To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Christian

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Iron indeed sharpens Iron

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I can’t imagine my life without those that surround me and sharpen me. It is one of the lessons I try to impart upon my boys, although, for boys I know it is different. Boys don’t naturally share with one another like girls do, but it is just as important for them. God designed us this way.

Today, I thought it would be a great time to just sit down and make a list of those that have sharpened me and when possible send them a quick thanks…

To the teacher that invested in my life, drawing out a young girl, inspiring, pushing gently, pulling at times, but always encouraging, thank you!

To my sister who was and is the one who has the “hard conversations” and who also celebrates life’s important moments with us, thank you!

To the gals in my personal tribe, friends from many groups… WOW… I am far better because of all of you, thank you!

To my many peers at work… I couldn’t begin to list them, but I think of early mentors, both nice ones and the ones that seemed to be a little too tough on the younger generation… I especially appreciate those lessons now and glad there was a balance, thank you!

To my mentors or mentees… I have learned an equal amount from each of them, thank you!

To my boys who bring an entire new meaning to to “sharpen” and “iron” – haha! They have always pushed me to be the best version of myself from early morning feelings, to late night talks about college life… (And I won’t give up on the whole “boys need to be in community too” part…) Thank you, boys!

Who has “sharpened” you… raised the bar… elevated your “game”? I bet they’d love to hear from you this week!

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!

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…