She Said What?

Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Matthew 7:1-2

Standing in the  checkout line at the grocery store, I picked up a cooking magazine with a large orange smoothie on the cover. Flipping through pages of beautiful, frost covered breakfast smoothies, I wondered why mine looked so lame by comparison. As I reached to put the magazine back, the woman right behind me in line said, seemingly to everyone within earshot, “People like us can’t eat all that sugar!”

What? People like us? 

My mind raced. Did I look fat to her? Well, I must have if I now belonged to the “people who can’t eat all that sugar” club. My first thought was something like “so what, I love ice cream. And fudge. And smoothies. I’m buying this magazine just to show her!

As I reached for it again, I noticed that it cost $11.95. What? Twelve bucks for recipes that I could probably find online for free? I put it back on the rack. I knew that if I took it home, it would just remind me of “what kind of people” I truly am, anyways.  

I wish putting the magazine back and exiting the store washed away the memory of being categorized by a total stranger, but it didn’t. To be honest, I haven’t enjoyed a smoothie ever since and when I check out at that particular grocery store, her words still ring in my ears, “People like us can’t eat all that sugar!”

Have you ever been judged by your size, shape, or color? It’s pretty awful isn’t it?

When Jesus walked this earth, He taught His disciples “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

Words to live by, but we still judge others anyways, don’t we? We check Facebook and scroll through pictures of our daughter’s new boyfriend. We ask a whole bunch of “innocent questions” before signing up for a new small group. Or we watch for weeks from a distance before meeting a new neighbor. Why does judging others come so naturally? 

James, Jesus half-brother watched how Jesus used His words to uplift, heal, and teach God’s truths. He wrote in James 3:9-10, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

This week I challenge you to wake up from judgement and bless others instead. Compliment someone’s outfit and mean it. Encourage a co-worker who’s feeling overwhelmed. Go out of your way to thank a family member who you could easily take for granted. This is the biggest challenge of all - Be creative and boldly bless a complete stranger. 

When you bless others with your kind, uplifting, and encouraging words you are blessing God at the same time, and you are blessed too. When praises are on your lips, your spirits are lifted high.  

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. – Psalm 34:1

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World

Thank You for Being A Part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Fear Less and Become Fearless

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

Think for a moment. What is one thing that slows your faith down, or even stops it in its tracks, and keeps you from running full speed after your dreams? 

Several things may come to mind right away, like busyness, sickness, other people, or seemingly impossible circumstances. But I’m thinking of something even more powerful and pervasive in our lives, something that lies at the root of many of our other problems: FEAR

Maybe that’s why God says more than any other phrase in the Bible, more than 350 times, “Do not be afraid.” He knew we’d need a daily dose of reminding to “Fear not.” 

What has fear robbed from you? A position you were too afraid to apply for, a phone call you never made, a race you didn’t sign up for, another child you didn’t conceive, a trip you didn’t take? Our lists are long and diverse, because so are our dreams. 

God has great plans for our lives but if we’re going to achieve His plans, we need to know how to KICK FEAR IN THE FACE.

“We will never be fearless, but we can fear less.” – Andy Stanley

God promises in Isaiah 43:2, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 

In every season of our lives, we experience real life storms. Sometimes it feels like more than we can possibly handle. Wave after wave keeps crashing over us. Or the heat is turned up so high, we think we’ll die. 

Teenagers go off the rails, medical bills pile up, the car breaks down, fighting surges, work pressure heightens, darkness closes in when a friend doesn’t beat cancer, and all you want to scream is STOP!  Having walked through all these scenarios/storms a few years ago, I look back and can see how God taught me how to kick fear in the face. He wants us to:

• Remember. How has God come through for you in the past? Remind yourself how He answered your prayers before, healed your wounded heart, and carried you through challenging days. By thanking God for the ways He helped you in the past, faith and hope is renewed today.

• Realize. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His promises for you are real. Grab hold of one of them such as Isaiah 41:10, and repeat it over and over as you walk through trials and storms. Thank God that He is with you and tell Him you won’t be afraid because His strength flows through you and His right hand upholds you. Realize you are not alone.

• Rely. On God’s strength when you are weak. Go to Him first and ask for His supernatural comfort, healing, restorative power. Invite Him into the storm and have faith to believe that the wind and the waves still obey Jesus’ voice (Matthew 8:23-17).

When you find yourself desperate for the storm to end, remember God is with you. Pray like your life depends on it, and take God’s mighty hand and walk by faith not by sight. Soon you will look back and see how kicking fear in the face made all the difference in the world.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World

Thank You for Being a Part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Prayer Circles

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

– 1Thessalonians 5:16-18

Do you ever feel like you’re being ganged up on? Recently, I think the animals in and around my home are out to get me. 

A few days ago while hiking with my eyes glued to the trail, I almost stepped on a huge snake. Before determining whether it was poisonous or not, I high tailed it home to be safe, cutting short my much needed stress-relieving exercise time. 

At home, I discovered mice had built numerous nests in my file boxes of teaching materials. Written documents printed and ready to be passed out are now chewed up and shredded into piles. It’s back to the drawing board for most of these documents, since the computer they were saved on crashed a few weeks ago. 

Later, I heard a loud crash on the porch. Rushing to see what it was, I saw my sweet dog Henry staring at the toppled-over woodpile, tail wagging. My best guess is he was chasing a rabbit or squirrel. When they hid behind the stack of wood, Henry must have dug into it, causing the deck to look like a disaster area.

As I estimated how many hours it would take me to clean out all the file boxes, rewrite the documents, and restack all the wood, my mind drifted to the devastating pictures I’d seen early that morning. Hurricane Florence has left businesses, roads, and whole neighbors drowning under water. The cleanup in the wake of Florence won’t take hours, it will take years. 

That slight shift in my thinking made my problems seem small and silly. My animal encounters weren’t permanently damaging, they were simply distracting. Big difference. 

How often do we blow small distractions up into huge disturbances in our lives? 

I once heard it said that “If the enemy can’t destroy you, he’ll work overtime distracting you.” I can certainly attest to that.  But I’ve found that prayer is one way that we can fight our way through distraction. Prayer has the power to shift our hearts and minds to God, and we focus on him alone. 

I keep a list of favorite scriptures by my front door. When I feel overwhelmed with unexpected distraction, I grab my list and walk “prayer circles “around my house. As I walk, I read God’s word, pray for today’s circumstances, and for others in need. With each lap praises flow, faith rises, and new hope awakens.

Don’t call me crazy! Try it. Write down 4-6 of your favorite verses from the Bible on a 3x5 card or sheet of paper. Put your walking shoes on and get moving. Circle your house praising and thanking God for His goodness in the midst of life’s messiness. Read His word and believe these truths you claim. Remind yourself and your enemy that no matter what distractions are thrown at you, you will say…

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Pray circles around your circumstances. Let hope rise to combat the waves of worry or the darkness of despair. When you fight your daily battles with praise and prayer, no distraction can stop you in your tracks, because prayer will give you a renewed perspective. 

Don’t stop following Jesus when the going gets tough, instead keep moving…rejoicing always, praying continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1Thes. 5:16-18) This is the victorious life you are called to live.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World

Thank You for Being A Part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Character Camp

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23 

Years ago, I ran camps for young kids. Our mission was to place the pieces of God’s character into the hearts and minds of His children through interactive dramas. The kids would “step into the shoes” of children living in developing countries, learning what it was like to live without clean water and other basic needs.

I remember one particular camp where we focused on God’s compassion for the poor. I drew a picture of Jesus’ heart on a large whiteboard, dividing it into pieces shaped like those of a puzzle. I labeled each piece with a different fruit of the Spirit, writing “love” and “compassion” on the two largest ones. As I stood back to observe my drawing, a realization dropped into my own heart. Wow! That’s not what my heart looks like.

What about you? Looking at the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal.5:22-23), which character camp would you sign up for? Or better yet, which one would God nudge you to attend?

• Is God asking you to love people who are difficult to love?
• Are you constantly searching for happiness but God wants your heart full of joy?
• Is your anxious heart longing for peace each and every day?
• Do you struggle to be patient in long lines, traffic, or with loved ones?
• Is your first response in a difficult situation anger or kindness?
• Are there areas of your life that would benefit from more self-control?
• Or maybe you need more goodness, faithfulness or gentleness to rule in your heart instead of bitterness, un-forgiveness, or envy?

Life is one long character camp. God is always at work places the pieces of His heart into us. He is never done molding us into the likeness of Jesus. Once you’ve improved in one area, don’t be surprised when you round the next corner and bump into the next thing God wants you to work on. Remember…

The LORD, our Father is the potter. We are the clay. We are all the work of His hands. – Isaiah 64:8

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World

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Ya Grow When Ya Go

The LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” 

– Genesis 12:1

Do you consider yourself to be a follower or a leader? 

What if God made us to be both, asking us to live a life where we follow Him into the unknown, while at the same time lead others behind us? 

That is exactly what God asked of Abram, the father of Christianity, when he commanded him to “Go.” God didn’t offer Google Maps for directions or Trip Advisor for the best stops along the way, He simply commanded Abram to gather his people and “Go.” 

Imagine the questions you’d have if you were in his, or his wife Sarai’s, sandals. The first one that comes to mind is WHERE? (followed quickly by WHY? and HOW?) Imagine the reaction of his enormous tribe when he announced something like “Ok, we’re heading out. So pack up and be ready go in a couple days.” 

Finally, picture the departure day. Abram, staff in hand, standing next to Sarai, with thousands of people behind them. It’s silent, save for the gentle desert breeze rustling their tunics. The entire clan, including its leader, are standing stock still at a crossroads, faithfully waiting for instruction. Waiting for God to point the way. 

Can you relate to standing at a crossroads and desperately wanting God tell you which way to go? 

Unknown territory looks like:

• Swimming with a teenager in the deep waters of rebellion.
• Preserving a marriage racked with constant conflict.
• Managing a life instantly changed by unexpected test results or a policeman at the door. 

Just like Abram and Sarai, we face the unknown all the time. These are the times of testing. Will we follow God, or will we try to make it on our own?

A truth that has been rolling around in my mind for weeks now is:

YOUR TRUST IN GOD ONLY GROWS IN THE TESTING ZONE

As you think about that, play the chorus of the song Oceans by Hillsong in your mind.

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.

Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander.

And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.

That’s why Abram could GO. He was in the presence of God. 

Giving thanks and praise to God immediately ushers you into His presence. No matter the road ahead of you or the unknown circumstances that you face, give God thanks for His goodness and His good plans for you. Eventually, God will help you walk out into the deep waters, much farther than your feet would have ever wandered. 

Yes!  When you follow God, others will follow you because your faith will become a light in darkness, a roadmap into the unknown, a hope in times of testing. 

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World

Thank You for Being a Part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

Fight the good fight of faith. – 1 Timothy 6:12

My daughter recently played a soccer game across the street from the Denver Broncos training facility. When I stepped out of the car, I entered an unknown world of orange and blue and pee wee football.  

I had an hour before the soccer game started, so I decided to take in this new, and very enthusiastic, world around me.  The six to eight year-old boys wore helmets and pads from head to toe because it was tackle football.  At least a hundred fans yelled and whistled from the sidelines.   Each team had six coaches in matching jerseys and the game was being professionally video taped.  I seemed to be the only one thinking, “This is craziness.  The boys can barely stand up with all their pads on.  What do they think, the Broncos are recruiting first graders?”

Have you ever found yourself watching, with amazement, others passionately absorbed in something that is completely foreign to you?  By the same token, have you ever been the one caught up in something, like a sporting event, and forgotten that they’re only children moving a ball around a plot of land?

I’m guilty of getting way too involved in my kids’ soccer games.  At times, I’ve had to be reminded by my husband to calm down and just let them play, without constantly yelling instructions and coaching from the sidelines.

What if, like the parents of these pee wee football players, we became totally absorbed in our faith and looked at each day as a fight?  What do you think God would want our battle plan to be?  How do you think He would want us to train? 

Many days, the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call snaps me out of the mundane and reminds me to live a life of strong, bold, and “on purpose” faith.  Like a referee blowing his whistle to start the game, let’s think of our 3pm alarm sounding to put our faith into action and fight the good fight.  

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

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Say What?

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love. – Hebrews 10:24

I don’t spend very much time thinking about what I should give my husband for his birthday, because I’ve learned over the years that receiving gifts doesn’t matter much to him anyways. If I want my sister in law to know I love her, I show up to take care of her twin boys, because she lights up when others help her through acts of service. 

What about you? How do you best receive love? 

God designed each one of us with a strong desire to be loved. But what if our love has different  “languages?” In his book, The Five Love Languages, author Gary Chapman states that each of us likes to give and receive love in different ways. Specifically, he breaks this down into five “love languages” that each of us “speak.” 

Here is a quick overview of them, which I personalized for you. Which ones resonate with you the most? You can take the test to discover your love languages at: www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/ 

Words of Affirmation – For you, words speak louder than actions. You love compliments and hearing the words “I love you.” You desire others to count the ways they love you. Criticisms crush your spirit and ruin your day. 

Quality Time – You feel loved when you spend time together without distractions. Undivided 

attention, complete focus, and good listening makes your heart sing. Postponed dates drive you 

crazy. 

Receiving Gifts – When you receive a thoughtful gift, you feel known and loved. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money but if it’s from the heart, you feel cared for. If your birthday or special holiday is missed, love leaks out of your heart. 

Acts of Service – When someone chooses to ease your burdens by completing your chores, their work speks love to your heart. The words, “Let me do that for you,” are beautiful and fulfilling. But when others are lazy or give you more work to do, your love tank is emptied. 

Physical Touch – You love hugs, holding hands, and thoughtful touches because they communicate love in a real and tangible way. You touch others when you’re excited, concerned, or want them to know you care about them. Being accessible physically is of the utmost important. If you feel neglected, you shut down and have a hard time forgiving. 

Once you discover your love language, share it with those closest to you. Let’s spur one another on to give and receive love in the unique ways God designed us to love. 

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World

Thank You for Being a Part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Beauty From the Ashes

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 

– Psalm 46:1-3

I was driving with my teenage daughter on another hazy day here in Colorado, the faint smell of smoke in our nostrils. “Why do you think there have been so many forest fires this summer?” she asked.

My mind drifted to a recent news report stating the Mendocino Complex fire in Northern California as the state’s largest-ever. Then I thought of the Carr Fire near Bethel Church in Redding, California. It destroyed over 112,000 acres and killed two firefighters and four residents. 

I shared the only hope I could find in such a hazy, smoke filled summer. 

I told her all I’d heard about Bethel Church’s efforts during the days of disaster. How a local church became a house of refuge and strength for all those who’d lost their homes in the devasting fire. Free meals, around the clock counseling, financial support, and shopping carts full of food and household supplies had been given to hundreds of people in the Redding, CA community. Volunteers, from children through senior citizens, worked alongside church staff, often on 18 hour shifts.

There was hope. Beauty would one day rise from the ashes. 

This realization reminded me of additional promises of God. 

• The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:8).
• God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
• The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7).
• Our help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2).
• All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

C.S. Lewis taught, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” 

Ok God, we’re listening. Speak to us and remind us of your promises. Comfort those who mourn. Guide the lost and helpless. Provide shelter for the homeless and rain down on our dry land. We know the wind and waves obey Your voice. Bring peace and mend our broken land. We thank you for all that is good in our lives and in this world. 

And we believe your word that says; If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14 

Thank you God that your promises are steadfast and secure in every storm, in every nation, every day. 

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World

Thank You for Being a Part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Dumpster Diving

“Things are not always as they seem.”

More often than I care to admit, I find myself in embarrassing situations where the best I can hope for is to laugh alongside the people who are laughing at me. 

Like the day I stopped at the gas station on my way home from getting duplicate keys made at The Home Depot.  Per our usual gas station “pit stop drill,” the kids and I rifled through the car and throw all the trash into the bin near the pump.  (My teenage daughter had been driving that car lately, so today was quite a haul).

When we got home, and I couldn’t find the key duplicates, my mind flashed back to the gas station.  They had been in a small, lightweight paper bag, so someone must have accidentally thrown them out.  We quickly got back in the car and zipped to the station.  

I nonchalantly walked over to the trash can and peered inside. Since everyone seemed to be busy filling up their cars, I quickly rifled through the trash on the top.  No luck.  I’d have to dig deeper. Since my arms were too short to reach the bottom of the canister, I pulled off its plastic covering and hauled the bag out on to the concrete.  Throwing stealth to the wind, and gagging a little, I opened the bag, and started sorting through soda cans, chewed gum, half-filled coffee cups, and used napkins. No keys. 

As I stood up to put everything back, my eyes met those of a couple sitting in a big Ford pickup on the other side of the gas pump.  Their faces showed compassion, or maybe pity, as they talked to each other behind rolled-up windows. I knew they were talking about me.  

Hoping to explain myself, I walked over and motioned for the man to roll down his window. “We were talking about how we might help you,” he said.  I explained the mystery of the lost keys and we laughed out loud together.  They were thankful I wasn’t dumpster diving to feed my kids and I was thankful for laughter to replace my stress.

Driving away, I was reminded of how quickly I sometimes judge others.  Like the single mom on her phone at the playground.  Shouldn’t she be playing with her toddler?  Or the homeless man on the corner holding a cardboard sign.  Couldn’t he work at McDonald’s?  

The Bible teaches us in Matthew 7:1-2, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

Who have you judged lately?  Could their circumstances be different than what you see?  What if we replaced judgment with compassion, and criticism with kindness?   

We just might be surprised what we discover… like the missing keys, which had been at the bottom of my purse the whole time. 

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World

Thank You for Being a Part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Ten Finger Strength

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21

In my dream vacation, every day would be filled with relaxation and fun exploration. My husband, Dan would agree. The only problem is that we define these things differently. 

Relaxation for me means laying on the beach, drifting in and out of sleep while the

waves wash up on shore. Dan gets restless after ten minutes of this, and I'll wake up to find him either surfing or swimming laps in the ocean. My agenda for “fun exploration” is snorkeling with colorful fish, stand up paddle boarding, or leisurely biking to lunch. Dan is happy to join me, but I can tell that he's itching to go a little faster or farther. 

Last summer I let Dan plan our vacation. Big mistake. He chose mountain biking... and not just leisurely rides to lunch. I found myself on trails far beyond my strength and ability. Through it all, though, he encouraged me, saying that I was stronger and braver than I perceived myself to be, and that I could keep going when every muscle in my body was screaming to STOP.

God does the very same thing with us. He promises that His power alive and active in

us can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. It’s through His strength that we

can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

While gripping tight to the bike’s handlebars, I was reminded of the" ten finger

promise" I have taught so many children to say over the years. (I smiled in being reminded that all God’s children, no matter their age, need to be reminded of this truth at times.) 

Here's how it works: As you say the following sentence, count each word off with a different finger. 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

High Ten you did it!

Remember that the next time you’re pushed beyond your limits, way out of your comfort zone. Throw your hands up and give God a High Ten. Stop striving in your own strength, and tap into a power that never gets exhausted or quits.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World

Thank You for Being a Part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement