To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Faith

Simple thoughts Sunday: Our greatest hope!

blog_842603_2961876_1475426740(Photo Creds: We Heart It)
I couldn’t NOT use this incredible promise in my blog during this election season.

I’m not sure about you all, but I watched the debate closely last week, and am trying to really understand the various positions and I am finding myself without a lot of answers. I was at the Joyce Meyer Conference this weekend and Christine Caine, an Australian powerhouse preacher, spoke. All of 5 feet 3 inches and 130 pounds of her shook the room with this timely reminder. It was exactly what I needed to hear and I hope that you would also feel the POWER in this truth.

She continued with a few others statements that I loved…

“The world is not falling part, it’s falling into place.”

“God is as big as he needs to be, but the question is: How big is He to you?  (And God knows we need him to be BIG, REALLY BIG at this time in our COUNTRY.)”

So, on this beautiful Sunday, I’m going to keep it short with this simple thought, and pray that you all will join me in believing that we TRULY DO have GREAT HOPE! Make it an AMAZING WEEK!!!

Simple thoughts Sunday: Where there is unity, God commands blessing

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(Photo Creds:  Elevation Church, Charlotte, NC)
I had the great opportunity to attend Code Orange Revival, in Charlotte, North Carlina last weekend. When I was a little girl, I feel like we attended several of these, but perhaps the one or two I went to were powerful enough for me to recall them clearly. This particular one provided 10 nights of, for the most part, well known spiritual leaders and pastors from across the world. It was powerful and if you have time on your hands and need to hear some inspiring thoughts, check out the speakers on their website.

Within a day of the close of that revival in Charlotte, the city experienced protests and rioting due to the shooting of a 43-year-old man who allegedly wielded a gun that he wouldn’t put down upon request. It’s so discouraging to see the unrest in our country and the pain that is held by so many. Most of it for good reason, although often hard for all of us to understand.

I loved this post from Elevation that came out this week on unity. It’s true and I believe we need to find faith and action in the very thought. The Bible tells us over and over again that we must unite with one another. I feel this more strongly now than ever.

America is such an incredible country. We owe it to those who built this nation to go back to the basics, so to speak, and honor timeless teachings. Our Pledge of Allegiance IS AWESOME… “ONE NATION, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY and JUSTICE FOR ALL.”

I believe in this promise that God will command blessing over UNITY.

So, what can we do? What should we do? We must pray for God’s direction and stand up and use our voices so that all generations can continue to have the privelege to live in such a GREAT COUNTRY.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: The Power In Vision

(Photo Creds: My iPhone, believe it or not! Cool picture from last weekend in Northern Idaho. The water was that blue, and the mountains that clear. God’s pure beauty showing off.)blog_837852_2957228_1474207925
I am going to be sticking with the theme of VISION this week. We all need a vision, and there is biblical support of that truth. This is true whether we live in a retirement community, on a boat, on a college campus, or in our homes and workplace.

At all times in human history, we have survived and thrived through the power of VISION. We must focus on three key things around VISION:

  1. Seeing and clarifying the vision:Just where does God want me to go? For me this has only been made clear through the reading of scripture and other books, podcasts, sermons, etc., that seem to be delivering to me consistent and similar messages. This is how I know it is a vision I need to follow.
  2. Owning the vision: In other words, being obedient to the vision. If we want to truly move forward from whatever it is, we have to take action and today generally is better than tomorrow (or putting it off.)
  3. Energizing and Inspiring others and their visions: I happen to believe we are all designed to help others. It’s the only way this world has ever worked brilliantly. Whether it’s lifting someone up on your shoulders, or locking arms and walking through a situation together, or words of encouragement as they press on. Regardless of the way this is done, our actions are CRITICAL.

This has been a bit more than a “simple thought,” so I’ll press pause and continue Tuesday.

Have an amazing week and my prayer is that your vision would be made clear if it is not and that you make it a priority to continue to follow where God leads you and make a difference in our generation. There is so much power in that.

On this 15th anniversary…

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On a day like today, I never know what to say that is powerful and meaningful enough. Thankfully this scripture does this for me. In fact, in life, scripture seems to cover many of our experiences. I love this truth.

Similarly, while this photo that captured the American spirit, it also serves as a statement of our unity and power in times of tragedy.

As we reflect and give honor today, the excerpt below from biblegateway.com captures well a perspective that helps us continue to wrap our mind around events such as this that mark our lives. I hope it speaks to you as well.
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The Biblical book of Psalms was quoted a lot in the months following 9/11— and it’s not hard to see why. Many of the psalms, particularly David’s cries to God for justice and security, are a perfect model of the Christian response to tragedy. See Psalm 27, where David asks God to deliver him from enemies: his ultimate hope and comfort is not in wartime victory or physical safety (although he may hope for those)… but in the goodness of God.

The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock. […]
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27, NIV)

The Bible contains many stories of injustice, tragedy and suffering inflicted on God’s people. The afflicted people respond with all the emotions we would expect: anger, disbelief, fear, indignation, and even doubt in God’s sovereignty.

These are the same emotions that flood through our minds even today, fifteen years after the event, as we remember watching those twin towers fall. But time and time again, the Bible writers remind themselves — and us — that God is in control, and that our most important spiritual response to tragedy is to look to God’s endless love and incomprehensible faithfulness:

I will never forget this awful time,
as I grieve over my loss.
Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:
The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:20-23, NLT)

To turn your face to God in the aftermath of tragedy is to defy the power of evil, and to place your hope in the one Person who can bring good out of even the most horrifying disaster. As you think back on the 9/11 attacks today and in the future, may your sorrow and mourning point you to the glorious hope of Jesus Christ, and the restoration he promises.

(Photo Creds:  We Heart It)

TAKING ON YOUR ROLE WITH EXCELLENCE

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For the not so big football fans… No, this blog’s main point is not about the game, so hang on!)

NFL Football starts today! Finally! I’m more of a college football fan, and most of you know that kicked off last weekend. Wasn’t it great? The University of Texas started a true freshman quarterback and he showed up big. So did the fifth year senior quarterback that didn’t start, but DID RUN FOR THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN. He didn’t get his “dream” to START the game, but he was READY when his NAME WAS CALLED. We don’t know whether or not he felt this way at the time, but we do know that he played a key role for the sake of the TEAM. We all have our role in the game of life, and stepping into that and supporting the entire team around us is when we all are able to WIN BIG. (As a side note:  sometimes our role shifts, just like this quarterback from starter to finisher- sometimes as a parent we play the referee role, sometimes the coach, and sometimes the FAN, sitting on the side lines cheering to victory.)

What are some practical steps we can take to be sure we PLAY WITH EXCELLENCE WHEN OUR NAME IS CALLED?

  1. PRACTICE – We all know this one, right?  It makes perfect sense when you’re referencing football, but practicing to be a good team player is important in every role we play.  If you are on the offensive line, your role is to protect the quarterback and the called play.  If you are a mom or dad, your role is to protect your children and play your role in developing their growth, physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc.   Just like the offensive line goes thru practice in this example, practice is also required for life’s other roles.  This happens through surrounding ourselves with other positive examples, reading, watching learning, etc.  PRACTICE is critical in every role.
  2. CULTIVATE relationships with your team. I started out saying “Friendships” and then I realized not all team members are necessarily able to be friends. Unfortunately, there are people that will like you, and people that won’t, even on your own team. That is okay I’ve learned here in the past few years.  (Trust me, this one took we awhile). What is really important is respect and mutual understanding. Take the time to better understand others points of view and how they see the world. EXCELLENCE requires UNDERSTANDING, and it doesn’t just happen, it’s work, and it’s worth it – It WINS GAMES.
  3. LEAN IN to your role. What does that really mean? Whatever role God put you in, EVEN IF IT’S NOT YOUR DREAM ROLE as I talked about in the opening paragraph, you are there for a reason. EMBRACE it. I heard the other day that 70 percent of the people aren’t happy in their jobs. That’s not good for so many reasons, but if you do choose to stay where you aren’t thriving, then you MUST “LEAN IN” in order to be effective as a team player. It would be worth the time to think thru, write down, and figure out what YOU CAN DO at this time, in THIS ROLE to be EXCELLENT. You may just find out that you are EFFECTIVE and you may just enjoy it!  This of course can be work, school, and even in your role in a local community, (PTO, football, soccer, dance parent… Etc.).

I’m cheering you on as you TAKE ON YOUR ROLE with EXCELLENCE.

This is one hero we need to emulate

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Today, Mother Teresa will be Canonized by Pope Francis and officially becomes a saint. I had to look that up as many of you might have as well.

Thankfully, it’s as simple as it sounds. Canonization is the process by which the Catholic Church solemnly proclaims that a holy person becomes inscribed on the list (i.e. the canon) of those persons who may be venerated publicly in the liturgy of the Catholic Church. In the case of Mother Teresa she will receive her own feast day with a Mass and a liturgical office constructed to offer due veneration to her.

Of course many of us already unofficially consider her at the highest level a human being could attain in displaying the virtues of a life of service to others. A true hero, a life to emulate.

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Mother Teresa is perhaps “the best” example for us of living a life in the real, postmodern world, and trying to serve as the “salt and the light” improving our communities, home, schools and workplace. Although she was clearly a holy person, her life service was primarily given to non-Christians and those not normally of the church. In fact, if you take a few minutes to study her life more carefully you will find that she often acted out her mission without the help we might expect a saint to have surrounded themselves with. She shared how she often found no encouragement in prayer and “had a bewildering sense of absence of God; finding little but dryness in her encounter with scripture.” (Cunningham, Vatican, 9/3/2016)

Many of my friends have confided this very reality to me and I can say prior to 5 years ago when I went deeper in my faith that this was often true of me as well. What’s important to me here is that she was doing ordinary life, and to her doing ordinary things, and had no idea that what she was doing was truly extraordinary. The message to me is to keep reading scripture, keep praying, keep serving, keep digging deep and God will reveal the EXTRAORDINARY IN YOUR LIFE.

Have a week that is blessed beyond. My bold prayers for you all!

(Photo creds: We Heart It, Ruthie Stark Photography)

LET GO…

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THERE IS THRILL IN LETTING GO.

It is exhilarating to be the one jumping, and it is about the same but in a scarier way to see children, yours or anyone’s, releasing from the rope swing … off the lake cliff… into the water!

It’s about the same with life decisions. Exhilarating (Check). Scary (Check). And I can think of a few other choice words…

The great news is that we weren’t designed to take on the world and in fact, God designed us to be his helpers as our key role… We have an unbelievably capable leader who will handle our lives much better than we can.

So, what do you need to let go of this week? What is better left in God’s hands? Your job? A Relationship? Your spending decisions? Your “up late worrying” track record? Overthinking?

Let’s each identify something we need to let go of this week. The summer is seeing it’s last days, and there is no better way to launch into fall than letting go! “Into his capable hands and out of mine!” LOVE THE IDEA!

Have the BEST WEEK EVER!

(Photo creds: We Heart It)LET GO…

Choose what you magnify!

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This is SO USEFUL! With the start of a new school year and the rigor of work getting fired up to its normal level, August can be stressful.

I have heard many a friend or colleague share their personal “madness” around this time of year. My own family is feeling the pressure with college starting back up. I remember August when the boys were elementary, middle and high schoolers, and it ranks right up there with my view of pure chaos. (For God’s sake if I need to bring Gatorade to another game, get another PTA email begging someone to sign up to help… Friday concessions anyone? Science Fair chair?) 

This chaos is the kind you feel when you get awakened in the middle of the night, aren’t even awake and yet know you need to take action, as in now. It can be rough folks. The sleepless nights, low grade anxiety or full blown freak-out mode… we can get caught up in the push and pull of this season.

I had this friendly reminder come across my email in a bit of a different form earlier this week. I have actually found a use for it more than a few times this week and hope you may find it inspiring as well. As you roll into your week, CHOOSE TO MAGNIFY all things that drive you to YOUR BEST SELF. You of course can choose to magnify the transition, the stress, the fact that your heart rate is increasing due to the anxiety of a new instructor, boss, etc., and all of the family/friend “stuff” that can consume us. YOU CAN ALSO CHOOSE TO MAGNIFY the JOY that can definitely be found. CHOOSE TO DO THAT! I promise your week will be BETTER if you do so. SInce it’s Sunday, here is a favorite Bible verse to meditate on that has the same thought in mind:

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Phil 4:8 NLT) 

MAGNIFY ALL THINGS EXCELLENT THIS WEEK!

What is your agenda for me today?

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Don’t you love when an unexpected meeting, turns into a fast friendship? I so do! In fact, I consider it a gift from God. A little smile downward letting us know that we are surrounded by angels pretty much at every turn.

One of those great meetings is with someone I really love, “KP.” KP has a transportation company and is a local pastor. He is absolutely in love with his wife of many years and an amazing father. He has a gift with words and prayer and is one of those gifted in teaching. I learn from him. Last week while we were headed to the airport he shared that for the last several weeks he has been trying out this phrase to start his days:

God, what is your agenda for me today?

Isn’t that so cool? What if we just startour day out with that simple question? I believe that what KP shared is true… if we open our eyes and pay attention we will be amazed at what God shows us during the day.

blog_825755_2942381_1471214585He has been doing this for a few weeks now and has been astonished by the people that have come across his path. In fact, those people were probably there before (the young mom struggling to load the car with groceries with two kids in the cart and one by their side, the complaining older gentleman at the post office, the “Facebook friend” that seems to always be having an issue of some kind…).
The truth is, that sometimes, not intentionally we aren’t “fully in,” paying attention to the cues and the opportunities to reach out with a helping hand, an encouraging word, a silent prayer.

I’m going to give this a shot. It will take some intention… I’ll try to pay attention and share some stories as they come along. I’d love it if you joined me, and I’d love to share your stories if you are up for it!

I thought you might like to see KP so I asked him to take a pic with me. Also, if you ever need transportation across town or to the airport, he’s a trusted friend!

(Photo cred: We Heart It)

The Amazing Race

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I’m not sure if you had the opportunity to watch the Opening Ceremoney of the summer Olympics on Friday, but it was crazy good.

Some of the beginning was a little confusing, but art IS in the eye of the beholder and I’m confident that was art! My favorite part is the countries walking in and being recognized. The meaning of that moment for them… the culmination of a dream and the anticipation of their race. (Also the pure FUN that is evident and the momentum building….)

I think we could all benefit from having a moment like that. Maybe a moment like that every day.

As we get ready for work, school or to go out and serve our community, what if we thought of the day as “pressing on” with the ultimate goal to use our God-given gifts in the best possible way. That is actually what we are doing, so why not live it out in that narrative.

This week let us all try this out. Start your days with an intentional thought of how today is the day you are pressing on… you are going to nail it… to serve your purpose well… BETTER THAN WELL…. GREAT!

I’m cheering you on!  Have an amazing race!

(Photo creds: We Heart It)