Tag Archives: inspiration

Challenge Day 28

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Today’s Inspiration. As I sit down to write this, I think of all of the little things that people say and do that mean so much to me—that encourage me in so many ways. It doesn’t take much—a note, a few words that tell me I notice you and my heart soars with joy and thankfulness.

I know I can’t be the only one.

Today, we’ll continue with the theme of encouraging one another, particularly our brothers and sisters in Christ, but this time we’ll look at Hebrews 3:13:

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (NIV)

You may notice that this passage provides one answer to the question of why—Why should I encourage other Christians?—that you were challenged to seek out answers to yesterday. If you’re still questioning that, this passage in Hebrews is similar in context to yesterday’s passage, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 and may provide further insight. But our focus today is encouragement itself, and on that little word daily.

Challenge Day 28 ...daily #writinglifeaugustchallenge

Today’s Challenge. Today, pray for insight and inspiration. Then make a list or two (or three…): Think about things that encourage you to keep believing, keep going, to keep learning, keep praying, keep Bible-reading, keep trusting, … how are you encouraged? How can you then take those and turn them into encouragements for others, whether small or large? Some types of encouragement only take a few seconds, others may take sacrifice. Pray and ask God how, and who, you can encourage. Then list people you can begin with—and begin to practice daily encouragement.

Today’s Participation. Pick a person to encourage, thoughtfully consider how you can do so, and do it! If you have multiple ideas about how to encourage other believers, feel free to share them below or on Instagram using #writinglifeaugustchallenge (follow @rhondalorraine if you want me to see them!).

After yesterday’s post, so many kinds of encouragement came pouring in—to me—through different venues and from dear friends. Just as they have been over the past few weeks. Honestly, each time it was completely unexpected and deeply appreciated. I want to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who has read, liked, shared, or commented on a post here or on Instagram since I started up this blog in January. I do notice you, and I am thankful for you and praying for you.

God-Moments to Remember

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Seven people around a table. Night fell, turning an inky black occasionally broken by the headlights of distant, passing cars outside the windows. Tears coursed down cheeks and laughter broke through smiling lips. Hearts broke and healing began, and through it all, God whispered.

God whispered love, in and to and through us.
God whispered release, unknotting old wounds from our heartstrings.
God whispered revelation, speaking to our hearts and spirits.
God whispered healing, sealing over tears in hearts and making them new.
God whispered inspiration, nudging us forward with his creativity.
God whispered friendship, bonding our spirits through his.
God whispered thanks, acknowledging our hearts desires to glorify him.
God whispered affirmation.
God whispered YES.

Sometimes, God grants us God-moments on earth.

Thursday night, around that table, was full of God-moments. What a blessing. What a blessing those moments were, and what a blessing each of you are in my life.

I believe God put us together and gave us those moments for a purpose. He planted seeds of love, of inspiration, of creativity in us to prepare us for what is to come. When God whispered to Elijah, he ministered to his spirit and then gave him his orders: Now GO (I Kings 19). Elijah’s orders were to go back. I think our orders, as a growing group of creatives (including those who couldn’t be with us that night) were spoken months ago and only reinforced that night: Go. Work together and use your talents, use your creativity, and make an impact. Do it for and with me.

Let’s do this!

Gift tag with the words “Make an impact” alongside a book with a photo of coffee mugs on the cover and a half-full coffee mug

And for all of you—the creatives I’ve met over the past year and those who were there Thursday night, I have a message and a prayer:

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way … (I Corinthians 1:4-5)

I continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:9-12)

❣️What an unusual post—it’s a very personal message to a very personal (and much narrower than usual) audience. But it’s also one I struggled over and soaked in prayer, and the message God whispered to my heart this afternoon. I trust that God will lead those who need this message—whether a part of Thursday night’s group, my larger creative group, or not—to reading it, and whisper his message to your hearts. I’m praying that he will grant you God moments, precious times with him in which he speaks and ministers to you and changes your hearts forever.

❣️For my creative groups past and present, you are my people. I can’t express enough how much I love each of you and am thankful for being even a small part of your lives. Martha, Charlie, Lani, Wendy, Quezia, David, Myriam, Marian, Valerie, Lori, Jean, Jon, Megan, Jeremiah, and Kelly—yes, I mean you! For those I haven’t yet met, I look forward to meeting you someday soon.