January 6, 2015

Shepherding: Giving a Voice to the Voiceless

As we put away our Christmas decorations and haul our brittle and dry Fraser fir trees out to the landfill for recycling, Christmas reflections still linger. Linger like the few sweet-smelling leftover Fraser fir needles in my living room corner and in my vacuum. My mind and heart linger, still thinking about sweet baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds.

The shepherds…Before now I haven’t thought too much about shepherds. Other than I know the Lord is my Shepherd, as it says in Psalm 23. Why are shepherds on my heart?

The word “shepherd” is used more and more as a descriptive verb for guiding and motivating, leading a family or group of people. My heart’s desire is to be a good shepherd of people.

In Biblical times, shepherds were outcasts, really low in terms of social status. Imagine having to take care of smelly, stubborn sheep 24 hours a day, seven days a week, away from people. Supposedly, even in a court of law, shepherds’ testimony wasn’t even regarded. Shepherds were voiceless in society. But not to God.

God chose shepherds to be the first to see baby Jesus and tell the world about Him.  The Lord gave a respected voice to the voiceless. May it be so of each of us.

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” –Luke 2:16-20 NIV

“All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” Beautiful. Just like God to give voice to the voiceless.

In this shiny new 2015, who are you shepherding?   Who is shepherding you? To whom will you tell the Good News?

Reflect:

–When have you felt voiceless? Please comment.

–When have you felt like a shepherd?

Renew:

–“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” –Psalm 23:1-3 NIV.

–“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. ” –Ezekiel 34:11-12 NIV.

–“I am the good Shepherd; I know my sheep and My sheep know Me. Just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep.” –John 10:14-15 NIV.

Recharge:

–Who will you pray to shepherd this year? God as the Great Shepherd will guide you.

PS. Today, January 6th, at 10am, please join me to watch Lysa TerKeurst, my dynamic Proverbs 31 Ministries President and friend, on The Today Show. She will be interviewed about her New York Times Bestselling Book The Best Yes.  www.lysaterkeurst.com or www.proverbs31.org.

December 31, 2014

Pure Inspiration Confessions

Happy New Year’s Eve, Friend.

I am nervous and honored to have been featured as a Guest Blogger yesterday on “Triad Moms on Main” website. Triad Moms on Main is the premier online resource for wives and moms for the Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Burlington, NC area and beyond. Forgive me for not sending this information to you yesterday.

I pray this blog encourages wives, moms AND husbands everywhere, from a single woman’s perspective, and helps us all focus on how blessed you are. Please share the article, ,make comments, and spread the love.

http://triadmomsonmain.com/my-blog/confessions-of-a-wannabe-wife-and-mom

Thank you for making a difference in my life and the lives of so many others. The best is yet to come in 2015 and beyond.

Gratefully Yours,

December 30, 2014

Making New Year’s Resolutions Less Intimidating

The end of another year–it can be intimidating or easily rushed through to get to midnight.  Why is it so intimidating?

Three words. New Year’s Resolutions. Or maybe we should call them New Year’s “Solutions.” Isn’t it funny that the word “resolution” is “re-solution,” as if our solutions need doing again? No wonder they intimidate me.

I encourage you to reflect these next few days, to look back and pat yourself on the back for all that was accomplished through you this year. Sure, you didn’t get done all that you wanted to get done. Who does?  Before you tell yourself all the things you want to improve and change in 2015, please ponder on the many good, no, GREAT things about yourself. Can you remember all the great things that wouldn’t have gotten done if not for you?

Remember that you influence the world around you.

Enter Eddie.

Eddie is the parking lot attendant at a local medical office building. His “office” is a tiny booth, perhaps five feet long by three feet wide. Eddie is one of the most positive, enthusiastic  servant leaders I have ever met.

Eddie loves his job. How could a parking lot attendant love his job? I intentionally observed him in action. He waves at everyone. He smiles. He calmly answers questions asked by nervous patients and eases their spirits. He ensures parking spaces are available to accommodate those who need them.

Whenever Eddie spots my car, he comes out of his little booth, waves frantically and blows kisses. He makes my day.

Guess what Eddie had one day? Bird feeders in the little tree across from Eddie’s booth. Eddie purchased hanging bird feeders and bird food to make the birds happy AND improve his environment even more!

Eddie is happily married and brags on his wife and marriage every chance he gets, so his gestures and affection are totally innocent. He exudes the love of Christ.

Eddie inspires my heart and challenges me to be better. Instead of just making resolutions and thinking about changing yourself, your work, your home–change your attitude about your work, your home, your environment. Add “bird feeders” near your booth.  Make the walls of your work inspire you; make them “talk.”

Smile. Wave. Blow kisses. Be the calming force to people around you. Make someone’s day. Be like Eddie.

As you reflect on this year and prepare to write your New Year’s Solutions and Re-Solutions, think of Eddie. Now our New Year’s Resolutions won’t intimidate us anymore.

PS. Today is also a great day create your own mission statement. Simply print out my “Creating Your Personal Mission Statement Template,” which is free, by just adding your email address and subscribing to my weekly blog.

Reflect:

–As we excitedly and expectantly welcome the blank pages of a new year, what are three highlights of yours this past year? Please comment.

–How will you be more like Eddie ?

Renew:

-“I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw.” –Proverbs 24: 32

-“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” –Proverbs 27:17

-“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” –Proverbs 27:19

-“Then the Lord replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.’” –Habakkuk 2:2,3

Recharge:

–What is your personal mission statement? Please let me know.

–What are three ways you can improve your work, your home, your “booth?” Please comment below.

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