Category: Self-help

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Harmony in a time of Disruption

Peace.

It’s a doozy of a word, isn’t it? It’s something we all strive for. Wars are fought for peace. Families are destroyed for the sake of peace.

Peace is a word that is heavy, often misunderstood. Chaos is the norm in this world; turmoil the constant companion. Peace seems other worldly. How can it be obtained? How can it grow and thrive in such a barren land?

This world has seen some crazy things over the past year. We’ve watched the world shut down, violence erupt and people turning on each other for the sake of being “right”. We’ve all but thought peace was a thing for our children to wonder about.

But…Jesus said ‘“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”’

John 16:33 ESV.

It’s so easy to forget that, as people of faith, we have peace with us always in the person of the Holy Spirit. It’s so easy to get caught up in the trials of this world.

God has already given us this promise. He has already conquered the chaos and the strife. He has already won the war. Our issue is that we don’t allow God into our fights.

Human beings are so self centered. It’s all about us and how we see the world. We fail to allow God into our world so He can shine the light on a dark situation.

This time we are all living in – this virus, this unrest – are all opportunities to exercise our faith. Will we trust God when it gets scary? Can we lay our impossible situation at His feet and walk away? Will we allow God to fight our battles? Will we hand over our will for His?

These are the questions we are all facing right now. This life isn’t easy. We are going to fail at this faith walk at times. But we serve a gracious God who will run to us when we call out no matter how bad we screwed up. He is a good, good Father.

So lean into God when this life becomes overwhelming. Read the Word of God. Pray. Worship. Find yourself in the presence of the King of Kings. Because God will always be the answer to this world’s chaos.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

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Laying the load down

Alone.  By yourself.  The only one.

Have you ever felt yourself in a situation where it seemed like the world is on your shoulders and there is no one there to help you carry the load?  Yes?  I know, me too.

Too many times, I’ve found myself in a place where I’ve felt like I’m all alone carrying the entire load of problems, failures, and possible outcomes all on my shoulders.  There is no one else there to help me.  If I fail, then that is it.  The world will come crashing down and it’s all my fault.

However dramatic that may sound on paper – I’ll admit, I’ve caught myself feeling this way.  I’m confident that you have too.  That feeling like it’s all up to me to handle is scary.  There is no other person who can get this done, help with this project or make this right.  If it fails, it’s all my fault.  And yet, the weight is too much for me to bear alone.

Friend, let me tell you – that whole conversation about how it is up to us to handle on our own is a lie from the pit of Hell.  You, dear friend, are never alone.  You do not have to carry everything all by yourself.

It is extremely important you understand that Our Father, the one who created the Heavens & the Earth, will help you carry your load.  You were never meant to do this life by yourself.  We are designed to be in relationship 1) with God and 2) with each other.

So next time you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders – close your eyes, take a deep breathe and lean into the presence of God.  Call on the Lord’s name and He will come to you (Isaiah 58: 9).  He is faithful to the end (Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

It is so easy to get caught up in life, in our emotions and the right now.  But do what Paul commands up so to in Philippians 4:8 – think on things that are true, that are holy, that are right and that are pure.  Many times, our emotions cause us to do the exact opposite.

The best way to combat the lies of the enemy is with the truth of God.  The next time you are going through a season where you feel as though you are carrying the world on your shoulders, remember these scriptures – even recite them to yourself out loud so you hear them:

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.””

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:38-39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Friend – remember this – you are never alone.  Ever. Put your load down and lean into God.

 

 

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33 Things I’ve Learned in 33 years

I’m going to turn 33 in a few weeks and it feels so strange.  When you reach 30, birthdays don’t have the same meaning they did when you were a child.  Ha!  But you also realize there are a few things you know (and lots of stuff you don’t, right?).

I did this last year and I wanted to do it again.  Here are 33 things I’ve learned in 33 years:

  1. Jesus really and truly is the only way. He is the beginning and the end. He is the light in the dark. There is no one like Him.
  2. Love someone because they deserve to be loved. Don’t let how you treat others be dependent on how they treat you
  3. “Haters” aren’t worth your time. Learn from your encounters with them – see the parts that you need to work on and keep on going.
  4. Apologize quick. Forgive quicker.
  5. Rest is important. Make time for it
  6. Every person is valuable – no matter what they’ve done.
  7. Being humble may look weak to others, but in actuality, it shows great inner strength.
  8. Let God lead you everwhere you go. If He isn’t going where you want to go, that place isn’t for you.
  9. Life is made up of little steps you take one at a time. Don’t give up, don’t stop, just take it one step at a time
  10. Investing in others is the greatest investment you can make
  11. Being selfless won’t win you any awards, but you will sleep better at night
  12. Doing something for others without any strings attached gives you peace. It also helps you appreciate the things others do for you more.
  13. Empathy is important
  14. Sometimes saying “no” is necessary
  15. Friendship is a beautiful thing – cherish those who allow you in their life
  16. Leadership isn’t about titles – it’s about attitude. How you handle yourself determines if you are a leader or not – regardless of how many titles you may have
  17. Enjoy the small things of life – don’t wait for the big things to come
  18. Strength comes from God – not in money, people, or things
  19. Time with God is never wasted
  20. Learn from your elders and learn from those younger. They each see things differently than you
  21. Be kind, it’s much easier
  22. Don’t take yourself that seriously.
  23. You can hold tight to your values and still love others where they’re at
  24. Don’t cut people down, but hold others up
  25. Pray for others and do it without telling them. That allows God to get all the glory
  26. God will never forsake you. He sees, He knows, He understands
  27. Singleness isn’t the end of the world. It really is a gift.       Spend the time getting to know who you are.
  28. Perspective is very important. How you see your life determines how you live it. Make sure you see it for what it really is
  29. Life is but a vapor – make each day count. Make sure you are living on purpose and make sure you tell those you love what they mean to you.
  30. There will be some people who won’t get you. That’s okay. Be who God made you to be anyways.
  31. Love yourself good so you can love others good.
  32. No one has to do anything for you. Appreciate other’s kindness.
  33. Never, ever take life for granted. There are many people who would give anything for one more day.

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Deal or no deal?

Hi dear ones. It’s been a little while since I’ve written. Sometimes God puts you in a place of silence so He can start to reveal things to you.

For me, He has to keep things REALLY quiet because I am often so busy I barely have time to think. It’s in those times I know to listen very closely.

Recently, I’ve heard God speak a word over me again and again…OBEDIENCE. Following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Listening intently to the sweet whisper of God’s voice and doing what He says I need to do. It sounds so simple, but as a human & a carnal being…this gets hard quick.

Not hard as in hard to do, but as in hard to keep focus. I’m like a dog who sees a squirrel- my attention is consistently given to things that do not warrant it. Distraction will cause disobedience and we can choose to not let the distraction hold our attention.

A few weekends ago, the Holy Spirit led me to take a break from TV & other media to spend some time with Him. Listening to worship music, reading my Bible & praying. I haven’t felt as much peace as I did over that time in a long time.

Obedience is important because a simple act can open up spiritual doors…not just for me…but for those currently connected to me. So your obedience is not just about you…it’s also about those that are around you.

Have you ever felt that nudge to do something & didn’t go through with it? Has God ever told you to do something completely weird? What if someone’s breakthrough depended on your obedience?

I encourage you to step out & do all that God asks you to…even if it’s completely wonky. God is faithful & sees all you do – you never know how important a seemingly small act will be in God’s plan.

Be blessed dear ones!

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Remind the people of Judah and Jerusalem about the terms of my covenant with them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is anyone who does not obey the terms of my covenant! For I said to your ancestors when I brought them out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt, “If you obey me and do whatever I command you, then you will be my people, and I will be your God.” I said this so I could keep my promise to your ancestors to give you a land flowing with milk and honey—the land you live in today.’” Then I replied, “Amen, Lord! May it be so.””

Jeremiah 11:1-5 NLT

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It’s time to move (on)

Have you ever done something stupid? Or hurt someone real bad? Or did something even worse…

We have all been there in some way. Each of us know what it’s like to feel guilt and shame. It’s part of this life. But this is also where we sometimes get caught up.

We even repent, ask God to forgive, make amends with others – and think we have fully moved on, but in the back of your mind, that thing is still there. It pops up in those late night thoughts and those lonely moments – making you feel hopeless.

Listen to me, friend, if it’s forgiven, move on. Stop beating yourself up. It’s time to forgive yourself and lay that guilt down.

If you haven’t repented or asked someone to forgive you, do it and don’t let it bother you any more. This life is far too fragile to allow yourself to be overridden with worry, regret, and shame.

Apologize to God and others (if needed) and keep going. Acknowledge that you cannot go back and change what happened in your past, but you can make sure it doesn’t happen in your future.

Remember that in Christ, you are a new creation. Tomorrow is a new day with new adventures. Hold your head up, shoulders back and show the Enemy he didn’t win!

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Prayer: Lord, you know that thing or things that hold me up & I cannot allow myself to forgive myself – help me let it go. If I have never asked you for repentance, please forgive me and help me do better in the future. Thank you for your Son Jesus and His sacrifice so I may ask for forgiveness and move on. You are so good! Amen.

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Finding Rest

The more I have to do, the more I realize that I need to find time to rest.  As I get older – especially as I get farther away from my 20’s, I realize that resting should be a priority.  If you are like me, you like to stay busy.  And if you are busy like me, taking time to rest often gets pushed off your “to-do” list most of the time.  That is not how we, as people who follow Jesus, should live.

Our bodies are finite, they will die one day, and so they need to be nurtured.  Part of that nurturing is taking time to recharge and restore.  I know the type A people like me find it hard to let go of doing and going, but in order to live a full, healthy life, we must.  Part of walking with God is taking care of your temple.

The more I spend time with God, the more I realize that we need to have that recharge daily.  No, I’m not speaking to vacations or taking a “me” day as a form of recharge – even though they hold a value in your self-care walk.  I’m speaking of spending quiet time with God…daily.  One moment with God can fulfill what a 3 week vacation can in how you are restored physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

One of the best ways to get that restoration is spending time in God’s word – which can be done as simply as listening to it on the free Bible app (this isn’t an ad, just a recommendation) or reading a devotional of your choice.  You don’t need to make it long and drawn out.  Do what you can in the time you have.  I’ve even heard some Bible-teachers speak on spending their week meditating on one verse.  The more His word gets in you, the less you allow this world to get to you.

And, of course, there is nothing like sitting in silence, talking to God.  There is a great value in this.  His touch and voice heals things in a way nothing else can.  Make sure to take time out to spend seeking Him.  And not just seeking His hand (what can He do for you), but also seeking His face (what He wants from you, your community, the world).  God is always our source and seeking something outside of His presence (seeking something to fill a void only He should fill) will cause us more anguish than help.

Make time to rest daily, y’all.  When life gets busy, money runs tight, and you don’t know when you can get away from the crazy – steal away with Him and let His perfect refreshment restore your soul.

“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10

“I wait quietly before God,
for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2

“He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

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Less is More

In our world today, to get ahead, you must talk yourself up & make a name for yourself. You have “people” who work for you & your endeavors. This seems very real to us here & understandable. It’s his things work. But the Kingdom of God is paradoxical – almost self-contradictory. With the God’s Kingdom, you must become less to be more.

““But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Matthew 23:8-12 NIV

If you want to work for God – you must serve. Humility is the currency of God’s Kingdom. Be careful about making it about you – because God will always outshine you.

Serve God & serve others. The more we do that, the greater God’s Kingdom becomes.

I ask you to join with me to commit to being more humble & genuine in your walk. I know this is an area I always need work & I would love for you to join me.

Let’s build God’s Kingdom & bring glory to His name!!

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The Power of One

As humans, we care about numbers. How many friends we have. How big our salary is. How many people watch this show. Or even how many people show up to our event.

God is not always like this. Great numbers of people coming to Christ for the first time is special to Him, yes. But so is just one. God will gladly orchestrate a situation for you to reach one person, even if it is inconvenient for you. Check out what Jesus said here:

““Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Luke 15:4-7 NIV

Or the situation with the Woman at the Well:

“Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)”

John 4:1-8 NIV

Jesus was passing through & knew He had to stop there in order to reach this woman. I wonder if it was a bit inconvenient for Him & His disciples. But to reach that one woman mattered enough to Jesus to make His way there. When you read further in John 4, you will see that, because He took the time to reach her, she reached her town.

That is why the ONE matters to God. Because the ONE rarely remains just one.

What does that mean for us? It means that you can make a huge difference. You matter so much to God & to His kingdom. It means that when you are sent on a weird route or you are on a detour you didn’t expect – look out for one that you need to reach. Because God will orchestrate something just like that.

Out of 7 billion people in the world, God celebrates when one comes to Christ. Because each of His children matter to God.

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No Matter What

It seems the older I get, the more I realize how trust in God is our lifeline.

So many bad things can happen to us – it doesn’t matter how “holy” you are. But knowing that, no matter what we face, God has our back & will work everything out for our good. That knowledge brings a peace that knows no understanding.

Whatever you are going through, give it over to God & trust His ways. Lean into Him and find rest.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Persistence

Did you grow up with a weird last name?  I did – and I still have it.  Gaigalas…it’s one of those last names that make people nervous to say.  Ha!  It’s Lithuanian – which I am 1/4th.  Lithuania is a small Eastern European country by Latvia and Poland near the Baltic Sea.  With its beautiful countryside and amazing architecture – it is also a country known for its resilience.

One of the greatest stories of resilience is the Hill of Crosses in the town of Šiauliai.  It began in the mid-1800’s when the Lithuanian people rose up against the Russian Czar’s regime and, as a result, many of their families remains were not able to be buried.  So, instead of a traditional burial, they placed crosses to honor them.  It was a show of defiance against oppression.  Thus began the hill of crosses.  It was a place where the Lithuanian people could pray, reflect, and find hope.

In the 1940s – the country, which had been independent for some years – were overtaken by the Soviet Union.  In a communist regime – any form of religion is forbidden therefore, the Hill of Crosses was a prohibited site.  As a stubborn and persevering people, they were not going to allow the KGB to stop their efforts of building the Hill of Crosses.  Through the course of the 30+ year oppression – there were Soviet soldiers stationed around the hill, the new crosses and figures removed, and the Soviet soldiers bulldozed the hill a few times.  None of this deterred the Lithuanian people from continuing to build this hill.  In 1991 – Lithuania became a free nation – no longer under communistic rule.  At that time, the Hill of Crosses was no longer under threat of destruction and it started to grow (and overflow!).  They estimate that the number of crosses, Christian figurines and other religious relics on the hill is 200,000!

I look at this story and think about how we, as the Body of Christ, must be as resilient as Lithuanians were when we get knocked down or our dreams get “bulldozed”.  The world is becoming a place that is hostile to what Christianity teaches.  I just read that the government of China tore down a Christian Mega Church this week.  ISIS is killing Christians.  Even in America, we are finding it harder to express ourselves without opposition.  The world is becoming a hostile place to worship Jesus freely.

If we want overflow, we must persevere even in this hostile climate.  The Enemy will do everything he can to take us down, make us believe we cannot do something, or that we are not worthy of something.  If we can continue to be persistent and build our own hill of crosses – how great a tribute would that be to Jesus?  Sharing Him with others, speaking truth in love when it is no longer “politically correct”, or even worshiping freely for our international brothers and sisters – how much would that shake the world around us?  How much do you want the overflow?  Are you willing to continue to fight when you are under siege?  God works everything out for our good, y’all.  Keep pushing and don’t let the enemy keep you down.  Our victory is just around the corner!

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Galatians 6:9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

 

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