To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Faith

Onward: We must take what we need and move on to serve others

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I’ve seen a similar image before. I love it. What do you need right now? For every friend I know well, I could tell you that they need one of these. I personally could use some healing and some patience. Heck, I think I may need a bit of strength, inspiration and peace as well.

The final day of the annual Seven Days events sponsored by Faith Always Wins, concluded last night with a unity walk. The final day is also claimed as “ONWARD.” My friend, the founder, and a great inspiration to many, Mindy Corporon, explained why they chose ONWARD for the final day in her Facebook post yesterday:

“Because, as we live our journey on earth together we need to find a way to move onward… past and THROUGH our CHALLENGES. WE ALL HAVE THEM.”  

She is spot on – of course.

I want to take a moment to remind you that there is quite literally an army of people ready to help you with whatever it is you need to help you not only survive, but TAKE A VICTORY LAP AROUND THIS JOURNEY! We need each other. If you question that, I’d be happy to prove that to you! You see, I have seen incredible acts of humanity in my short time on earth and I know personally that with a simple phone call I could engage some of these beautiful people to help, cheer, pull or even push someone across their finish line!

Have an amazing week. ONWARD.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: A simple step of faith = power

(Photo Creds: My own from Heritage Dog Park, April, 2017)

I hope you will appreciate this sweet photo. I took my new puppy and her big sister to the dog park this week and let’s just say that “Waffles,” AKA the new second in command at the house, HAS A LOT OF FAITH.

We could all learn a bit from her BOLD STEPS OF FAITH. She thought nothing of stumbling down a three-foot ledge to get in some mucky water on a spring day… It was clear by her face, that she fell in the same camp as me in not knowing if she would sink or swim. Thankfully she clawed herself out and hit the path again, ready for the next adventure. WHEW! (The idea of a life-saving swim on this chilly spring day was not what I had in mind!)

Her FAITH, like the pure curiosity of a child allows her to experience all that life has to offer in her little world right now. (Matthew 8:3 tells us this importance of having this “child-like” faith, right?) Oh how fun that is to watch in puppies and children.

This weekend I attended Carver Bible’s Women’s Conference and Chrystal Evans Hurst, spoke about the importance of taking ONE SMALL STEP OF OBEDIENCE. When we are able to do this, God will show us the next step, and the next step, and slowly but surely we WILL FIND OUR PATH BLESSED because we are following his guidance and direction for our lives. Sounds simple, but most of us know that listening for this “still, small voice” can be challenging in a world of distractions. Her encouragement was to make getting “quiet” and in a place where we can hear these a top priority.

My prayer for you as we go into this last week of April, is that you will make the time to listen, and follow the steps that you are destined to take and achieve ALL THAT GOD has prepared for your ONE LIFE.

Be the ripple!

(Photo Creds: givesevendays.org)

Take a moment to watch this awesome video clip!

That video tells the story better than I can, but the bottom line is that a group of super-cool people that are trying to change the world by helping to re-write the story on how we all approach the differences we have and how they are sometimes dealt with. As our world becomes increasingly diverse, it is incumbent upon us take time to learn about other cultures and 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 starting April 18 in Kansas City. The events are listed here. The events promise to provide us with a fresh perspective and help us ignite how we can MAKE A RIPPLE in our communities. If you aren’t local, take some time to review their website and the events. The great leaders behind GIVESEVENDAYS are often out in many communities across our country. If your community hasn’t rallied around this and you believe it’s important, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the right folks to make it happen.

I hope your schedule will allow you to attend one or more of the events. If you are free Monday, April 24th, the week culminates with an evening walk that is a fabulous show of community unity! This year it will be held at Union Station, which is one of KC’s true historic landmarks and a beautiful place to celebrate.
I look forward to seeing some of you there! I know you will be inspired.

(partial repost from April 2016)

Simple thoughts Sunday: A week of Expectations and Hope

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

What a beautiful day we are having today, the Saturday before Palm Sunday and the launch of Holy Week for Christians.

I love that the various religions have their special celebrations. For us, this is perhaps the greatest celebration. As Christians, we believe that Jesus came to earth in the image of God, lived a perfect life, was persecuted for his faith and three days later was resurrected.

This simple story is deep with HOPE and EXPECTATION for our religion. It is a story that, when “peered” into deeply, showcases that despite our human transgressions and the raw parts of this world, we have hope in a “risen” savior that promises an eternity of peace and beauty.

The human struggle has been on vivid display this week with the bombings in Syria. For those that hold on closely to the news, anxieties rise. For those with children or family serving our country, it is downright painful to watch and wonder where this might head. This is one example, there are of course hundreds more that grab our attention and show our vulnerability and weaknesses as a human race.

I have always found GREAT HOPE in the POWER OF THE EASTER STORY. As you go into this week, I hope that no matter your religion, you will consider what a life changing message HOPE brings. Hope gives us the expectations that just maybe, there is a RAY OF SUNSHINE at the end of our times of struggle. I LOVE HOPE! I need HOPE! I know you do, too!

Praying many blessings for all of you this week!

Simple thoughts Sunday: Stay the course

(Photo Creds: We Heart It…quote from Brian Houston, Hillsong, Live Love Lead book)

I am often asked how I navigate life… You know, make life-changing decisions, dodge bullets, celebrate the good AND the bad.

I think it’s my age, as I recall being a decade (or three) younger trying to figure out this puzzle.  My answer today is always based on the insight in the quote on the photo. I have only been able to be successful in anything from raising my boys to growing in my career to caring deeply and giving generously to our community through the gift of God’s word.

To be honest, even though I’ve had a strong faith since I was I girl, I was well into my 30s before I was able to get past the first few chapters of the New Testament.

As far as the Old Testament, I quickly lost interest after the creation story. It just seemed too overwhelming and perhaps a bit boring and even unrelatable. Wow was I naive! The word of God is not only NOT BORING, but it is funny at times, and pours out advice for a life well-lived. It seems like every day, at least one of the scriptures in my reading (I follow the one-year Bible reading plan), I am confronted with something that seems to be timely to what I am going through. It is incredible how the world aligns and speaks so clearly through His word.

I always wanted that “proverbial billboard” to show up on my way to work and shout out my next round of advice… a vision… a message that validated where I thought I was supposed to go or not go. The amazing reality is it was right in my nightstand… waiting to be opened.

I encourage each of you if you don’t regularly read the Bible, to give it another chance. I had to get the new living translation (NLT) version because I needed the commentary at the bottom to understand much of the Old Testament, but it is probably my favorite now. I don’t know about you, but I could use God’s direction pretty much in every area of my life. It is amazing what you will find when you simply open the pages.

Have an amazing week! Two weeks until Easter… Hope is rising.

Simple Thoughts Sunday – God Ideas!

(Photo creds: Pinterest)

This week we are going to talk about IDEAS!

We did the same at the end of last March. I don’t know about you, but I have an “itch” for spring (just not spring allergies!), and am ready to rev up the engines for a terrific second quarter of the year.

I feel like we are all always holding GREAT HOPE that we will have IDEAS that create something special, something fun, meaningful and perhaps even INCREDIBLE. An idea that brings our family closer, elevates our career, fills our financial needs, or brings meaning to those things we care about passionately.

I fully BELIEVE that “GOD IDEAS” (A God idea is one that you can’t stop thinking about; one that has grabbed your heart; one that surely must have come from God) are quite possible for us to attract if we simply give our lives to God in prayer and faith. As the picture captures so perfectly: Make Him your first priority and He promises a fulfilled life.

My prayers for you this week are for you to be inspired by GOD IDEAS and that HOPE continues to RISE in your heart as Easter draws near!

Rewind! Simple thoughts Sunday: Here Comes the Sun

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Here comes the sun… (My all time fav version Brooke White)

What a gorgeous weekend! Today I leave you with this song that I love and my hope is that you will sing, hum, or whistle this all week long!

It will make you smile and remember that no matter what is going on the sun is coming!!!

It’s Easter season and HOPE CONTINUES TO RISE this week! BE EXPECTANT!

Simple thoughts Sunday: His mercies are new every morning

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I love a country road.

Although this photo is not overwhelming beautiful, the simplicity speaks to the idea of new beginnings. I just finished reading Steven Furtick’s new book this week.

It is pretty much the Easter story, but his perspective on how we go through life via the “mile markers” of the story is fresh and new. Here are the “mile markers” he reviews:

  • Forgiveness
  • Salvation
  • Relationship
  • Abandonment
  • Distress
  • TRIUMPH
  • REUNION

I’ve been through these “mile markers” a few times and I know you have as well. I highly recommend grabbing the book if you are a reader.

My favorite for today’s insight is the quote captured above. If you take nothing else away, take this with you during your days. It is true. Mercies are NEW every morning… we get a new start to do whatever we need to do to fulfill our purpose. We can choose to view life that way and it should re-energize us and inspire us to take on the day. I of course also believe that God does indeed act on our behalf… over and over again. I know this from personal experience and it offers me hope and more than that… EXCITEMENT.

This is my birthday week – woot woot – so I am all about assessing where my life has taken me and looking forward to the work still left to do! NEW MERCIES… NEW OPPORTUNITY… NEW LEVELS OF SERVICE AND HAPPINESS.

Have an AMAZING WEEK!

Simple thoughts Sunday: Reclaim your peace

(Photo creds: We Heart It)

Folks, I listened to this message this week, and it was a strong one. Joyce Meyer, who is one of the most amazing Christian preachers, seems to always speak to me quite loudly. I have her app on my phone, and on long walks I listen through her daily 25 minute podcasts. Joyce is 73, a motherly type figure for someone my age, but more like a wise sage in that she is so well-versed in the word of God and its application to real life that you hang on to every word.

So, this particular segment was about reducing stress. I can use that pretty much every day of the year. I would characterize myself as spirit-led, and the “type of gal” who is able to handle the daily stresses of life.

Even given that, stress seems to echo in the background noise coming from TV, social media, work life and the stress that enters the homes of each of us. It’s a topic that always leaves us wondering how to persevere better.

Joyce asked us to “make a list” of who steals our peace. Whoa! Immediately, I had three come to mind. None of you though, I promise. 😉

Next, she said to really ask God to take those people (that your human existence cannot seem to handle alone) on for you. It’s that simple. Right? Well, I talk to God about those things, but not sure I have “claimed” them as stealing my peace, so I’m going to give it a try.

She wrapped up her message with what we already know well, that in areas of your life you don’t have peace over, you lose your power. I need my power. As I age, I value every last minute/vial/whatever measurement of it.

As you get ready for another week and your goal toward having the “BEST YEAR YET,” I hope you see some value in this exercise. I’ll be praying for all of you, in fact, I am right now as I write this.

“Peacemakers who SOW IN PEACE REAP a HARVEST of righteousness.”  James 3:18

“Let the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”  Col 3:15

“Cast all your anxiety on him…”  1 Peter 5:7

Simple thoughts Sunday: We can’t do it alone

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Many of you might know that Exodus is at the front of the Bible. I truly love the lessons I have learned by focusing on Old Testament wisdom over the last several years. It is clear that God knew right up front that we needed some solid advice on how to navigate life. This particular bit of advice is a key message that I can use over and over again. I hope you hear the message speaking directly to you, because I know for sure that many – if not most of us – don’t do this well.

I don’t know what “it” is for you, but I do know that regardless of whether it’s the simple act of getting through the day – sailing a proverbial boat – or a large project like getting out of debt or starting a new business… we are not supposed to get through it alone. We are meant to be a community, bringing others alongside us to accomplish our purpose.

I hope that this week you will put down the phone and think through what areas of your life you might need to delegate with the help of your community at school, work and home to be BETTER than you could be on your own.

Side note: As a mom, I hope all of you parents don’t hesitate to field some work to the kids… They need it… (note the “tough love” language in the verse). Tuesday we talk about developing “grit” in our homes and this is a good step.