Category Archives: blogging
Guest Post: Simplicity of Worship
I’m so happy to be guest posting for Jamie Kocur today. She has an awesome person and writer.
Have you ever caught yourself trying to recreate your worship experience, but to no avail?
If so, please read more here.
Deny The Lie: You’re a Hippo!
I struggled with my weight all my life. I have this love/hate relationship with my body. Presently, I’m at my highest weight ever. God bless my husband though, he still tells me I’m beautiful. But I don’t feel very beautiful. I feel fat and I am fat.
I remember the first time I felt shame connected with my weight. It was at a beach. I must have been about maybe eight or nine years old. I had just gotten stung in the eye by a jelly fish and was crying. I was in my bathing suit and I vividly remember children laughing at me because of my weight.
The curse of being a chubby has haunted me my entire life. I guess I can blame it on genetics. We all inherited a slow metabolism. Plus, everyone in my family loves to cook and eat.
I remember kids making fun of me all the time because of my weight. They called me wheelie tripe (whatever that is), peel a potato and last but not least, a hippo.
I’ve got a better one for you. One day when I was about thirteen years of age, I was hanging out with my attractive, thin girlfriend and her guy friends. We were all chatting and listening to a song by one of my favorite bands growing up, Foreigner.
Out of the blue, one of her guy friends decides to tell me I’m bigger than a mack truck! Can you believe it? Out of nowhere this dude decides to say I’m bigger than a mack truck. Meanwhile, I wasn’t. However, those words have been forever etched in my memory, never to be forgotten.
However, what I believe really took things over the edge for me was when I fell inlove for the first time. It was puppy love, but I really digged this boy. All summer long we hung out and then when school started, he completely ignored me as if I didn’t exist. I was devastated.
So I went over to him and asked if I could speak to him privately. He reluctantly agreed. We went into some hallway and I asked him why he was ignoring me. He tells me I should jog around the block a couple times and lose some weight. This was his ingenious and thoughtful response.
Basically, I was cramping his style because I wasn’t cool enough to be seen with him. Well, that just did it for me.
Unfortunately, those memories still haunt me today. I believed all the lies and it has leaked into everything I do.
However, I’ve been working on denying the lie, which is why I decided to be a part of Jennifer Luitweiler’s “Deny the Lie” blog link-up.
It’s time to deny the lies. What about you? What lies have you been believing about yourself ?
Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
The Greater Sin
I am participating in Blogging Through the Book: The Gospel of Yes by Pastor Mike Glenn. This series was birthed by Dana Pittman, who is an amazing writer and speaker. I am honored to be partnering with her and her amazing team of writers. Every Wednesday we will be blogging our thoughts and insights from this book.
Ever get the feeling God is trying to tell you something? Well, I’ve been feeling like that a lot lately.
He’s been speaking to me through different avenues, one of them being, The Gospel of Yes.
While reading Chapter two, I was pretty surprised to come across what Pastor Mike Glenn refers to as the greater sin.
The greater sin is not trying.
When we don’t try, we don’t risk failure. We stay in our comfort zones. We choose the safest route in life. We avoid pain, suffering and struggle at all costs.
But is that really living a full life? Is this what God desires for us?
“In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the famous parable of the talents. The master in the story entrusts three servants to oversee part of his wealth while he is away. When the master returns, he find two servants have done well and doubled what he had entrusted to them. The third servant, afraid of the master’s anger, buried the talent given to him and simply returns it unused and with no increase. The master is furious but not for the reasons we assume. He is not angry because the servant tried and failed or because the principal had produced no greater value. No, the master is angry because the servant simply didn’ t try.”
This convicted me to the core. Personally, I have been burying my talents because of fear of man. What man might think of me, etc.
Our faith in Him has to be greater than our fear in man.
The Lord keeps asking me to step out in faith and trust Him.
He doesn’t want me or anyone hiding their talents. He wants to use our talents for His glory.
He wants us to try, even if we fail. We have to act in faith and leave the results to Him. I know this is easier said than done.
But if we don’t, we will never experience His freedom.
God wants me, you and everyone to say ‘yes’ to Him.
Whether it is going to the mission field, forgiving someone, serving in a homeless shelter, mentor a child or whatever He put on your heart.
He wants us to try because in doing so we learn to trust Him.
Is there something God has been asking you to do? Has He been asking you to step out in faith and try?
Blogging Through the Book is a group of bloggers who literally blog while reading the book. It’s different than merely reading a book and posting a review. We have a chance to read and share our thoughts in community. To learn more visit www.danapittman.com.
“What’s Your ‘Yes’?”
I am participating in Blogging Through the Book: The Gospel of Yes by Pastor Mike Glenn. This series was birthed by Dana Pittman, who is an amazing writer and speaker. I am honored to be partnering with her and her amazing team of writers. Every Wednesday we will be blogging our thoughts and insights from this book.
The word ‘yes’ is easy for me to say when it comes to others. But not when it comes to me. My ‘yes’ looks this…
Courtesy of Creative Commons
It’s not quite a ‘yes’ as the ‘s’ is backwards.
All my life, I’ve been saying ‘yes’ to everyone, but myself. I’ve spent years helping, encouraging and supporting everyone elses’ dream and vision, except my own.
I actually derive pleasure by encouraging others. However, it’s a whole other story when it has to do with my dreams.
For years, I’ve always watched from the sidelines while others pursued their dream and lived their calling. The Lord wants me to move me away from being a spectator to becoming a participator.
Saying Yes
God has been challenging me in this area. He wants me to say “yes” to His calling. However, I always shrink back in fear.
My biggest stumbling block is fear. Fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, fear of disapproval… the list goes on.
Even writing this post is difficult. I have to battle my way through what feels like a flood of voices coming against me.
“What’s your ‘yes’?” I will say again. “Jesus said, ‘Let your yes be yes,’ so what is your ‘yes’? If you know your ‘yes,’ then all the ‘nos’ will take care of themselves. So have you found your ‘yes’?” (Page 18)
I seem to be saying ‘yes’ with my lips, but not with my life.
Recently I heard the Holy Spirit whisper to me, “When are you going to surrender and say ‘yes’ to me?” “How long will you allow fear to stop you from doing my will for your life?”
I wonder how long or what it’s going to take for me to surrender, overcome the fear and say ‘yes’.
Get In the Zone
“Athletes talk about being in the zone. The zone is a state of concentration, an alignment of emotional, mental, and physical abilities where the game seems to slow down and the play becomes almost effortless. I believe we were called to live more in the zone than out of it. Being aligned with God’s spirit, riding the Divine Current, makes whatever we are doing more impactful, more elegant and more joyful.”(Page 19)
Sounds wonderful doesn’t it?
I recall being in the zone a couple times in my life. Once while doing aerobics and another time while singing. I had this heightened sense of awareness and everything just flowed. I wonder what it would be like living in the zone every day?
As I continue to read and blog, The Gospel of Yes, my prayer is that the Lord helps me get in the zone.
What about you? Have you said ‘yes’ to God? Are you living in the zone?
Blogging Through the Book is a group of bloggers who literally blog while reading the book. It’s different than merely reading a book and posting a review. We have a chance to read and share our thoughts in community. To learn more visit www.danapittman.com.
Ordinary Servant: Extraordinary Gift
I am pleased to introduce Dayna Renee Hackett Bickham who is guest posting today. I met Dayna through the Michael Hyatt Platform Book Launch Team. I have been following her blog, A Year in the Spiritual Life for some time now. Dayna is a great writer and a spirit-filled, godly woman who I am blessed to know. Please follow her blog or on Twitter and Facebook.
“We are all pencils in the Hand of God.” – Mother Teresa
I have always loved writing in all its forms. When I was a child a pencil and paper were two of my favorite things. I would look at a blank page as a challenge and my mind would kick into overdrive to come up with a creative way to fill it up.
I am made in my Father’s image. He “page” is the tablet of men’s (and women’s) hearts. I am His pencil.
So are you.
You are designed.
Each of us is designed by God with a purpose in mind. Our everyday, walking around, take the kids to the mall, change that diaper on the fly, make dinner and look fabulous while you do, lives are not our own to live.
We are made to live for our Father: to show His love to others. We were made to write on the tablets of people’s hearts the love of Christ and awaken in them the desire to love God in return.
God is a Master Maker. He made the universe, all the galaxies, and you and me. Like the psalmist David, I have looked at the stars and asked “who am I, that you are mindful of me”?
You are made for a reason.
You are an ordinary servant with an extraordinary gift to give the world. God made you for a reason.
I cannot reach inner city kids, but one of you can. You are that pencil. I cannot minister to men in prison, but one of you can. YOU are that pencil. I cannot preach on distant shores, but one of you can. YOU are THAT pencil.
There are diverse gifts and callings. Not all of us can do everything. When you find that thing God made you for, then you will know just how extraordinary His plan is for you.
Are you ready?
You are an ordinary servant with an extraordinary gift. You are a pencil in the Hand of God. Are you allowing Him to use you? Are you sharp and up for the task? Are you willing to own your mistakes before people and bask in God’s grace when He erases your sin?
You are a pencil in the Hand of a Master Maker, what better way to create a beautiful work of art in this world than to be used by God?
What is one way you can write on someone’s heart today?
Heart Strings
I have had the blessing of traveling a great deal in the past. I visited several countries and have seen poverty at it’s worst. Nothing breaks my heart more than witnessing homeless and hungry children, especially orphans.
Photograph by Chan Kwok Hung
This photo speaks a multitude, doesn’t it? This world can be such a cruel place. How I wish something could been done to help save every child and preserve their innocence.
There are times I feel helpless and overwhelmed, like tonight for instance. I was walking crosstown on 42nd Street to catch my bus home.
As I was walking, I took in my surroundings; the rhythm, activity and energy of rush hour.
Until something caught my eye that caused me to stop in my tracks. I remained frozen, watching, pondering whether I should go do something.
This moment reminded me of an incident I read in Jeff Goins’ new book, Wrecked. I knew I had to make a choice.
Suddenly a man spoke and snapped me out of my trance. I guess he noticed my struggle. He tells me, “Your heart strings are being tugged, huh?” I said, “Yes.” He nodded in understanding.
Right then, I decided to walk over to her. This young woman who was pregnant sitting on the hot concrete floor with a toddler. She must have been no more than twenty-five years old. I asked her if she needed help.
She didn’t speak English. She said something which sounded like Spanish. However, when she responded again, I realized it wasn’t Spanish, but more like Portuguese or Italian.
She wanted me to give her money. I told her I didn’t want to give her money. She said she needed diapers. I said I would go buy her diapers if she wanted. She agreed for me to get her diapers.
I asked, what size, she tells me size four. For the life of me, I don’t know how we were able to understand each other, it had to have been the Holy Spirit.
She tells me she would wait for me in the same spot for only twenty minutes. So I take off in a hurry to the nearest place I could find and bought diapers. I also bought her a few other items so she could feed her child who looked dirty, hungry and tired. I especially felt compassion for her child.
The city was so hot. I’m sure this poor child was outside all day in the heat while her mother begged.
When I returned she was there waiting. I handed her the bag and she thanked me.
What was most beautiful to me was the reaction on the little girl’s face. She pointed to the bottle of water and looked up at me with a big smile. She seemed genuinely appreciative. I grabbed her little hand and smiled at her too. My heart swelled with love for that child. I so badly wanted to protect her.
I looked into the pregnant mother’s eyes and told her Jesus loved her. I also told her to be careful and to take good care of herself and the baby. I just hope she really understood what I said.
I arrived home very somber. I began thinking about all the homeless mothers and children living in the streets of New York City and around the world. My heart hurts for them.
This tug never goes away. I guess it serves as reminder to never forget.
I wonder how things would be if every Christian from around the world stopped to help and encourage one person each day?
What do you think would happen? I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts.
Wrecked by Jeff Goins
I barely made it out of bed alive this morning. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit. But seriously, I am dead tired and it’s all Jeff Goins fault.
It’s his fault because I couldn’t stop reading his new book last night. I literally had to peel myself away and get some sleep.
Thus, I rolled out of bed, as we say in New York City, mad tired.
I began my daily routine by turning on the water to take a shower. Guess what, there was no hot water… again.
Needless to say, this isn’t what I would call an ideal way to start your day. However, the cold shower definitely jolted me awake. Seriously, you should try it some time.
While taking my cold shower, I was thinking of Wrecked. My thoughts brought me back to a time where a group of us from Times Square Church went on a short missions trip to Guatemala.
I remember when we first arrived to the mission, it was hot. We all wanted and needed to take a shower. But, there was one little problem, there were no bathrooms or showers.
Thankfully, it began to rain. We knew this was our opportunity to take a shower.
Now keep in mind, I’m from New York City, ok? I’ve only camped out maybe a few times in my life and poorly at that. I’ve never taken a shower in the middle of nowhere before, much less in the rain.
But there I was in the mountains of Guatemala, in the rain, with a bunch of people I didn’t know and a major decision to make. Shower or no shower, is the question. I felt gross, so I decided on the shower. The next dilemma was to figure out how and where?
The shower situation definitely took me out of my comfort zone. I basically was forced to use my imagination and pray… a lot.
Thankfully, the Lord had mercy on my poor soul and answered quickly. There, hidden in view, was my salvation… a small cascade of water falling off a tin roof. When the water hit my skin, it was as cold as my shower this morning.
The only difference is, I actually enjoyed it.
This experience definitely wrecked me and so is reading this book.
Wrecked is stirring me in a major way. Jeff Goins is a prolific and amazing writer. His writing is like eating your favorite ice cream, you don’t want to stop.
But whatever you do, don’t buy the book yet. You don’t want to miss out on this: http://wreckedthebook.com/.
Jeff Goins is a part-time blogger, speaker and author. He works full-time for a nonprofit organization called Adventures in Missions, where he serves as the Communications Director. In his free time, he writes books and shares ideas worth spreading.
Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Jeff graduated from Illinois College with a double major in Spanish and Religion. There, he spent a semester in Spain, which opened his eyes to different cultures and stretched his worldview.
After a year of travel and long-distance communication, he moved to Tennessee to chase the woman who became his wife. In 2008, he married her.
Since 2006, Jeff has worked out of his home, overseeing marketing, communications, and innovation teams from afar. He is passionate about not only telling great stories, but living them, as well.
His blog, GoinsWriter.com, is one of the fastest-growing blogs on the web and is a well-respected resource for bloggers and writers. In 2011, it won the Top 10 Blogs for Writers award on WritetoDone.com. Each month, he receives over 80,000 visitors to his website.
Jeff’s work has been published online and offline in a variety of publications, including RELEVANT Magazine (which has a circulation of more than 150,000 readers), Copyblogger.com (voted by Ad Age as one of the top marketing blogs online), and ZenHabits.net (one of Time Magazine’s Top 50 Websites for threes years in a row).
Jeff and his wife, Ashley, live just outside of Nashville, TN with their son and dog.
Welcome to Ordinary Servant
Welcome to the newly designed Ordinary Servant blog. This is my redesigned blog that honors all the great writers, bloggers, thinkers and people whose books I regularly review with a brand spanking new beautiful design and easy to use site.
It brings me great pleasure to exchange comments and thoughts with the faithful people I call readers and friends. Looking forward to getting to know you even better as this site grows. Happy blogging.
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