Make Him Your Dwelling Place SDET #37

Who else is a fantastic Christian until other people are around?This week I was reminded, in a not-so-proud moment, of the words in James 1 about being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Something I did not think I struggled with until my inside voice kept revealing itself outside the privacy of my own head.The question is not only, “Why did I say that?” It is also, “Why was that sitting inside me in the first place?” It also brought me back to Ephesians 6 and the armor of God, which we talked about back in Episode 35. There is something about being grounded in truth, using the Word of God, and paying attention to the arrows that come at us. So today we are talking about anger, what is happening inside before it comes out, and four questions to reflect on this week. Scripture:James 1:19-21Luke 6:45Ephesians 6:16

Celebrating another milestone: Episode #40.My brain was full from travel, birthday planning, and all the things, so a little grace was needed. I shared six encouragements I’ve learned 40 episodes in that can be applied to anything we pursue. We talk about being still and knowing that He is God, remembering that He is still on the throne regardless of the dumpster fires around us, not growing weary in doing good, and making our plans while trusting God to establish our steps.I also give a special shout-out to my daughter on her 11th birthday.Scripture:Proverbs 16:9Psalm 46:10Galatians 6:9

This week’s episode came from a place of unexpected tragedy.I found myself asking, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” and reached out to Pastor Eric. He reminded me of the practice of Lament. What does that look like to bring our pain, questions, disappointment, and sorrow honestly to God without letting go of Him?In this episode, I share a some Scripture that remind us how grief and faith can exist at the same time, that God is close to the brokenhearted, and that hope does not require us to pretend like something does not hurt.I also share four reflection questions and close with a prayer for anyone in the midst of grief and pain.Faith can sound like praise but there are times it sounds more like tears, questions, silence, and still choosing to turn toward God.Scripture:Psalm 13Lamentations 3:19-25John 11:35Psalm 34:18Reference:More on the practice of Lament from Grace Bible Church https://gracebible.church/lament/

Welcome to Episode #38.This episode started with me wondering if I had been saying Isaiah 54:17 wrong for years.You know when you suddenly realize you’ve been singing the wrong lyrics to a song? That was me with “formed” and “forged.”But that little moment sent me back into Isaiah 54, and the chapter reminded me of so much more than one familiar verse.In this episode, I share a few thoughts from Isaiah 54, including the reminder to enlarge the place of our tent, trust God’s unshakable love, and remember that no weapon formed against us gets the final word.I also share four reflection questions to help us think about what has been formed against us, what we may have allowed to define us, and where God may still be asking us to make room for what He is doing.My prayer is that this episode reminds you of one simple truth:Something can be formed against you without having the authority to finish what God is still doing in you.Scripture:Isaiah 54: 2,10,16,17

Welcome to episode 37 of OPEN to Encourage.This week I spent some time in Psalm 91, and I kept coming back to the idea of what it means to make God our dwelling place. Not only when things go wrong, but the place we choose to live from.And I’ll share some thoughts on His faithfulness and the bubbly person who tells you can do it and you want to slap them. The relentlessly positive person can be an annoying, but it comes from a place of having walked through difficult things and still knowing that God is faithful.One question to reflect on this week and a prayer for anyone who needs the reminder today that God is near, He is faithful, and He is with us even in trouble.Scripture:Psalm 91: 1-2, 11, 14-15Ecclesiastes 3:11Lamentations 3:22

Welcome to episode 36 of OPEN to Encourage.This week I’ve been thinking about what happens after we say yes to God.Saying yes is one thing, but continuing to trust Him when the timing is different than we expected is another, especially when the outcome is unclear. Sometimes the small step is where faith begins. In this episode, I share a few quotes from What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa Terkeurst, reflect on God’s faithfulness, and remind us that His timing is not on our timeline. So if you’re in a season of waiting, wondering, or simply trying to figure out what obedience looks like today, this episode is for you.We do not need the whole plan. We only need to say yes to the next faithful step.Scripture:Philippians 4:6–7 Ephesians 3:16–21

In this episode, Deborah walks through the armor of God in a practical way. Paul’s message is a reminder that following Jesus is not passive. Fear, discouragement, lies, temptation, and spiritual opposition are real, and we are called to stand firm.At the end, four reflection questions are shared to help us think about which piece of armor we may need most in this season. And a prayer to encourage us. The armor of God is not meant to be left in our closet to admire. We must wear it. Scripture:Ephesians 6:10-20

Welcome to episode #34, reflecting on hope and sharing some thoughts I’ve been writing about lately.I open to Psalm 23 and a few other verses that encourage us to keep choosing to anchor ourselves in God’s goodness.Because today also marks 25 years since 9/11, I take some time at the end to remember that day, share part of my own experience.The episode ends with a spontaneous prayer for anyone who may need a reminder today that God will meet us wherever we are. Scripture:Psalm 23Psalm 27: 1-5Psalm 46:1

Welcome to episode 33 of OPEN to Encourage.This one is extra special because I’m recording from Mallorca with my favorite person as we celebrate 15 years of marriage.Before we got married, we wrote down seven golden rules for our marriage. So today, we pulled them back out to see which ones still hold up after 15 years, which ones have changed a little with real life, and what we would add now.We also share a few things we’ve learned along the way and the advice we would give a couple getting ready to say “I Do.”A conversation about marriage, growth, friendship, grace, and what has mattered most to us over the years.Scripture:Ephesians 4:26-27Nehemiah 8:10b1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Welcome to episode 32 of OPEN to Encourage.Apparently the first version of this recording was between me and God because I forgot to record, but it fits today’s message.Reflecting on this quote: “You cannot say ‘No, Lord’ and mean both. One annuls the other. If you say no to him, then he is not your Lord. ‘Yes, Lord’ is always the answer.”Saying “Yes, Lord” sounds beautiful in theory. But what does our yes actually look like when it involves surrendering our plans, our timing, our comfort, or something we really want?I’ll leave you with four questions to reflect on this week, and end with a prayer. Scripture:Mark 14:36Luke 6:46Luke 9:23