So, be honest. Have you thought it too? Maybe even uttered it under your breath?

“Here we go again…”

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up
according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29

It might be car repairs. Or job issues. Or family conflict. Or financial hurdles. Or illness. Or…. any number of things that seem way too repetitive for our comfort. Those frequent discouragers that seem to know right where to get us and, honestly, do! I’ve had numerous conversations lately about this and a phrase keeps coming to my lips – “a familiar and slippery slope.” Discouragement can be a familiar and slippery slope. Complaining can be a familiar and slippery slope. Bad habits are a familiar and slippery slope. We arrive at the top of that hill as if in a daze – without any effort at all – and before we know it, down we go!

Be prepared.
You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own.
Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued,
so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.
Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them.
You’ll need them throughout your life.
God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.
In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.
Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters.
Keep your eyes open.
Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Ephesians 6:13-18 (MSG)

We have been prepared for this! The Lord has equipped us for the difficult season. We are called to be lights in the darkness, not add to it with disparaging comments. Now before you think I am being critical of others, please know that I am preaching to myself! In recent days I have heard the Holy Spirit whisper to me, “Kelly, that wasn’t from me. You are an encourager, life-bringer, speaker of truth.” How quickly the Lord’s admonition cuts to the core of the issue and just as quickly reminds me of who I am. It is like a pruning immediately followed by healing balm.

Yes, we are human, and these thoughts and feelings are a normal part of our human experience. But we can’t afford to meander toward that familiar and slippery slope in the process. We can’t risk believing lies whispered to us. We don’t have the luxury of camping in discouragement. The Lord has walked with us through difficulties, taught us how to fight on our knees, and strengthened us for battle so we can be victorious and help each other in the battle, not to get beat up again!

And we urge you, brothers and sisters,
warn those who are idle and disruptive,
encourage the disheartened, help the weak,
be patient with everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:14

Let’s remind ourselves to encourage one another when the trail gets difficult. If someone is tripping us up with their disruptive words, kindly warn them of that danger. Let’s be patient with others – and ourselves – as we trust the Lord to lead, grow, and refine us as only He can. We are in this together and our loving Father is constantly reminding us – through each other – that…

You are adored.

One of the things I love most about my walk with the Lord is how He is constantly teaching me something new. For the past few years, I have intentionally taken time at the end of December to pray and write down the losses of that year. I resisted the process at first because I didn’t want to remember pain or dwell in it. Loss means some level of grief and I don’t like grief, so why would I intentionally take a trip down that Memory Lane? What He showed me, though, is the release and relief that comes with naming a loss. Even when I’ve already taken time to process a loss or tough situation, there is something holy that takes place when I take time to name it, write it down, and entrust it to Him. At the end of 2020, I found this to be especially true.

The end of 2021 brought a sweet surprise – the Lord asked me to write down all my losses, turn the page and then write down all my joys for the year. Yes, Lord! After taking quite some time praying and flipping between the two lists, He showed me how much longer my Joys list was compared to my Losses list. Yet, my losses didn’t feel diminished in that realization.

I’ve been accused of having a Pollyanna attitude in the past. Rushing past the pain to find the silver lining of the blessing. With every pound of criticism comes a least an ounce of truth. So, I paused to evaluate that statement and I found that while there is value to intentionally looking for God’s blessings, there is also value to acknowledging the pain. And if I am going to take the time to acknowledge, process, and name the pain, I don’t want it to be minimized. I want it to be valued and cared for. And who better to care for my losses than the Lord?

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18

However, I had unwittingly subscribed to a lie that laying down my losses and grief meant both I and the Lord simply walked away from them. Leaving those precious parts of me just lingering there. That just didn’t sound like my loving Father, so I pressed in. He showed me a picture of me handing those losses over to Him and, rather than Him setting them down somewhere, He held them. He cared for them. He began a work in them that only He could accomplish … and only when I took my hands off. I had been carrying a skewed view of what it meant to hand your cares to Jesus. I thought I laid them at His feet and we both walked away when, in fact, He cares for what we entrust to Him.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Friend, have you been carrying something that needs to be entrusted to our loving Father? Fresh hurt, recent loss, or grief from long ago? Let me encourage you to take time to prayerfully name it and release it into His loving care. He has relief for you and He is trustworthy.

You are adored.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14

We are just hours away from one of the biggest celebrations of the year – Christmas Eve. It is the night we miraculously welcome the faith-full and the faith-challenged under one roof. The faith-full – wondrously filled with joy over the greatest gift in the history of creation. The faith-challenged – often arriving out of obligation to a loved one or out of tradition, not really understanding what all the fuss is about. Each of them will enter our doors with their own experiences and their own expectations. Some with great anticipation and others with mild curiosity. 

Whatever your own growing-up experience is when it comes to Christmas – as present-day followers of Jesus, lovers of God, and stewards of His House – this night, Christmas Eve, is special. Traditions and stories take a back seat to the wonder of this miracle and the reality of God’s gift as they collide into a beautiful awareness that erupts into joy and excitement. If we let it.

Children have such honest ways of explaining the feelings that are coursing through them during the Christmas season. Sometimes their only explanation is running in circles while screeching at the top of their lungs. Sometimes they are overwhelmed, and tears ensue. Others simply say they have tickles in their tummies.

I wonder if the angels had tickles in their tummies. How excited they must have been! Peering over the edge of Heaven with bated breath. Waiting for the first cries of our Lord and Savior as he entered our world as fully God and fully man. Waiting for the curtains of heaven to open wide for their grand announcement to those considered the lowliest of men.

As Assistants, our roles vary widely when it comes to Christmas Eve responsibilities. We might have food preparation, or candle assembly, or invitations to send, or preaching notes to deliver, or volunteers to direct, or gifts to account for, or any mix of practical things! So much of what we do is in the hidden places, behind the scenes, peering from behind the curtains in anticipation of what the Lord is about to do. Let’s remember to pause and allow the Holy Spirit to stir up the excitement in us. Let’s be intentional about our wonder. Let’s make ourselves available to stand fully in the glory of His love. Let’s allow Him to cause tickles in our tummies. 

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him
with music and song.
Psalm 95:1-2

You are adored.

I was a pretty obedient child but there is nothing like the anticipation of Santa’s arrival that can tempt even the most compliant child to push boundaries…

My grandparents were visiting from Illinois that Christmas and our house was all a-buzz with the fun that grandparents bring to an already fun-filled season! That particular Christmas Eve my parents had quite a time getting my brother and me to bed. We already watched A Charlie Brown Christmas with our tv dinners in the living room. We put the final sprinkles on the cookies for Santa and set them out on a special plate with a tall glass of milk. We had extra play time with Grandpa and cuddles with Grandma. And now it was time to go to bed. Truly. Now!

Prayers prayed, and all tucked in, we still weren’t ready to sleep. Well, at least, I wasn’t ready. While Mike snoozed away in our shared bedroom, I wondered what it was that adults did on Christmas Eve once the littles were sleeping. The laughter floating down the hall from the living room implied that they were having a great time! So, thrilled by the idea of discovery, I slipped out of bed and slinked down the hall, just out of sight. There I spied on my parents and grandparents – wrapping final gifts, watching tv, and simply enjoying a visit. 

Overhearing my mom say, “I think I’ll check on the kids,” I bolted back down the hall and jumped into bed with my best possum impression. She fell for it! This little routine happened two more times – me becoming bolder with each trip down the hall, until….I saw them – all of them – EATING SANTA’S COOKIES!!

Well, there is nothing like seeing the four most-trusted adults in your life eating Santa’s cookies to embolden a child. My very sudden appearance in the living room, filled with defiance and disbelief, created quite a stir. “Why are you eating Santa’s cookies?! And you drank his milk too? We made those just for HIM!” Bits of cookie and sprays of milk filled the air with my shocked accusations. A chorus of promises to replace what they had eaten and apologies for their mistake quickly ensued. Until they remembered that they were the adults in the room, not me! With my grandparents’ stifled snickers and giggles in the background, my mom chided me (with a half-grin on her own face) and ushered me back to the bedroom – reminding me that Christmas Eve was no time to get my name moved to Santa’s naughty list by getting out of bed and spying on the adults! (Well played, Mom.)

As funny as this memory is to me now, it sure wasn’t funny at the time. I was aghast that they would dare to eat what we had prepared so lovingly for our midnight guest. It felt personal. Let me be clear, despite the giggles and snickers, my parents and grandparents were (nearly) as upset as I was. The idea that they had somehow broken trust with me was saddening – to all of us – despite the humorous conditions. But in the moment, it felt like something was stolen. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23

Have you ever felt that something was stolen from you? Recognition for a job well done, opportunity, a gift prepared for someone other than the one who received it? As children of the Most High, we submit all we are and all we have to His hands for His purposes and His glory. Nothing escapes His view or knowledge. While we have the immediate view of what is missing, He has the eternal view of what we are gaining from the experience. He brings good from bad, victory from trial, blessing from curses. We lack nothing! We can trust our faithful Father to lead us through every situation with grace, love, and provision. He is good. He is loving. He is faithful. And He wants you to remember….

You are adored.

It was Christmas Eve 1971. The cookies were baked, decorated, and set out with a cold glass of milk. Right where Santa could find them! I hopped in bed, pulled the covers up close, and watched out the window, just hoping for a glimpse of Santa as he cruised the moonlit sky that night. It was the perfect night to spot him!

You can imagine my delight when I DID!

Just like I read about in the Christmas stories, I saw Santa’s reindeer pulling him in his sleigh across the beautiful moon in the Colorado sky. It took my breath away. I rubbed my eyes and looked again. Yep, it was him! Well, this was news to be shared, not kept to myself! So, I hopped out of bed and ran to the living room to tell Mom and Dad. They were going to be sooooo excited!

You can imagine my surprise when Dad, seeing that I had disobeyed by getting up, disappointingly shook his head and told me to go back to bed. It wasn’t Santa; it was clouds that I had seen drifting in front of the moon, and I needed to get back in bed right now. I’m guessing that it was my fallen face that reminded him in that moment that I was only 5 years old, and I truly believed that Santa was coming to our house that night. Perhaps it was my mom’s horror-stricken face as she stood behind me that clued him in to his misstep. Whatever it was, he mostly recovered when he told me that even if it was Santa, he wouldn’t be able to come to our house if I was still awake. So I better get back to bed. Right now.

But it was probably just clouds.

Have you had a similar situation where someone caused you to question your belief in Santa? Your belief in yourself? Your confidence in your calling from the Lord? Your belief in what you know to be true? The world is filled with nay-sayers. From the time of creation, the enemy of our souls has been questioning what we know to be true. Trying to plant doubt in our faith garden. But even the most expert nay-sayers can’t actually change the truth from what it is – the truth. They can only try to plant doubt. God’s word stands – even when questioned. As His children, we too can stand strong on His truth – even when questioned.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for
and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

I don’t know if it was my Irish stubbornness or what I had just witnessed that helped me silently respond, “Its OK, Dad. Even if you don’t believe that I saw Santa, I have enough belief for the two of us!” And I climbed back in bed undeterred by his doubt, knowing that Santa would be making his stop at our house that night.

The next morning, the cookies were gone and just a trace of milk was left in the glass. And wouldn’t you know it….there were plenty of presents under the tree from the Big Guy himself! Reflecting now on that experience, I am also reminded of the big smiles on my parents’ faces as my brother and I delighted in the gifts left for us. I think Dad rediscovered his belief as he witnessed our joy that morning. 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

When someone questions what you know the Lord has spoken, stand firm. God is not shaken by questioning and it does not change what He has said. Let the Holy Spirit do what only He can in the heart of that person, drawing them to Himself with kindness. You, stand strong in what you know! 

You are adored.

At the end of each year, I take time to pray and ask God for a word I can take with me into the new year. Something that I use as a signpost of His faithful involvement in my life because, honestly, there are days when I can lose sight of it. This year He gave me two words: brave hope.

At the time of my prayer, my heart was not ready to receive those words. Yes, I am that woman who asks for something and then will often respond with a, “Meh, no thanks.” Fickle. Selfish. You see, I wanted a word like “victory” or “overcomer.” Brave hope sounded like I would need to dig deep and step into arenas that would challenge me and my faith.

I was right.

This year has been full of fighting on my knees, travailing prayer, and trying to make sense of the senseless. It has frequently felt like a 1-2-3 punch from the enemy that I haven’t been able to catch my breath from. I have had to be brave in order to have hope, even the slightest sliver of it, in the face of doubt.

What I’ve found, though, is a new level of faithfulness from the Lord in the midst of it all. He has shown up. Every. Single. Time. He has moved the mountains that seemed immovable and, even more precious, sat with me until they were moved. And when I partnered my brave hope with His faithfulness, it became a big, wet raspberry in doubt’s face.

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

Brave hope…in the face of doubt. 

The Lord was gracious to give me those words before I would need them. He was kind to prepare me for the growth that would happen because growth can be painful. And deep growth often happens in the dark. But growth never happens alone. He is with us. He sends saints to lift up our arms when we are too tired to hold them up ourselves. He spotlights scriptures and gives us beautiful sunsets to remind us that we are not alone. He sees. He knows. He is working. And He reminds us that no matter how heavy the situation…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

He is able. He is willing. He is delighted to be our faithful God who answers in His perfect timing and in His perfect way. He has each and every detail confidently in His grasp and will not let one thing fall. And He promises His peace. Unimaginable, undeniable, unmistakable peace. Because He loves you and wants to remind you in each struggle, disappointment, and stumble that…

You are adored.

Therefore put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground,
and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13

As young parents, my husband and I knew that we wanted to give our kids every opportunity to know, love, and serve God. We wanted them to know to the very depths of their souls that they are created, loved, and protected by God almighty. We wanted them to know that they are children of God, first and foremost. We wanted them to know their identity in Christ and walk confidently in it. So, we surrounded them with others who also loved God and would encourage them in their walk with Him. We had scriptures displayed in the house, we prayed, and we talked often about how much God loves them and protects them. We wanted this to get down deep into their spirits so when – not if – they were challenged, they would have firm footing and not be rocked. But I never imagined how boldly our son would be challenged at the tender age of four.

It was time to buy winter coats and boots for our growing kids, so we packed up the family and made the trip to our local box store. Now, anyone who has shopped with a 3-year-old and 4-year-old knows what a thrill that can be! My husband and I were focused; get in, get what we need, and get out before tears ensue! The hunt for coats went really well. We found the pink coat that made our daughter’s eyes dance with delight, and a coat our son loved with just the right amount of growing room to last the season. Just as we were about to high-five one another in the checkout line for a successful trip, we realized we forgot the boots! Ugh. So my husband took round one of purchases to the minivan while I waited with one child in each hand by the doors so we could begin round two.

From out of nowhere, a man walked up to the three of us, completely ignored me, looked directly at my son, and said, “I’m going to kill you. You know I’m going to kill you.” 

Disbelief was quickly overrun by intense protection instincts. Let me pause here and say that it was only by the grace of God that this momma bear didn’t take that man down, right inside the doors of the superstore. It didn’t matter that there was no security guard and it didn’t matter that he was significantly larger than me. No one says things like that to my child! So just as I was about to set things straight, I heard my own voice say, “Larry, is there something you want to say to this man?”

“No, you’re not. I belong to Jesus. You can’t hurt me. You can’t touch me.”

And just like that, the man couldn’t say another word. He stood there – a large, full-grown man silenced by the truth spoken by this little boy. He literally couldn’t say another word and finally – after what felt like an eternity – walked off, disappearing into the crowd.

Sometimes the Lord gives us the opportunity to stand up and speak His truth ourselves. I think my son solidified God’s truth over him in a very tangible way that day because he was the one to answer the threat. It was his voice that countered that lie with the reality of God’s promise over him. 

Have you been challenged by a bully four times your size recently? Has he shown up suddenly and threatened you with pain, failure, or death? Has he stood tall above you trying to make you feel small? Remind him who you belong to. Remind him that your Daddy has bought you for a very high price and you walk in His authority. Remind him that he is defeated and can’t do anything to hurt you. In fact, he can’t even touch you without touching the blood of Christ because you are covered by it. Remind him that you are a beloved child of God and …

You are adored.

If you are like me, there are seasons when you might find yourself a little overwhelmed when you look at the mountain in front of you. The mountain might be task-related, relational, health, financial, or any number of things. In those moments we must remind ourselves that our God is the God of that mountain! If our mountain is health-related, we remind ourselves that He is our healer. If the mountain is relational, we remind ourselves that our God loves all of us and desires restoration with healthy relationships. If it is work-related, we remind ourselves that He has invited us into His work which means He knows everything needed and has provision for all of it. And through it all…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

Bottom line – we don’t have the answers, but we are loved by a God who does! So we are not to work ourselves into a tizzy. Instead, our Father calls us to prayer; He calls us to Himself. He invites us into His presence to ask for His provision and answers for what is in front of us. And we get to do that with thanksgiving! Not false hope or fake gratitude, but true thanksgiving because we know He already has the answer.

Have you found yourself in the enemy’s trap of anxiousness? It is OK, we all have from time to time! Recognize it for what it is – a trap – and pray your way out with a thankful heart. Our Father loves you and welcomes you into His presence with profound grace. Ask Him for His answer and provision and then thank Him for His faithfulness. You will find peace, joy, and a sweet reminder that …

You are adored.

My husband and I often joke that our home’s front door is for appearances only. It is the garage door that is used far more. That gigantic beast is raised and lowered more times during the week than we can count. So much so that we are startled when someone actually knocks on the front door! But this is our home and the familiar way in and out – for those who are family – is via the side entrance.

It is kind of the same thing at work. I enter through the side “employee” door. It is a simple and familiar route that feels a lot like home – I only see staff family on that staircase. So it makes sense that is where the New Life Church Staff Values are posted. It is placed there for a very specific audience. An audience who has the responsibility of serving our church family and community as the hands and feet of Jesus. It is a good place to be reminded each morning that this family is here to bring glory to God, not build a platform for ourselves. And at the very top of the list, we read…

Kingdom: We believe in Kingdom over brand, celebrity, and renown.

Well, Value #1 sure does fly in the face of humanity! It is not our human nature to put others before ourselves. It goes against our grain to be willing to disappear in the process of spotlighting others. After all, we are frequently told that our personal brand, celebrity, and renown is paramount to a successful life. Even more, we are told, they are the markers of a successful life. Yikes!

Unless you love Jesus.

When we love Jesus, we find ourselves so in love that we nearly compete to give ourselves away. What we set our hands to has a deeper meaning than the task itself. We pour ourselves out for the purpose of benefitting others and trusting that God will take care of us too. Because He is that big and that loving!

Yes, we have been given talents and gifts to be used with excellence, and we should do our best to do our best each day. However, those gifts have been entrusted to us for the purpose of bringing Him glory and that is done by spending them on others, not ourselves. As a family, we each bring our gifts to the table and add them to others’ gifts, then pray the Lord’s blessing over it all before we give it away.

And that is where true life is found.

If we were to try and do this on our own, we would burn out in an instant. The world loves to take advantage of people – chew them up and spit them out. Perhaps that is why we might be hesitant to accept the Lord’s invitation in this heavenly-minded endeavor. But once we do, oh, there lies the beauty of true love! When we accept the Lord’s invitation to pour ourselves out as He has designed, we also experience the wonder of receiving His power and strength to do so. It is literally not our own strength, but His, that powers that kind of sacrifice. 

And that is when it becomes easy, even logical, to put Kingdom over brand, celebrity, and renown. The switch is flipped, and we start seeking out ways to join in the work the Holy Spirit is doing here on earth. Trusting Him to make a way where there isn’t one, providing when resources appear dried up, and loving the seemingly unlovable. What an invitation!

You are adored.

I’m a creature of habit. Each day I drive to work via the same route, park in the same area of the parking lot, enter through the same door, and climb the same set of stairs to my office. Because I am also a creature of clumsiness, I typically look down – watching the staircase as I climb it. But when I get to the top, I lift my eyes and am greeted by the New Life Staff Values prominently displayed on the wall in front of me.

I’ve been honored to be on the staff of New Life Church for more than eight years now. I work for the author of those staff values. I know the staff values because I’ve been surrounded by others who live them out, I’ve had them demonstrated to me lavishly, and I’ve asked for God’s grace to live and exemplify them myself each day. The New Life Church Staff Values have become part of my DNA. And earlier this week, as I paused at the top of the stairs, this one seemed to jump off the wall and dance in front of me:

Intentionality: 
We choose to practice intentionality in our planning
so that our efforts are done with excellence
in a sustainable rhythm of work and rest.

When I meet people and they learn that I work for a church, they have one of two reactions:

1. Oh, it must be glorious to work all day with so many who love God and not have to deal with “people.” What a perfect environment! Or….
2. How on earth have you worked in ministry that long? You must be getting close to burnout! (Really? Eight years is a long time?)

Well, first of all: yes, it is wonderful to work with these incredible people whom I love deeply! But please understand that we have contended for relationship and peace because it is not a perfect environment, and we are not perfect people! We all just love a perfect God. And that’s a great starting place.

And secondly, value #3. We choose to practice intentionality in our planning (we do our best to honor and consider one another as we move forward) so that our efforts (ideas, words and work) are done with excellence (not perfection, but to the best of our ability right now) in a sustainable rhythm (so we can serve the Lord and love His people for a loooong time together) of work and rest (because we are created by our Father for both).

Do we always get it right? Nope! Do we bump heads and get fussy with each other from time to time? Sure we do! But it is because each of us have been assigned by the Lord for this place and time with His specific gifts and we take that seriously. And joyfully. And passionately. We should  be excited over being invited by the Creator of the universe into His work! So it is worth every moment of effort to be intentional.

This week, especially, I am asking God to help me be more intentional. To be more aware of what I’m doing and why. To remind me to look up and see the people He has placed in front of me – the ones I am asking God to bless with my work. To do my best and thank Him for what is done and what is left undone. To work hard and rest well so I can serve His people and love Him for a loooong time.

Lord, let it be.

You are adored.