by Donya Dunlap | Aug 27, 2019 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
Several days ago I read Psalm 2 for my devotions and was struck by the invitation recorded in verses 7-9:
I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces lie a potter’s vessel.”
Our God is such a gentleman! He made a plan for His Son, to make the ends of the earth His possession, to bring all nations under His rule. But the Son has a choice. “Ask of me” and it will be done. Obviously the nature of the Trinity and their unified relationship makes this passage more complicated than those three words alone, but as I was reading this Psalm normally referred to when speaking of the judgment of God, I was surprised to have this kind exchange brought to my attention.
I considered this invitation, this relationship between God the Father and God the Son and realized we as His sons and daughters have the very same relationship. You and I are invited into the same fellowship that the Trinity enjoys! Isn’t that amazing?
- You’re invited into God’s family. The water of your new life has been paid by the blood of the Lamb. “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” – Revelation 22:17
- You’re invited into God’s presence and His kingdom purposes. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:4-5
- You’re invited into God’s plan for your life. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me an ego and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:11-13
- You’re invited into an intimate relationship with your Creator and Savior. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20
- You’re invited into rest, leaving the worries of this world in His capable hands. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
- You’re invited into healing. “Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.” – Hosea 6:1
- You’re invited into a behind-the-scenes look at His wisdom and the mysteries of His universe. “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” – Jeremiah 33:3
God invites us, but He never forces us or demands we comply. He offers a choice. Would you like life or death? Healing or brokenness? Purpose or wandering? Wisdom or foolishness?
The invitation has been extended to you, engraved by His hand and sealed by His blood, but it is up to you to accept, ask, open the door, and take His yoke. You are wanted, accepted, and welcome to join hands with the King of the Universe. The choice is yours.
by Donya Dunlap | Aug 20, 2019 | The Spiritual Life
During my teen years, I adopted a well-known slogan for beauty products as my personal mantra. “I’m worth it.”
Dress I don’t need? Why not? I’m worth it.
Extra scoop of mashed potatoes? Sure, I’m worth it.
Three little words that work wonders for selling hair color turned into an excuse to bypass self-discipline and a twisted concept of my value. As you can imagine, it didn’t take long before my mother put a stop to that line of thinking.
What my teenage self didn’t understand is that I am worth much more than a tasty pile of carbs. I am worthy of self-control because I am made in the image of God who thrives on order, beauty, and the careful maintenance of our bodies.
I am worthy of self-sacrifice because God made me into the image of His Son who sacrificed everything for the sake of the world.
I am worthy of love, honor, respect, kindness, joy, peace, patience, virtue, and so much more because of the imprint of the divine stamped on my life from the moment of conception.
And so are you.
We are all made in the image of God. This is why we are creative, funny, intelligent, and playful. The image of God in our lives allows us to set aside our to-do lists for the day and sit with a friend who is grieving. His imprint on our beings calls us to live for more than our selfish desires. It calls us to rise above the temporary things of this world and embrace the eternal.
We are all created in the image of God, but we don’t all live within the boundaries of His holiness. This is why sin is so grievous to God. It’s not like the spiritual equivalent to spilled milk. When we do, say, think, or harbor anything contrary to the nature of God, we violate the purpose of our creation. He designed us to live in such a way that draws people to Himself. Instead, we so often choose selfishness which gives people an excuse to reject Him.
That may sound extreme, but we’ve all heard the excuses:
“I don’t want to go to church. Christians are just a bunch of hypocrites.”
“If Christianity is like my [neighbor, cousin, boss] then I want nothing to do with it.”
“If God is so good, why did a drunk driver kill my family?”
In each of these cases, a person meant to draw someone to God turned a person away from God by falling short of God’s standard. True, that person may be misguided in their theology, but that doesn’t relinquish Christians from their guilt.
I am all for affirmations, but if we do not root our self-talk in the words of Scripture, it isn’t worth much. If we stomp all over our co-workers in search of promotion because we’re “worth it,” we may trample our chance to win them to Jesus.
The next time you feel a nudge to check your motives, run the situation through the filter of Isaiah 26:8:
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. (NIV)
Before you take that step, say those words, make that purchase, ask yourself:
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- Am I submitting to Jesus as Lord of my life at this moment?
- Are my actions in accordance with the laws and principles of Scripture?
- Am I waiting on the Holy Spirit to direct my steps in this decision?
- Is my desire to glorify the name of God and make Him famous in this situation?
The temporary pleasures of living life according to the standard of “I’m worth it” pale compared to the joy you will receive from walking worthy of the calling God has placed on your life.
Wait, calling?
Yes, while we often use the term in Christian circles to designate employment in certain vocational roles like becoming a pastor or missionary, Scripture teaches we are all called by God to magnify His name throughout all the earth. How do we do that? By submitting our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s control and living out those daily nudges you feel to bless others. It’s both simple and impossible without a constant attitude of humility as Jesus taught:
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 10:10 (ESV)
I challenge you to consider your life this past week. Have you displayed an “I’m worth it” attitude or an “I’m worthy” submission? If you’re leaning towards the former, what can you change to make next week an example of the latter? The choice may seem difficult at first, but remember, a woman of godly character is worth far more than precious jewels in God’s economy. (Proverbs 31:10)
A woman stamped in the image of God is priceless. That’s why the cost to redeem her was Jesus’ own blood. You’re not “worth it.” You’re worthy.
Print, pin or share the image below to remember your true worth every time you see it.
by Donya Dunlap | Apr 28, 2019 | The Single Life, Write Hard Things
Today marks three years since the worst day of my life. The day my mother died.
Losing my mom felt like an unraveling of my world and all I knew to be true. I lost my center, my best friend, my counselor, my identity. I lost history and holidays and comfort on a hard day. I lost my home, my ministry, my independence, and the ability to sing. I lost peace, happiness, and long chats about books we were reading.
That cloudy April day sent irreparable cracks throughout my being and the days to follow completed the shattering. I wished with all of my broken heart that Jesus would take me too. The fact that I kept breathing after she had stopped seemed the height of cruelty. I felt God had ripped her out of a life she loved and wanted and jammed me into the ragged hole she had left behind. Her home, her car, her husband…now all my responsibility. A life I didn’t want in a location I hated with constant reminders of her all around me…symbols of all her patience, wisdom, kindness, and love that I did not possess.
I felt undone, angry, lost, and alone. I felt as if I was suffocating and trapped—my life and dreams buried with the one person I loved more than anyone on earth.
Three years have gone by now. 1,095 days of inhaling and exhaling and relearning how to live. Through it all God has been so kind. He has sent friends to encourage and has provided opportunities for healing and growth. He has given me a new ministry—the very one I had been dreaming of for years. I still terribly miss singing with a community choir, but He has allowed me enough voice to sing along with the congregation on Sunday mornings again…most of the time. I still have days where the tears drown out the notes, but not every week like it was. I’m not the same person, but “shattered” no longer applies.
I think of the art of Kintsugi—an ancient Japanese form of repairing broken pottery with gold, making it stronger and more beautiful than the original. Jeremiah 18 talks of God as the Potter and His people as the clay. Instead of throwing away the broken bits ruined by death, he gently places each shard back into the whole, creating new life, new usefulness, and new beauty.
I still struggle as I sit at Mom’s table and eat dinner in the very spot where she left us all behind to live with Jesus. I still long for my home to reflect my taste and my memories, to establish new holiday traditions and winters without snow. In so many ways, I feel like my life is not my own, but then, has it ever been? In a way, this disjointed existence is a gift—a daily reminder that this world is not my home, I’m just passing through. And on my way, I have the privilege of serving people like my dad, my coworkers, and our clients. I have an opportunity to point them to Jesus, our Potter, our Healer, our Savior, and my dear Friend.
It’s not the life I would have chosen for myself, but now, after 36 months of living it, I can attest that God truly does bring beauty out of ashes and He is making all things new. Nothing will ever fully be right in this life. Our Enemy has seen to that. There will always be pain this side of Heaven, but pain is not the enemy. We avoid it like it is, but pain is just an indicator—a throbbing signal that something good, someone good has been taken from our lives.
But the pain also means that they aren’t really gone. They are with us in our tears and our wishing we could share this or that happy moment with them. They are in our dreams and memories and sometimes even looking back at us in the mirror. And they are part of that Heavenly cloud of witnesses cheering us on from the pearly gates, anxious to hug our necks and welcome us when we finally do make it Home.
So while it’s been three years since the worst day of my life, I have a feeling that some of the best days of my life are yet to come. I can’t wait to get to Heaven and tell Mom all about them.
by Donya Dunlap | Feb 4, 2019 | Making a Difference
Abortion is an oft-discussed and highly emotional issue. Even more so since the state of New York signed the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) into law on January 22, 2019, the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. (You may read the legislation in full here: https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2019/S240)
Many who oppose abortion have taken to social media to voice their concerns and their condemnations of the law and of those who choose abortion. While I am a firm believer in the freedom of speech and of the value of every life from the time of conception onward, I believe there are better ways to show support for the unborn than causing an uproar on Facebook and Twitter.
However, I realize many are simply at a loss as to what to do to help. Attempting to change the law seems overwhelming and while prayer does work, it often feels like there should be something more tangible we can do. The good news is, there are many life-affirming ways to help families before and after the delivery room.
To clarify the issue and to provide resources to help you get started in your passion project, I have compiled several stats on abortion and 13 accompanying ways you can get involved in helping families choose life in your community. If you have additional resources to suggest, feel free to leave information in the comments section beneath this post.
- In 2014, 75% of those choosing abortion were low income—49% living below the national poverty level of $15,730 or less for a family of two or $29,820 for a family of four. https://www.guttmacher.org/report/characteristics-us-abortion-patients-2014
- Provide material resources to a pregnancy resource center near you. Centers are often in need of diapers, wipes, formula, clothing, furniture, toiletries, bottles, blankets, toys, books, etc. To find a center near you, search here: https://www.care-net.org/find-a-pregnancy-center
- Donate a monetary gift to a pregnancy resource center near you to assist in their daily operations and in marketing to those in need in their community.
- Volunteer to become a client advocate at a pregnancy resource center to assist parents in their preparation for childbirth and the months following. Additionally, you can help those in poverty or those with a felony on their record increase their job skills and find employment through volunteering with Jobs for Life or similar organizations.
- Organize a fundraising event on behalf of a pregnancy resource center near you to raise awareness of the need, to spread the word of the available resources, and to engage friends and family in supporting life.
- Approximately 59% of those choosing abortion in 2014 had at least one previous birth. https://www.guttmacher.org/report/characteristics-us-abortion-patients-2014
- Motherhood can be overwhelming. You can help by organizing a MOPS or Mother’s Day Out program, babysitting for a mom you know, or volunteering for an organization like Safe Families for Children to provide support to families going through difficult times.
- As many as 41% of those choosing abortion identify as Catholic or Protestant. https://www.guttmacher.org/report/characteristics-us-abortion-patients-2014
- Pregnancy can be a frightening thing, especially for those who have grown up in a faith that teaches the sanctity of human life. They may have feelings of shame for engaging in sex outside of marriage or fear of disappointing their parents or church families. Make sure church is a safe place to celebrate life no matter what the circumstance by…
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- Choosing uplifting language rather than words of condemnation in teaching and preaching.
- Supporting single mothers through material gifts, social gathering opportunities, and assistance with car and home repairs.
- Creating mentoring programs where older parents help younger parents navigate the early years of childhood.
- One of several primary reasons women gave for choosing abortion (74%) was that it would interfere with their education, work, or ability to care for dependents. (Finer LB et al., Reasons U.S. women have abortions: quantitative and qualitative perspectives, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2005, 37(3):110–118, doi:10.1363/3711005.)
- Help women continue in their education, work, and dependent care responsibilities by providing childcare or assisting with meals and cleaning.
- Share positive stories of women who have overcome difficult circumstances on social media to encourage others to do the same.
- Nearly 40% of women choosing abortion stated they did not wish to raise any more children. Finer LB et al., Reasons U.S. women have abortions: quantitative and qualitative perspectives, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2005, 37(3):110–118, doi:10.1363/3711005.
- For many, abortion seems a more logical choice over adoption or foster care because of negative experiences from their past or negative messages they hear about the system. According to the Adoption Network, there are approximately 480,000 children in foster care in the United States. Of those, more than 60% wait 2-5 years to be adopted and some never get adopted. You can help women choose adoption by becoming an adoptive or foster parent yourself. Through giving every child who needs one a home we can change our culture, making life a positive choice to be welcomed and celebrated.
by Donya Dunlap | Oct 12, 2018 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
Do you ever feel beaten down? Worn out? Weary from trying to gather enough hope to live another day?
I have. And I suspect you have too.
I’ve noticed when life gets difficult it seems problems pile upon problems. People get sick when there’s no extra time to rest. Appliances die when budgets are stretched to the max. Work becomes more demanding when your emotions are frayed and wearing thin.
Our Opponent
I fear this is no coincidence. Try as I might to ignore him, we truly do have an enemy who wanders about seeking to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8). He’s also very good at what he does. Primarily, he is a liar. In fact, Jesus calls him the “father of lies” in John 8:44. Yet even though we know his words cannot be trusted, we still find ourselves falling into his traps. Why? Because in many cases, his words match our feelings. We find ourselves in pain and this “evidence” seems to “prove” him right when he says things like,
“God doesn’t love you.”
and
“This is never going to end.”
When we receive a cancer diagnosis, when depression hits hard, when a news report triggers you, these poisonous darts shoot from the Enemy’s lips and lodge themselves in our hearts, spreading their death to our minds, thoughts, and actions. It is at this moment when Satan delivers his one-two punch.
- If God really loved you, He would have protected you. This should never have happened to you. How can you trust a God who allows bad things to happen to good people?
- This pain you feel right now is never going away. This is your new normal. You thought you were making progress, but you’re kidding yourself. You will never be happy. Every time you take a step forward God is going to push you right back down in the muck.
Sound familiar? And yet Scripture tells us the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Both good and bad things happen to both good and bad people. Of course, this wasn’t God’s original plan. It was Satan who mucked this up in the beginning.
Conveniently, this truth is left out of his narrative. He would rather you believe God is the father of lies, not himself. He wants you to believe God hates you. That God is punishing you for some unknown slight. He knows if he can keep you separated from God, you will never find healing to the point of usefulness. And there is little more powerful than a testimony of redemption to bring glory to God.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. – Psalm 30:4-5 ESV
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. – Genesis 8:22 ESV
In these passages, we read God’s promise of balance. Tears and joy. Summer and winter. Seedtime and harvest. All of life is cyclical. So it is with pain and healing. You will have good days and bad days. But if you choose to cling to God through both, He will see you through the darkness into the joy of the morning. A new beginning. A fresh start.
It may seem you will never be happy again. It may feel like all past joys were a mirage. Please, don’t believe these lies. It may be black as midnight now, but God is with you. He will see you through.
Tools for the Fight
God has warned us that our Enemy is a fierce opponent, but He has not left us defenseless. Ephesians 6 details the armor of God we have at our disposal. Without these tools, we are prone to attack and grievous harm.
The first item on the list is the “belt of truth.” How do we “wear” this belt as a tool in our daily lives?
- Know what’s true – If you aren’t educated in truth, you will believe anything. Be in God’s Word so you can discern Satan’s lies from God’s still, small voice.
- Record what’s true – God knows we have faulty memories. That’s why He told the Israelites to build memorials. We must do the same.
- Keep a journal.
- Post meaningful Scripture on your walls.
- Celebrate what’s true – God also instructed the Israelites to hold feast days throughout the year to remember past victories and moments of deliverance. And so should we!
- Celebrate the anniversaries of important days or new steps of courage.
- Share victories with trusted people who will rejoice with you and remind you of good times when things look bleak.
Regardless of what the Enemy and your feelings may be telling you, you are not alone! You will overcome and God will receive glory in your triumph. Rest in His promises.
