Mary Lou Retton, the 1984 Olympic Gold medalist and Christian, said “Each of us has a fire in our heart for something. It should be our goal in life to find it and hold on to it. ” What is your passion? Webster’s Dictionary describes “passion” ...
Mary Lou Retton, the 1984 Olympic Gold medalist and Christian, said “Each of us has a fire in our heart for something. It should be our goal in life to find it and hold on to it.”
What is your passion?
Webster’s Dictionary describes “passion” as:
a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept;
the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death.
Harriet Tubman, the courageous abolitionist, said, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Any good leader has passion and fire in his/her belly for a cause. Nehemiah in the Old Testament is a leader who definitely had passion. I love learning from him. His name means “The Lord comforts.”
I normally am a pretty passionate person. It is an honor and joy to serve our ministry clients through Blessings Brokers Christian Donor Consulting Firm. When opposition and obstacles get in the way, how can we keep the passion burning in our hearts and minds?
Four Leadership Lessons of Nehemiah we can draw from on how he kept his passion are:
Prayer, fasting, mourning
Participation from others
Protection from opposition—half to watch, half to work
Prompting of revival
Nehemiah was the cupbearer in King Artaxerxes’ court. His position was one of high honor. He was like the Chief of Staff. Even with his title, he remained humble.
While Nehemiah was on duty, brother Hanani and several men came from Judah, and Nehemiah asked him some questions. I love that Nehemiah was so inquisitive. He was compassionate about his roots.
The Jews had not been back home to Jerusalem in close to 100 years. Their enemies made it virtually impossible to build Jerusalem back after King Nebuchadnezzer had broken the walls down in 586 BC.
The report Nehemiah received was that the survivors were in trouble.
“The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and it gates have been burned with fire.” –Nehemiah 1: 3b.
Nehemiah sat down and wept when he heard this news. Then he prayed fervently.
Nehemiah was humble. He mourned and fasted for days, then prayed fervently before the Lord. His prayer is one of the most humble, sincere prayers in the Old Testament.
Prayer is the first leadership lesson we learn from Nehemiah to maintain passion. Prayer is the cornerstone of passion and leadership. It’s truly the cornerstone for everything .
President Abraham Lincoln said, “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”
Nehemiah heard a vision from God. Nehemiah cast the vision to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and created passion among the Jewish people.
In Chapter 2 Nehemiah not only casts the vision to rebuild the wall, he humbly enlists participation from others.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding. So they began this good work.” –Nehemiah 2: 18b.
I love how Chapter 3 of Nehemiah describes all the builders of the walls, including those who didn’t work hard, like in verse 5. One guy named Shallum in verse 12 is mentioned because he used the help of his daughters. Another guy Baruch is mentioned in verse 20 because he zealously repaired his section. He was passionate.
In Chapter 4 we see opposition and Nehemiah’s protection from that opposition. Nehemiah kept praying, stayed humble. “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half of its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” 4:6.
Protection is the 3rd Leadership Lesson we learn from Nehemiah. “Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other.” Nehemiah 4: 17.
When we are in the middle of God’s will, we will experience opposition and spiritual warfare. The Lord protects us with wisdom and the Ephesians 6 armor of God. Helmet of Salvation. Breastplate of righteousness—integrity. Belt of Truth. Absolute Truth. Shoes of peace. Shield of faith. Sword of the Spirit. It all faces the front as we face our opposition.
Some of those opposing the rebuilding of the wall began wanting to meet with Nehemiah.
I LOVE how Nehemiah responded. It’s one of my favorite passages.
Nehemiah responded by saying, “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?’ Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.’” –Nehemiah 6:3-4
That is like us as leaders. No matter what the enemy throws at us, will not waiver from His Vision. Don’t let the enemy squelch our passion.
As God guides us and progress is made, the Holy Spirit will Prompt revival, as it did with Nehemiah. Prompting of Revival is the fourth leadership lesson we learn from Nehemiah to keep the passion fueled.
In Chapter 8, the book of Law is read from dawn till noon.
”…and all the people lifted their hands and responded, ‘Amen! Amen! Then they bowed down and worshiped.”—Nehemiah 8:6
One of my life verses comes next. A few verses later in Nehemiah 8:10 they are repenting so much, Nehemiah says, “This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The day in Nehemiah was sacred to the Lord because His people repented from sin and turn back to Him. Today is also sacred to the Lord.
Is there anything we need to repent from? Let’s examine our hearts and make any necessary changes in us as He prepares us for our sacred day. The Holy Spirit will change our hearts, refueling our passion even more and prompting revival in countless hearts.
Let’s keep the fuels of passion burning in our hearts for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.
The good news is that that Jesus Christ is our Ultimate Repairer of Broken Walls and Restorer.
“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls; Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” –Isaiah 58:12
The same God for Nehemiah as the Repairer of Broken Walls is the same God who will continue to lead us passionately in our God-sized visions.
Reflection:
What is your passion?
What obstacles are you facing that are tempting you from coming down off the wall?
Who is participating with you to accomplish the vision?
Be encouraged friend. God is doing a great work through you. Keep standing on the wall as you and others build.
Happy Valentine’s Week. Some of you may have read this vulnerable blog post from last Valentine’s Day. Please enjoy this encore presentation:
It’s tough being single on Valentine’s Day. As soon as Christmas is over, the stores are full of red hearts, love balloons, and Valentine’s Day merchandise. Hallmark Channel even plays non-stop Love movies! Yes, I sometimes get sucked into watching each one. Yes, I am a hopeful romantic.
Valentine’s Day a few years ago changed me. It was a cold night. I built a cozy fire. I was excited. I was ready. Sitting by the warm fire, it was time to write my Love Letter. Opening my journal, the following is the Love Letter penned on those pages:
Dearest Lover of My Soul,
Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for being my First Love, today and always.
Thank you, Lord, for pointing out and healing the sin of idolatry I suffered for my future husband for years without even realizing it. I had elevated the idea of a future husband much higher than I had elevated You as my Lord and Savior and the Lover of My Soul. My heart is changed. Please forgive me.
Holy Spirit, optimize me in my singleness until you pair with the Godly man You have planned for me. Help me. I am Yours. You are mine. I am at peace.
My Rock and My Redeemer, Gentle Healer, it is an honor to convey a portion of my immense love for You. No journal, no library can record all my love, dear Jesus. Thank you for loving me. Every breath is for You, precious Lord.
How may I serve You more? On this Valentine’s Day, I recommit my life to You. It is You and You alone who I need. (Not the only man I want and desire, I admit). Right now, make me more of a vessel for You and Your Gospel. I want to be your humble ambassador, Your spokesman who only utters worthy, not worthless words. (Jeremiah 15:19). May it be so.
“Speak, for Your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
I Love You With My Whole Heart, Danya, Your Daughter of the King
Friend, I learned that God is the only one to fill our “soul holes.”
Since the Bible is God’s Love Letter to me, I had finally written my Love Letter to Jesus. That night transformed Valentine’s Day for me. Contentment came.
I’m looking so forward to Valentine’s Day in a few short days. Bring it.
Reflect:
–Are you content in your circumstances? Please comment.
–How can you express your love for God more?
Renew:
“Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” –Psalm 63: 3-4 NIV
“‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.'” –John 15:12-13 NIV
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. ” –Philippians 4:12 NIV
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” –1 Timothy 4:12 NIV.
Recharge:
–Write your Love Letter to Jesus today.
–The Bible is God’s Love Letter to us. Please read it daily.
It has happened to me and I am guessing you have or you are experiencing it. I had said yes and over-committed myself with too many activities, too many volunteer opportunities—Boards, church groups, community committees, etc. They all seem worthwhile. None of them were bad. Isn’t it my best yes, though, to have more margin in my life?
Why do we do it? Why do we say yes with our heart and mouth when our mind is trying to clearly say no?
It seems like everywhere I turn in the Bible I find more and more verses on being wholehearted versus half-hearted. Ouch.
Do we fulfill some kind of hole in our heart with these activities? Are we hole-hearted?
Here are only a few:
“Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.” –Deuteronomy 30:6
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”—1 Chronicles 28:9
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deed.” –Psalm 9:1
“Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.” –Psalm 119:2
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” –Jeremiah 29:13
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” –Mark 12:30
So how do we know when we are not giving it our all, when we are half-hearted or hole-hearted?
Here are signs that you might be half-hearted or hole-hearted::
Dreading the next meeting with a particular group.
Being snippy or kurt with your loved ones.
Neglecting quiet time and prayer because you’re too busy
Neglecting to eat properly and exercise—taking care of mind, body, soul, spirit well—because you’re “too busy”
Preparing for the activity/meeting at the last minute and/or minimally
Working solely out of our flesh and not feeling the need to rely on God
Taking credit for all the success and blaming others for any losses or setbacks
Now ask yourself these questions:
Why do I participate if I am responding in these ways?
Is it value, acceptance, need for belonging I am seeking?
What are my pure motives for saying yes?
Spend some quiet time to reflect on your “why.” As we evaluate how we spend our 168 hours in a week, may we be careful not to let our feelings guide our faith. Some days are not stellar, which is no reason to quit or give up.
“Do the things that interest you and do them all your heart. Don’t be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticizing you. The chances are that they aren’t paying attention to you.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
So how we are all in with our whole heart?
It makes our eyes sparkle
We get nervous because we know some of it is outside our comfort zone, our gifts and talents
We are relying on God’s help.
We can’t wait to tell our family and others about the people we are experiencing and what we are learning.
We are learning healthy life lessons
We are empowering others to continue the legacy
We are resting well and taking care of our mind, body, soul and spirit with healthy margin.
“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” –Francis of Assisi
One of my favorite life passages is this:
“Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” –Proverbs 3:5-6
In the last few years I have been circling the word “ALL” anytime I see it in my Bible. In every translation “All” means “All.” This is one of those life verses. Trust with ALL your heart…in ALL your ways acknowledge Him…
May we be authentic as we seek to live life with ALL our heart, our whole heart. How are you being whole-hearted or half-hearted?
January 10th will be four months since Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Bible sales are up 25+%; church attendance has increased; baptisms are happening on college campuses all over the US. Is it revival? Is it the next Great Awakening?
The shaking in the world is happening and will continue. Be encouraged. The Holy Spirit keeps reminding me of Haggai 2:6-9 NIV:
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
In the midst of the shaking, God’s Shekinah Glory is showing. His provision is coming forth. His peace is coming. He is the Prince of Peace.
The following revival reflection and growth with the Lord had been too sacred for me even to write about. It’s hard to believe it’s been three years.
On February 8th, 2023, states away at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY, the weekly Chapel Service in Hughes Auditorium occurred at 10am like normal. It was the morning after the US Presidential State of the Union. It was two days after the earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria. At 11am the Chapel Service ended, and 15 students stayed to pray. They stayed for hours and texted some of their friends to come back, that the Holy Spirit was working. Those 15 students led to thousands of people experiencing the 2023 Asbury Revival, for two weeks, 24 hours a day/seven days a week.
My friend Emily Adams with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, drove to Kentucky that Friday to experience the Asbury Revival. She came back to Charlotte and spoke a week later.
What I am communicating is from Emily’s eyewitness experience of His majesty at the Asbury Revival.
There was only one hotel at Wilmore, KY. Emily and her friend arrived at 11:40pm to check in. Then they drove over to Asbury University and arrived at Hughes Auditorium at 1am.
This was powerful. The first thing she noticed was the smell. Emily said the smell in the Hughes Auditorium was that of….. salty tears.
Yes, salty tears. She said there was no tissue left. They had run out from all the crying and repentance. There were rolls of toilet paper at the front altar. The carpet was dark from the wet tear falling.
She said the presence of the Lord was palpable. She witnessed miracles of healing. The singing and testimonies lasted all night. It didn’t stop.
Lord Jesus, I pray for that revival now. Thank You, Lord, for being our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Thank You for stirring us up with your Holy Spirit to repent and come back to You. Thank You for our country and our freedom to worship You.
May revival start with me. In the name of Jesus, By the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection:
How have you experienced revival?
What are your prayers for our country? For you? For your family?
Perspective. At these last two days of 2025, I am reminded of how much I love sunrises and sunsets. I am in awe of their beauty. They come every day, whether we are ready or not.
As we finish 2025 and we embark on a brand new, shiny 2026, may we reflect on the good of 2025 and look forward to an even brighter 2026.
May we remember the windshield is much bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason. Let’s remember the Goodness of God, in the good times, bad times, and hard times.
Let’s give ourselves some grace.
We have so much to look forward to.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing: now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” —Isaiah 43:19
I love the start of a new year. A blank slate. A blank calendar. A year of hope ahead. Redemption.
Then there is the pressure of forming New Year’s Resolutions. As January 1, 2026 approaches, I desired for this year to be different. I’m so excited and expectant for what God will do. Why are resolutions so hard to keep?
According to research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, 36 percent of resolution-makers give up by the end of January. Ouch.
Webster’s Dictionary defines “resolution” as the act or process of resolving: a : the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones b : the act of answering : solvingc : the act of determining.
I propose a bolder approach.
Instead of forming resolutions, let’s consider life revelations. What’s the difference?
Webster’s defines revelation as “a : an act of revealing or communicating divine truth b : something that is revealed by God to humans.”
A revelation comes from God. A resolution comes straight from us. No wonder my resolutions often fail because they come from my flesh, not necessarily from listening to God.
Let’s start a revolution for the new year.
The minor prophet Habakkuk was in tuned to listening to God. Let’s look at how we can relate Habakkuk with our New Year’s revelations today. We can change our resolutions to revelations.
In Habakkuk 1 he cried out to God. I love his authenticity, his raw emotion with the Lord.
“’How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?…Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?’”
The Lord listens and answers Habakkuk with a wonderful response.
“Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”
Habakkuk continues to complain and ends it with a declaration:
“I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. “ Habakkuk 2:1
‘Then the Lord replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:2
That’s one of my favorite leadership verses in the Bible.
The main revelation revolution lessons we can learn from Habakkuk are to:
1)Humble ourselves, pray and cry out to God. Even it seemed like complaining, Habakkuk was totally real when he told God exactly how he felt and asked God questions. God has big shoulders and can handle our big problems, our dreams, our desires. God listens and answers in His way, in His timing.
2) Strategize and write your revelation and plans on paper. Make them succinct enough that you (or anyone else) can understand them. I would encourage you to post them in your home so that you can refer to them often.
3) Be patient, work, and wait as God continues to work in your life on you and making your revelations come to fruition. God’s timing is perfect. He is never too early and never too late.
May Habakkuk’s story inspire us to start a revolution of New Year’s Revelations.
Happy New Year, friend. The best is yet to come.
Reflect:
What revelation is God revealing to you?
What New Year’s Revelations are you making?
—sunset photo I took at the Grand Canyon
