To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Simple Thoughts Sunday

Simple Thoughts Sunday – God bless America

It’s been quite a year for America.

I wanted to take a moment to just reflect on all of the good that we as a nation have been given. I know you all share my gratitude for the good in people and the love that we witness day in and day out through cheerful social media posts, a friendly hello on the street or the simple opening of a door at the local establishment.

I see good everywhere I look and believe America is the greatest nation. We certainly have a lot of work to do, bridges to build and more love to pour on top of the scary and challenging issues our country faces. This week it is our time to celebrate our great nation and I hope that you will do that in a BIG WAY! After the media onslaught this year, we may need more than the average celebration to be honest!

I also wanted to remind anyone who has been following for a while, that July is a month that I take off from the blog. I use this time to clear my mind and listen to God for what he’d like me to use my voice for with upcoming posts.

My great hope is that in the end, the break allows for producing better writing and greater inspiration for you all.

I am so appreciate of anyone who reads the blog. Sometimes people ask me my purpose, and It’s quite simple. I feel like I’m supposed to do this and if each post reaches even one person, then I am fulfilled. I hope to be a source of inspiration and to offer insights on life’s ongoing encounters that may help us all see a different perspective, sharing mine or others that have passed on their stories. As always, I’d love to hear from you on anything that would be helpful to you and to help me serve better.

Have the best July ever and truly relish the summer days. They are a gift.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: A spiritual retreat may be just what you need

(Photo Creds: My dear friend Deb lives in this beautiful part of our country – Idaho)

Deb posted this photo last week. It’s her daily view, and it’s stunning. It is usually by water that I hear the most from God, but I believe we can hear from Him anywhere really. In fact, right now, I’m having a “spiritual retreat” day and I’m simply sitting outside on my deck. It’s a fabulous summer Saturday and I’m open to hearing from Him on all manner of things from my boys and family/friends, to my career; finances and dreams – the list goes on.

Today’s “simple thought” is that there is great power in taking time to reflect and listen. There is even greater power in finding rest so that we can be fully present. In fact, in the Old Testament story of Elijah in 1 Kings, he goes up to Mount Horne/Sinai and seeks God. There, away from the distractions, he is able to hear from God. It’s an inspiring story and offers us important guidance.

I’m not sure about you today, but I need to hear from God. What are his plans for me? How do I serve the best I can and honor this life He’s given to me? Those are big questions. Over the years, I have learned the absolute power of getting away and seeking Him. There are a few sources that I’ve found which I’d be happy to share if you are interested in having your own “personal retreat.”

Have an amazing week my friends.

Simple Thoughts Sunday – Happy Father’s Day 2017

Happy Father’s Day! Strong fathers are a key to a healthy society, and I join America today is honoring those that show up, train, inspire and spur on our future generations. I hope that this week you will take a moment to thank all of the men in your lives for helping make our world a better place. Honor is a key to serving well and frankly one of the BEST PARTS! GO BIG IN YOURS!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Your champion!

Our sermon last week focused on prayer, specifically about ideas on how to view God as we go to Him in prayer. Like most of you, I know the importance of prayer but don’t always get it right… don’t always commit the time or the intention. It shouldn’t be hard to maintain consistency here.

The “stand out” theme for me is to view God as my “champion.” The one who ALWAYS has my (our) best interests, the one who is ordering the steps and days of my (our) life (lives). I like that idea… a lot! I also like the added part in the quote above: for both my protection and my enrichment, to make me(us) better, to allow me (and you) to serve better – to make a larger impact.

As you launch your week, I hope that you will consider that God is your ultimate champion. The one who will ALWAYS be there and ALWAYS push you toward your very best.

On another note, tomorrow is my mom’s birthday! It seems she is getting younger each year… I’m serious! So thankful for her! Please help me in wishing her the happiest of days and the best year ever!

Simple Thoughts Sunday FUNDAY

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

A lot of people feel guilt for enjoying the gifts God has given us. I love the concept of “Sunday Funday” that became popular over the last several years. While Sunday is to be a day of Sabbath as a follower of God, it is also a day to get out there and HAVE FUN! To truly rest and refuel. One of the best ways I know to get truly refreshed is to have fun with people you love to be around.

As the scripture says, to “eat and drink” and enjoy what we have earned through working throughout the week. I hope that you have taken time today to HAVE FUN and if not, the night is still young!

Spontaneous acts are usually the MOST FUN. Grab your favorite and go get some ice cream, play Frisbee, take a walk… jump on the bed, catch fire flies… START YOUR WEEK OFF WITH CHILD-LIKE ENTHUSIASM!

Memorial Day 2017 – a day of honor

Memorial Day is about honor.

As we kick off this week, focused on honoring those that have served our country and lost their lives in that service, 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 make this week all about HONOR. One of my favorite discussion topics, because we need to keep it front and center.

Have an amazing long weekend to those who will experience that – I pray that you will be refreshed and in spirit of taking time to honor those God has placed in our paths.

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 your impact on our lives and this weekend we also honor you.

(Rewind – this post is from 2016)

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Trust over clarity

(Photo Creds: My own after my little road trip out to Comanche Iris Farm in Gower, MO…who knew such a cool place existed? Check it out.)

I absolutely love this blog I’m sharing with you today. I can’t begin to tell you how this struck home. (Also, I’m a huge Mother Teresa admirer.)

I also can’t tell you how many times the topic of “CLARITY” comes up in a given week. We all wish we had more and we all wish that God would somehow give us a preview of our life’s big decisions and how we should best select, choose, etc.

Read on and I know you will be so happy that you did!

This excerpt is from Pete Wilson’s blog, which is new to me but I sure do love it so far…

There is a great story relayed by Brennan Manning concerning Mother Teresa. He tells how the renowned ethicist, Jack Kavanaugh, journeyed to Calcutta to work with Mother Teresa in her ministry to the dying. When he got there, he asked her to pray for him.

She asked him what he wanted her to pray for, and he said, “Pray for clarity.” But Mother Teresa refused. She made the wise observation that Kavanaugh was clinging to clarity and that he must release it. He questioned her, saying that she had always seemed to have tremendous clarity.

She laughed. “I have never had clarity. What I have had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.”

Interesting, isn’t it? I’d be willing to bet that some of you are praying for clarity these days.

God, how much longer is this going to go on?
 God, when will things get better?
 God, give me a sign of what we should do.

But, maybe you don’t need more clarity. Maybe what you need is more trust.

Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”

God says, “I know the plan I have for you” not “You know the plans I have for you.”

Is there one area of your life where you feel maybe God is asking you to be okay with less clarity and at the same time engage Him with more trust?

Simple Thoughts Sunday: A day of honor… Heck, let’s make it a lifetime

Happy Mothers Day to all of the moms, mums, mamas, mommas, and to all of those who have filled this important role in someone’s life!

I am blessed to still have my mother and to also have had many step in at times in my life to take on some “mom duties.” It truly takes a village! Today I salute and honor all of these ladies.

Today is about honor. I am reminded of this Bible verse that reminds us that we are to be in the business of honoring at all times. My prayer is that this week you will make a short list of those that you need to honor, then go out at do it. That little bit of extra intention will surely brighten their life and yours.

I’m all about brightened days and loving and serving well. Have the best of weeks. As always, I’m cheering you on.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Open the door

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I love water… I’m more of a lake girl than the ocean, but even a pool, pond or hot bath present a breath of fresh air for me.  It was perfect sybolism for this post.

I love the idea of being able to allow him into our week by simply “opening the door”.

It’s true, we can make a conscious decision to ask Him to step right into our week. To help us find joy, be of service to others and yep, even to fight our battles, be it navigating through summer road construction or a full-frontal type.

My prayer today is that you will open that door, take a deep breath and know that in His full beauty and protection He is on the path with you.  Make it amazing.

Simple thoughts Sunday: Spiritual nutrition

(Photo Creds: We Heart it)

I love this topic and idea of “spiritual nutrition.”

We seem to have a world flooded with information on physical nutrition, health, etc. You could argue that if your spiritual life isn’t in great shape, you will be overwhelmed with the pushes and pulls of life, thus negating your good work in eating right and exercising!

A good friend of mine and I were talking about how we go about getting “fed” spiritually. As a mom of “aspiring” adult young men, this is a very important topic for me. Heck, it’s important to me for the folks I am friends with and mentor. I so badly want them to know AND practice staying close to God in daily prayer and scripture reading. Of course, this could be through devotionals and could easily be via videos, etc., on their phones, but I want it to be the core part of their lives, a deal breaker in relationships and an overall “must have.” I learned the hard way that the only way to really “hear” from God and know his direction for my life is to stay close to his word.  Once I understood this, it was like I knew where he wanted me and how to fulfill my purpose. I’m not sure I really “got” this until much later in life, so to help others grasp this earlier would be a game changer.

I would love to hear from you all today on just how you do get “spiritually fed.” Also, how do you embark on a conversation about this with those you care deeply about? It’s a personal question. One that many people I feel don’t know how to answer. If you have any insights, great ideas, effective ways to approach the subject, please let us all know. Here’s to an AMAZING FIRST WEEK OF MAY!

MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!