Sustained Overflow

Encourage. Nourish. Inspire. Fully abandoned artistic expression of God’s truth and grace.

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What we see

In my younger years, eagerness was both a strength and a weakness for me. Employers loved to see those traits, but team members did not.

Looking back, I see how my extra energy and desire to help actually drained others around me. (Not that anyone ever had that conversation with me. I had NO idea.)

My can-do attitude came off as egocentric and my eagerness to step in and do whatever needed done…

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He goes before us

As a kid, I loved to be the “leader” on hiking trips, in new cities, for anything… ever wanting to prove myself to be smart and capable. I wasn’t truly leading most of the time, as I’d keep looking back over my shoulder looking for nonverbal clues – and reassurance that I was on the right path. Sometimes I’d even need to stop and ask “Which way?” Or I’d forget to ask for the destination and part…

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God is With Us

Jehovah-Shammah…

In Ezekiel 48:15, the new Jerusalem is called “The Lord is here.”

(I won’t go into explaining the future events, which we only have some clues about.)

There’s a verse in Isaiah that speaks of the reality that The Lord will be so close that He will come in answer to those who call out for Him, before they finish asking.

It is a hard truth that we have to wait for justice and…

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Hope

Lately, conversations have had the thread of loss woven throughout… loss of loved ones, loss of wonder for Christmas, loss of hope…

Can I just share what’s on my heart?

(Please hear me say this with the utmost desire to encourage you – and myself.)

Christmas isn’t defined by lights, family, and traditions. It isn’t about the gifts, or the errands we have to run. It isn’t about finishing school…

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Step in to someone’s life

We’re in the midst of that time of year when serving others becomes more of a focus for many.

For some, it’s an outpouring of gratitude that comes from spending at least a week focusing on their blessings as they prepare for Thanksgiving.

Some families have a great tradition of helping a local mission together around Christmas time. It’s a great idea! Serving together is a good bonding experience.

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Lessons from a Rookie Candy Dispensary

Tonight was my first time dispensing candy to trick or treaters. It was rough starting out, but I soon caught on. 

Here are some tips for all the future rookies out there.

1. Give first the candy you don’t want left. After all, you may be eating the leftovers.

2. Look twice before shutting the door. There may be stragglers. As I shut the door, I heard a distressed “I didn’t get any!” 

3. Kids are…

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Hangin Hope

What am I hanging my hope on today? 

Is my life a sum of my actions, abilities, projects, friends, clubs? Nope. 

Sure, I can share goodness, making the world around me better, but that’s not what defines me. Eventually my body will hinder me from creating, doing, and giving. What then? No, my life isn’t defined by what I do. Every day, Jesus defines me as His – spotless, His friend forever, and…

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3 steps to walk past fear. 

Fear. It is a bully. A toxic, lousy friend. It intimidates. Robs us of goodness. 

How can we get past fear as it stands before us, larger than life, threatening us with malice?  God tells us that perfect love sends fear packing (see bottom of post for that verse).

Here are the 3 things that have dramatically helped me to grasp God’s perfect love and learn to walk right past fear. 

Get to know God.

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A prayer for you

May God full you to overflowing with assurance of His love toward you. In the midst of our brokenness and “stuff” that we deal with, He is our comforter and our provider. 

He goes before us and knows when mistakes will be made and He teaches us through them. He knows when we are in need or facing trouble and how to walk us through. He is our bodyguard and our guide. 

Our junk doesn’t make Jesus…

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Human trafficking affects us all

I had an opportunity to watch a presentation about human trafficking recently. Since then, I’ve come to the conclusion that trafficking affects us all. 

Maybe you don’t personally know someone who has been directly impacted, and maybe you live in a tight, small town. 

You and I are not exempt from this. 

This is the fastest growing organized crime and it happens all over. Even in close-knit,…

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Living waters

For years I have been contemplating Jesus’ promises… and whether those promises are evident by how I live. I don’t do what I want to do, and I do the very thing I don’t want to do! (Thanks, Paul. I relate!)

This week, living water and thirst has been on my mind. 

“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” ‭‭J…

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Rules - good or bad?

Rules – good or bad?

Rebellion against unwritten rules has been coming up in conversation a lot lately. Those rules that dictate exactly how something must be done. 

“I’m a laundry rebel!” (@HedgerHumor comic on Facebook)

“I hope you guys aren’t rule followers, cuz…” (in conversation with an acquaintance)

My personal favorite, though, is each time a close friend reminds me that it’s ok if I want to do something…

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God is not done

My tomato plant had broken all the way below the bottom stem, but I left it rooted to see if it would recover. Today, the fruit is ripening! 

Sometimes we have things in our lives that seem beyond hope, but God still is with us. He cares deeply and is aware of the broken places. He knows how to bring restoration and blessings into our lives. 

God explains in Isaiah 55 that He does things…

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Grief - what to say

Grief – what to say

It’s been seven months since my mom passed away. Seven months is a long time, and it also isn’t. 

There were a few triggers for me today that set off some tears, and that led to some good conversations. 

I thought I’d share some tips on how to be a healthy and safe friend to someone who is grieving. 

Everyone grieves differently. 

Some need to just talk and talk and talk. Just listen and let them…

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What good is a friend?

Wanna know what’s on my heart today? The power of a friend. 

Do you have a friend who knows you – the good, the struggles, the ugly? Someone who will be with you through every up and down? If you don’t, ask God for one. 

No, really. I mean it. Ask daily until you see an answer to that prayer.

A good friend is an irreplaceable treasure, providing encouragement and perspective when focus or courage…

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Evidence of Living

Herbs… ahhhh… the sweet aroma, the different colors and textures… This year I am multiplying herbs by cutting a piece from the plant and placing in water to develop a new root system. Today’s picture shows the first root! [Read herb cutting tips here]

These new roots reminded me of a recent tedTalk transcript, suggesting taking on something new for 30 days – and continuing to do so as a way of…

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Herb Cutting Tips

If you’ve ever considered starting a garden, I suggest starting with herbs. They are forgiving, bug-resistant, spread well, and can be multiplied by taking cuttings.

So far, I’ve had success with mints, balms, rosemary, and basil. I’m also attempting sage and lemon verbena. Looks promising!

The best season to do this? I’m not an expert, but I’ve had success doing this in Zone 7 from late Spring…

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