To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Faith

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Expectancy

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

What a terrific photo. I love the expectancy of children. As we grow older – and especially because I have the joy of watching my boys come of age – I am more and more aware of how we lose this feeling of excitement.

This season quickly consumes us with apps eagerly sharing the greatest new “deal,” dinners, shopping, movies, etc.  As cool as that can be, I long for deeper moments of connection and a true focus on the meaning behind this incredible season. (By the way, it may be slightly more than a longing… a bit more like a full-out sprint from the “mall,” so to speak, and into the welcoming refreshment of reveling in sheer HOPE. Hope for a world free of illness, sadness and brokenness in general.)

For Christians, the Advent season starts today, signaling the four-week countdown to celebrate the birth of the messiah, who brings us this hope. For others, the season is equally rich in meaning and I love that I am a part of a diverse community. Most of all, we all come together to unify around family and the best parts of the human spirit: giving, celebrating… enriching our world.

My great hope today is that we will all choose to make this year, 2016, the year we truly take this time and this season to become as expectant as children. To relish in what the season has to offer.

Dear God, provide us with your heart, and the joy and expectancy of a child.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Flip the script

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I listen almost weekly to a pastor from Charlotte, NC, Steven Furtick, via ElevationChurch.org.

His message this week resonated with me in a terrific way and I knew I had to share it with you. In essence, he was challenging us to STRETCH and GROW OUR CAPACITY. He talked about how we often wait for “ideal conditions” but as a result we often don’t experience the fullness God intended for our lives. The segment that “got me” was this:

“I would if I could.” A phrase no doubt we are all familiar with.

What if however, we flipped the script and it was “I could and I will.” Some examples to get you thinking…

I could forgive, if I WOULD forgive…

I could have joy, if I WOULD decide to be JOYFUL (in all circumstances)…

I could move forward, if I CHOSE TO LET GO…

Folks, I hope this is as powerful to you as it was to me. It truly is a “simple thought,” and I hope that you might join me in flipping whatever script you need to this week. It’s Thanksgiving week and a really perfect time to make a CHOICE to fill our empty jars, by stretching and choosing to be all he intended us to be.

Wishing you so much joy this week!

 

 

Simple Thoughts Sunday- When you know something magical just happened

image(Photo Creds: My own!)

Magic. Pure magic. This wall, which is on the outside of the famous Wrigley Field in Chicago, was turned into a tribute wall, after the Cubs broke the 108-year “curse” and clenched a World Series victory on Wednesday night. More specifically, people wrote the names of loved ones that didn’t live long enough to see this happen in their lifetime! Seriously, how cool is that? I saw taped pictures of grandfathers, and the very best of our nation shined thru the chalk filled wall. (I was there very briefly for a meeting…)

I couldn’t let this week go by without a mention of this … What I think of as, “PURE MAGIC.” The KC Royals fans felt this last year and most all of us were more than thrilled to see Chicago experience this coming to together in VICTORY. In my opinion, there has not been a better time for American’s to see this and my hope is that at least for a brief moment, you joined in and reveled in this American experience.

I also realized that this was a gift from God. As if God was saying, “Hey, despite the election and the many issues we confront, STOP AND LOOK AT WHAT IS GOOD… What is not just GOOD, but AWESOME. Humanity at It’s BEST.

As we enter this historical week with another national election, may we all remember all that is MAGICAL about our country and know that God himself has promised that the nation’s are under his control.

Here’s to an AMAZING WEEK.

It’s LAUNCH TIME!

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(Photo Creds:Rodrock Homes)

New seasons of life are fun, exciting and also scary! My family and I just “dug dirt” on a new home last month, and today I am launching my new and improved website. I call it phase 2.0. I think maybe I should call the move something else, something clever. I’m open to ideas! I tell my friends that this is my “big girl” house, complete with a guest bedroom that is actually safe from kid toys, teenage God-knows-what and most importantly, a lovely refuge for those I adore to get a good night’s sleep. It’s definitely a time of “ground breaking” all the way around, and a season that I am really looking forward to seeing where God takes it all (but it is a bit scary… needless to say! But what’s life without a little risk taking?).

If you, or anyone you know is in a season of “ground breaking” — change in any way, shape or form — I have found the following to be helpful when thinking about change:

1. It’s an opportunity for personal growth
If you’ve read my blogs at all you probably know that I am big on this need to constantly learn. I’ve heard it from wise teachers, centurions and respected leaders… That’s enough for me. Personal growth is critical to our happiness and change provides the occasion for us to dive in and grow. The “STRETCH” that happens with change gives us what we need to move toward our potential.

2. It provides a platform for re-evaluating life’s priorities
Whenever you are starting something new, you naturally think through how this aligns with your personal values and priorities. With the blog, well, I knew I wanted to continue to grow in that area so that was fairly easy. With the house, I had to put it to prayer for quite some time before I had discernment. At the end of the day, I want a home that my boys and eventually their families and my grandchildren will find refuge and fun in. I want to entertain and bring in community, to provide a refreshing place for all. (Oh, and I also want my guest room!)

3. Change adds EXCITEMENT
Without a season of planting we wouldn’t have the harvest. I can only imagine how boring the farmer’s market would be without HARVEST. Without change, we’d have a bunch of ugly caterpillars and no beautiful butterflies — you get the picture. One brings the other, and the other is often MORE EXCITING!

As I embark on this new “season” you can rest assured I’ll be focused on both the growth and the “STRETCH” that surely will come. I hope to share words of inspiration and insights along the way that I hope will also expand your personal growth.

I WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD ENTER YOUR EMAIL ON THE RIGHTHAND SIDE OF THIS POST AND SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE BLOG ALSO BY EMAIL.  

Some notes about the blog…

I kicked off the website and blog in June of 2015 with the goal of just taking the step to get started. I have known for quite some time that I am meant to write, and blogging gives me an opportunity to do that on a consistent basis. I am also about 70 percent through my first book, To Serve Well.  (I have no specific time that I want to release that but I feel like it will be before my big 50, so I have one year and five months, but who’s counting!)

I hope that the fresh look on this site will not only be more visually appealing, but allow those that land there to find posts and other resources or materials that will enrich their lives. SERVING WELL in this world is so important, and what we are all called to do. Having others come alongside and help us so that we can achieve that is a key of this site. I love it when folks take time to comment and share their thoughts on whatever the topic is so that others can learn and grow from each other.  

I will still be posting three times a week, with Simple Thoughts Sunday being posted on Sunday early evening with the goal of inspiring your week. This posting generally has spiritual content. I also post on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and those are intended to focus on serving well in the community, home and workplace. If you have any ideas for me, I’d love to hear them! If you want to write a guest post, I’d also love that!  

I’d love to give a shout out to my design team, Ruthie Stark, photographer and Andrea Corless, MO Design & Illustration — Both of these ladies are beyond amazing and have made me better through this process. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Do Hard Things!

blog_850520_2970197_1477351744(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I have wanted to write on this blog topic for awhile. I have had many a friend or colleague recently that are going thrugh “hard” things, so now seems like the right time.

Incredibly challenging work situations
Moral issues – their own or family member’s
Children with health issues
Children with drug problems
Seemingly insurmountable financial challenges
Loss of jobs
A strained relationship

I’m sure you have your own. We all have seasons of pain and sometimes it’s a life-long undercurrent of something needing dealt with. You get the idea.

There was a book published several years ago by twin brothers, age 18 at the time, that has the same title as this blog. That book was written for teens as an encouragement to do the hard work and not get caught up in our me-first culture. The message, however, is ageless in its attempt to harness our power and potential. In order to achieve that, no matter what stage of life you are in, it requires us to “Do hard things.”

We must be accountable to excellence. We can’t stand on the sidelines and “hope” –  We often use the idea that “hope is not a strategy” in the work place and I love it. We have to….

  • Have HARD conversations
  • Be uncomfortable
  • Find our voice… use it
  • Encourage each other, even those we don’t like
  • Reach out even when it’s cold outside and we want to go home and hide
  • Develop strategies for POSITIVE THINKING, even WHEN it’s not our natural course
  • Stop the negative commentary… You are not too old, too overweight…etc.  Change the narrative you tell yourself about yourself.

As our year winds down, I have great news… There is time left! Time to heal some wounds, address some of that stuff that is downright ugly and start the year with a truly fresh start.

What do you have in your life that needs dealt with? Who do you need to mend “fences” with, and launch into a better place? What needs to happen to set you up for success? Who will speak truth to you if you need a good honest answer to confront your own misigivings?

Let’s get uncomfortable together. I’d love to hear your stories along the way.

Simple Thoughts Sunday

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Experiences when God uses them =  Prepares us for our calling.

This is a great simple thought for this Sunday! I finally took the time to grab a hold of the classic book “The Hiding Place,” which I’m sure most of you are familiar with. This is the story of the Ten Boom family during World War II and their underground work to help Jews escape the Nazi occupation. The book is both disturbing and hugely important. The detail of t he persecution and the many who God used to help their neighbors, some known and many unknown, is a beautiful story of humanity and love over pure evil. The story captures what I like to feel is the spirit of the men and women that God created.

I felt like the quote above was perfect for a Sunday insight because, quite simply, Corrie, who led the movement and herself survived Hitler’s concentration camps, lived so deeply with God’s word and in return he spoke clearly to her and created pathway after pathway to help her do this gripping work. She also ultimately survived unfathomable conditions when she herself ended up in the camps, dodging death time and time again.

For me, the way she and their family adored the word of God was a huge lesson. In the US, we are blessed to have free choice to read what we want to read and to embrace our own beliefs. That is a truth that all surely don’t know. We should consider this deeply.

I myself belief that God will use us to do his work if we follow his lead. Through fellow believers, the scriptures, prayer and a variety of ways, if we pay attention intentionally then he will speak to us and prepare us to use our gifts to make a difference in our lifetime.

Get ready for an amazing week! Let’s make it so!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: ENLARGE YOUR TENTS!

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

This is SUCH A STUNNING SCRIPTURE! I had never really had it enter my mind fully until three or so years ago and then I only caught on to part one. I love how God shines a light on some things/ideas/etc at just the time we need them. When I was transitioning to a new role, this scripture served as a validation that I was indeed being obedient to what I thought was God’s direction or calling.

What I wanted to share with you all today was an “add-on” I just learned last weekend. So, if you really pay attention to the entire scripture, and not just the part that appeals to you, it goes on to say what would be required when enlarging your tent. The part I find the most significant is the idea of STRENGTHENING YOUR STAKES. In other words, go DEEP.

As it was explained to me, the larger your tent (when God gives you more responsibility, etc.), the more the winds will blow you around, and therefore the greater need to have secure and deeper stakes, tight cords… SECURED, LOCKED IN and LOCKED DOWN. NOW THAT IS HUGE!

How could I have missed it? Right there in front of me, in the very same scripture, God gives such clear directions. When we are “enlarging” (and that can be anything by the way – another child, a grandchild, a new role, a new place to live, a new financial responsibility, etc.), we MUST STRENGTHEN our minds and soul. How do you do this? Scripture, living in a community with people that lift you up and guide you and support you, ongoing learning, etc… There are so many opportunities to choose what methods work best for you!

FOR ME, I am deciding to GO DEEP in the word and in surrounding myself with people that hold me accountable and challenge me … I want to be STRONG and I want to endure the wind and storms well! If I can do that, I can serve well… Which is the whole point!

Books you might love – Round II

blog_843596_2963768_1475751193(Photo creds: My own, featuring a bird I love!)

I’m a little late with this! On May 5, I told whoever was reading at that time that I would make my top book list a few times during the year. I actually had a goal of doing this in May, September and January so at least 3 times per year… OOPS. I’m only a month late, so I’ll chalk that up to an aging mind and my move in July! So here you go – I hope that my fellow readers will find one or more that they will love as much as I did… Here are my top 10 and why! ENJOY!

  1. IF YOU CAN KEEP IT by ERIC METAXAS – This is MY #1 FAVORITE. If you BUY ONE, BUY THIS ONE AND ALSO THE NEXT ONE! IT’S ACTUALLY A TIE!

    Why I loved It?  The subtitle of “The Forgotten promise of American Liberty” jumped out and it was also highly recommended. Pretty much everything this author writes has been golden. He dives deep into America as a “nation of nations” and challenges us to reconnect with the ideas of liberty and freedom for all and embrace our role in living out what our nation’s founders entrusted us with. It’s EXCELLENT.

  2. CHASE THE LION by MARK BATTERSON – This is MY #2 FAVORITE.

    Why I loved it?  Batterson is my favorite Christian author. He seems to magically weave biblical truth and offers example after example of historical evidence to support his call here for us all to CHASE down our fears and go after our dreams. This is a book about “stretching.” Here’s a great quote to wet your appetite, “Napoleon Bonaparte made a distinction between two kinds of courage: regular courage and two-o-clock-in-the-morning courage, ‘The rarest attribute among Generals is two o’ clock -in-the-morning courage.”

  3. PRESENT OVER PERFECT by SHAUNA NIEQUIST

    Why I loved it? I had never read Shauna Niequist before, even though she has several books out there. I guess nothing seemed to resonate before. At any rate, this particular book addresses the seasons of our lives and the need to step into the craziness fully. A bit of a flavor: “If someone gave you a completely blank calendar and a bank account as full as you wanted, what would you do? The first thing that leapt into my mind: stop, I would stop. I would rest. I would do nothing at all. I would sleep.” She addresses a certain season as feeling like “off reading.” I for one have been in that season more than one time! If you have as well, you’ll love this one!

  4. TRIBE by SEBASTIAN JUNGER

    Why I loved it? Also highly recommended, I ordered this as one of my summer reads which I hope to be a little lighter but still a goal of elevating my life both personally and professionally.  This book goes deep on the importance of community and the gravitational pull that a “tribal society” has had on people since the beginning of life.  My favorite part which also is a challenge for all of us uses the example of veterans coming back from service. “Today’s veterans often come home to find that, although they are willing to die for their country, they’re not sure how to live for it. It’s hard to know how to live for a country that regularly tears itself apart along every possible ethnic and demographic boundary.” The book focuses on communities and unifying.

  5. FRESH AIR by CHRIS HODGES
    Why I loved it? Chris Hodges is the pastor of one of the coolest churches in America which is in Birmingham, Alabama. He’s down-to-earth and just plain likeable. I really loved the chapter which shared the learnings from his sabbatical. I am a huge fan of those, although I’ve never had one. I believe fully that we need to reset and recharge. Here are his learnings from that time: 1. It took three weeks before he was able to fully disconnect (In other words, our week vacations probably won’t cut it for true rejuvenation.) 2. He had lost his ability to even recognize what “tired” looked like. (Yes, most of us know that this will result ultimately in illness, emotional or physical.) 3. He needed a comprehensive life routine that includes rest as a key component. (Sounds Iike a good idea for us all.)
  6. BRAVING IT by JAMES CAMPBELL

    Why I loved it? I normally don’t read books like this, so this was FUN. I’m not sure how I stumbled upon it, but it must have been recommended. It is a great read which walks you through a father and his daughter’s adventures in the wild of Alaska. It is so much fun and there are certainly a few life lessons in there!

  7. LOVE WARRIOR by GLENNON DOYLE MELTON

    Why I loved it? I haven’t read Glennon either but I have heard her name plenty of times. This book is a memoir of her life, which dives into subjects such as alcoholism, marital challenges etc. It is downright raw in it’s honesty. The book is highly recommended by Brene Brown, another great author that I’ve written about before. If you like books about vulnerability, which offers both humor and pain grab this one.

  8. A MILE WIDE by BRANDON HATMAKER

    Why I loved it?  This one is simple, Brandon focuses on LIVING LIFE ON A MISSION. Enough said – I LOVE THAT!

  9. UNINVITED by LYSA TERKEURST

    Why I loved it? Lysa attacks the tough topic of dealing with the hard stuff. She launches with a conversation about honesty… “Honesty is a suitor with piercing vision who isn’t swayed by pretending and positioning. I can try and make things appear better than they seem, but honesty will have none of it. So, I throw my hair in a messy bun and let my face stay splotchy…I simply emerge.”

  10. A MILLION MILES IN A THOUSAND YEARS by DONALD MILLER

    Why I loved it?  Donald Miller is a well known author and while I tried to read his famous book, “Blue like Jazz,” for some reason I didn’t love it. This time around I caught on to his style, which is very unique. This book is about telling your story. I loved this quote: “It’s interesting that in the Bible, in the book of Ecclesiastes, the only practical advice given about living a meaningful life is to find a job you like, enjoy your marriage and obey God. It’s as though God is saying, Write a good story, take somebody with you, and let me help.”

Simple thoughts Sunday: Our greatest hope!

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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.