Tag: no excuses

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

The Old Made New

Happy New Year!! As I reflect on 2025, I see many answers to prayers. God was definitely at work and did some pretty awesome things in my life!

I think of how my life was at the beginning of the year and how it is now. In some ways, things are similar, but if you look deeper, they are very different. I have grown and have been transformed by renewing my mind and letting go of the old to grasp the new.

Naturally, the biggest life change was my mom’s death in February. Yet, this was the best year of her life because she met Jesus face-to-face! We miss her, but are grateful she is with the One who died so she could live forever. I hear my mom’s voice in Colossians 2:5-7 below:

5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Some people get stuck after someone dies. But for others, Death can be a catalyst for change. When we’re reminded how short Life is, our perspective shifts from complacency to “it’s now or never.” There is no time to waste!

Although Mom is not with us physically, we certainly will carry her memory and legacy with us. I want to make her proud and live out the calling God gave me, which she cultivated. The Colossians passage above is like a parting reminder: Continue in Jesus, stay rooted in Him, remember what I taught you, be grateful.

Lydia and I visited some new-to-us places in North Dakota, and she also went to Washington, DC. We each started new activities, too. Lydia participated in a program called Congress, and I started a leadership training program at church, something I have wanted to do for a long time. We have both learned a lot this year!

I made some changes around the house, including finally getting some landscaping done. It was several years in the making. I am so glad it is finished, and I love how it turned out!

Praise God, I am now mostly pain-free in my neck, back, and hips – it has been years since I felt this good! I am giving all credit to Jesus, my Healer. He has done all the hard work; I have just walked it out with some new tools, habits, and mobility training.

The Lord provided for me in new ways this year. I picked up extra hours here and there at work, which helped bring in a little more money. In other areas, He showed me how to adjust my spending habits to stretch my dollars when needed. He is so faithful and good!

Speaking of habits, I finally realized that going to bed and getting up early is non-negotiable! This meant I’ve had to say “no” and strengthen boundaries. But I feel better all around when I get a short walk and stretching in early. Also, my morning time with Jesus is top priority. With His help, I have been fairly consistent in both areas. It feels good to get into a rhythm… and coffee certainly helps!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This year was full of challenges, but Jesus made old things new again. He brought things to completion and answered prayers. I grew in my faith, and my life was transformed. And you know what? Jesus wants to change your life, too! So let Him! 

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Heavenly Father, You are so good. Increase our faith and transform us from the inside out. Your Word is Truth – help us live it out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How have you grown this year? How has Jesus transformed you?

Task: Keep a running list of all the ways you see Jesus moving in your life this next year. Praise Him along the way!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Compassion Christmas

Last week, I joined a Zoom call with Compassion International. I have been a child sponsor for many years, and I was invited to watch children at a Peruvian church center celebrate Christmas and open gifts. Compassion provides a safe place for vulnerable children and includes them in fun activities.

I like donating to this organization because they ‘release children from poverty in Jesus’ Name.’ I have a friend who grew up in this program, and he is an ambassador for them. It’s been cool to see how the Lord Jesus has used him over the years.  I am glad for the opportunity to be a part of something bigger.

This Zoom call showed us a representation of other Compassion Christmases around the world. In fact, we got to see a short clip of children singing Christmas carols in various languages across different Compassion programs. One thing they had in common was the joy on their faces.

It was a really cool experience to watch. The kids knew they were on camera, but they didn’t make a huge deal of it. The church was hosting families of the kids it serves, some of whom had not heard the Gospel. There was a Nativity play inside, and then the camera went outside to where food would be served.

A group of older ladies had been up since 5 a.m., preparing food over hot coals. They had made staples, like chicken and rice, as well as Panettone bread and hot chocolate. Apparently, no Peruvian Christmas is complete without those two treats! Even when Christmas happens to be 90+ degrees!

At one point, they had a small group of children ready to open their gifts. The host explained that the teachers asked each child what they wanted for Christmas. Then, some of the workers drove a few hours to the nearest city to buy everything.

The kids opened their gifts one by one and showed them to the camera with big smiles. Many of us online were a little surprised… Each child received a t-shirt and a towel. I don’t know what the rest of the kids will receive, but I expected the majority to request a toy or something “fun.”

When asked about this, one little boy said (in Spanish), “I know my mom works really hard at her job. I didn’t want her to have to worry about buying me a towel, so I asked for one here.” It was very sweet, but also a little heartbreaking. Nonetheless, each child seemed very happy and grateful for their practical gifts. Several put on their new shirts to show us.

One of the Compassion teachers told us her two daughters attend the program. So, it is a big blessing for her whole family. Her girls have their needs met doubly – through sponsorship and the mother’s paycheck. It has been life-changing for the family in many ways!

I appreciated the simplicity of the children’s requests and their gratitude for so little. As an American, it is a humbling reminder of all we have to be grateful for. I also liked seeing the effects of lovingkindness and good stewardship. The focus remained on Jesus, not just what the kids might want or receive.

Jesus is the best gift ever! His coming was inconvenient for Him (Philippians 2:5-11). For starters, consider learning to walk, puberty, betrayal, and the Cross! No, Jesus came because He loved us… me… you. He wanted a relationship with us and was willing to lay aside His glory and do whatever it took to remove the barriers sin created between God and us. He had compassion on us and put His love in action.

Tomorrow, Lydia and I will enjoy good food, open gifts, visit with friends, call family, and enjoy our time together. I am grateful for our many blessings, but most of all Jesus. Merry Christmas!! 

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Father God, thanks for the most precious gift, Your Son, Jesus! May we not take Him for granted. May we generously share Your grace, lovingkindness, and mercy with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What gift are you most hoping to receive this Christmas? Have you accepted the free gift of forgiveness and salvation that Jesus Christ offers?

Task: As you open gifts this Christmas, take inventory of your attitude and thank Jesus for Who He is and all He has done for you!.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Season’s Greetings

What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Lydia and I have been making holiday cookies, decorating, watching movies, singing Christmas carols, and checking the mail for cards and packages! I also really love white elephant parties!

I always look forward to receiving Christmas cards, though I don’t send them anymore. Perhaps I will do it again someday…

Instead of sending Christmas cards, I use this time to message and reply to various people, including those who send us Christmas cards and updates. It’s not really a yearly recap, but rather checking on loved ones. So-called ‘season’s greetings’ are important for connection and a good way to share and celebrate God’s love for us.

This week, I have messaged several people, including a few of my former classmates from high school, some aunts, uncles, and cousins, old friends from Caterpillar, and more. I also sent updated school pictures of Lydia to a few people (mainly family). It feels good to hear from and interact with so many people. 

Free Candle Flame photo and picture

Christmas is a good reminder that Jesus is God’s love letter to us and share Him with others. When we read about Jesus or see Him in Scripture, we learn more about who our Heavenly Father and Creator is. We can read about the Nativity story, Jesus healing people, His sermons, and the Crucifixion. His radiance is a foretaste of the glory of Heaven.

Have you replied to God’s love letter yet, or read it lately?

The main way to connect with God, the Father, is to respect His Son, Jesus, and respond to His death and resurrection. Then tell God how much you love Jesus and how thankful you are for Him. Just like the best way to get my attention is not to impress me but to talk to me about how great Lydia is! 😉

Other ways to connect with God include reading the Bible and humbly letting it change you. We can also pray (talk to Him and listen to Him) and then obey what He says with the Holy Spirit’s help.

God is good, whether or not you want anything to do with Him. But life is a lot better with Jesus! One thing that I’ve been thinking about lately is that people can be morally good, but they are still lost without Jesus; in other words, good is not good enough! He did not come to make us good. He came to make us right with God, reconnect us to Him, and redeem us for His good purposes.

In short, we can send Christmas cards, sing all the fun songs, bake/eat all the cookies, give all the gifts, and spread goodwill toward others, for sure. But if we don’t share Jesus and include Him, we are missing the point. JESUS is the reason for the season!

So, as you go about all your wonderful Christmas traditions, remember to bring Jesus with you. He is the center of all we do! Jesus Christ is not just above all our holiday activities; they are meaningless without Him!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for sending Jesus and letting Him be Your love letter to us! May we grow to love and trust You more and more and we spend time with you daily. And, let us share that love with those around us, In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Have you replied to God’s love letter yet? How could you share Jesus with others?

Task: As you are baking cookies, pray for those you may give them to. As you are writing Christmas cards, tell the recipient how Jesus has changed your life. Take advantage of the joyful spirit of the season and bring the Good News of Jesus everywhere you go!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom

Living Within Our Limitations

As you may know, I usually write my blog posts on Tuesday nights. Sometimes I start them on Sunday or Monday, if I have a specific idea, but I always finish on Tuesdays (and make final edits on Wednesday mornings before publishing and sharing).

Some of this is just my creative process, but a lot of it is certain limitations, such as time. Often, I have an idea, but it is not fleshed out yet. Or, I have several interesting occurrences or random pieces of information I want to talk about but I have to figure out if they are connected or not.

So, yesterday was Tuesday, but I was late getting home due to the weather and traffic limitations. We received a lot of blowing snow during the day and that slowed everything down in the evening! I also had to clear snow when I got home in the evening. My hired snow removal service came eventually, but I still had to do my part!

Free Pine Cone photo and picture

Thankfully, I had anticipated all of this and wrote half my blog early – even the part about getting home late! 😉 But I wanted to sit with the idea of limitations. We all have them, but they may impact us each in different ways.

I have already mentioned the limitations of time, weather, and traffic. We also have health problems, pain and grief, financial limitations, age restrictions, family challenges, work issues, and more. The holidays also present us with opportunities to trust God.

In particular, Christmas tends to amplify whatever problems are already present. But, don’t let yourself get stuck by your limits. Lean into Jesus and call on Him for help!

Jesus didn’t just come as a cute little baby. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He reigns over all! Every problem has to come under his authority and jurisdiction. We have Victory in Jesus’ Name.

So, here’s a fun update! My Tuesday was busy but pretty good. At work, I had a challenging patient, but he left feeling confident, so I am calling it a win. I got just enough done to feel accomplished, and I also received some good news!

Throughout the day, we received several inches of heavy, wet snow, but the drive home was fairly easy. I got home a few minutes late, but all things considered, it wasn’t too bad. I praised God the whole way home!

I cleared a little snow, but left most of it for my snow service. Because I had already started my blog, it didn’t take as long in the evening. So, I was able to spend time with Lydia, watching a Christmas movie!

When we pray, we literally bring Heaven to Earth… God’s will here as it is there. We may not see the result right away, but we can trust Jesus is on the move. He always answers when we call – yes, no, or not yet.  So, today, whether you are in the midst of calm or chaos, peace or pressure, lean into Jesus. He covers our limitations with His presence and mighty power!

Yes, when we acknowledge our limitations and humbly ask for help, Jesus comes to the rescue! His very Name implies salvation, and He loves to show Himself strong on our behalf! So, don’t give up! Keep seeking Jesus and keep moving forward!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for taking good care of me, despite my many limitations. You do all things well! Help me trust You more, and not rely on my own feeble strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do your limitations hold you back or lead you to Jesus? How has Jesus proved Himself strong on your behalf this week?

Tasks: Don’t let yourself get stuck by your limits. Lean into Jesus. call on Him for help, and keep moving forward!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom, Worship

Holding Space During the Holidays

Well, we made it to December! It has already been an interesting month. On Monday, we had work and school, followed by a funeral and a class in the evening. It was a lot to juggle!

The funeral was for a thirteen-year-old girl, someone Lydia knew a bit from church. They were in the youth group together, though they went to different schools. They were two months apart, so her sudden death was very sad and shocking. We attended the visitation (skipping the funeral) because I also needed to take Lydia home before returning for my church leadership class in a separate area.

Free Wreath Flowers photo and picture

The funeral was still happening when I walked back into the building, and I heard several students talking about how the girl had made a difference in their lives. She loved Jesus and seemed to be very sweet and encouraging.

My class was the final meeting of the semester, and we had pizza for dinner, a lesson on prayer, and then a white elephant gift exchange! It was a lot of fun, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity.

During the training, we prayed for the family of the girl who died. We discussed how to hold space for these two different events of the night – the funeral and the training/party. We can rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.

It’s not easy, but it is important to honor the sadness and grief while also moving forward and celebrating Life. The holidays seem to be full of these situations, don’t they?

This year feels like it flew by, with so many personal wins, but there’s also sadness because my mom died in February. This time of year is challenging for other reasons anyway, including Dave’s birthday, Christmas, and the fact that he’s not here either.

But, I also recognize how GOOD God is through all of it. Jesus very much understands the dual nature of sorrow and joy. He was a Man of Sorrows, yet He also possessed the fullness of God’s joy (Psalm 16:11). Somehow, He held both simultaneously and remained faithful to His mission.

If Jesus can hold space for emotional duality, so can we. I know from experience this is true. While I don’t know what you are facing this Christmas season, Jesus does. He loves you deeply and cares about your concerns.

It is okay to feel conflicted, whatever you are experiencing. None of it is a surprise to the Lord. Take a little time to rest. Then, bring all of your emotions to Jesus and let Him help you sort them out. He really wants to be there for you, if you will let Him.

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Father God, thank you for the gift of Life and for emotions to express how we feel. Help us hold space for all You are doing in us and through us this holiday season. Bring us comfort and peace as we trust You and lean into all You have for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How are you holding up so far this week? Do you have any helpful tips for the holiday season?

Task: Take a few minutes and check in with Jesus and tell Him how you really feel. Don’t stay stuck in your emotions; let them be indicators, not dictators.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Pivot, Worship

Cheerful and Connected

On Sunday, I went to church three times… and had so much fun! At one point, I told someone I might as well bring my sleeping bag and stay. She laughed and mentioned they do have a couple of showers on-site! 😀

To start, Lydia and I went to the first service at 8:30 a.m., like usual. We sat with a friend and caught up with her afterward. Typically, this may include discussing our week or the sermon. We encourage each other and may even pray for each other.

When the second service started at 10 a.m., Lydia and I left to pick up Starbucks for another friend. We chatted with her and played with her little girl for a while. Our visit was also a cover to pick up a package for Lydia’s birthday this week. I had the package delivered to our friend’s house so she wouldn’t see it in advance. My friend rewrapped it so Lydia didn’t catch on. 😉

Then, during the 11:30 a.m. service, we were back at church to help with the OASIS group. We set the tables and helped serve the food, which was ribs, scalloped potatoes, Caesar salad, and a pumpkin dessert. The older folks are friendly and appreciative. Later, Lydia mentioned how many people greeted us on Sunday, both in OASIS and at church in general.

After that, I ran Lydia home and hung out for a few minutes before heading back to church for a routine business meeting. I sat with some other friends while we heard about some financial updates and learned more about building updates as we remodel.

Free Pumpkin Pie Whipped Cream photo and picture

Finally, I came home and did a few tasks before catching up with family over Zoom. 🙂 Thankfully, I had energy throughout the day and felt like it boosted my mood. I felt encouraged, not drained!

Sunday was a bit of a wildcard initially, since I wasn’t sure how the timing was going to work out! I had prayed earlier and trusted God to direct our steps. In doing so, I saw just how connected we truly are in the context of community. 

Our church is fairly large, and now with three services, it is easy to forget about people or miss seeing them. I might go weeks without seeing certain friends, though I might remember to text them during the week or month. But Sunday was a fun eye-opener for Lydia and a nice reminder of all God is doing in us and through us.

Hebrews 10:23-25 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

It was fun to see many familiar faces on Sunday. I’m glad that Lydia recognized the connections we have with others and saw the joy that comes from serving God. Being a part of the Body of Christ is a wonderful gift!

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God, thanks for helping us be the Church, the Body of Christ. May we grow and mature in Jesus and draw all people unto You. May we bring You glory, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you connected to a local church? Do you serve there regularly, or are you waiting to get involved? What is holding you back?

Task: Pray about getting more connected at church. It is good for your faith and builds others up… you are needed! Find something to do that blends your personality, spiritual gifts, and passions. Then, you will love showing up and serving! Note: If it’s a total drain on you, it’s probably not quite the right fit. It should be a sacrifice, but also bring you joy!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Personality

A Rejuvenating Day

Yesterday was Veterans Day, so Lydia and I were off from school and work. I appreciate the sacrifices Veterans have made for us, and I am so grateful to serve them every week! It was a nice day off in the middle of the week!

We mostly had a quiet day at home. It was a glorious day of rest and rejuvenation. I did many different things, but felt relaxed while doing them. I was able to get several small tasks done, but in an unhurried manner, which makes all the difference!

I slept in an extra hour or so, which was glorious. Then, I enjoyed a homemade cappuccino and breakfast while reading my Bible and spending time with Jesus. I also did a little mobility work and planned my day. Lydia slept until just after 8:30 a.m., so I had a couple of hours to myself!

Free Fall Autumn photo and picture

A day off can quickly be wasted, so I jumped into my to-do list early! I started a load of laundry, organized my work backpack, washed a few small dishes, and paid a bill. I did all of this while catching up on some podcasts. Then, I supervised Lydia while she filled my car tires with air. I also showed her how to check the oil and windshield washer fluid, since she hopes to get her driver’s learning permit soon. Might as well teach her about car maintenance now! It wasn’t that chilly in the garage, but I also wanted to test out my new outdoor winter gear! Win-win!

Later, Lydia went to the gym with a friend, while I made brownies and chopped up some veggies for the week. It’s all about balance, right?! I bought some online birthday gifts for Lydia and did a little reading. When she returned, we ran some errands and got some food. Then, I worked on a project while watching a movie. 

Life is made up of many small moments together, and yesterday was one of those really enjoyable days where life just slowed down. Normally, I am on the go, and the little tasks just build up. They take a lot of mental space, but it is difficult to make headway on them. 

So, yesterday felt like an unexpected gift, even though I knew about the holiday for a while. It was just what I needed. Thank you, Veterans, and to Jesus for the freedom we now have!

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God, thanks for a relaxing day off! Thanks for the freedom we have in America and also in Christ. Help us walk worthy of the sacrifices made on our behalf. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What do you like to do when you don’t have anything specific planned?

Task: Take a few minutes to tackle some small items on your to-do list. Don’t wait until the timing is perfect. Just get started and see how it goes. Set a thirty-minute timer, and when it goes off, you can move on. Often, the little tasks take two minutes or less, but they add up and can quickly become overwhelming!

 

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Fruit, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom

A Higher Calling

Today, I’m going to jump right in… Bear with me, please and thank you!

I recently read an online post that mentioned something to the effect of “judge not, lest you be judged.” You can read more in Matthew 7:1-5, but Jesus meant to take care of your own sin before pointing out the same problem in others. Ironically, the half-truth came from someone whose life is a mess, to put it nicely. They have made some really poor decisions, yet want to tell everyone else how to live. Hmmm.

Indeed, Christians are required to judge the conduct and spiritual fruit of other Christians. It is wise to examine the behavior of people who claim to love God, as well as those who don’t. We must discern who is pointing us to Jesus and who is dragging our attention away from Him. We are called to test and weigh spiritual matters. Let’s do it with humility and integrity.

At the same time, we cannot hold non-Christians accountable for Christian standards because they are spiritually dead. They may have a sense of morality and have an inkling of who God is (Romans 1), but it’s not the same. In fact, a post I saw last night said, “Satan is not opposed to good morals. He is opposed to Jesus Christ.” We can’t expect the world to understand or get on board so simply — we must demonstrate who Jesus really is.

Free Avenue Trees photo and picture

Another recent online post was from someone who is all about promoting goodwill, equality, and equity. We absolutely should offer merciful compassion and seek justice, but sadly, these often get twisted. In reviewing our current political climate, this person implied it is “un-Christian” to pause certain social programs, as if that were the end goal. They flat-out deny wanting anything to do with Jesus, but they want to hold people to that perceived standard.

Professing our faith and living for Jesus Christ is not for the faint of heart. It is easy to want to hide out and ignore all the drama this world brings. Especially when we feel pressured, censored, and mocked. We must remember our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the dark spiritual forces of this world (Ephesians 6:12). We are citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20), but we must make the most of our time here! Because of Jesus, we can bravely run into battle, not away from it.

Christians are called to a higher standard—to imitate Jesus Christ and draw people to Him. Salt and Light, Grace and Truth. Kindness, hospitality, generosity, and self-sacrifice. Helping the poor, sick, and marginalized. It’s not about adding more to our to-do list, but showing God’s love in practical ways. Yet, how we use our resources will look different for each of us in the context of community. The point is that we have to be consistent in how we represent Jesus. We must follow through and not drop the ball.

On Monday, in my class, we talked about building authentic connections with others and sharing Jesus’ love with them. We can open hearts with simple conversations and show excellence in all we do. As one speaker said, “If you are lazy, prideful, rude, and negative… no one wants that!” We cannot just do the minimum. We must set an example for others in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12), so that they ask what makes you different. Jesus!

Of course, we cannot do this on our own. That’s why we have the Holy Spirit and the Church (each other!). Sure, we have our flaws, but praise God, we will one day be made perfect in Jesus. Let’s minister to our local communities with cheerfulness and initiative. There are always challenges, but loving one another well draws outsiders into the heart of God.

Bottom line: All of us deserve eternal damnation in Hell because we fall short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23). We cannot earn our salvation, but there is hope! “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) It is by grace we have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2), so let us run this race with endurance (Hebrews 12).

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Heavenly Father, forgive us when we fall short or give people reason to doubt You. Help us spread Your grace, love, peace, and joy to others. May we be quick to help in times of need. May we consistently show up and follow through. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Where are you at in all of this? Are you with Jesus or the world? Are you living out your higher calling, found only in Him? Or are you playing with fire and trying to do it all on your own?

Task: Check your heart and see where you really stand with Jesus Christ. Read Romans 10:9 and the other verses linked above. If you aren’t sure, message me at nat.grace.lemonade@gmail.com. I’d love to connect.

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Fruit, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom

Command, Promise, Risk

Today, at work, I get to do my quarterly BLS practice! BLS stands for Basic Life Support, and it is helpful (mandatory) to keep my CPR credentials up to date. We have an adult mannikin and a little baby one at work. It is fairly simple, though not necessarily easy. In my experience, the mannikins can be a little finicky!

I thought the timing was ironic because on Sunday, our pastor mentioned another acronym for CPR. Instead of CardioPulmonary Resuscitation, he reframed it as Command, Promise, Risk.

We were talking about the prophet, Elijah, in 1 Kings 17. He stood up in his generation, and God used him greatly. Elijah spoke against evil and demonstrated God’s power in legendary ways. By faith, Elijah prophesied that no rain would fall on Israel because they had abandoned the one true God. This eventually led to a showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. As if that wasn’t enough, hundreds of years later, he was with Jesus and Moses on the mountain of Transfiguration!

Free Heart Sunrise photo and picture

Regarding CPR, our pastor explained that God gives us a Command and a Promise. But, we need to take the Risk and obey. So many times, we want the promise of reward, but fail to follow through by taking the first step. There is no reward without risk!

Risks are one sure way to ‘get your heart pumping!’ But we don’t have to give in to fear. God will provide for anything He sets in motion. Follow His command, and He will bring His promise to pass.

Taking the leap of faith is risky, and maybe you don’t feel like you have that much faith. Yet, you only need a little—think mustard seed—and you don’t have to have all the answers first. Trust God’s heart.

Each of us may struggle on our own, but when we come together, we are stronger. Showing up and taking a risk, even when you don’t feel like it, can actually be a boost to someone else. We can “borrow” the faith we ourselves need from others, and we can give that support, too. Soon, our hearts are pumping in unison and God is glorified in us!

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God, thanks for being with us in life’s challenges. Help us take the risks and obey Your commands. We don’t do it to obtain a reward, but to glorify You. Help us be faithful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is a risk God is asking you to take right now? What is His command, and what is His promise to you once you take the risk? Is there someone who can cheer you on?

Task: Don’t rely on your own strength today. Lean on God and take the risky first step of faith… then watch how He moves on your behalf!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer

Finding Grace #502

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Autumn Forest photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was another week of hustling!

We served in the kids’ ministry at church on Sunday, and I squeezed in a quick walk with a friend. Then, we ran home to get Lydia packed for Congress before her team left on the bus.

Lydia was gone all day Monday, but did really well at Congress. She gave four of her speeches and scored high enough to place! It was a cool end to her first season!

My Monday was very full but good. I stayed close to Jesus and enjoyed several church-related events. I’m grateful.

On Tuesday evening, we attended a golden birthday party for one of Lydia’s school friends. If you recall, we met a family from Africa a few years ago at the bus stop. Over time, we have seen less of them since they have gotten more settled. We enjoyed catching up, eating really good food, and enjoying their culture and traditions. And, they sent us home with leftovers!

Wednesday was my mom’s birthday. We all miss her so much, but we are doing well. And, she is with the very One who loves her the most. So, while we are sad, we are also happy for her and proud of her!

At work, I felt like I was chasing my tail all week, and I was only there four days! 🙂 I barely stayed on top of my charting, but somehow did. I know God was helping me all along the way. I had nice patients and accomplished a lot. Thanks, Lord!

On Thursday night, I dropped off Lydia and a friend at church for a youth convention that went through today. It was a funny week because I was pretty much on my own for much of it (Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).

Yesterday after work, I met up with my coworker, Natalie, to hang out again. (She is off on maternity leave.) She had her new baby girl and her older son, who did not have preschool that day. It was fun to spend time together, and we visited a church ministry on the NDSU campus before getting coffee!

After that, I went to Menards and then finished up some outdoor projects at home… while catching up with my sister on the phone. Next, I did some studying and watched a movie. It was a fulfilling day!

This week, the weather definitely felt more like Fall! It was a little chilly, overcast, windy, and rainy. I didn’t mind too much and am thankful it wasn’t snow!

Today was a fairly restful Saturday. I did some studying before running errands and picking up Lydia from the youth convention. She had a big week and ended up resting for quite a while after that! After a three-hour nap, I had to wake her up!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!