by Donya Dunlap | May 31, 2013 | The Spiritual Life
Do you love Jesus?
If I asked you that question face to face you would most likely respond, “Of course! Yes!” Now…tell me why?
Do you love Jesus for what He has done for you,
or for who He is?
Don’t respond quickly. Think about that for a minute. Imagine you are a single woman and a young man knelt before you tonight and said,
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love you because you make me look really good in front of my friends. Because you laugh at my jokes and you make me feel good about myself. Because you are impressed with my rugged good looks, you make me chocolate chip cookies once a week, and you send me get well cards when I’m sick. I also look forward to you doing other things too, like cleaning my bathroom and doing my laundry. Will you marry me?”
What would you say to that young man? If you’re smart, you would say a loud and hearty NO! I won’t marry you. If all you care about is what I do for you, you don’t really love me.
Now, think about this.
We call ourselves Christians and we sing songs like “Oh, How I love Jesus”, but do we really? We are happy that He died for us and that He’s promised us a home in heaven someday. We are thankful that He answers our prayers when we’re in a pinch and that He provides for us when we need something, but do we love HIM? If we are really honest with ourselves, many, if not all of us would have to say no.
The good news is that Jesus’ love for us isn’t dependent on ours for Him.
Jesus is madly in love with you.
He’s is absolutely crazy about you. Why? Because He is love. It’s His nature. He can’t help Himself. He said in John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.”
Do you believe that?
The love of God the Father for Jesus Christ His Son is beyond our imaginations. Those of you that are mothers know a little bit about this, but it is far greater than we can understand in our fallen human natures. It is perfect, complete, and unbounded. And here Jesus says that with that same love He loves us…perfectly, completely and without restraint.
I know this, but even so, I often act as if His love is based on my goodness or the level of my spirituality that day. And on a good day, if I had to put a percentage on Jesus’ love for me compared to His Father, I would probably say 10%. Yes, He loves me, but surely not THAT much. According to this verse, that kind of thinking is thoroughly faulty. Jesus loves me with 100% of His being just as the Father loves Jesus with 100% of His being. But just knowing that fact doesn’t do us any good. We must be obedient to the rest of the verse.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
(To be continued…)
Click here to read Part 2
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by Donya Dunlap | May 26, 2013 | The Spiritual Life
Today at Citylight, Pastor Brian talked in part about the faith of Stephen. Stephen was one of the first deacons of the early church and from what is mentioned in the Bible, the first to be murdered for his faith after the crucifixion of Jesus. Luke records for us this description of Stephen in Acts 6:5 and 8:
And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit…And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
In the span of four verses, Stephen is referred to twice as being a man “full of faith” or faithful. That’s quite a reputation.
But what does it really mean to be faithful? Some would say dependable, trustworthy, a believer. Those things are all true. But while I was listening this morning, the Lord reminded me of something my high school Bible teacher drilled into our heads over and over again:
Faith is the bridge between knowing and doing.
(Yes, Mr. Swain. I really was listening.) I didn’t fully understand what he meant by that at the time, but now I realize what he was trying to communicate. I can be full of knowledge about something or someone, but until I act on that knowledge, I don’t really have faith.
For example, I can know that losing weight requires diet and exercise, but no matter how badly I want to lose weight, nothing is going to happen until I actually do the work of eating right and sweatin’ to the oldies. Doing the work is proof of my faith in how God created the human body to function.
James, the half-brother of Jesus, said it this way:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. – James 1:22-25
This is something God has really been speaking to me about lately. I have been blessed with a solid foundation in knowledge of God and the Bible. I consider that such a huge privilege and I am very thankful for it. But knowing about the Bible isn’t enough. I must have faith. I must cross the bridge from the land of knowing into the land of doing.
I have to pray, and then act upon my prayers as God directs, believing that He is going to do what He promised. I have to choose to stop believing self-deceit and other lies of Satan and renew my mind with truths of who God says that I am in Jesus…and then act accordingly. I am a child of God. What princess do you know that walks around in shame, guilt and fear? As God’s child who has been cleansed and set free through the blood of my big brother, Jesus, I should be in a continual state of rejoicing, grace-filled living, excited to share what I have with others. To not live that way is to not be faith-ful.
I want to go out like Stephen. No, not in a storm of rocks being thrown at my head by an angry mob—with a smile on my face, looking up at Jesus standing in Heaven to welcome me home. I want to hear Him say, “well done my good, and faithful servant.” But I know, that in order for that to be true of me, I have some things to change in my life.
How about you?
I’m choosing this week to add one new thing to my schedule to take a step across the bridge of faith. Feel free to ask me how I’m doing! Accountability is a good thing. If you would like to join me, leave a comment below. We can pray for each other as we move forward in becoming “full of faith.”
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by Donya Dunlap | May 16, 2013 | The Spiritual Life
Today the inevitable happened. I was made aware of my first (to my knowledge) negative feedback on Forgetting the Fairy Tale. I knew it was coming. I knew before I was finished with writing it that this day would come. I prayed that God would guide my words and hoped to avoid what I knew was bound to happen, but alas, it happened.
When my friend read the words to me, my first reaction was, “That’s it? That’s the worst she could say? That’s not that bad.”
Then the words started to sink in. I must confess—after an hour of trying to let it go, I was strongly tempted to post the following on my Facebook wall:
Would any of you that have read my book and thought it was wonderful kindly make your way to xyz.com and tell this girl that she’s an idiot? Thanks.
(I know, I know. No super-Christian award for me.)
Thankfully, the Holy Spirit called an intervention and hasn’t stopped talking since. And He’s made some very good points. I decided that instead of starting an “I hate haters” fan page I would share what He has reminded me of today. Perhaps someone reading this will benefit from my struggle with the flesh and get that super-Christian award that is now up for grabs.
- Someone outside of my circle of family and friends has read my book. This is awesome news.
- It’s been said that you aren’t a real author until someone disagrees with you, so woohoo for that confirmation!
- At least until the point in the book where I offended this girl, she was exposed to God’s Word and He has promised that His Word will never return void.
- If my source of joy, satisfaction, or self-worth comes from what others say about me, I am destined to live a miserable and stress-filled life. My identity is not what I do or how people perceive me. My identity comes from the sacrificial gift of Jesus that has made me a child of the Almighty, All-Loving, All-Wise God who understands me completely and loves me anyway.
- I am not perfect. My words are not perfect. I need to be open to correction. I need to be willing to hear it—not argue with it—but hear it and do my best to glean from it whatever truth is there so that I can become a better person, and in this case, a better writer.
- My heart is a liar that tells me I am much more awesome than I am. If all I ever do is surround myself with people that love me and shower compliments on me, I will be consumed with pride and I won’t grow. I need friends who are willing to say hard things that I don’t want to hear. I need people to write bad reviews to remind me that I can always improve my communication skills. I need the book signings where no one shows up. These things are thermometers for my heart. They tell me if I am truly living for the glory of God or if I’m trying to steal His glory for myself.
So to you, reviewer-who-shall-remain-nameless…thank you. Thank you for taking time out of your life to read my book and for sharing your thoughts. Thank you for reminding me of who I really am and for pointing out the pride I was allowing to reign in my heart. I am indebted to you. Truly.
Photo credit: Kalexanderson / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA
by Donya Dunlap | May 13, 2013 | Guest Posts, The Spiritual Life
Today, I invited a friend, pastor’s wife, and brand new author to share with us. Leah has been a great encouragement to me through the modern miracle of social media. I am thrilled about her book, Expecting Grace, and I am so glad she has taken the time to share her heart with us. If you like what you read here, visit her blog at embracingrace.com or click over to Amazon and get her e-book for only $3.99!
Sunday morning, in the church foyer, two little girls chattered. Like magnets, Tiny Daughter and “new girl” had found each other and had stayed together all morning.
I listened in as Tiny Daughter’s voice chirped out a phrase of friendship: “You can be my new sister!” she pronounced with gusto. She didn’t even know her name yet.
New Girl smiled. Tiny Daughter went on, “You can come to my house with your mommy, and your mommy and my mommy can be friends. You can even stay in my room. You can be my new sister!” She proclaimed her intentions loudly, and I marveled.
Marveled at how easily Tiny Daughter makes friends…how she reaches out to other little people she doesn’t even know. No walls in her heart; she doesn’t know that people are “supposed” to have walls. (I’m so glad) I watch my little one and realize that she found the door in this other little person’s heart.
She goes farther than “hello,” skips over “how are you, I’m fine,” races past “will you be my friend?” and goes right to “you can be my sister.”
In 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul writes about the deep care he had for the folks in the church at Thessalonica, “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.”
Isn’t that a beautiful picture of the encouragement we could be to each other as women?! So many soft words in those verses: gentle, affectionate, cherish, willing, dear. My heart is often heavy for women everywhere who are hurting. As a pastor’s wife, I see the situations. I do the counseling. I hear the stories. My heart breaks with each one. Women suffer heartbreak from many different sources, and they desperately need gentle soul care.
We are called to give our very souls to each other through earnest prayer and encouraging, edifying words. If we’re looking for them, we’ll find many opportunities to be affectionate toward each other in meeting practical needs (this means we have to take the time to find out what the needs are!). In truth, everyone needs a soul sister.
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
God understands the heartbreak of the people He created. He wants to meet you in your pain. Pour in oil and soothe the hurt. He wants to use other people to help you heal, and He wants to use YOU to help others heal. God put us on the earth together for a reason- because we NEED each other.
Today and every day, minister intentionally to other women. Reach out to perfect strangers that God brings across your path. Sometimes a simple smile or kind word can revolutionize a person’s whole demeanor. God can use even the tiniest things to open doors of further opportunity to build friendships and to share the Gospel. And while you’re looking for those “appointments,” celebrate with fellow believers the blessings of being women of God. Share Scripture with them, build them up, write notes to them, hug them, cry with them, laugh with them, pray with them. Infuse encouragement into them. You know the God Who heals, so let Him use you to be a balm in someone’s soul.
The precious part? While you’re reaching out, God will be healing the wounds in your own heart.
You will be amazed.
Leah Highfill accepted Christ as her Saviour and became a child of God at the age of 18. A United States transplant to Canada almost 8 years ago, she enjoys serving in full time ministry as a pastor’s wife and a mom to two medical miracles. She homeschools her 6 year old and teaches private piano lessons on the side. When she’s not involved with family or church, she can be found writing/blogging, playing the piano, or ice skating. She considers her life to be an ongoing testimony of God’s incredible grace! Leah has a passion to inspire and encourage women in their walk with God, to reach out to other pastor’s wives, and to support women who are facing difficult pregnancies. Her first book, Expecting Grace, has just been published. Expecting Grace is the story of Leah’s experience and survival of a life threatening pregnancy, and of many miracles along the way. Join her journey at Embracingrace.com.
by Donya Dunlap | May 11, 2013 | How Great is Our God, The Spiritual Life
While Jesus never changes, my view of Him has dramatically changed over the last several years. I talk of this shift in our relationship in Forgetting the Fairy Tale, but in essence, it boils down to two words.
Wonder. Glory.
My wonder at His glory.
The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. – Psalm 97:1-6
When I stopped everything long enough to meditate in the wonder of Jesus as Creator and the vastness of His creation it changed me. I haven’t been the same since that moment and I don’t care to go back. My life is so much richer and fuller today than ever before. I explain more here…
https://vimeo.com/64947405
Curious about the videos that changed my life?
Click the links below to watch them on YouTube:
How Great is Our God
Indescribable (Part 1 of 5)
Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/STScI Click here to view the above image and other breathtaking sights in our universe on NASA.gov
by Donya Dunlap | Feb 14, 2013 | Forgetting the Fairy Tale, The Single Life, The Spiritual Life
For a brief time I loved Valentine’s Day. I thrilled to be part of the romance and clung to the hope that it offered for wedded bliss. And then, for a much longer span of time, I abhored Valentine’s Day. Just one glimpse of that little demon Cupid flying off to bestow love and happiness on some other fortunate soul would stir up feelings of anger in the pit of my stomach. My mouth would fill with sarcastic darts of poison aimed at anyone close enough to hit with them. To get the best aim, I built my walls of insecurity higher and higher. I had been hurt and my response to that was taking the offensive against even the idea of true love.
Today I find myself in the middle of the two extremes.
I neither love nor hate the holiday itself, but there are things about it that still evoke a strong emotional response. I love to see expressions of love between married couples on social media, especially when it is initiated by a man. I love a man that is secure enough to show the world that he loves his girl in a Christ-honoring way. But I also hate that for so many the day is a painful reminder of loss and unfulfilled hope. It breaks my heart to see young women stomp their way into the trap of bitterness that I know all too well.
One of my goals in writing Forgetting the Fairy Tale was to be a help to both the happily married and the hopelessly single. There is a huge temptation for both individuals to seek to find fulfillment in a person outside of Jesus Christ. Both are wrong to do so. Towards the end of the chapter, Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places, I wrote this reminder:
The perfect Valentine’s Day Gift!
The only way to find true peace and contentment is to be at war with the idols of our hearts. You must constantly evaluate your thoughts and motives and determine who you are serving. Are you walking in the image of Christ or of Satan? Are your desires godly or have they become an idol—displacing God from the throne of your heart? A boyfriend, husband, therapy, alcohol, food, drugs—none of these things satisfy a longing soul. Only the peace of God’s presence in your life can provide the sense of undying love and contentment you crave.
I still find I have moments when I want to hide behind aloofness or whine over a sense of loneliness. But if I choose to turn to Him, I find that Jesus really is the best listener, best friend, best encourager and best companion with which to walk through life that I could ever have. Should He see fit to provide for me a spouse, I will thank Him for it. But if He doesn’t, that’s okay too. I have found that even on Valentine’s Day it is possible to say:
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:23-24
Interested in reading more of Forgetting the Fairy Tale? Purchase your own copy at Amazon today!
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