Everyday Matters
Friday Matters
Everyday Important
Years ago, I went through what I describe as a “stripping away” from titles that made me feel important.
Everyday Important
Years ago, I went through what I describe as a “stripping away” from titles that made me feel important. I chose to step down as an artistic director, a spokesperson for a noble organization but I didn’t realize how important these titles made me feel. In Colossians 3:4 God told me, be content with obscurity, like Christ. I was to be content with being unimportant.
When Jesus said, “Become like a “little child,” He meant we’re to be willing to accept ourselves as least in importance. The least is a symbol of those who have the lowest places in society, the poor and the oppressed, the prostitutes, the tax collectors. But Jesus concern was that these should not be despised or treated as inferior (Matthew 18:10). He was well aware of their feelings of shame, and because of their humility and His compassion they were of extraordinarily great value. God’s grace falls on us not because of our titles in society, but because it’s His good pleasure to love us just as we are…everyday.
Thursday Matters
Everyday Texting
“Are you serious you just sent me this text?” wrote my friend Kelly.
Everyday Texting
“Are you serious you just sent me this text?” wrote my friend Kelly. “My husband and I were having a discussion, okay an argument, and I’m sitting on the couch because I need a clear mind to hear from God. It is 1:00 a.m. and “bzzzz-bzzzzz” you send THAT scripture?” I live in Minnesota. Kelly lives in Colorado. We’ve met once. I sent her a text message at 2:00 a.m. my time but it was at the moment God knew she needed it.
And this is what I shared from Luke 21:15; “Kelly, Jesus will give you a mouth and such utterance and wisdom that all of your foes combined will be unable to stand against or refute.” We need to wait on God for His wisdom which will not come from the mind but from our inner being. Jesus helps us against our natural inclination to manipulate things to work the way we want them to work. We believe in You and wait on You. AMEN.” God promises to give us wisdom if we ask. Let’s ask Him…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Follow Jesus
Let me tell you I don’t follow Jesus because He was a good person prophet-man. I follow Him because He IS alive in my life.
Everyday Follow Jesus
Let me tell you I don’t follow Jesus because He was a good person prophet-man. I follow Him because He IS alive in my life. He’s God. God who became a man, who died for all my garbage sins and then rose again so I could have an excellent LIFE here on earth and then a perfect forever one in heaven!
All we have to do is accept God’s great gift, accept HIM and we’re free. Now of course just because there’s freedom in Jesus doesn’t mean there’s freedom from problems. But after Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave us the Holy Spirit, who is there to help us with everything. The reason I know this truth is because I have a relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I follow Him because I trust Him and not because I always feel or understand Him or the Bible. But I trust He wants what’s best for us. Jesus did not come for us to follow religion. John 8:32; Knowing Jesus will set you free…everyday.
Tuesday Matters
Everyday Kindly Forgive
Love is kind. Love forgives despite what the other person does. Yeah, I know the part about setting boundaries with the person who is still operating in dysfunctional behavior.
Everyday Kindly Forgive
Love is kind. Love forgives despite what the other person does. Yeah, I know the part about setting boundaries with the person who is still operating in dysfunctional behavior. But I’m talking about really forgiving someone who’s hurt you and not rehearsing the hurt by dragging the memory around in your head. I know right? It’s hard.
There are those days where you know what you know about forgiveness, yet something triggers past hurt, and all kindness goes out the door as swiftly as it came in. The temptation is to rehearse our hurts and expectations more than our forgiving attitudes and hearts. LORD HELP! I think of the woman prostitute who anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume and what Jesus said about her; “She loves much because she’s been forgiven much.” Each day I try (when not overwhelmed by my own junk) to thank Him for His grace and loving kindness that never ends despite myself…everyday.
Monday Matters
Everyday Costumes
I have a hobby or perhaps my husband would call it a problem.
Everyday Costumes
I have a hobby or perhaps my husband would call it a problem. I like to self-decorate or costume myself with outfits and in the past this hobby has resulted in me going into credit card debt. Several years ago, before shopping at the Mall of America I wrote in my journal a prayer; “Jesus than You for You. Thanks for things too. Today help me with spending. I ask for a coat that just ‘fits’ me. Help. Amen.”
I went to a consignment store and found a designer coat that had just gone on half price. Then I walked into a consignment shop and found a purple skirt that had my name on it. I stayed within my budget. What’s always so crazy cool too is to see that what I’ve read in the Bible on the same day fits too; “Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.” All glory is His. What matters to us matters to God too. But honestly, it’s His presence more than His presents I want…everyday.
Friday Matters
Everyday Prayer Waiting
Something happens when we pray that doesn’t happen when we don’t. Let me say that again, “Something happens when we pray that doesn’t happen when we don’t.”
Everyday Prayer Waiting
Something happens when we pray that doesn’t happen when we don’t. Let me say that again, “Something happens when we pray that doesn’t happen when we don’t.” BUT if we don’t feel or see an answer to what we were asking for then we may start to think that God isn’t listening. BUT He always hears. Sometimes the answer is “no” and sometimes the answer is “yes.” I think the hardest reply is to hear, “wait.”
“I don’t get it. It’s not fair and God I’m starting to wonder if You care or even exist.” We all may have had those thoughts at one time or another but don’t give up. God is always on the move. He’s on “it” whatever “it” may be. Psalm 27:13 I know, “I would’ve despaired unless I’d believed that I’d see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” There is goodness while on earth even though it’s not our final destination. Waiting is hard but with God it’s worth it…everyday.
Thursday Matters
Everyday Umpire of Peace
I always thought that having peace was a feeling and so I thought if I prayed God would give me a feeling about how to proceed.
Everyday Lazarus Life
Lazarus was dead; that was a fact but when Jesus, who is the Truth, walked up to the tomb and spoke; that truth changed the facts. Throughout the Gospels we repeatedly read of people who were sick and demon possessed. But when they went Jesus, and He spoke, their facts changed. They were healed, delivered, and set free. We must never magnify the facts of our circumstances above God and the power of His Word. When God speaks things change.
In Isiah 55:11 we see that God’s Word does not return to Him empty but always accomplish its purpose. When we learn to speak God’s Word instead of rehearsing how we’re feeling or our opinions, we are also releasing God’s power. The Word of God spoken in faith, from a believer’s mouth, can change circumstances. WE experience negative facts in our lives, but God’s truth is more powerful than facts. It helps if you say the truth aloud, “I am loved, as I am, right now because I am God’s child”…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Compliment
“It’s not fair. They don’t deserve my kindness and I’m certainly not going to compliment them on anything because they already tell me how great they are anyway.”
Everyday Compliment
“It’s not fair. They don’t deserve my kindness and I’m certainly not going to compliment them on anything because they already tell me how great they are anyway.” Very often those difficult people in our lives are family members. We think; “How can they be so clueless to their own junk and continue to point out mine?” But here’s the deal; we may not think they deserve our love or kindness but neither do we deserve God’s grace and kindness toward us.
The advice given me was “Debbie, just lavish them with love. Compliment and see what happens in your heart and in theirs.” Guess what it works. Love someone with simply acts of kindness by praising the good of who they are, and you’ll be amazed at how God changes your heart and theirs. Truth from God in John 13:34; “Love one another as I have loved you.” It’s hard at first…really hard. But the change, the blessing, the beginning of healing in a broken relationship…oh you’ll be thinking; “Why didn’t I do this sooner…everyday.”
Tuesday Matters
Everyday Abide in Christ
Attending a retreat or conference to learn more about Jesus can be a great way to grow and connect with others and our shared humanity.
Everyday Abide in Christ
Attending a retreat or conference to learn more about Jesus can be a great way to grow and connect with others and our shared humanity. But nothing can replace one on one time alone with Jesus reading His book of hope and redemption. Jesus calls us to Himself, “Abide in Me, dwell in me, come to me.” Significantly, Jesus doesn’t say “Come to a day of renewal, a retreat, a prayer meeting, and a conference. But “Come to Me.” Is Jesus King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Yes, and if He is not the Savior of the world, He’s a lunatic. He’s the Risen Lord who must be proclaimed as the world’s only hope. Who else would dare to say, “I am the way, the truth and life. Whoever believes in Me will have everlasting life; and the one who does not believe in Me will be condemned.
This is a pretty powerful claim and one to not take lightly. To be sure there are a lot of great events to attend but nothing is better than attending to a relationship with Christ…everyday.
Monday Matters
Everyday Earth Hope
This earth is not our home. Good…because it’s so stinkin’ hard some days. I so often have to look up & find hope to move forward.
Everyday Earth Hope
This earth is not our home. Good…because it’s so stinkin’ hard some days. I so often have to look up & find hope to move forward. Hope is basically the belief that something good is going to happen, there’s something better that’s ahead. We need hope for this earth experience now, but we also have an eternal hope when we confess and profess that Jesus is Lord and the only one who can remove our guilty sins.
One of the most helpful things I can do is to go public with my struggles while sharing the hope that I have. When I openly share my hard places and say a promise, say from Philippians 1:6, where God tells us, “He Who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it until the day He returns,” I find that I’m not alone because someone else needed to hear exactly the same thing. The earth experience is hard but there’s always hope. Keep on keeping on…everyday.
Friday Matters
Everyday Living Water
Don’t fret yourself about your sin issues because God first pours out His love to you and then He gently exposes your sin, offering a way for you to change direction, to receive full pardon and freedom.
Everyday Living Water
Don’t fret yourself about your sin issues because God first pours out His love to you and then He gently exposes your sin, offering a way for you to change direction, to receive full pardon and freedom. This is what He did with the Samaritan woman at the well. He didn’t meet her with condemnation. He first met her thirst. He offered her living water (eternity with God) but also let her know He knew all about her. She ran back to town to tell others about Him, not because she felt condemned, but because she had been offered hope and a way out.
People are not drawn to judgment. They are drawn to true friendship and that is what Jesus is, a real best friend. No greater love can a man have than to give His life for His friends (John 15:13). Think of the ways you are most loved, it’s when someone meets and loves you right where you’re at. Be that kind person who loves others like that…everyday.
Thursday Matters
Everyday Umpire of Peace
I always thought that having peace was a feeling and so I thought if I prayed God would give me a feeling about how to proceed.
Everyday Umpire of Peace
I always thought that having peace was a feeling and so I thought if I prayed God would give me a feeling about how to proceed. Years later, through prayer and understanding, I realize God’s gives peace in the way of “knowing” rather than just a feeling. This comes by way of the Holy Spirit.
Think how an umpire in a ball game decides if a player is “in” or “out” and in Colossians 3:15 there’s the Umpire of Peace, “Let the peace from Christ act as umpire in your hearts deciding and settling all questions that come into your mind.” We are able to ask God a question and trust the Holy Spirit on how to proceed. I remember my young friend, Rhonda, asking me if she should take an additional job because finances were tough but then again, the long hours would affect her family too. At first, my feelings were, “Take the job.” But after we prayed together neither of us had peace. So Rhonda refused the job and almost immediately help came in a different way. Pray with and for peace the “Umpire of Peace” …everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Rachel and Leah
I’ve always felt so bad for Leah from the Old Testament because Jacob loved Rachel best, she was the more attractive sister, but he’s tricked into marrying Leah first.
Everyday Rachel and Leah
I’ve always felt so bad for Leah from the Old Testament because Jacob loved Rachel best, she was the more attractive sister, but he’s tricked into marrying Leah first. Oh, the insignificance Leah must have felt based on her looks. It’s a battle girls face from the earliest of ages—the message that beauty is what the world tells you it is—instead of what God says it is.
In the Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones I am drawn to the story of Leah. She thought no one wanted her, only to find that God indeed loved her. He gave her the ultimate fairytale come true story: He made her a princess—one of her children’s children’s children would be a prince; the Prince of Heaven and Earth. The final redemption for eternity is Jesus who came from the lineage of Leah. The fairy tale really does come true. The Hero comes back for His lost treasure; the Prince comes back for the one He loves. And “the ending of our Story is Joy …everyday.
Tuesday Matters
Everyday Personal Religion
Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t wear my religion on my sleeve or talk about it because it’s personal, it’s private?” I think it’s sad that someone would want to keep private the hope and truth they have in Jesus.
Everyday Personal Religion
Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t wear my religion on my sleeve or talk about it because it’s personal, it’s private?” I think it’s sad that someone would want to keep private the hope and truth they have in Jesus. But then if it’s just a religion someone has I guess I can see why they’d want to keep it private, there’s no freedom in religion, only rules. But once a person “gets” the relationship, they get excited about sharing the freedom they’re experiencing. Our son Peter recently got a tattoo of the Sword of the Spirit inked on his right arm and he literally is displaying is faith. Millions throughout the centuries have suffered or died in order to get the message of God’s love and forgiveness out, the message of a personal relationship with Christ, not a religion.
Sharing my testimony of what God has done in my life freely and openly allows me to understand Romans 1:16, “I’m not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it’s the power of salvation to all who believe.” I plan on getting tattoo “the helmet of salvation” on my arm. It’s simply another way to share the hope of Christ…everyday.
Monday Matters
Everyday Feet Washing
It hurts so much when someone we know as a friend shares things about our character that aren’t true. I remember a speaker sharing her own experience on this.
Everyday Feet Washing
It hurts so much when someone we know as a friend shares things about our character that aren’t true. I remember a speaker sharing her own experience on this.
She felt she had forgiven her friend but every time she drove past her girlfriend’s home, resentment and pangs of hurt would surround her. She prayed. God answered. He told her He wanted her to picture Him washing her feet everyday thus showing her how much He loves and forgives her. She spent this time with Jesus and then the day came when He said, “Now I want you to wash your friend’s feet, “Okay but make sure the water is scalding,” she thought. It startled her that this was where her heart was, but she obeyed. She prayed and let the Holy Spirit change her as she mentally washed the feet of her friend. She’s still not in a restored friendship but she no longer has deep hurt when driving by her friend’s home. She’s let the love God has given to her be given to her friend…everyday.
Friday Matters
Everyday Sharing Hurt
Believe me, I know what it means to hurt. The recovery from my scoliosis back surgery was horrendous both physically and emotionally.
Everyday Sharing Hurt
Believe me, I know what it means to hurt. The recovery from my scoliosis back surgery was horrendous both physically and emotionally. And I was surprised at how the issues resulting in my parents’ divorce of 44 years affected me emotionally and physically too. Hurt from someone you love is pure pain. But I’ve noticed that the more I open up and share my heart of pain the more people respond to share their own hurts of an unfaithful spouse, abuse, absent love from a parent and the pain from their own children. Oh, the sins of others have such painful consequences for so many of us.
So more than ever I’ve been holding on to Zechariah 9:12 by returning to Jesus my stronghold of security and prosperity as a prisoner of hope; believing that God will restore double for my trouble. Real hope is a constant positive attitude that in trusting my Redeemer, and despite what may happen, things will change for the better…everyday.
Thursday Matters
Everyday Sins Forgotten
When we’ve been hurt AND the person who’s hurt us isn’t even sorry, our flesh wants nothing to do with this person but to reject them. But what does Jesus do?”
Everyday Sins Forgotten
When we’ve been hurt AND the person who’s hurt us isn’t even sorry, our flesh wants nothing to do with this person but to reject them. But what does Jesus do?” Jesus never rejects us but He does reject our sinful behavior.
The two greatest commandments tell us to love God passionately and then to LOVE OTHERS as He does. So when someone has sinned against us, whether intentionally or unintentionally, we must actively choose to forgive them and then choose NOT to remember their sins against us. Actively choosing not to remember is different than forgetting. In Jeremiah 31:34 God says He will “remember no more” the sins of His people. This is not memory failure. This is God’s choice to no longer hold our sins against us. God will vindicate us as He promises. I know it’s hard but follow and obey God rather than what you FEEL is fair because He understands and will take care of you and the other person…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Waves
My friend, Michelle, shared; “These waves of trials and circumstances are very real and overwhelming to me right now. But Debbie, the question is not whether or not I see them; the question is whether or not I see ONLY them.
Everyday Waves
My friend, Michelle, shared; “These waves of trials and circumstances are very real and overwhelming to me right now. But Debbie, the question is not whether or not I see them; the question is whether or not I see ONLY them. I know it's not about the waves; it's about walking forward toward Him because He says ‘Come!’”
What honesty Michelle has, and I can’t say, I’m that mature in a storm situation. In the Bible we can read in Mark 4: where Jesus says to the disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake” but a furious storm of hurricane proportions arises with waves crashing into the boat. Where’s Jesus? He’s asleep inside the boat. “Master, don’t You care that we’re dying,” the disciples ask. Without answering Jesus rises and rebukes the wind and sea, “Be still,” He says and a great calm comes. When Jesus says, “You’re gonna get to the other side,” believe Him. You’ll get to the other side no matter what stormy trial you’re facing. Go forward with Him…everyday.
Tuesday Matters
Everyday BUT…I Cannot
Even before I begin to encourage you I can hear some of you crying:
“BUT Debbie just listen to this injustice in my life…it’s so not fair!”
Everyday BUT…I Cannot
Even before I begin to encourage you I can hear some of you crying:
“BUT Debbie just listen to this injustice in my life…it’s so not fair!”
“BUT Debbie I don’t have a godly husband and my life is ruined because of him.”
“BUT Debbie I’m not like you I can’t just call on scripture when I need it!”
“BUT Debbie I know I shouldn’t care so much what others think but I can’t change.”
It sounds like a lot of you have “BIG-BUT SYNDROME.” Because there will always be excuses and even good reasons why you feel the need to start many of your sentences with “But-But… I can’t because…” But I’m telling ya while you can’t change someone else you can allow God to change you and the things you think on.
How about following what Romans 12:2 has to share; “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” through the power of the Holy Spirit…everyday.
Monday Matters
Everyday Jesus Governs
I remember sharing a message with the teen youth group. I chose Isaiah 9:6 which begins; For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder…”
Everyday Jesus Governs
I remember sharing a message with the teen youth group. I chose Isaiah 9:6 which begins; For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder…” And I thought how the government that is upon Jesus’ shoulders is not a political government but really refers to the governing in our lives. We are not supposed to be running our own lives. In fact, we aren’t qualified. I certainly don’t have the brains to know what is best so I’m so super thankful for God’s intervention and His love to guide my life. You see, the more God’s government increases in your life, the more He directs your thoughts, conversations, decision and action, well the more you have peace!
You need to be right with God just like I do so we have the peace on what He’s done and not what we’ve done. For me it was all about being on stage as an actress but now I see it’s not about my position or personality but about seeking HIM first where He fills me up with all I need…everyday.