Category: Faith

Posted on

Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on the Right Perspective

Sometimes we don’t see things from the right perspective.

The other day we drove past a church. I looked at the sign, looked at the building, and thought to myself, “That’s a pretty small church.”

Driving on, I looked over my shoulder and saw it from a different perspective. It actually was a very big church.

I marveled at how wrong I was, all because I judged that place of worship from the wrong perspective.

When I saw it as small, I was tempted to dismiss it as less important and lacking somehow.

When I saw how big it actually was, I was impressed and assumed they were effective in ministry.

The truth is, no matter how I was looking at it, I had no idea what that church was actually like. Big or small, from the outside looking in I could only make assumptions. To really know what that church was like I would have to go inside, meet the people, and experience a worship service.

Don’t we do the same thing with people?

We look at someone from one perspective and they seem to be lacking. We dismiss them after a quick, judgmental glance.

Then we see them from another angle and we’re more impressed. They have so much going for them, so they must be worth knowing. The truth is, we really don’t know what that person is like until we get to know them better.

We can despise someone just because we don’t like the way they look or how they talk. We may admire someone else because they’re good-looking and say all the right things.

But the person we consider plain may have a heart of gold. They may end up being the most fiercely loyal friend we’ve ever had.

The attractive person may be so toxic we can’t stand to be around them. Their smooth talk may cover up a mountain of insecurities.

Or vice versa. We just won’t know until we spend time with that person and experience life with them.

The Holy Spirit will guide us as we deepen some relationships and terminate others.

No matter what someone looks like or how they act, we can try to see them as someone God loves. (Because he does!)

It all comes down to seeing others from the right perspective.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9 NIV)

Do you see others from the wrong perspective? Are you dismissive and judgmental, or do you see people as loved and full of potential? How can focusing on God help you to see them as he sees them?

Posted on

Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Comparison

Comparison never ends well.

Either we feel terrible because we feel like we don’t measure up, or we feel pride because we think we’re so much better than someone else.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been tempted to compare yourself to others in so many areas of life:

Physical appearance.

Intelligence.

Ambition.

Accomplishments.

Talents.

Personality.

When I’m comparing, the focus is all on me.

Author Shannon Popkin says that measuring yourself against others isn’t healthy and it isn’t God’s plan. Instead, we can choose Jesus’s me-free way of living: lifting others up and pouring ourselves out. Doesn’t that sound like a more peaceful way to live?

With that in mind, I’d like to invite you to join me in a seven week study of Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World by Shannon Popkin. We’ll begin on Tuesday, July 6 at 6:30 p.m. Central and end on August 17. We’ll meet together on Zoom. (The link will be posted in my free Facebook group: Catch Your Thoughts with Robyn Mulder or you can message me and I’ll email you the link.)

If you can’t join us for this study, I hope you’ll check out Shannon’s book and go through it by yourself or with a friend.

My ten-day-old grandson, Halston, helped me make a little invitation video with a couple more thoughts about comparison. You can check it out below. (I know I just said we’re not supposed to compare, but I think Halston may just be the cutest baby ever!)

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3–4 NIV)

Are you tempted to compare yourself to others? How can focusing on God help you to do your best and look for ways you can pour yourself out for others instead?

Posted on

Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on New Life

Gary and I became grandparents this week. Halston James Hodge was born on Tuesday. He’s healthy and precious and so very cute. Our daughter Erin and her husband, Ayden, are thrilled. So are we.

I’ve been marveling at it all week. A brand new human has entered this wonderful, chaotic world. He’s innocent and blissfully unaware of the negative aspects of life on this planet. He just enjoys the love and care of his parents. When he cries, they feed him, or change him, or comfort him.

I can’t wait to see how his personality develops as he grows up. I’m amazed that I can love someone I haven’t even met yet (but I will very soon!).

His future is full of amazing possibilities.

I can’t help but think about the new life we have when we make Jesus our Lord. His sacrifice on the cross took away the penalty for all of our sins—past, present, and future. Even though we’re aware of the negative aspects of this world and the problems that can plague us, we don’t have to be afraid. We can grow up in our faith, knowing that nothing can separate us from our Father’s love for us.

Our future is full of amazing possibilities.

Congratulations, Erin and Ayden, as you welcome Halston into your family. We’ll be praying for all of you!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Aren’t babies amazing? How can focusing on God help you to remember the new life you have in Christ and live into the possibilities God has for you?

Posted on

Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Community

Last week I wrote about an intense experience I was diving into for the weekend (click here if you missed it).

The TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) weekend was just as special as I had imagined. We ended up having ten teens go through the weekend as candidates, and the rest of us did all we could to make sure they had a wonderful time of spiritual growth.

I have to admit that I had my own struggles during the weekend.

Thursday night went fine as we finished getting everything ready.

On Friday morning I did the devotions for our team of nine, pointing out how important it is to catch our thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5) and make sure we’re replacing any negatives with things that are excellent and true (Philippians 4:8).

And then…I proceeded to go through the entire day entertaining all sorts of pessimistic thoughts!

“They don’t really need me on this team.” “I’m too quiet.” “I wish I could be more like _______.” “What are they thinking about me?” “They don’t really know me, and they probably don’t like me.” “I came into this late. I shouldn’t have signed up.”

I fought back tears as the day ended, and my thoughts jumped to even more negative conclusions. “This is just too hard!” “I’m too quiet and awkward. I shouldn’t ever do things like this.” “Life is easier if I just do it alone.”

Those thoughts, my friend, are lies from the devil himself.

Thankfully, I did a bit of reflection before I went to bed that night, and in the morning I asked God to help me turn those thoughts around. (I know I could have done that on Friday, but better late than never!)

Saturday and Sunday were much more positive. Instead of looking at “me, me, me” and ruminating on how I was doing and what everyone was thinking about me, I started to think about others.

I concentrated on the amazing things God was doing in the lives of every person involved at TEC that weekend. The care people showed for others. The sacrifice each person made to be there. The love that was evident everywhere you looked.

I still felt awkward at times, but I tried to laugh off my awkwardness.

I am a pretty quiet person, but I felt more peaceful about it (as opposed to the constant churning I felt inside on Friday).

I like doing things by myself, but I finished the weekend completely convinced of the importance of community. We grow spiritually when we work together, pray together, serve together, laugh together, and cry together.

I think I’ll sign up to help again in November.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV)

Do you prefer doing things on your own, or do you value community? How can focusing on God help you to grow as you spend time with other believers?

Posted on

Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Intense Experiences

I’m writing this on Thursday, right before I leave to work at a TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) weekend. To be honest, I’m a little nervous.

This is my first time working at one of these events, and I know from attending the closing several times and doing some of the prep work for this weekend that it’s going to be an intense spiritual experience.

About forty workers will toil behind the scenes to provide a meaningful retreat for eleven high school students. I can’t reveal all of the fun surprises that will happen throughout the weekend, but I will say that it can get pretty intense.

Intense for the students (the candidates), but also intense for the workers. I’m anticipating that God will have so much to say to me as I dive into this opportunity.

Spending time with God regularly in our daily lives is important, but we need intense experiences sometimes. It can boost us to new spiritual heights when we spend extended periods of time with other believers and learn from what God is doing in their lives (and ours!).

I can’t wait to see what God does in these students’ lives this weekend!

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3 NIV)

How long has it been since you had an intense experience with the LORD and other believers? How can focusing on God help you to be open to seeking out that type of adventure?

Posted on

Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on God’s Goodness

I helped with Vacation Bible School at our church this week.

A friend and I did the Bible stories in my garage. It was a crazy week of telling the same story four times in a row each night and being amazed that every time we did it, it was different. It was hectic and a little crazy, but it was fun.

And, as it usually happens when I’m teaching something, I probably learned more than the kids. I needed it.

Every night, we focused on the goodness of God.

When life is unfair…God is good!

When life is scary…God is good!

When life changes…God is good!

When life is sad/When life is good…God is good!

Boy, I needed that. Too often, I get caught up in the disappointments and challenges of life and I try to endure by relying on my own strength. I don’t get very far before I run out of steam and collapse in despair.

This week was a reminder that no matter what is going on (good or bad), I can count on God’s goodness.

When I do something well…God is good!

When I make mistakes…God is good!

When life feels precious…God is good!

When life feels overwhelming…God is good!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV)

Is it hard to remember that God is good? How can focusing on God help you to remember his goodness in every situation in life?

Posted on

Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Never Graduating

It’s high school graduation weekend here in South Dakota. We have four open houses to attend on Saturday afternoon. Hopefully, I can pace myself with the goodies as we congratulate the graduates.

Graduation is a special time in a person’s life, whether it’s from kindergarten, middle school, high school, or college. It marks the accomplishment of a learning goal, but the learning doesn’t stop there. If a person is wise, they’ll keep learning for the rest of their life.

So let’s focus on never graduating. Though we may set certain educational goals or make personal plans, let’s keep learning and growing as we move forward.

The Holy Spirit will keep teaching us the things we need to know about God, ourselves, and our relationships as we stay close to him. There will always be more for us to learn, but we don’t have to feel stressed about everything we don’t understand right now. (He’ll never give us a failing grade, although we may have to repeat some lessons if we don’t figure it out the first time.)

We just need to concentrate on the things we do know and understand, trusting that the Spirit will keep showing us what’s next and leading us into more and more truth.

As long as we’re here on this planet, we’ll never graduate from that.

“As for you, the anointing you received from [the Holy Spirit] remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.” (1 John 2:27 NIV)

How many graduations do you have to attend this year? As you watch your loved ones celebrate that milestone, think about how you’ll never actually graduate when it comes to learning about faith. How can focusing on God help you to keep learning and growing?

Posted on

Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on What’s on Our Minds

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been finding it even harder than usual to concentrate lately.

There are so many thoughts bouncing around in my head. Some are helpful and hopeful. Others are not helpful and they lead to despair if I focus on them too much.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been learning more and more about how important our thoughts are. I’ve been learning how to look at what I’m thinking and make sure those thoughts are true and that they’re moving me in the right direction in life. It has been interesting, enlightening, and sometimes disturbing to see what’s on my mind.

Our brains are incredibly complex. And when we deal with depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses, it can be especially challenging to figure out how much of our thinking is under our control and how much is affected by the illness.

I’m a Christian, so I’ve always know how important it is to believe God’s truth instead of Satan’s lies. I’ve done Bible studies about it and practiced it–with varying degrees of success. I even started a Facebook group this week called “Catch Your Thoughts” (based on 2 Corinthians 10:5) because I want to help people learn about and improve their thinking.

So it surprised me when I watched a Facebook live event and heard speaker Brenda Yoder talk about our mind (intellect) being influenced by either the flesh or the Spirit. She said it in the context of how important it is for writers to ask God what they should be writing about, but I latched onto it as the missing piece of the “Thought Life” puzzle I’ve been working on for a long time.

Of course! How could I have forgotten how important the Holy Spirit is when it comes to my thoughts? I’ve learned that. I’ve known that. I’ve experienced that. But lately, I had been relying solely on my intellect (my mind, will, and emotion) to sort out what I was thinking and if it was good for me.

Worse yet, there have been many times when I’ve allowed the flesh (my sinful nature and the world) to control how I’m thinking and feeling.

If you’re a Christian, you don’t have to struggle with what’s on your mind. If you take it to the Lord, the Holy Spirit will help you sort through it and discern what is true. The Spirit will lovingly point out thoughts and feelings that have no value so you can get rid of them and focus on better things.

Our mind is important. We can decide what we choose to think and how we choose to act. But we don’t have to go it alone. We have a Helper who is always ready to guide us.

I’m still figuring all of this out, so I invite you to comment here or go over to my new Facebook group and join the discussion. Together, we can make sure we have a mind controlled by the Spirit, and that will lead to life and peace, no matter what’s going on in our lives or in the world.

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6 NIV)

What’s on your mind right now? How can focusing on God help you to take everything to Him and let the Spirit help you sort out your thoughts?

Posted on

Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Our New Normal

Well, it’s been quite a week, hasn’t it?

I think we’re all trying to get used to our new normal.

I’ve heard several friends say it feels like such a long time that we’ve been dealing with this. We have been watching the situation unfold around the world for quite a while, but it has actually only been about a week that it really started to affect us.

Sporting events, conferences, and vacations started getting cancelled. Schools have been closed and online classes are beginning.

Grocery store shelves are sometimes bare as people stock up for the unknown.

We’re washing our hands and dumping on hand sanitizer and trying to stay six feet away from everyone we see when we do venture out of the house.

I’ve been handling it as well as I can, just like everyone else. I have noticed that I’m stress eating way too much (like that helps at all) and I’ve had more trouble concentrating when I’m trying to write or edit.

I’ll get involved in something for a while and kind of forget about what’s happening, and then the realization floods back over me that life is not the same as it was.

There’s a danger out there. We don’t know how bad it’s going to get before it’s over – or even when it will be over. I teared up tonight while watching the news and seeing the emergency room filled with people wearing ventilators over in Italy.

We won’t gather for church this Sunday. Instead, Gary will record a message and we’ll post it on our church website for people to watch. Who knows when we’ll be able to meet together again?

It’s our new normal.

We don’t like it. We don’t understand it. We don’t want to get used to it.

But we will.

We’ll find ways to connect, even if it can’t be in person. We’ll find ways to reach out, even if we need to leave six feet between us. We’ll find ways to help each other, even if we’re not quite sure how to help ourselves.

Hang on to hope, my friends, even when everything seems hopeless. God is in control. Because of that, we can keep choosing peace, even in the midst of chaos.

May that become our new normal, even after this virus is long gone.

“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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

Are you getting used to our new normal? How can focusing on God help you to keep choosing peace in the middle of the chaos and uncertainty?

Posted on

Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Stress Tests

I saw a cardiologist today.

Nothing serious is going on (I hope), but at my doctor’s appointment on Monday I mentioned a few minor symptoms I’d been having, and it was enough to get her attention and suggest doing some tests.

The cardiologist suggested doing a stress test with imaging in a couple of weeks just to rule out any heart problems causing my occasional shortness of breath and a little pain (I tend to think it’s mostly some extra pounds I’m dragging around and a bit of anxiety).

I’ll follow the doctor’s advice because I know my heart is important. A physical stress test will show how well my heart is working and point out any problems.

Later today I had a spiritual stress test.

I guess maybe I was a little more nervous about my heart stuff than I originally thought. And then I started thinking about some projects I wasn’t getting done. And then I worried about one of my kids as they struggled with some problems today. And then I took on the heavy weight of worrying about someone else’s relationship issues. And then I found a task I hadn’t gotten done on time. And then I bought the wrong brand of something at the grocery store and had to go back to return it.

And then I had a meltdown while we ate our supper. Poor Gary had to try to enjoy his meal while tears were rolling down my cheeks and I had to keep wiping my eyes and nose. He thought it was about my grocery store mistake, but it was so much more than that.

I had failed my spiritual stress test.

When the pressures and concerns of life came my way today, my spiritual heart was weak and it couldn’t take the stress. No wonder I became a puddle of tears!

After I had a good cry, I took a closer look at my thoughts and what led up to my meltdown. I realized I had not been opening my Bible very often lately and I had been letting my thoughts run wild instead of catching them and making sure they were true (and everything else in Philippians 4:8).

So I spent a little time in the Word before I started writing this post. God led me to the verse below, a reminder to put on faith, love, and hope as we live each day. I definitely didn’t do that when I went through my spiritual stress test today. That test pointed out a big problem with my spiritual heart. It’s gotten weak and I need to let the Holy Spirit work on it so I’m stronger next time those tests come.

I’m quite confident my physical heart is just fine, and hopefully the stress test will confirm that.

I’m going to try to look at the trials that come my way as a spiritual stress test, and hopefully my spiritual heart will be just fine, too.

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8 NIV)

How’s your heart doing? How can focusing on God help you to pass any spiritual stress tests that come your way?