To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Simple Thoughts Sunday

Simple Thoughts Sunday – Speak Vitality (LIFE)

(Photo Creds: Canva… but I’m pretty sure I have one just like it from my Ginger Farms trip last year!)

Happy Sunday folks!

Isn’t it awesome that most get to BREATHE DEEP tonight and not worry about working tomorrow? Love that feeling.

So, what in the world do I mean by speak vitality? That may seem obvious and yet we don’t do it enough. One year at camp, one of the parenting talks (intended to help us teach our children how to be upstanding humans that care for others) was a simple message we were advised to ask our children often: “Are you going to speak a blessing or a curse?”

In other words: simply be nice! I appreciated that construct when talking to my boys, especially when the discussion was around how they treat each other sometimes. I recognize however, that at any age, it’s a great reminder. We have a choice to speak LIFE, and we should choose it more often.

Do the words we are speaking to ourselves or others speak joy? Victory? Positivity? Or are we focused on “why in the world we are getting acne at our age?” “Where did those 5-plus pounds come from, for god’s sake?” “Why can’t I eat the mac and cheese with bacon?”

We all are in different seasons of our lives, and it is so important that we SPEAK LIFE and VITALITY to ourselves and to the WORLD. This week there has been much heroism displayed as the needs are great in a time of national disasters such as the great flooding. There have also been those that are blaming, calling out and otherwise judging people that they believe should be helping. My feeling: We need to hold ourselves accountable for ALWAYS SPEAKING VITALITY.

Have an AMAZING WEEK, and remember to EXHALE and BREATHE IN LIFE!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: You are a badass (Acts 26:15)

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

When I heard this connection this summer I knew I had to share it with you. Let’s face it, life can be tough. I was greatly encouraged to have someone point out to me the biblical reminder that I am indeed a badass… and SO ARE YOU! As you start this week, remember, that you can GET UP AND STAND UP. God created us to be courageous and brave and He gave us the tools to confront our lives with GREATNESS! (Peace, Grace, Love – the list goes on.)

A short thought for the day, but SUPER POWERFUL! Have an AMAZING WEEK!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Peace & Joy

(Photo Creds: Canva)

I loved this quote from from a book I read this week. I mean, who wants their problems to take over their mind and their peace?

The book continued: “While God calls us out of complacency, his peace allows us to CHOOSE contentment with our place in the world.” – Chrystal Evans Hurst

One of my life mottos has been that we must CHOOSE. Every day and often more than once a day, will we choose peace, joy, etc. in the situations and conversations we experience? We do have a CHOICE, and I happen to LOVE THAT. Imagine if we didn’t?

She said it another way…

“Know Spirit? Know peace.
No Spirit? No peace.”

I believe that has been true in my life. When I stray away from my disciplined life of reading scripture, attending regular church services, hanging out with other believers, I find myself farther away from peace. It’s funny how when we drift from what we know aligns best with our values and soul, that we almost immediately get signs that prod us back to where our focus should be. If you are familiar with scripture there is a terrific verse in Galatians 5:22-23:

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Essentially, God provides for us “deep, abounding joy that is not dependent on our circumstances” (Hurst) if we stay close to him. I hope that this week you will CHOOSE PEACE AND JOY.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: TRUST

(Photo Creds: Canva)

Mother Teresa is “the one” I’d love to sit with for a weekend and just rest in her presence and wisdom. How amazing is this thought? As we head into a busy season with school ramping up and busy times with work, we have to continue to fill our minds with the reality that we have to put our trust in God and seek discernment through whatever method works best for us individually.

For me, it’s reading, listening to messages from some great spiritual leaders I follow (Beth Moore, Christine Caine, Priscilla Schirer, Joyce Meyer, Steven Furtick,  John Gray, Craig Groeschel and my pastor, Blake Finuf) and reading scripture.

As you kick off the week, I’m praying for you and know that God is with us in our journeys. He will clear our minds and make our paths clear as we still our mind and listen.

I’m cheering for you and I believe the world is conspiring in OUR FAVOR!

Simple Thoughts Sunday – Who is that seeks after God with you?

(Photo Creds: My good ole’ iPhone @ my dear friends Jan and Nan’s 50th birthday celebration in the Dominican Republic!)

Simple Thoughts Sundays are my favorites. As many of you know, I am an avid reader and in the last few weeks I stumbled upon the most brilliant and thought provoking author. I’ve read three of his books in the last 10 days, but one book in particular called ‘A Resilient Life’ falls into one of my top 5 ever. That’s huge.

The author is Gordon MacDonald if you want to look him up. In the book, I marked literally hundreds of passages, but the one that stood out was the idea in this picture.

The chapter, ‘There are Certain People,’ focused on the people that “enable us to be as we have never been before.” That is an awesome truth. He goes on: “The pathway to resilience requires that I fill my personal life with a very special set of relationships. Who makes up your happy few?”

Other questions:

  • Who stretches your mind?
  • Who listens to you and encourages your dreams?
  • Who will protect you? (Have your back as my friend Coretta has reminded me…)
  • Who are those that share your tears?
  • Who rebukes you?
  • Who plays with you?
  • The final question: “who is it that seeks after God with you?” This one, I can’t quit thinking about.

Let me know if this stirs your soul at all.. I’d love to know!

Make it an amazing week!

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!