Friday Matters

Everyday Wedding Foyer Connection

I was attending a wedding and was able to share with a young couple who had three very young children. We talked about the challenges of being parents. Our four boys are adults, and I lamented the fact that I thought it was easier (even traveling in winter with all snow gear and diaper changes). Yet, ALL parents have challenges in different seasons no matter the ages of our children.

We listened thoughtfully to one another and then I shared Philippians 4:8 that we are to think on what is good, right, lovely and worthy of praise yet how often we do the opposite and think on what is irritating, negative and worthy of complaining about. So, in that sweet moment in the foyer of the wedding venue we decided to reflect on all that was good in the season of parenting we are in. There are REAL struggles, conflicts and health but by God’s grace we can choose to focus on blessings of God and His redemption in all things. What an unexpected blessing we received that day in laughing and encouraging one another in the wedding foyer. God is so good… everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Love Forgives

"How do we love and accept difficult people?” Someone asked me that question. I know…right? God loves us ALL and we are all created in His image. The ONLY way to love others genuinely is by the love God gives to us. 2 Peter 1:9 really made me think, “For whoever lacks the genuine quality of love is blind to what they have been given from accepting Christ. Jesus has wiped off, erased from the books, our own sinful lives.” He’s cleared us. We’re free.

I KNOW it’s hard. You’re hurt. It’s unfair. The “other person” has the problem and not you. BUT love covers. God covers you; He sees and knows all the stuff you shouldn’t have done and the things you should’ve done and He still loves you. He wants you to show love to others even though you may need to set a boundary with them. Forgive others just like He loves and forgive you. You can do it with Him; the power of the Holy Spirit…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Baby Loss

Debbie, what do you say to parents that are losing their little 16th month old boy to cancer? The parents are Christian but can’t understand why God won’t heal their baby? Can you help me with an answer?

Nothing you say will make them feel like it’s fair. The best thing to say is, "I don't know why this is happening. I hate that it's happening and that you’re hurting. But I am not God, and I don't know why He has allowed this. You’re right that it isn't fair. Why doesn’t God fix the pain? He's a big God...tell Him how you feel. It won't stop for a moment His great love toward you. We want to fix the hurt for our friend or want God to fix it. Don’t try to speak for God. Take your friend out, listen to them cry or just sit beside them and say nothing. Even Jesus wept when He went to the grave of Lazarus. Just let friend know you you’re there and you care…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Woman at the Well

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.

Monday Matters

Everyday Success Key

A post on Instagram read; “A key to success is playing the hand you were dealt like it was the hand you wanted.”

I had to really think if there was truth to that. Yes, I may not have wanted what was dealt but “here it is” so what am I gonna do with it? My choices: scream, cry, complain and hide or I make the best of the situation and find the lesson, and blessing in it. We can let experiences change us for the better or ruin us. Character more often is developed in crisis when we stop focusing on the hurt and search out a good that can come where success may be hidden. During my recovery of scoliosis back surgery in 2002 I was miserable, yet I don’t regret what I went through. God taught me things I could have never learned any other way. Christ is the only one who can change our hearts when we are broken so we can become beautiful and find success like never before…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Jesus is Gospel

I’ve been to enough gatherings with both Christians, non-Christians and those who believe in Jesus but don’t call themselves Christians because of the stigma the word may bring and sometimes I feel that way too. Much of the time we get bogged down about being right and putting down how others are doing it wrong. We end up talking about issues, rules, programs or how we should be doing church. Sadly, what’s missing from our discussions is sharing the GOOD NEWS…the Gospel. Sharing how Jesus is the difference and the answer.

Author Carl Medearis writes; “The Gospel is not a ‘what.’ It is not a ‘how.’ The gospel is a ‘Who.’ The gospel is literally the good news of Jesus. Jesus is the gospel.” He still lives. He claims to be the way, not just show the way. There is an enormous difference in religion and the forever-relationship Jesus offers. It’s not based on what we do but what He’s done. I want to be more vocal this; Jesus has changed my life…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Pride

Pride is a difficult problem for us to deal with because it hides. Obadiah 1:3 says Pride deceives us and causes us to think we don’t have it. The only way I can have the patience with someone who’s difficult or who hurt me is when I’m able to ask God to let me see the person as He sees them. That’s humbling. I know pride is the poison behind many broken relationships.

The signs of pride include an unwillingness to admit fault or a reluctance to take responsibility for one’s actions. Yeah, I know you’re probably thinking of someone who needs to hear this, but that person maybe you! Pride wants to do all the talking and none of the listening. And pride doesn’t want to make peace because it’s so stubborn and doesn’t want to be instructed. It only wants to instruct others. Remember we are all of equal value in God’s eyes so let’s not esteem ourselves above the value of another but really LOVE one another…. everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Real Life

In one simple month all of life seemed to fall apart. Brandon had lost his job; the family’s golden retriever had died, and Brandon’s wife was back at the clinic again to try new antibiotics to combat her bronchitis. God, where are you? If He loves us, won’t He take the pain away or at least some of it? Remember God is always with us, and He isn’t surprised by what’s happening. Everything must pass through His hands first.

Sometimes a tragedy is where we meet God for the first time. We must lose religion, where it’s all about rules and proving ourselves, and instead rest in a personal relationship with God who knows exactly what we’re going through and how to take care us. Jesus working through us and not focusing on our own works or man’s laws is what’s important. God always loves us. He will not fail us. Grasp hold of His grace and mercy with both hands to find hope…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Humble Heart

Take comfort in knowing only God knows your heart yet I know it stings when someone judges you harshly because they can’t see your heart. The human heart is arrogant, and often cares for itself above all, prone to judge others, prone to make demands of others. The heart is also needy and incomplete with holes that can only be repaired by God’s perfect love.

Where’s the healing for it all? Jesus. He is it, His Word which is both justice and mercy. First, we must deeply understand and truly own our brokenness. 1 John 1:8 people, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” The Bible doesn’t call us to judge others but it calls us to always be mindful and humbly recognize our own weakness. Whatever righteousness we possess was given to us by the victory of Christ’s death and resurrection. God is grieved when we use the Bible on others as a weapon. Humility. Ask God to give you the grace to love others as He does…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Poor Sinners

When I honestly accepted who God said I was, loved, redeemed and not a mistake, I felt I could stop pretending and performing. I need Him desperately. It is not the “they” who are poor, sinful and lost. It’s awareness that we ourselves are the primary target.

Unless we acknowledge that we are the sinners, the sick ones and the lost sheep for whom Jesus came, we do not belong to the “blessed” who know that they are poor and inherit the Kingdom. Do you ever try and appear righteous before God and others with your performance. I have and it’s exhausting. It’s a dangerous zone when we get our assurance from wealth or our status. Oh, my goodness…” they” is me, wretched, pitiably poor and so often blind. Isaiah 64 lays things out clearly when we begin to think, “I’m doing really well here.” “We’re all unclean and all our righteous acts are like filthy garbage. It’s what Jesus did on the cross that cleans us up and sets us free…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday God Knows You

I’m thankful for God’s Word because He is the Word! HE is our Redeemer! The Bible isn’t about us. The Bible is about God and His redemption. Wickedness is indeed judged, but that’s not the focus of the story. Redemption and restoration to the glory of God is! That's it. The Woman at the Well ran to tell others about a man who met her thirst (Is He the Messiah?)! She did not run back into town to tell others that she felt judged, but rather she ran to let others know, that despite her past, Jesus accepted her where she was at. He is that same God.

Nothing we could do would ever take His love away from us nor is there anything we could do to cause Him to love us more. He knows me, my pain, my ache from the loved one I lost, the cancer that came to my husband, and my anxiety attacks. HE IS here, waiting to make creative, redemptive use of what has happened. He knows, He “gets us” and He loves us unconditionally…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday God is Holy

Okay so you’re talking to a person who says they know and love Jesus. Great. But the more you talk the more you realize that you’re kinda saying the same thing but you’re not. I love to talk about Jesus and how He is love but He is holy too. And now I realize that not everyone who agrees Jesus is love understands that He is holy.

I’m on the same page as pastor and theologian Warren Wiersbe. “False teachers deny the inspiration of the Bible, the sinfulness of man, the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross, salvation by faith alone, and even the reality of eternal judgment. They deny the deity of Jesus Christ, for they know that if they do away with His deity, they can ignore the entire body of Christian truth. Christianity is Christ, and if He is not who He claims to be, there is no Christian faith.” Christ is our Savior and only through faith in Him can we have eternal life…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Carry On

Are you listening? Jesus is speaking. Hear His voice; “You are forgiven. Today is a new day. God’s Word from Lamentations 3:23: “Great is My mercy. It’s new every morning and great is My faithfulness. Everyday I try to “be better” by choosing what I should think on and how I should behave which often means I remain silent, shut my mouth and pray. Just think of the amazing gift God offers us! We have an opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness which means our soiled sin rags are washed and made t white by the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14)

Don’t be discouraged. There’s a whole lot of us who so wanted to be faithful, but who at times got defeated, beat-up by life and tested by trials. We have the bloodied garments of life’s tribulations, but through it all we clung to the faith. This is the Gospel of Grace. So with me, let’s celebrate. Let’s raise “a glass of hope,” receive and share this love and grace with others. Carry on Christian Soldiers, onward and upward…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Perfect Grace

We have been called to be perfect. I know…right? Good luck with that? Yet God does call us to be mature and complete (“teleioo”) just as He is, but we are not fully perfected until the Day of Christ as we understand from Philippians 1:6.

Thank God for the grace to live in the “here” and “now” of life. I like what Pastor John Piper has to say on the purpose of creation being one of the most amazing things about God and without us on His created earth His grace could not be realized. That is why He created us. He knew we would sin, so He chose Christ’s sacrifice before creation - because He wanted to reveal the glory of His grace. This earth experience is hard with hard circumstances like our health and broken relationships and yet we have the hope of God’s promises and in faith we can SEE His grace displayed with love and wisdom over us all. God isn’t limited by our sin - only we are.” There is grace…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Prayers

Often our prayers are ones where we cry about all that is wrong, and we list what needs fixing. Just so you know, it’s more than OK to do this. God cares about our pain and all that happens to us. But sometimes we stop praying and give up on God because He didn’t answer the prayer like we thought – our sick friend got sicker and the marriage we prayed would stay together ended in divorce. That’s hard.

I’m sorry if that’s been the outcome for you in a prayer, but please remember this; GOD WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU. Nothing you do or don’t will cause Him to withdraw His love and nothing is too small or too big for Him to take care of. He loves us personally. There is something redeemable in your mess and pain right now and if you can manage to get up and serve someone else who’s having a hard time, you’ll find hope. We all need a cup of hope and encouragement no matter who we are…everyday.

Friday Matters

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. “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. 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. 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. 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.