High Tide

The LORD gathers the waters of the sea… let all the people of the world stand in awe of Him. – Psalm 33:7-8

Have you ever sat on the beach and watched the tide come in?  Sooner or later you’ll be either moving your seat or getting wet.  It’s a sure thing.  At high tide, the beach shrinks as the ocean tumbles in, wave after wave.  

Have you ever contemplated how the tides ebb and flow?  Or why hotels and homeowners feel confident building just a few feet up from the high water mark?  I have the luxury of thinking about these things from my beach chair in Maui.  

Now… don’t judge me.  Dan and I are celebrating 23 years of marriage.  I think it’s a pretty big deal since I was 23 years old when we got married.  Soon I will have spent as many years with him as I’ve lived without him.  I think that calls for a beach fun celebration!

Most of my days are spent in land locked Colorado, so I seldom think about the ocean.  Here in Hawaii, I am mesmerized by it.  Near the ocean, I feel God’s powerful presence.   I see the magnitude of His power.  He controls the flow of the ocean.  He sets the boundaries of where the ocean ends and the land begins.  

As I ponder how great is our God, I’m reminded of HillSong’s hit worship song, Oceans. I sing the chorus while walking on the beach.  

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.  

Let me walk upon the waters 

Wherever you would call me  

Take my deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior.”

What do you need to trust God with these days?  How could your trust in God truly be without borders?  

Where could God be leading you to walk out much further than your feet would ever wander on their own?

How is your faith growing stronger as you step into God’s presence every day at 3pm and give Him thanks?

I wish we could walk together along the beach and share our faith stories.  I’d love to hear how God is comforting, challenging, and changing you.  I’d share how grateful I am that you are a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call.  At the ocean’s edge, we’d stand in awe of our amazing God.  

    

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

On Sale

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God. 

– Psalm 36:7

Last weekend while shopping at the mall for basketball shorts for my daughter, I searched first for the price tags before I presented the different colors and styles to her.  After we had checked out with our sale items, she turned to me and said, “I hope one day I’m rich enough that I don’t have to look at price tags.  Then I can just buy anything I want.”

I was speechless (an infrequent event for my family). Since that day at the mall, I’ve been thinking a lot about price tags.

Today, I was reminded of a Bible Study I taught many years ago on JOY.  During the opening session, I asked the women to fill in the blank of this sentence with the first word that popped into their minds.  You try it!

I am _________________.

What was the first word you thought of?  Interestingly enough, when I asked the participants to anonymously write down their answer on a slip of paper and toss it in a basket, almost 90% of them wrote the same word.  Any guess what it was?

It was “Fat.”  I understood, but was shocked.  We weren’t at Weight Watchers, we were at church.  Why weren’t their words Christian words like beloved, saved, comforted, helped, or joyful?

One reason could be that all of us spend most of our waking hours being bombarded with messages to be someone or something we are not.  Magazines airbrush skinny models.  The fashion industry continues to shrink bathing suits and tank tops.  And cosmetic surgery is on the rise, with Americans spending more than 13.5 billion dollars last year to reshape their bodies.

Wow, that’s a huge price tag!  I wonder what God thinks of all this?  

I’ll tell you what I finally told my daughter at lunch that day at the mall.  While looking into her young eyes I said, “You are priceless to God”.  

How often do we see ourselves from God’s perspective?  Like John, one of Jesus’ disciples and closest friends, we too should call ourselves beloved by Jesus. 

In the King James Version of the Bible, God’s refers to His children as “beloved” one hundred and six times.  Over and over again, God calls you “His beloved.”  You were bought at a price (1 Cor. 6:20).  If God placed a price tag on you it would read: PRICELESS.  

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

United in Love

Be encouraged in heart and united in love. 

– Colossians 2:2

The Presidential Election may be over but our nation is still reeling with heated emotions. With an election this close, half the voters in our country are disappointed.  Some are so angry that they are lashing out with hateful words and actions.  Where does this anger come from?  Why is anger on the rise?

How are we to respond in violate political times?  What are we to say when a co-worker won’t stop complaining about the near future or a neighbor opposes our views and gossips about us or a friend distances herself once she learns who you voted for?

The landscape of our country is divided between political parties, religious views, and lifestyle values.  Even our churches are being divided based on denominations and inclusivity.  

If you are feeling angry, worrying about upcoming changes, or overwhelmed by the climate of our country, remember that perfect love casts out fear (1John 4:18). The One who loves you perfectly is also your Savior, Redeemer, Counselor and Friend.  His name is Jesus.    

Imagine if Jesus came back tonight, how would He deal with all the tension, animosity, and heated emotions in the U.S.?  I think He’d be exactly like He was when He was on earth the first time.  Jesus walked with a diverse collection of people and consistently loved them all.  He encouraged others to love God and each other by pointing to love as the greatest command (Mark 12:30-31).  

Jesus lived a fully inclusive life.  No one was off limits.  Jesus invited women to travel with Him and touched diseased skin with His bare hands.  Jesus united people in a hostile time with His constant kindness and consistent love.  We can follow in His footsteps.

No matter whose anger you face or whatever media messages you receive, be encouraged in your heart to love others.  Link arms with a few other followers of Jesus and be unified with them.  Encourage one another and spur each other on to choose love even in these tumultuous times.  

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

Patterns of Prayer

Be faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12

Have you ever had a phrase stuck in your head?  Good speakers and writers can do that to us.  I learned from Lysa Terkeurst that as writers, we are to invent “sticky statements,” so our readers will remember what we’ve written.

Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church in California is a master at these “sticky statements.”  One of his recent statements has been rolling around in my brain for a while now.  

Pastor Rick was explaining why Daniel in the Bible continued to be promoted in leadership his whole life.  Rick gave snap shots from Daniel’s life that allowed me to visualize each scene as if looking through a photo album or flipping through pictures on my phone.  

There Daniel was, bravely refusing to bow down to the King’s statue, praying three times a day even though it had been declared unlawful, facing the lions and rejoicing while the angel shut their mouths and saved his life.  Wow, what an example of steadfast faith under challenging conditions.

Rick wrapped up Daniel’s life of success by saying, “The secret to standing strong is kneeling often.”  

How true that is!  The more often we go to God in prayer, the stronger we will stand up against opposition and the more we will see His powerful hand at work in our lives.  Going to God in prayer does not mean we have to be physically kneeling.  We can turn our hearts and minds toward Him while we’re driving our car, waiting in a grocery line, playing at the park, or talking with a friend.  Anywhere at any time, God will hear your prayers.

By stopping every day at 3pm to thank God, to invite Him into our messy lives, or call out for HELP, we are creating a powerful pattern of prayer.  God is listening and sees our daily decisions to remember Him in the midst of our busy days.

I love to ask people around me what they’re thankful for when my 3pm alarm goes off.  My kids expect it.  They see the patterns in my life more than anyone else.  This one I am proud of.  

Our daily patterns create ingrained pathways in our brains.  Gratitude is a great path to walk down often.  What patterns are you creating in your life?  Which ones are you most proud of?

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

Election Day

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

Do you remember the Sesame Street book where Grover, the furry blue monster keeps urging us not to turn another page of the book because, as the title says, there’s a Monster at the End of This Book?  We read Grover’s warnings but we just can’t stop   turning pages until the end.  In an eighteen month scenario not unlike this picture book, we have arrived at Election Day, and it’s not as scary as we’d imagined.  Right?

Today is one of those days we will remember for many years to come, but the outcome doesn’t have to rock our worlds, because Jesus is still our rock.

Throughout Biblical history, leaders were powerfully used by God despite often severe character flaws. Some examples:

Abraham’s fear caused him to lie and call Sarah his sister when she was really his wife.  Moses’ hot temper led him to kill a man with his bare hands then bury the evidence.  David’s lack of self-control moved him to commit adultery and murder. Still God used these leaders to do great things for His people.

Today, let’s remember who Jesus truly is.  As Isaiah 9 tells us, Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the government will be upon His shoulders and He will reign forever.  

We can be confident that Jesus will do His part.  Will we do ours?  God’s word tells us that if we desire for our nation to be healed then we are to do four key things.  Let’s join the remnant of believers in America that have been doing this for months and strengthen our faith together!  

1. Humble Yourself – Let Jesus grow bigger, as you grow smaller.

2. Pray Every Day – Be in constant conversation with God; morning, afternoon, and night.

3. Seek God – Look to God first in every area of life.

4. Turn to God - Walk in God’s ways, turn from the world’s trappings, and run free in the race God has called you to run.

Then God promises that He will hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land.  Know God is faithful to keep all of His promises.

Let’s believe God is up to something great in a nation that is humbly praying and seeking Him every day.  Let’s thank Him in advance for the wonderful ways he’s going to heal our land.    

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

God's Definition of You

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have mercy. – 1 Peter 2:9-10

If someone you just met asked you to describe yourself, my guess is that you’d do it differently than God would.  

You might first identify what you do for a living.  God, however, would name the purposes for your life.  You might describe some of the hats you wear, like mother, wife, sister, or friend.  God would describe how He knit you in your mother’s womb and designed you with specific gifts and talents to do what He’s called you to do.

We often tend to focus on our faults, to point to our shortcomings, and minimize our uniqueness.  God, however, looks past these and sees us as His child; chosen, royal, holy, special, and worthy to receive His mercy.  

I have the amazing privilege of spending time with from their late twenties to early eighties.  Despite our varied ages and backgrounds, most of us admit to having these feelings in common: 

• Rejection is painful and resides in our hearts long enough to leave permanent scars.
• Body image has warped in our minds.  Others may see our beauty, but we often overlook it or disregard it completely.
• Forgiveness is easier said than done.  We often fake it to be nice all the while bitterness and resentment eat us up inside.
• Loving ourselves well is harder than loving others.  We rehash our past and allow our guilty consciences to listen to repetitive lives we tell ourselves.  We’re our worst critic.

God doesn’t want us to think this way.  He calls us out of our dark thinking and into the light of His truth, that we are members of His royal family, His ambassadors on earth.  

So walk humbly with others and confidently with Christ. You have so many reasons to declare God’s praises!

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

Sunday Restoration - Soul Care

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make your strong, firm and steadfast. – 1 Peter 5:10

What awakens your soul?  What restores its strength?  

The first time I heard about Soul Care, I thought it sounded like a wacky, new age, self-help seminar.  But as I searched deeper, I discovered that our souls need care just like our bodies do.  

Although there aren’t “soul gyms” where we can strengthen, shape, and sculpt them, there are daily and weekly “workouts” you can do.

Do you want a stronger soul, one with the endurance and stamina to endure life’s ups and downs?  Do you long for a soul that can easily find peace and rest?  When was the last time you reflected on the health of your soul? 

OK, I know this is starting to sound a little out there, but just go with me… Here’s your first question: What “feeds” or nurtures your soul, and what activities or circumstances deplete it? 

Think for a moment… where were you last time you felt like your soul was being restored? What were you doing? Can you think of a few more? These are the good, healthy places and things that will help you live your best life. 

Lastly, and this is the hardest part, you have to plan for soul restoration.  You actually have to create space in your calendar to do the restoring work.  (It shouldn’t really be work, though, right?)  

At first you might feel guilty carving out time for naps, hikes, yoga, sewing, dancing, walks in the park, or alone time with God, but when you begin to live your life with a soul fully restored, closeness to God comes, gratitude grows, and peace is possible on a daily basis.  

What’s stopping you?  Start today.  Call it Sunday Restoration Day and begin a new practice of taking good care of your soul.

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

Desperate Prayers

O Lord, hear!  O Lord, forgive!  O Lord, listen and take action!  Do not delay, for Your own sake, O my God, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name. – Daniel 9:19

Daniel prayed this prayer when he knew God’s people were undeserving of His loving mercy.  Daniel pleaded with God on their behalf, believing His goodness could deliver them.

Can you relate to this prayer as the Presidential Election is only three days away?  I can.  My prayers have sounded very similar to Daniel’s lately.

For the past several weeks, when my 3pm alarm sounds, I’ve been asking God to help for our nation.  I’ve been pleading for national forgiveness and healing, all the while secretly hoping that He isn’t listening to all the political rhetoric, backstabbing, and hatred in the news and social media. 

In these days leading up to the election, are you proud of our nation?  Are you confident in the directions we’re headed? Or like me, are you embarrassed and praying desperately for restoration?

This is the first election in which my nineteen-year-old son can vote.  It’s hard to explain how abnormal things have become.  Every time I try, I come to the same conclusion: America needs prayer!

I find it ironic that during the weeks leading up to the 2016 Election, my middle school daughter is transfixed by the Broadway Musical, Hamilton.  She listens to its 46 songs every waking moment, which means that they are also rattling through my mind, day and night.  I awoke the other night at 2 am singing, “I toast to the groom!”  

Hamilton, takes place in New York City when our founding fathers were writing the Declaration of Independence, creating a national bank, and establishing the code of conduct for our Congress.  The songs depict brave men fighting for freedom, loving our land of opportunity, and establishing a legacy that would certainly outlive their lives.

While driving home last night with my daughter belting out Hamilton lyrics, she stopped all of a sudden, turned to me and asked, “Mom, are you crying?”  

I was desperately longing for that nation in the musical to rise again.  The America they sang about knew who they were, what they were willing to fight for, where they stood with God.  I silently prayed “O Lord, who are we now?  What happened to being One Nation under God? Be at work in this election.  Shine your bright light in the darkness of our land.  Only You God can bring good out of all this bad.”

Then I was sweetly reminded that no matter who wins seats on Election Day, Jesus will still be seated on His throne and God will still be in control.  For that, I will be thankful and toast to my heavenly groom.  

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

Entrusted to You

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. – 2 Timothy 1:14

Who or what has God entrusted to you?

• If you’re a painter, God has entrusted you with a creative, artistic gift. 

• If you’re a mother of young children, God has entrusted you to keep them safe and raise them well.  

• If you’re wise in business and have accumulated great wealth, God has entrusted you with an important inheritance.  

• If you have the gift of teaching, God has entrusted you to pass your knowledge on to the next generation.  

Whoever you take care of or whatever you steward, handle it with loving hands and a sincere heart.  As my grandfather taught me at a young age, “To much is given, much is expected.”  Hopefully those timeless words encourage you.

Every good gift we have is from God above. (James 1:17) When we recognize what precious gifts God has given us, our first response can be, “Thank you God!”  

Gratitude grows faith and good fruits.  Who doesn’t want a life full of long lasting fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?  I’d take love over hate, joy over pain, and peace over strife any day.  Wouldn’t you?

When you accepted Jesus’ saving grace, you not only received eternal life (John 3:16) in heaven but you also received Jesus’ Spirit while living here on earth.  God has entrusted your heart, soul and mind with the largest deposit ever in history of gift giving.  Isn’t that incredible? 

How could we ever repay God for our salvation?  

It’s easy to forget… but remember… Jesus breathed has last breath on the cross and died for all the sins of the world at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.  Our daily Wake Up Call is a constant reminder of God’s greatest gift.  

We will never we able to repay Jesus fully for His sacrifice on the cross. But when we thank Him every day, acknowledge Him to others often, and use His good gifts to the best of our abilities, we are honoring and glorifying Him.  

Whatever you do in word or deed, do it as if you are serving the Lord himself. (Col. 3:23)

What great gifts had God entrusted you with?  Give Him thanks, then give your time and talents to the tasks He has prepared in advance for you to do.  Then you will be a good and faithful steward to the Lord.

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

Entrusted to You

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. – 2 Timothy 1:14

Who or what has God entrusted to you?

• If you’re a painter, God has entrusted you with a creative, artistic gift. 

• If you’re a mother of young children, God has entrusted you to keep them safe and raise them well.  

• If you’re wise in business and have accumulated great wealth, God has entrusted you with an important inheritance.  

• If you have the gift of teaching, God has entrusted you to pass your knowledge on to the next generation.  

Whoever you take care of or whatever you steward, handle it with loving hands and a sincere heart.  As my grandfather taught me at a young age, “To much is given, much is expected.”  Hopefully those timeless words encourage you.

Every good gift we have is from God above. (James 1:17) When we recognize what precious gifts God has given us, our first response can be, “Thank you God!”  

Gratitude grows faith and good fruits.  Who doesn’t want a life full of long lasting fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?  I’d take love over hate, joy over pain, and peace over strife any day.  Wouldn’t you?

When you accepted Jesus’ saving grace, you not only received eternal life (John 3:16) in heaven but you also received Jesus’ Spirit while living here on earth.  God has entrusted your heart, soul and mind with the largest deposit ever in history of gift giving.  Isn’t that incredible? 

How could we ever repay God for our salvation?  

It’s easy to forget… but remember… Jesus breathed has last breath on the cross and died for all the sins of the world at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.  Our daily Wake Up Call is a constant reminder of God’s greatest gift.  

We will never we able to repay Jesus fully for His sacrifice on the cross. But when we thank Him every day, acknowledge Him to others often, and use His good gifts to the best of our abilities, we are honoring and glorifying Him.  

Whatever you do in word or deed, do it as if you are serving the Lord himself. (Col. 3:23)

What great gifts had God entrusted you with?  Give Him thanks, then give your time and talents to the tasks He has prepared in advance for you to do.  Then you will be a good and faithful steward to the Lord.

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