On Election Eve, You Are Elected

election-flag

There are times we feel vulnerable. Not quite comfortable. Not quite safe.

There are also spaces that make us feel that way. Unguarded. Wide open. Susceptible.

Maybe you don’t like to sit with your back to the wall. Or sleep with your head to the door.

On this night before electing the next President of the United States, we may feel like our backs are to the door. We can’t see around the corner. We don’t know what’s about to enter the room.

I’m reading Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton. These paragraphs (taken from three different pages) speak of feeling vulnerable in a space.

Here Glennon is in a marriage counseling session with her husband Craig at the therapist’s office.

“I’m being swallowed up by a big black leather couch in Craig’s therapist’s chilly office. My knees don’t reach the cushion’s edge, so my legs stick straight like I’m a doll someone has propped up. I decide that if I can’t make my feet reach the floor, it’s best to pretend that I don’t want them to, anyway. I pull my legs up toward my chest and wrap my arms around them. I am my own shield.” page 123

~ * ~

“I shiver and pull my sweater tighter. For the first time I notice that both Craig and his therapist are wearing T-shirts and shorts. Why don’t men ever notice the cold? Why don’t they ever carry sweaters and curl up and make fists of their sleeves and wrap their arms around their legs? Why the hell are they so brazen and unfurled and warm and comfortable all the time?” page 126

~ * ~

“I push myself up and out of the chair. I pull off my sweater and hold it in my hand. I will my body not to shiver. I stand up, and the men’s eyes lift toward me in unison. I look down at the therapist first and I say, “You should get an adjustable chair in this office so female-size people can put their f—— feet on the ground.” page 129

I’ve felt that way. I’ve sat on couches where my feet don’t touch the floor, in chairs where I can’t reach the ground. It’s never comfortable.

And as we approach tomorrow’s voting results, we might feel this way, like we’re surrendering ground, unstable, susceptible.

But it’s not so.

Whether the results come back like we want them to or not, we will still be standing on Wednesday morning. On solid ground. Both feet.

Because we have already been elected. We’ve been chosen. God picked us.

  • 1 Peter 2:9 (CEV)
    “But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done.”

As children of God, our ultimate security doesn’t rest on man-made governments. It doesn’t rest on amendments to constitutions. It doesn’t rest on agreements or mandates or policies.

Our safety rests on Love. We live in his kingdom, He is our world, and even death can’t pry us out of his hands.

He’s chosen us to be here at this time, in this place, for this reason. And regardless of who wears the man-made title of “leader,” we are God’s elect to fulfill God’s purposes.

So on this election eve, we need not fear. We’ve already been elected.

  • To show love.
  • To be merciful.
  • To give grace.

That is a victory for everyone.

  • Romans 8:31
    What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
  • Romans 8:32
    He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
  • Romans 8:33
    Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

* * *

Is there a scripture that reminds you that your feet on on the Rock? Please share in the comments.


Links, Books, and Other Things I Love – November 2016

Here are favorites from October and what I’m looking forward to in November.

1 Second Everyday 


[If you can’t see the 1 Second Everyday video, click here]

~ * ~ * ~

Around the Web

• This Is Probably the Least You’ll Weigh All Year. Sorry.
Ugh. We’ve reached our annual low. More weight to come through Christmas.

• The Pains Of Humanity Have Been Draining Me
“Some people think we are just whining about the past. But we’re not. . . .You can’t wipe away a 500-year trauma in 50 years” by Lecrae, Grammy Award winning recording artist.

lecrae

Tips for Decluttering Photos 
Keeping your photos organized is overwhelming. Lots of good tips here. I want to finish this project this year!

The Thing All Women Do That You Don’t Know About
I get this. Sad. But true. You, too?

Losing Friends on Social Media Due to Politics? 
Watch this 2-minute video for good advice (only slightly tongue-in-cheek) if you still want your friends on November 9.

responsible-social-media

~ * ~ * ~

On Reading

How to Be Book Nerdy
Signs of a book nerd. Which ones are you? I enjoyed Madeline’s complete series; read it here, 31 Days to a Better Reading Life.

5 Reasons You Need Fiction
What the best stories do.

• 31 Books I Can’t Live Without
Another great 31 Days series – Cara Meredith offers a wonderful list of her favorite books.

Five Books I Recommend

five-books-i-recommend-october-2016-lisanotes

• Currently Reading
I made a great library run.

  1. Love Warrior
    by Glennon Doyle Melton
  2. The Bridge of Brilliance
    How One Principal in a Tough Community Is Inspiring the World
    by Nadia Lopez
  3. A Force for Good
    The Dalai Lama’s Vision for Our World
    by Daniel Goleman
  4. Pursuing Health in an Anxious Age
    by Bob Cutillo
  5. Stumbling on Happiness
    by Daniel Todd Gilbert
  6. The Great Spiritual Migration
    How the World’s Largest Religion Is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian
    by Brian McLaren
  7. How to Be Here
    by Rob Bell

~ * ~ * ~

Things I Love

 The K Babies
Such fun at the pumpkin patch again this year with my daughter Jenna’s kindergarten class.

Friday, the day before the day before the wedding:

jenna-pumpkin-patch

Jenna and her class

making-friends-goats

Making a new friend

pumpkin

Proud of the pumpkin she picked

• Saturday, the day before the wedding:

Rehearsal, October 1

rehearsal-jeff-jenna

Jeff and Jenna: Father and daughter rehearsing for the wedding

Getting closer!  

rehearsal-jeff-lisa

Nearing the finish line, Jeff and Lisa after rehearsal

Girls Night Out

bridesmaids-bride-jenna

Bridesmaids and bride the night before. Susannah, Morgan, Jenna, Karlie, Elizabeth

The Big Day, October 2!

Jenna and Trey. We’re still awaiting the real wedding pics, but here are a couple from friends.

jenna-trey-wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Trey Thornton

My Four Corner Friends with the Newlyweds

4-corners-jenna-wedding

Kathy, Alicia, Trey, Jenna, Lisa, Julie

~ * ~ * ~

On the Blog

26 Surprising Ways to Encounter God
#Write31Days . . . Done! Whew.
26-surprising-ways-encounter-god_index

• Valuables and God
What 3 things would you grab (other than people and pets!) if your house were on fire? Where is God in those things?

Is Your God Worth Sharing?
It might depend on how you think about God.

What’s Your Number?
A brief review of the Enneagram and the new book, The Road Back to You.

animal-countryside-agriculture-farm

* * *

What was one of your highlights from October? What are you looking forward to in November? Please share in the comments.

My previous link posts


On the Blog – October 2016

  • Day 31: Zephyrs, Breezes from God (10/31) – God often is like a zephyr, a gentle breeze. God is always acting, moving, shifting the atmosphere.
  • Day 30: Week 4 in Review (10/30) – Of these six exercises to encounter God, which one made you more aware of his presence this week?
  • Day 29: Seeing God in You (10/29) – Who is in front of you today? That’s where you can see God. And who you can show God to.
  • Day 28: Spiritual X-Rays (10/28) – A spiritual x-ray is God seeing us from the inside out, without having to cut us from the outside in.
  • Day 27: Welcome It All? (10/27) – “This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.” – Rumi. Can we welcome both good and bad?
  • Day 26: Valuables and God (10/26) – What 3 things would you grab (other than people and pets!) if your house were on fire? Where is God in those things?
  • Five Books I Recommend – October 2016 (10/25) – A list of books I recommend from what I read in October 2016.
  • Day 25: Underground with God (10/25) – Sometimes we have to go underneath things to get grounded. If God has already rescued you, you’re primed to help others find freedom’s path.
  • Day 24: Tangles and God (10/24) – Three suggestions to get rid of tangles in your life.
  • Day 23: Review 3 and What’s Next (10/23) – Review of six exercises for encountering God.
  • Day 22: Sickness and God (10/22) – God has set healing in motion. It will eventually be complete. We just have to wait it out.
  • Day 21: When You Feel Raw (10/21) – Think of an area in your life where you feel raw or extra touchy. Be as compassionate with yourself as God is with you.
  • Day 20: Questions to God (10/20) – We often think God is in the answers. But sometimes we can connect with him more in the questions.
  • Day 19: Portals for God (10/19) – Look for portals—openings—that God wants to reveal himself through your routine tasks. Unwrap these gifts of grace; enjoy them to the fullest.
  • Day 18: God in Odd Spaces (10/18) – Look for God’s gifts of presence and love in the odd spaces of your life. Be grateful for the peculiar and uncommon ways that he is showing up.
  • Day 17: Now Is Where God Is (10/17) – Stay awake to this moment. This second of “now” is your moment of encounter with God.
  • Day 16: Review 2 and What’s Next (10/16) – Look over these 6 exercises we used to encounter God this past week. Where did you see him?
  • Day 15: Mirrors (10/15) – When looking in a mirror discourages us with aging exteriors, let’s remind ourselves of ever-renewing interiors. God is in us. Nothing is more stunning.
  • Day 14: When Lonely (10/14) – If you feel lonely, ask God where he wants you to go with it. Reach out to someone? Spend more time with him? Make peace with it?
  • Do You Want to Share God (10/13) – Guest post at Do Not Depart. Do you want to tell others about God? It might depend on what you believe about him.
  • Day 13: Kisses from God (10/13) – Our lips aren’t only for talking and eating. But also for loving. Use your kisses to connect the God-in-you to the God-in-the-other.
  • Day 12: Jobs with God (10/12) – How meaningful is your work? Is there more ministry in your job than you realize?
  • Day 11: Intuitively Hearing from God (10/11) – Have you ever known something in your gut without anyone telling you? Some things aren’t explicitly taught, yet God slips them inside us anyway.
  • Day 10: Hearts Are Reminders (10/10) – Let God use heart shapes around you today to remind you of his love for you.
  • Day 9: Review 1 and What’s Next (10/9) – Look over these 6 exercises we used to encounter God this past week. Where did you see him?
  • Day 8: Grandparents (10/8) – None of us get to choose our family heritage. But whether you come from good seed or bad apples, you can discover God through family relationships.
  • Day 7: Food as God’s Love (10/7) – Trace your favorite food back to God, giving thanks along the way. Enjoy your encounters with God through food.
  • Day 6: Empty Spaces (10/6) – God is in the unfulfilled spaces as much as he is in the things he created around them. Keep some empty spaces around you as breathing room for you and God.
  • Day 5: God in the Doubts (10/5) – We like to know. But what about when we doubt? We might think God only rewards strong faith, but he’s just as near us when we doubt.
  • What’s Your Number? The Enneagram and The Road Back to You (10/4) – Once we understand our need for God’s grace, the more we can accept it. And be transformed by it. Here’s how the Enneagram can help from The Road Back to You.
  • Day 4: Collections and God (10/4) – What do you collect? Why? How do you see God in your collection?
  • Day 3: Blood Is Life (10/3) – Have you seen any blood today? Blood is a strong indicator of aliveness, past or present. And where there is life, there is God.
  • Day 2: It’s Wedding Day! and Review (10/2) On Sundays during this series we’ll review how we encountered God in the previous week. And look ahead to intentional ways to seek him. But today is wedding day!
  • Day 1: Alone with God (10/1) – God’s presence is one of his greatest gifts to us. We often are aware of his presence in a crowd. But we also must be willing to sit with the Lord alone.

Z – Zephyrs, Breezes from God {26 Surprising Ways to Encounter God, A-Z}

“The Spirit of God has made me,
and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
Job 33:4

dandelion-wind-zephyr

Z—Zephyr

What is a zephyr?

A zephyr is a light breeze. On a hot day with stagnant air, you’ll notice even a small wind because it feels good. Same with a cold day; even a little wind can make you feel even colder.

But most days? The zephyrs blow right past us. We don’t even notice them.

God often is like a gentle breeze. If we’re not particularly warm or especially cold—life is running smoothly for us—we may not notice God breathing alongside us.

But in moments of extremity, we notice his winds.

And if we’re aware, we can notice his movement even in times of relative stillness.

God is always acting, moving, shifting the atmosphere.

  • Zephyrs keep our lives from growing stagnant.
  • Zephyrs stir us to move in new directions.
  • Zephyrs cool us down and warm us up and remind us we’re not the ones in control after all.

I pray that you’ve felt God’s zephyrs blowing through your life these past 31 days. I have.

And I pray in the future we’ll live slow enough and sensitive enough to feel God’s movements—whether light or blustery—as he moves around us.

Try This

Notice the physical air around you. Hot? Cold? Calm? Breezy?

Take a deep breath, breathing in not only physical air, but God’s Spirit as well. Count your in-breaths and out-breaths for the next ten breaths, thanking God for the fresh spiritual winds he’s blowing your way.

Learn More

* * *

How have you felt God blowing around you lately? Please share in the comments.

We’re done! Thanks for reading 26 Surprising Ways to Encounter God. See the index of all the posts here.

26-surprising-ways-encounter-god_index


Week in Review and What’s Next {26 Surprising Ways to Encounter God, A-Z}

We looked at six new ways to spend time with God this past week.

Did one exercise prove more effective to you than the others? Which one helped you become more aware of God’s presence with you and in you?

encountering-god-review-4

  • Tangles
    Three suggestions to get rid of tangles in your life.
  • Underground
    Sometimes we have to go underneath things to get grounded. If God has already rescued you, you’re primed to help others find freedom’s path.
  • Valuables
    What 3 things would you grab (other than people and pets!) if your house was on fire? Where is God in those things?
  • Welcome
    “This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.” – Rumi. Can we welcome both good and bad?
  • X-Rays
    A spiritual x-ray is God seeing us from the inside out, without having to cut us from the outside in.
  • You
    Who is in front of you today? That’s where you can see God. And who you can show God to.

Use today to rest and reflect on the encounters you had with God.

Tomorrow is our last day of this series! Thank you for reading along for 31 days in October. I pray you and God had some meaningful moments together.

Where or how did you see God the most vividly this past week? Please share in the comments.

Coming tomorrow:

  • Z – Zephyr
    How is God like a gentle breeze?

26-surprising-ways-encounter-god_index

If you’d like to receive 26 Surprising Ways by email, sign up here.


Y – Seeing God in You {26 Surprising Ways to Encounter God, A-Z}

“To love another person is to see the face of God.”
– Victor Hugo

michelangelo-boy-child

Y—You

Who have you seen today?

  • Maybe a spouse or child.
  • Maybe a co-worker.
  • Maybe just yourself in the mirror.

Whoever it is, or whoever it will be, this person is an important part of your spiritual path.

Because this person is the one bearing the image of God to you. And to whom you are to reflect back the image of God.

Try This

Who is the “you” in front of you today? What characteristics of God do you see in them? Can you share that with them? It might make their day!

What characteristics of God are you supposed to show to that person? Can you be intentional about displaying God to them?

Learn More

* * *

Who is the “you” in your life today? How have you seen God? Please share in the comments.

Coming up Monday:

  • Z—Zephyr
    How is God like a gentle breeze?

26-surprising-ways-encounter-god_index

If you’d like to receive 26 Surprising Ways by email, sign up here.