that of a professional golfer or world class musician? How about a dog or horse whisperer? Goodness – this is kind of fun to think about. This is making me want to have a long list of super skills.

Guess what? That’s quite possible. After all, we get out of life what we claim and go after! Let’s pick a few great ones; a few fun ones. Let’s use the one’s God has gifted us with, and add a few to up our game.

Enjoy the long weekend if you get one! If you are working, we all thank you!

It’s always great to be an American, but it is especially poignant on weekends such as this where we honor those who sacrificed their lives while serving our country in the United States Armed Forces. For all who serve or have served, we pay you the highest honor this weekend and every day of the year.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Another in the fire

Want to build your confidence this week? Your bravado? Your courage? This truth is absolutely huge! Our church for the past several weeks has had an amazing song on their playlist – “Another in the Fire” (Hillsong United). It is incredible, namely because of the lyrics.

“There’s a grace when the heart is under fire…
Another way when the walls are closing in…
And when I look at the space between where I used to be and this reckoning…
I know I will never be alone.

There was another in the fire standing next to me…
There was another in the waters holding back the seas…”

In Daniel’s powerful story, the king who had thrown three in the fire was shocked to see that not only were there three walking around in the fire, but a fourth person appeared to be with them.

As a woman who believes firmly in God, this story prepares us for a life changing truth. No matter what is going on – the great celebrations and great tragedies – God is indeed with us. Sometimes it is just you and Him quietly praising or battling, and other times I believe He sends just the right person or people to serve that purpose and fill that need. I see it every single day, whether it be friends circling one another in prayer and encouragement, or ensuring someone is celebrated and honored. There are so many examples of this greatness around us.

You are never alone. We have each other… We have stories that help guide us back to truth when we have doubts, which we all experience. Have the best week my friends!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Paying honor to the many faces of “mom”

There are way too many days to pick just one to honor the moms out there. Alas, today in America we pay a special tribute.

I am incredibly grateful to have my mom still, especially after a tough 2018 with her health. She is strong and courageous, and I hope to celebrate her often!

In today’s blog, though I thought we should look a bit broader.

I love this picture because it reminds me of one of my favorite roles: dog mom! That’s a fun example of one of the many mom roles that happen across our communities. We have the teachers and nurses (A special shout out to both professions that we recognized this week across our country.) who nurture and hold us accountable to grow in knowledge and health. We have the “bonus” moms and grandmothers who didn’t physically carry a child, but who stepped into a role that they embraced daringly… including the perils of flu season, endless sleepless nights and the “know it all” years. (God bless you all!) We have the aunts, the co-workers, the neighborhood moms, and a host of other women who play a big part in helping raise our younger generations. It takes a village, after all.

Today, I hope you will reach out to a few ladies who have helped you out along the way. Perhaps also to someone you know others may not think to honor. I guess I may even have to acknowledge the “cat” moms out there! (Kidding, kidding!)

Have the best week!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: God meets you at the level of your expectation

I heard this strong message last week and it captured me. The very thought that God meets us where we are is not only comforting, but galvanizing. Whether we are in a mode of praise and gratitude or on a path of seeking and searching… He is there. If we are boldly moving forward with fresh thinking and new plans… He is there. If we find ourselves in a matter of hours (or moments) circulating through emotions of love and struggle… He will also meet us there if we are open to Him.

If we for some reason cannot get to our faith, we can build on a committed focus in 3 key areas (although I’m sure there are many more – so consider this a start):

  1. Surrounding ourselves with a community of people who are able to lift us up and provide both celebration and accountability.
  2. Prayer. No matter if it’s a two word prayer (i.e. “help me”) or a specific and verbose prayer – prayer is POWERFUL.
  3. Reading, listening to or watching messages that contain scripture and teachings that encourage our faith and help us grow in our understanding. One great benefit of our generation is that we have access to almost any type of media available that helps us however we learn best. I love that.

I hope that your faith will grow this week and that it is truly a week of happiness and extreme joy! Let’s all raise our expectations and allow God to step in with whatever we need right now.

It takes a strong person to be kind

An excerpt from Maria Shriver’s short read, “I’ve been Thinking,” was powerful to me:

“We all want to be treated with kindness, because we are all struggling in some way, shape or form. I had to learn this as an adult, because growing up in a large, competitive, and tough Irish Catholic family, I used to confuse kindness with weakness. When I grew up, I learned differently. I now understand that kindness doesn’t mean weakness. You have to be really strong to be kind…You have to be really mindful … A person may look ‘happy on the outside,’ but who knows what’s happening on the inside.”

Some of the strongest people I know are also the kindest. And many have been through or are going through some crazy-hard life situations. They show up with a hug or inspirational words despite facing great loss and suffering. Knowing that was proof enough for Maria’s message to resonate with me.

I know that God has given me enough grace in some of my own “most difficult life experiences” to allow me to “show up” as kind and generous in my actions despite how I really felt inside. I can’t take credit for this because, like most of humanity, I’m not strong enough on my own. I give thanks for that to both by faith and a strong tribe of friends and family that surround me.

Today, be proud of yourself for showing up kind, in the midst of whatever is going on in your life. The ability to do so reveals great strength. I believe we definitely make the world better by showing kindness in every possible moment we can…especially when it’s the hardest to do so. You know what else is fun? Doing so likely will have the outcome of making us feel happier, which is a pretty cool by-product.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Why you can stand still & hold your peace

Our Easter service last weekend was incredible. Sometimes I think, how in the world can someone tell the story in a different way, and somehow God showed up with a relevant narrative that hit home. I think it might for many of you as well.

The simple message above… stand still and hold your peace. God is indeed fighting for us all. He can take the best and worst parts of our life (and even those decisions we make that might not serve us well) and turn them into something productive.

Why do we, in our humanity, insist on letting our peace fall suspect to the latest concern or challenge? Our minds wander down trails of “what ifs” or “how did I get here,” or “what should I do next.” Sometimes we lose sleep and sometimes we can’t stop talking about whatever “IT” is, which only puts a spot light on something that may even be out of our control entirely.

The bible gives us this great news right at its onset in Exodus 14. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

The reminder continues throughout the old and new testaments in Romans 8:31, Josh, 1:9 & 23:10, , Ps 44:5, Deut 3:22, Is 40:31. Clearly we needed a constant reminder that in every generation there will be challenges, and we can find rest in knowing God’s in control.

I loved this. I hope you do too. Stand still my friends and hold on to your peace. God’s got this.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: There is power in His name

Rewind! Throwing it back to a forever-relevant post from a previous Easter. Cheering you on, friends!

What a wonderful name! WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY!

For Christians everywhere, today is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For today, I thought I’d keep it simple and remind you of all Jesus can be in our lives (list below). I for one am thankful he is my counselor, teacher, and that his power shows up in every aspect of my life, providing peace, love, joy and forgiveness.

Have a wonderful week, and no matter what you celebrate today… you are loved indeed.

A short list of some of the names of Jesus:

Almighty   Rev 1:8

Alpha and Omega  Rev 1:8; 22:13

Author and Finisher   Heb 12:2

Beloved   Matt 12:18; Eph 1:6

Christ   Luke 9:20

Comforter   John 14:16

Counselor  Isa 9:6

Creator Isa 43:15; John 1:3; Col 1:16

Deliverer  Rom 11:26

Faithful and True  Rev 19:11

God of hope   Rom 15:13

Light of the World  John 8:12; 9:5

Lord of the Harvest  Matt 9:37-38

Lord of Peace  2 Thess 3:16

Mediator   1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6, 1 John 2:1

Rock  1 Cor 10:4

Physician  Matt 9:12

Shephard  Heb 13:20; 1 Pet 2:25; 5:4

Teacher  Mark  6:34; Luke 4:15; John 3:2

Victor John 16:33; Rev 3:21; 17:14

Wonderful  Rev 19:13


Let’s be of service to those around us!

It’s Easter week. Full of hope and excitement – if you let it.

So, what can put us into that frame of mind?

Whether you are reading this with a heart full of joy – feeling that momentum in your soul – or during a rough season of life, I have found that there is profound power in focusing on others first.

Let me explain…

I consider this idea of “serving well,” and getting outside of my own head, to be one of the most important thing I can do. I love Oprah’s reminder in the quote above that service is an opportunity – a gift, really.

We have the choice to serve others every single day, whether or not you’re “feeling” the positive energy within yourself at the time. It is still a choice. Giving love and being a source of help where needed is arguably one of life’s greatest gifts. We were born with a heart to serve.

I hope this Holy Week fills your heart (and Easter baskets!) with hope and joy by extending a hand to someone that God has placed in your path.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Why acts of kindness belong at the top of our to-do list

“Outdo one another in honor.” Romans 12:10

This verse… is my life verse. This verse has the power to change the world alone. It gives us clear instruction to be devoted to one another in love and honor. It showcases that our humanity is here to help each other rise above and face both challenges and celebrations by turning our attention off of ourselves and on to the people God surrounded us with…even if we may not support their approach or their actions.

My dear friend Mindy Corporon is the most courageous and honoring person I know. Mindy’s story is known by many in our community, and now around the world. Her son and father – along with another lady in Kansas City – were brutally killed 5 years ago by a man whose life was infiltrated with hate. Her choice was to focus on the above – to love and to develop understanding, ultimately allowing her to get to honor. That’s a heavy story and the boldest example of what it means to love even though we flat out don’t want to. The significance of that cannot be described.

A part of this journey has resulted in the Faith Always Wins Foundation and this week’s Seven Days – Make a ripple, change the world. This week is set aside each year to bring our community together to focus on how we get to love and honor by raising our awareness of our differences and embrace all who are walking this journey with us.

The Seven Days events culminate tomorrow night with the Seven Days Faith and Love Walk. The focus that day is ONWARD. The power of locking arms with each other is profound. The back of the t-shirt for the event is perfect: #HeyWhatsYourRippleOfKindness. I hope you will consider grabbing a friend and join us at the WW1 Museum and Memorial at 6 p.m. It’s a short walk and the community engagement will strengthen your hope and infuse your life with love.

Acts of kindness are the ultimate example of living this out. They bring hope to the room, elevate the energy around us and even save lives.

So hey, what’s your act of kindness going to be? I think we need to start each day with this at the top of our to do list. With Easter week upon us, there is not a better time to spread love in every space we enter. Have the best week!