Determined to Dance Podcast

Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. On today’s episode, Avoid the Routine Rut, we’ll focus on how to keep from getting stuck in a routine while dancing.

Show Notes: Avoid the Routine Rut

The Oregon Trail. A two-thousand-mile trail from Missouri to Oregon that covered wagons followed for many years. My kids used to play the video game of this event at school and we owned a newer version on my old Gateway computer.

Today, the furrows left behind are five feet deep in places and you can walk in the ruts of history. Amazing.

While these wagon tracks are a historical treasure, the ones we can forge in our spiritual life are far from good. Jeff Walling talks about staying spiritually awake. He says: Patterns of behavior that are familiar are comforting. That’s why folks get really pushed out of shape when someone tinkers with the order of worship at their church. Yet there’s more to ‘sleepy faith’ than falling into a worship rut. Religion that becomes routine leaves the participants sleepwalking through their faith life with half-lidded spiritual eyes. Scripture, inspired by the Spirit to pierce their hearts, ends up bouncing off their sleepy souls amid thoughts of ‘Boy, my cousin Ed ought to read that verse. He really needs it.’ Joy and exuberance are replaced with a soul-numbing lethargy; these sleepwalkers don’t get too excited about anything, for they’ve seen it all before…twice. And effectively sharing their faith is hard to do while trying to swallow yet another yawn.”

I so understand what he’s saying. I’ve been pretty consistent in church since I was nine years old and sometimes, I feel like I’ve heard it all before. Which is unbelievably silly. God’s Word is living and will become fresh every day if we allow it.

Walling says like crossing the street, we need to stop, look, and listen when it comes to a boring routine. We stop and take inventory of areas of our life that we’ve let grow stale. Routine feels safe but it can damage our relationship with God.

Look. See with a child’s eyes. Hear with their ears and take note of all your senses. I’ve been taking time each day to listen to the birds sing outside our house. They’re always there but I haven’t always taken notice of the wonderful blessing of birdsong.

Listen. Take time daily to listen to God. He speaks in so many ways and longs for us to know His heart, His will, and His wisdom. And I need that so badly. Don’t you?

You would think the people listening to Jesus in His day would be astounded and many were. However, in Matthew 13: 14-15, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees: “In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” NIV

The Oregon Trail. The pioneer wagon ruts can still be seen in all six states that once encompassed the trail. I’m sure many wagons were actually stuck in muddy places all along the road. We don’t want to be stuck in the rut of religion. Ask God today what is next and don’t be afraid to step out.

Let’s pray: Father God, we love You and worship You with all our hearts. Help us to see when we are falling into the ‘same old, same old’ and deliver us from boring routine. We want to dance freely with you and not play it safe any longer. Protect us as we follow You. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

Move away from any spiritual ruts while you can.

Today’s featured author is Dawn Shipman, author of Kingdom Lost, a YA fantasy novel. Princess Lyric doesn’t know that non-human, intelligent beings—some of them savage—live in her world. When her kingdom is torn from her, she must learn to fight, lead, and trust those by her side—human or not. If she doesn’t, she won’t live long enough to reclaim her throne.

Learn more at DawnShipmanfiction.com.

Next week, we’ll look at facing the critics who show up when we dance. Until then, stay determined to dance…

Click to tweet: On today’s episode of the Determined to Dance Podcast, Avoid the Routine Rut, we’ll focus on how to keep from getting stuck in a routine while dancing. #ChristianPodcast #faith

Links

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: Avoid the Routine Rut

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/hCMHtuP0ZSw

Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. Today’s episode, Judge or Dance? looks at how easy it is to judge others who don’t express their faith like we do.

Show Notes: Judge or Dance?

It’s easy to judge others, especially Christians who act, think, or worship differently than we do. Sometimes, I’ll see someone at the store and catch myself judging their clothes, hair, jewelry, or tattoos. Pharisee would have well-described me in my early Christian years and I’m glad to say that God has delivered me from much religious judgmentalism. But it’s easy to fall back into old habits if I’m not careful.

I forget what Paul said in Galatians 5: 1-2, and 6: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” NIV

Jeff Walling follows through with this thought. “Did you catch that last phrase? ‘Faith expressing itself through love.’ There is something fundamentally wrong with a faith that isn’t ever expressed. The meaning of the word connotes letting something out that is inside, as in expressing your feelings. Though the style may vary, expressions of faith and joy in Christ have long been part of the fabric of Christian worship. I remember growing up in a church where hardly a Sunday would pass without someone saying ‘Amen.’ But in some religious circles, these spontaneous expressions of faith have become so metered and subdued that they are almost nonexistent.”

My faith should be expressed through love. Looking down on or talking about others who don’t act, think, or worship like me is the opposite of love. There is only One who has the right to judge and it’s not me.

Walling goes on to discuss how in Luke 7, Simon the Pharisee judged the woman with the alabaster box because of her extravagant expression of love toward Jesus. Simon had rules to live by and this woman was not following them. How could she embarrass him like this? How could Jesus not know who she was?

Jesus did know who she was and accepted her worship. He said in verses 44-47: “Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

I don’t want to be like Simon. I’ve been greatly forgiven and you have too. We all need to bring our alabaster box; our expression of faith shown through love to Jesus and lavishly break it at His feet. God understands each of us—our past, our raising, our hangups—and He still accepts us. How can we not show our love to Him?

Mother Teresa said: “Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

We can’t judge others and dance. Let us pray for others and leave our questions to God. He’s waiting on the dance floor for us with His hand extended.

Let’s pray: Father God, thank you for Your great love. we want to express our love and faith but we can’t do it while we condemn others. Help us to see people as You see them. Through the eyes of love. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

God asks us to be faithful to love Him and others. Why not express our faith through love this week?

Today’s featured author is Claire O'Sullivan, author of "Romance Under Wraps," an inspirational romantic suspense novel. A stroke survivor, Claire’s debut novel, "Romance Under Wraps" showcases an identity thief, Catherine Cade, working as a nurse practitioner. A patient is dead. The cops aren't talking. Detective Rick Calhoun hunts corruption and coincidentally, or not, runs into Catherine. Does it mean prison for her? Or saving grace?

Learn more at Claire's website, https://www.claireosullivan1.com/

Next week, we’ll focus on how to avoid getting stuck in a routine while dancing. Until then, stay determined to dance.

Click to tweet: Today’s episode on the Determined to Dance Podcast, Judge or Dance? looks at how easy it is to judge others who don’t express their faith like we do. #faith #podcastlife

Links

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: Judge or Dance?

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/EQgr01QKlFY

Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. Today’s episode, Dance of Stillness, focuses on our need to rest and relax.

Show Notes: Dance of Stillness

This week’s episode is for me. I hope you enjoy it too, but I so need to learn to rest and relax. To dance the dance of stillness.

To be quiet.

Take a moment to rest.

Psalm 46, verses 1-3, and 10 are words for a weary heart. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah...Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” NKJV

Have you noticed that it’s difficult to rest in today’s world? There is much to be done in our busy lives, and many people that need us. And we have plans and goals we want to meet.

Heavy sigh. How can we get it all done? Or maybe a better question is “Do we need to get it all done?” Is Father God waiting with crossed arms and a tapping foot for us to finally finish that mile-long to-do list?

I think not. Most of the time when I’m overly busy and overwhelmed, it’s because I’m listening to my wants and needs and everyone else’s without taking a moment to ask God what His plan is. Yes, it’s time for me to bow my head and ask for forgiveness. Again.

I’ve run off and left God behind and can’t figure out why my life is no longer working.

God, forgive me.

But let’s not forget we also have enemies, demonic forces that do not want to see God’s will accomplished on this earth. In John 10: 9-10, Jesus says: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” NKJV

Did you catch those three words? Steal. Kill. Destroy. The devil is out to get all of God’s children. Our Lord Jesus is so much greater. He gives life to the full. And that’s what I want.

But life to the full doesn’t come without seasons of rest, times of relaxation, moments of deep conversation with God.

Jeff Walling shares this thought: “Stillness of soul and body is hard to come by for those of us given to chronic busyness. Its value is hidden by our productivity-tinted glasses. ‘Sabbath’ can sound so outdated and ‘meditation’ too Eastern. Yet God patiently invites us again and again with that still, small voice to a place where, like Elijah, we will come to our senses in a moment of clarifying stillness. In that stillness, we can once again see the glory of God and bask in his power. We can be caught up in the blessed reality of his sovereignty and our servitude. But that place is not found without discipline…Prayer time must move from the ‘When Available’ column to the ‘Must Do Today’ list.”

Wow. I want to learn but how?

Set aside time for God’s Word, prayer, and simply to sit and listen. God speaks every

Set aside moments each day to catch our breath. We can’t go at full speed all day long without paying the price of stress later in life.

Set aside time in our schedules for what is relaxing for us. Whether it’s reading, a manicure, tinkering with the car, a hot bath, or a long walk, figure out what works and pencil it in. Often.

I’ve not done well in this area for a long time and am now paying the price physically. You can only push yourself so far before you crash. I’m learning the hard way the price of busy. One day, I will be myself again, but for now, I’m looking at every single thing on my list and ridding myself of a lot. I have no choice.

Learn from my mistakes, my friends. Learn the dance of stillness today.

Let’s pray: Father God, we come to You today in repentance. We’ve too often chosen our own way and left yours behind. That leaves us vulnerable to the enemy and his wily ways. Help us to walk Your path and to take time to listen, read, pray, and obey each day. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

Charles Spurgeon said: “Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength.” So, let’s turn to God, our refuge and our strength.

Today’s featured author is Rosemary B. Althoff (ALL’-TOFF), author of the Christian sci-fi novels in the Soul’s Warfare series. Rosemary wants to show God is active in science and working for people who need recovery.

In Book 1, THE HOT MARBLE, brilliant young physicist Lewis is close to a huge breakthrough—instant space travel. But he gets furious with the God he doesn’t believe in when an enemy threatens to harm his much-loved little brother and sister. Rosemary B. Althoff’s books are available to order from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Target.

 

Next week, we’ll discover how being judgmental can stifle our ability to waltz. Until then, stay determined to dance…

Click to tweet: Today’s episode on the Determined to Dance Podcast, Dance of Stillness, focuses on our need to rest and relax. #faith #podcastlife

Links

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: Dance of Stillness

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/ZYkZE8AogDE

Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. In today’s episode, Fear of the Unknown, we’ll discuss how to experience boldness when we dare to move forward.

Show Notes: Fear of the Unknown

I like to have a plan and to be organized and prepared. All the time. Why? I admit that I do like order and find it hard to work in clutter. Deep, deep down inside, though, is that trepidation that likes to sneak up on me: Fear of the unknown.

Mix that with a melancholy personality and I can start counting the ways why this new thing or that new event will probably ruin my life. It’s easy to think of twelve reasons why I’ll crash and burn. And I can’t pull together a single thought on a positive note. But I am working hard to change.

My hair has always been dark brown, the classic brunette. The problem with that was I started graying at twenty-three. So, I put rinses on my hair to cover the gray but by the time I was in my late thirties, I was adding blond highlights to blend in with the gray. My daughter was in cosmetology school and suggested I just go blond.

Fear of the unknown attacked. I instantly had tons of reasons why it would look bad, everyone would laugh and point, and I’d be disgraced forever. While debating within myself, I heard a tiny whisper inside my soul, “But what if you like it?”

Oh, my. Once again, I’d let fear take over and didn’t consider even one good thought. I took a bold step (for me) and let my daughter fix my hair. I kinda liked it. On Sunday, I crept into my church, waiting for the criticism. Instead, three different people asked me if I had new glasses.

Go figure. I tell myself this story every time I feel God calling me to a new place on the dance floor. Or a different dance. Or to just sit out for a while and drink a glass of punch.

You might say, “Well, my problem is a lot worse than gray hair.” I totally understand. But the principle is the same.

Jeff Walling says, “At its root, the problem for many is the fear of the unknown. When some say, ‘I can’t dance,’ what they are really saying is ‘I’m afraid of what will happen if I do.’ They stand frozen, unprepared to turn loose and let God be God. Don’t expect them to put it in those terms; but if given the choice, they’d take a safe walk with Christ over a surprising dance with him, any day. But miracles and life without limits are only available in the realm of the unexpected, the jubilant, the outrageous. As in music, the ad-lib sections are always the most exciting… if you’re ready for them…God gives each of us moments to take the stage and boldly play our song. Whether in exultant praise or solemn testimony, the Christian must be ready for the unexpected chance to dance with the King. And he must step out with boldness to do it.”

That is really hard, isn’t it? Leaving our comfort zones for the unknown, the unexpected, and the unexplained. In the book of Acts, the early Christians understood this fear and prayed for boldness after being threatened by the religious council. Acts 4:29-31 says: “… Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”

They asked and God immediately answered. And sometimes that is what happens, an immediate response. And other times we move slowly in faith and trembling. But God always comes through.

Our part is to fill ourselves with God’s life-changing word and to pray for boldness. Then we move in faith and trust. I have to believe that God is big enough to stop me from making a catastrophic mistake. There have been times when I’ve moved in a different direction in ministry or writing and before long, I knew I’d left the path that God had for me.

Don’t miss that. It’s not that the path was wrong or sinful, it just wasn’t right for me. And since God has a perfect plan for each of us and He is for us, we can move forward, trusting Him every step of the way.

Let’s pray: Father God, thank you for having a purpose for each of our lives. We ask You for boldness to share our faith, our testimony, and the goodness that You have brought to us. We appreciate Your still, small voice guiding us as we try to move in Your will and Your way. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

The fear of the unknown doesn’t have to be a distraction. God will give us boldness as we ask and patiently wait.

Today’s featured author is Fay Lamb, author of The Visitor Meets Old Hairy, a cozy mystery novel. Pollyanna Reagan isn't about to change her family's weekend plans for her sister, Connie. So, into the woods, they go searching for Bigfoot. When an expedition member is murdered, Bigfoot becomes the chief suspect. Can Polly and Connie prove Old Hairy's innocence?

Learn more at FayLamb.net.

Next week, we’ll look at trading busyness for stillness. Until then, stay determined to dance…

Click to tweet: Today’s episode on the Determined to Dance Podcast, Fear of the Unknown, focuses on how to experience boldness when we dare to move forward. #faith #podcastlife

Links

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: Fear of the Unknown

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/0iyrHs960HM

Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. Today’s episode, I Can’t Dance, focuses on how fear can keep us from stepping onto the dance floor.

Show Notes: I Can’t Dance

Jeff Walling shares a story of how he went to the Senior Sock Hop as a teen. He’d grown up in a household that didn’t believe in dancing so when asked by a girl to dance, he had to admit that he didn’t know how. He left embarrassed.

He goes on to say, “I share this to assure the reader that I understand the frustration and embarrassment that can flood one’s soul when a fellow believer says, ‘Can’t you just relax and celebrate your Christianity? Can’t you just turn it all over to God and trust him? Can’t you quit worrying and start praising? … Breaking the barriers that keep us from dancing with God in celebration of life is not for the fainthearted. Criticism and pressure will soon come to bear from without and within. When our hearts aren’t warning us that our faith is just too much fun, our Christian friends will be. And the danger of losing our focus and allowing freedom in Christ to become a license for licentiousness is a constant concern. But if you’ll brave those dangers, there are cures for the maladies that keep us from dancing with the King.”

When I first started attending a new church, I noticed some people raised one or both hands during the singing part of the service. Why were they doing this? Was it okay? Biblical? I wasn’t going to unless I knew it was all right with God. During a television sermon by one of my favorite pastors, he talked about all the ways in the Bible to praise and worship God. One was raising hands. Psalm 63:4 says, “Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.” NKJV Since I knew it was all right, I started by bending my hand at the wrist where no one could really see. Fear tried to stop me right from the beginning.

Fear will try to keep you from praising and worshiping God freely. Fear will also keep you from hearing what the Father is trying to speak to your heart. A low rumbling of terror will grip your soul and before you know it, you’ll be shouting, ‘I can’t dance,’ whenever the opportunity to love, grow, and serve the people in your community arises.

Opportunities like:

Visiting the unchurched, sick, or those in a nursing home.

Being part of a community outreach to the poor or homeless.

Attending church regularly.

Helping with VBS or church camp.

Teaching Sunday School or life groups.

Ministering to the people you work with.

Fear says, ‘You can’t. Don’t even try.’ God is holding out His hand, gently beseeching you to step out onto the dance floor of life. While opportunities like those above can make us uncomfortable and fearful, they will build our faith and in the long run, we receive more than we give.

In II Corinthians 9:6-8, the Word says: “But this I say: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

We reap what we sow. If we step out, letting cheerfulness outweigh the fear, God says He’ll give us an abundance of grace for every good work. Every single one. We need faith and a good attitude. God can take the little we have to offer and make much from it.

At the age of 12, Mother Teresa felt the call of God on her life to be a missionary. I’m sure she had no idea that accepting this call would change the world, especially India. She began by teaching at a Catholic school in India and at the age of 38 felt led to minister to the poorest of the poor without any financial backing. The ministry she started has spread throughout the world. She had faith and a good attitude.

It's time to kick fear to the curb and move forward with God, one step of faith at a time. He longs to love us deeply so we can share His love with others. Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

Let’s pray: Father God, we want to dance with You. We’re tired of being held back by fear. We’re ready to move forward by faith. Help us to dig into Your Word and prayer so we can truly find the freedom to twirl and whirl with You every day. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

We can give our worries to God and trust Him in this journey called life.

Today’s featured author is Leanne Lucas, author of When Skies Are Gray, a children’s historical novel. When Lizzy’s father leaves during the Depression, no one expects him to stay away forever. Two years later, no one expects him to return. But Daddy is back, and he’s running from the law. Lizzy realizes her decision to help the father she still loves might come with a price.

Learn more at Leanne Lucas.

 

 Next week, we’ll discuss how to experience boldness when we dare to move forward. Until then, stay determined to dance…

Click to tweet: Today’s episode on the Determined to Dance Podcast, I Can’t Dance, focuses on how fear can keep us from stepping onto the dance floor. #faith #podcastlife

Links

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: I Can't Dance

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/7SJ97-_v5U4

Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. Today’s episode, The Steadfast Love of God, focuses on how unwavering His love is, especially when we can’t see what is ahead.

Show Notes: The Steadfast Love of God

God’s love never gives up, never slows down, and never backs away. No matter what I do. No matter what you do. His love is who He is so even if we run as far as humanly possible from God, He still loves. And this resonates in my heart deeply during the Easter season.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3: `6 NKJV

God loved the world. That encompasses everyone. Not a single individual is exempt from the great love of the Father. We must, however, believe. An act of faith. To not perish; to share forever in eternal life, we step out in faith and believe His word in our hearts and confess this with our mouths. And once we do, we are His.

I love the words of Paul in Romans 8:38-39: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” NKJV

I am a fairly nice person (now close friends, don’t laugh) I really am. But start talking ugly about my children or grandchildren, and I’ll get riled. Angry. Try to hurt them and I can become a Mama bear in a hurry. If you have loved ones, you understand exactly what I mean.

God loves us a million times more than I love my family. Cares more. And has a plan and purpose for each of us. I still can’t fathom that God has counted the number of hairs on my head. (Luke 12:7)

Jeff Walling says: “Truly dependable love is a rare commodity, and no one offers it like the Lord. He never, ever gives up on us. His secure and abiding love gives the believer a solid platform from which to function, an unshakeable truth on which to stand. ‘My God cares for me. My God is committed to me. My God will never stop loving me.’ With that verity written on our hearts, we can step out in faith to dance through circumstances that appear as impassible as the Grand Canyon.”

We learn to dance this way by storing up God’s word in our hearts. The ‘impassible’ times might not find us with a Bible in our hand but we can still remember the words in our hearts. The Holy Spirit will help us recall the goodness of God when we ask. Whether I’m in a hospital room, praying for a prodigal, struggling with anxiety, or just feeling alone, the love of God never leaves me. And never leaves you.

St. Augustine said, “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”

Wow. This quote always leaves me breathless. As I near one of those “big” birthdays that end in a zero, I’ve realized that I will never be perfect. No matter how much I want to be just like Jesus, and never say a wrong word or think a wrong thought or act in a wrong way, it’s never gonna be like I want it this side of heaven. And sometimes that makes me sad.

Until I remember that God loves me anyway. He wants me to be obedient and live in excellence but he also understands that I came from dust. And dust is, well, kinda messy.

Like me.

The next time you’re struggling, take a moment to bask in God’s love. Read some scriptures, listen to music, and explore nature. Let His love, the steadfastness of it all, overwhelm you for the good.

Let’s pray: Father God, thank You for the everlasting love that You bestow on us daily. You gave Your only Son for us, and treat us as Your own. My heart sings its praises to You now and forever. When life is hard, show up in a mighty way in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

May the love of God abound in your heart, now and forevermore.

Today’s featured sponsor is Christian editor Sue A. Fairchild. Sue helps authors of both fiction and nonfiction works to spread God's Word through their writing. Her motto is "I don't change voices; I make them louder." Learn more about Sue's services and to sign up for her free newsletter at sueafairchild.wordpress.com.

Next week, we’ll discuss what to do when we are too fearful to venture onto the dance floor. Until then, stay determined to dance…

Click to tweet: S3 Episode 7 The Steadfast Love of God, focuses on how unwavering God’s love is, especially when we can’t see what is ahead. #podcastlife #faith

 Links

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: The Steadfast Love of God

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/myP9Mvs1sOk

Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. Today’s episode, Dancing When It’s Not Easy, is about dancing with God in spite of our circumstances.

Show Notes: Dancing When It’s Not Easy

I’d had a difficult four months, starting in October of 2022. My husband had an unexpected surgery, the holidays arrived, then my Mother had a heart ablation. When February showed up at last, I was tired, down, and ready to give up. I mean I could barely keep up with it all. I woke up that morning and decided to play some music and worship God. I wanted to dance and sing with abandon to the One who’d been right by my side through it all. But as the first song ended, I struggled to even sing or clap, much less let go of all the weight.

Thoughts attacked. What a failure you are. Can’t even praise God. Why do you even try?

As I sat on my bed, unable to persevere, a different voice whispered in my soul. “It’s okay. I know your heart. I love you anyway. I still care, and I appreciate your effort.

God embraced me in such a beautiful way.

Paul and Silas understood what I was going through. In Acts 16, they were preaching the Word and seeing people come to Jesus. God had specifically called them through a vision to that area. So, what could go wrong? A woman with a spirit of divination constantly bothered them so Paul cast in out of her in the name of Jesus Christ. You’d think people would be happy when this miracle took place. Instead, verse 22-25 tells us: “Then the multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”

Wow. Talk about dancing in the worst circumstances imaginable.

Jeff Walling says in Daring to Dance with God, “They (Paul and Silas) had exercised one of the greatest abilities the creator has afforded us: they had chosen to rejoice and dance with God despite their surroundings. Let me be clear. This is more than making lemonade when life gives you lemons. It is the capacity to dance when you can barely crawl. It is the choice to sing when you feel like crying. And it is doing so not out of ignorance or blind faith but because of an awareness of God’s sovereignty and your confidence in him.”

Paul and Silas could dance because they knew God. He had proven himself over and over. We can dance too.

By remembering what God has done for us in our past

By believing He still has plans for our future.

And by realizing we don’t have to perform to a formula or routine. The way we danced in the past can change at times and it’s okay.

They probably had little strength and energy by the time midnight rolled around in the prison, but they did what they could. They lifted their voices to God. Didn’t seem like much. But God knew their hearts and before the night ended, their chains were loosened through an earthquake and they led the jailer and his family to salvation.

Something I forget over and over is that God is patient and full of lovingkindness, mercy, and grace. He is for me. And He is for you.

When circumstances are difficult, dance the best you can. God is watching and will and can truly turn your mourning into dance.

Let’s pray: Father God, we praise and worship you for who you are. A God that understands, who doesn’t place cumbersome burdens on us, and instead loves and cares for us where we are. A thousand years of praise, worship, and thanks will never be enough to repay you for giving Your Son for us. We want to know you more and more each day. Help us to seek You and find You daily. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

When our circumstances are difficult, we choose to focus on You.

Today’s featured author is Doralyn Moore, author of Seventy Times Seven, a Christian romance novel. An illegal immigrant. A directionless young man. A mother abandoned by her husband. When the paths of the three intersect, together they battle daunting odds to find their places in the world. In the midst of their struggles, is God still there? Learn more at doralynmoore.ca

Next week, we’ll dig deeper into the steadfast love of God. Until then, stay determined to dance.

Click to tweet: S3 Episode 6 Dancing When It’s Not Easy, is about dancing with God in spite of our circumstances. #podcastlife #faith

 Links

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: Dancing When It’s Not Easy

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/n0FBb6hnwTo

Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. Today’s episode, Following God’s Lead, teaches us the importance of submitting to His will.

Show Notes: Following God’s Lead

God is in the GPS business. No, we don’t have an external guidance system that we can carry around with us, to help direct our steps in God’s way. Or do we? God has given us His Word in the form of a Bible, full of wisdom and knowledge to light our path every day.

Jesus mentions an internal GPS in John 16:13; “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

Jesus says the Holy Spirit will guide us, tell us what He hears, and things to come. After we give our lives to Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and we can pray and ask for wisdom, knowledge, and guidance.

What a promise. What a privilege. There is one problem, though. When we receive wisdom, knowledge, and guidance, we must submit to God’s will. I have a tendency to mention to God what I want and then hope He will line up His will with mine. I mean, I’m a Christian and if I have an idea, it’s probably good. I’m not trying to make things difficult or go against what the Bible says.

But when it comes down to it, I want my way. I don’t need help. Period.

Jeff Walling says: “…God wants to take our scheduling pen in his hand, but only when we admit that we can’t handle it on our own. But once again, it is often my ego that stands between me and this all-important admission…But we will never be able to follow the lead of the Lord while believing we don’t need his leading. Like a drowning swimmer who doesn’t believe he’s drowning, we can’t be saved until we acknowledge our own inadequacy. And God refuses to force me to surrender. I must choose freely to do so, based on the knowledge that I am desperately in need of his hand on my rudder.”

Ow. That’s me. Self-sufficient. Sometimes, I sound like a toddler who yells, “I do it myself.” If I allow God or anyone else to “assist” me, then I don’t get the credit and applause that I so crave. The truth is I am trying to receive confidence and worth through things I do instead of the One who is waiting to bestow confidence and worth on me that comes from knowing God and being His child.

And that’s what following His lead is all about:

It’s following His wisdom and guidance instead of what we think we know.

It’s surrendering to His way instead of following our own system.

It’s asking for His schedule instead of trying to figure out our own.

What does it all boil down to? Trusting God. Believing that He has a plan and purpose for our lives. Knowing that He is good and longs to give good things to His children. No matter what we see.

I tend to be so afraid of “missing” it. Missing what He says to me. The direction He’s pointing. Sometimes, many times, my life is busy. Family. Caregiving. Job. Church. Writing. Podcasting. Life. Can I really hear when He speaks to me? Whether it is that still, small voice, or a message through a person, an event, or a song.

There are many scriptures comforting us with the thought that God cares for us much more than we can imagine. Isaiah 49:15-16 is one of my favorites. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.”

If we miss Him, He will find us. Luke 15:4-6 says:

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”

If we’re seeking God, following Him as best we know how He is truly for us.

Let’s pray: Father God, thank you for having a plan and purpose for each of our lives. We long to follow Your lead, but sometimes our flesh gets in the way. We love You and know that You will continually draw us through the Holy Spirit, even when we are stubborn. Thank you for the gift of Your Spirit. Lead us, guide us, direct us, giving us wisdom and knowledge as we follow You. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

It's important to follow God's lead, and the Holy Spirit will show us the way.

Today’s featured author is Leanne Lucas, author of When Skies Are Gray, a children’s historical novel. When Lizzy’s father leaves during the Depression, no one expects him to stay away forever. Two years later, no one expects him to return. But Daddy is back, and he’s running from the law. Lizzy realizes her decision to help the father she still loves might come with a price. Learn more at leannelucas.com.

Next week, we’ll learn how to dance in spite of our circumstances. Until then, stay determined to dance.

Click to tweet: S3 Episode 5 on the Determined to Dance podcast, Following God’s Lead, teaches us the importance of submitting to His will. #podcastlife #faith

 Links

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: Following God’s Lead

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/BzL0nQNM-RE

Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. Today’s episode, God Restores, focuses on the ways God reestablishes our lives.

Show notes: God Restores

The word restore has many possible definitions in Webster's 1828 dictionary. Among my favorites are:

To bring back or recover from lapse, degeneracy, or ruin to its former state.

To heal; to cure.

To repair; to rebuild.

To revive; to resuscitate; to bring back to life.

I need restoration. The longer I live, the more I long to see God recover areas of my life. Ones I felt could never be brought back to their former state. When I was a child, around six years old, my father became very ill with a spinal disease that left him in a wheelchair for life. We moved to Alabama to be close to family and the distress changed me in many ways.

Before we moved, Mom said I was a more outgoing, talkative child. In our new home and lifestyle, I became shy, timid. I poured myself into study, discipline, and rules. I gave my life to God a few years after the move but never seemed to be able to recover the way I danced through life before the trauma.

God, however, had a plan. He began to heal, cure, repair, rebuild, revive, resuscitate, and bring me back to life. He understood my need to hide at first and step by step, inch by inch, rescued me. He used many ways, some you might relate to:

My relationship with God. Through the Word and prayer, He beckoned me to His presence where healing is found.

Family and friends. Countless people spoke into my life in positive, affirming ways.

Church, sermons, conferences. Sometimes, I couldn’t focus on much but one word of a sermon would sustain me in difficult times.

Music, worship, and praise all played a part in my restoration.

Repentance, confession, and receiving forgiveness. I needed to repent of my sin and shortcomings, then receive the forgiveness offered.

And that brings us to Jeff Walling’s quote of the day: “Our weaknesses and mistakes are what sent Christ to Golgotha. If we do not freely bring them to the Father and allow him to renew our soul and restore our balance, we rob the cross of its power.

If your knees are bruised from stumbling and your shins are bloody from an unexpected tumble, don’t let embarrassment or fear cause you to slink off into the bushes to mope. Reach out for the tender hand of one who knows and cares. He is aware of your every misstep and loves you anyway.”

What a beautiful truth. And it’s not just for me. Everyone can call on the name of the Lord for help. Psalm 145:17-19 says: “The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.”

Did you notice how the verse kept saying all? That leaves no one out. Now the path to restoration is not easy. I’ve tried to restore furniture before and usually made a mess of it. A person needs specific tools and skills to do the job right. It takes patience and a steady hand to strip a table, bench, or chair down to its foundation, then rebuild it, adding stain, paint, and repair.

God steps into our lives when we ask and begins the same process. Sometimes, the pain seems too great and we don’t think we’ll ever be who God says we can be. But He never gives up, never gives in, never turns around.

For He is God, the creator. And whatever He chooses for me, chooses for you, is good. So, step up and enter the restoring process. You’ll never regret taking His outstretched hand.

Let’s pray: Father God, we come to You today in need of rescue, and restoration, to be brought back to life. We want Your life. We repent of our sins and ask You to cleanse us. Recover what we’ve lost. Restore us to the person you meant for us to be. We love You and trust You. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

God reestablishes our lives and can make beauty from ashes.

Today’s featured author is Doralyn Moore, author of Hope Doesn’t Disappoint, a contemporary Christian novel. Cassie Bailey has everything – a great husband, two beautiful daughters, a lovely home, and a challenging job. She never planned to become addicted to gambling. Somehow, it snuck up on her unawares. When she’s at the bottom, is there any way up? Learn more at doralynmoore.ca

Next week, we’ll look at following God’s lead. Until then, stay determined to dance…

Click to tweet: S3 Episode 4 God Restores, focuses on how God reestablishes our lives and restores us to the person we were meant to be. #podcastlife #faith

 Links

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: God Restores

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/lC_eI8B1qGI

Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. Today’s episode, Our Security in Father God, focuses on the only One who can keep us safely on the dance floor of life.

Show Notes: Our Security in Father God

Security. Safety. Certainty.

Words that can sound flat in our world filled with chaos: wars, pandemics, natural disasters, and lawlessness spiraling out of control. Is it even possible to feel a little safe when we leave our homes?

I live in a farming community in rural Alabama. You would think we sit around on the front porch swing singing Amazing Grace and sipping lemonade all the live long day. And while there is much good around me and I love where God has planted me, bad things happen, even here. In the last year, our small county has dealt with more than one shooting, missing persons, lockdowns in the schools, flooding, tornado damage, and drug and alcohol abuse.

And when I hear of people being shot at Walmart, in their cars, or in schools or churches around our country, I experience a tug of fear. I go buy groceries, see my children leave for work, and my grandchildren board the school bus and wonder how has our country drifted so far from its roots. Is there a way to combat the fear?

It’s time to turn to God’s Word. Psalm 139: 7-10 says: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” NIV

Jeff Walling quotes this verse and then goes on to say: “ … David finds a wonderfully comforting truth: The same God who knows everything and is everywhere will hold me and guide me, no matter where I am. ‘Your right hand will hold me fast.’ How good it is to know that we are never far away from his guiding hand.”

When fear strikes me the hardest, I can simply call out to God and receive His comfort. I can turn to passages like this in His Word and know that I cannot get away from God, even if I wanted to. He is guiding me, holding me, safely and lovingly in His arms.

What a wonderful truth. But what about the times when I don’t particularly want to go in the way He is guiding me? I tend to look for the easy road. I want to do my easiest chores first, and never do anything difficult. My biggest whining over the years has been: “I can’t do that. It’s too hard.”

But God loves me so much. He knows if I only do easy, I’ll never learn, grow, and stretch. I’ll never realize the potential He’s given me to love, encourage, and help those around me. Be the best me I can be. So, He reaches out His hand and though it looks totally terrifying, I take one step, then another, and suddenly I’m dancing on top of the waves, amazed at what God is doing for and through me. Because He loves me so much.

And it is satisfying. Whether it’s having children, taking a new position at work, writing a novel, finishing school, or planning your retirement, new steps are hard to take. But what rewards wait for us when we let God whirl and twirl us around the dance floor.

My writing life had all but creaked to a halt by the end of 2022. I’d about given up. While I love what I do, the past five years have been hard.

I released my debut novel right before the pandemic.

My publisher then sold to another publisher.

Two different books I’d written afterward received positive, but numerous rejections.

I’d hit the ceiling, so it seemed, and I couldn’t make headway. I doubted myself. Couldn’t make decisions on what to do next. Floundered, whined, then stepped out again. Door after door closed. Was it the end?

I sat one day and poured my heart to God. Asked if there was something I needed to do instead of writing. Was this season in my life over? Already? Then I waited. And waited. Kept writing, moving forward, but with one ear listening for God’s answer.

On February 2nd, I sat in my recliner, scrolling through email, early that morning. I stopped at one from Elk Lake Publishing, one of the publishers looking at my books. My heart stopped and I didn’t want to open it to see what it said.

The first words were “Dear Jennifer, Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. is pleased to offer you a contract.” I cried for several moments.

Hold your dreams loose, but God’s hand tight. Let Him guide you, even when life doesn’t make sense.

Let’s pray: Father God, thank you for your guidance and the way you hold on to me and never leave me. Help me to follow You even when I don’t understand. Grant me the ability to persevere. I want to stay in Your Word so it can strengthen me day by day. You keep me safe and I love you so much. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Security, safety, and certainty are found in God. Call out to Him today.

Today’s featured sponsor is Christian editor Sue A. Fairchild. Sue helps authors of both fiction and nonfiction works to spread God’s Word through their writing. Her motto is “I don’t change voices; I make them louder.” Learn more about Sue’s services and sign up for her free newsletter at sueafairchild.wordpress.com. That’s sueafairchild.wordpress.com

Next week, we’ll discuss how God restores us when we fall. Until then, stay determined to dance…

Click to tweet: S3 Episode 3 Our Security in Father God. Hold your dreams loose, but God’s hand tight. Let Him guide you, even when life doesn’t make sense. #podcastlife #faith

 Links

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: Our Security in Father God

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/eHC7P4YJ9KY