Reclaiming Simple This Season

This holiday season YadaFactor invites you to join us in reclaiming simple. This encouraging email and video series has been developed to help you refocus and find joy in simplicity.

Official Conscience

Jiminy Cricket was first introduced in the 1940 Disney animated feature film, Pinocchio. He was appointed as Pinocchio’s official conscience by the Blue Fairy, in hopes that Jiminy can guide Pinocchio on his journey to become a real boy.

“I dub you Pinocchio’s conscience, lord high keeper of the knowledge of right and wrong, counselor in moments of high temptation, and guide along the straight and narrow path. Arise, Sir Jiminy Cricket.” – The Blue Fairy

Stories like Pinocchio were commonplace just 60 years ago. Culture reminded us of right and wrong through movies, art, radio and tv shows.

In Pinocchio’s story, all he had to do was give a little whistle.

Our lives today are filled with distractions! When we are distracted, we can’t listen well, because listening well requires focused attention. Since distractions can negatively impact the quality of our time spent with others, we must become more mindful of the things that distract us from being attentive and fully engaged. We must consider the importance of listening well, because listening well really is a ministry! The question to ask ourselves is this: As a listener, how can I best help and minister to this person?

James 1:19 tells us to be quick to hear. Phil. 2:3 tells us to, in humility, value others above ourselves. Matt. 7:12 tells us to do to others what we would have them do to us. So, what does this look like in a conversation? Focused attention. Active listening. Seeking to understand. We can’t expect to give good feedback in our Yada sessions after our partners share if we aren’t attentive when they are sharing. And our attentiveness communicates our love of and respect for them.

So, think about your key distractors! If you aren’t sure what they are, ask your spouse, your kids, or a good friend! Chances are pretty good they’ll be able to suggest one or two! Life is full of distractions, but we don’t have to be ruled by them. 1 Cor. 6:12 says that not everything is good for us, therefore, we must be mindful and we must refuse to let anything have power over us. Do any of the distractions in your life seem to be holding undue power over you? If we aren’t careful, we may soon find that something very good is morphing its way into becoming an idol in our lives. What do you need to let go of?

Yada sisters and brothers, let’s be diligent about listening well!

One of our core YadaFactor values is, after all, Listening Fiercely.

So, learn to be a fierce listener!

Challenge: Make your Yada times phone-free! Nothing is more distracting than someone constantly glancing at their phone. If you are meeting virtually, take care of things (coffee, kids, dogs, spouses) before you meet so you can be set and ready, in a distraction-free place, to listen and share. See what a difference it makes!

How are you? I admit I am struggling, tired and don’t really want to do anything. But God! This process we call YadaFactor helps to press in and stand firm despite the emotional struggle that tempts toward anxiety and even worse, complacency, thus avoiding time with God.

But even then, God loves, so I press in to get a message to you as he reminds me to…

“Consider the Lilies.” Matthew 6:25-34

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin…but if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” … But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself…

According to Webster’s, “consider” means to reflect on; to think, believe, or suppose. The thesaurus offers even more insight: contemplate, deal with, examine.

So, I am wrestling with myself and God to stand in what is true, despite thoughts and feelings in this strange time of worldwide pause and panic.

Maybe it’s time for a walk to think about a simple lily? How God is caring even now for such a small, insignificant thing, a flower. If this is true of lilies then how much truer is God’s concern for you and me? Hannah Hurnard calls this loving care “a passionate, absorbed interest.” Let that soak in like the sun to revive our soul now and in the days ahead.

Let’s walk…

So, wherever you find yourself today mentally, emotionally, physically or spiritually, consider this: God’s divine love for you is inexhaustible. Loved, as we are right now through God’s eyes, is our truest identity. He is caring for us even more than the lilies. Let’s keep walking.

On a recent visit to Texas I had the privilege to see the creations of Chip and Joanna Gaines. If you have not heard of them they had a show called “Fixer Upper” that became very popular. They would take old rundown homes in Waco, Texas area and fix them up for new homebuyers.

As I was perusing the Gaines’ Magnolia store, I noticed a man looking at some small Christmas trees on a shelf. I had been curious about how much they cost, so when I saw this man chuckle looking at them, I asked why he was laughing. He then asked me if I thought the little Christmas trees looked like repurposed bottlebrushes and that they were $10.00 each. I responded, “I bet you wish you would have thought of that idea.”

We laughed and he said he thought many of the items in the store were quite expensive. I immediately replied, “Don’t you think this is about more than a store and Christmas trees? This property that Chip and Joanna have designed with old rusty silos, beautiful gardens, food trucks and community areas is an experience. We are paying for an experience.” Then I asked him if he was a Christian and he said yes.

My next comment to him was a clarifying question for both of us. “Do you think we have lost the inspiration to create environments that allow us to experience God?” He seemed to awaken by my comment and we both agreed.

I went to Waco to experience what I had been learning about Chip and Joanna — the stories they are telling and the beauty they are creating. The man I met saw bottle brushes, not Christmas trees. He saw the high prices and missed the bigger vision: The experience created for us by Chip and Joanna.

God has a vision for each of us: To experience so much more than Chip and Joanna’s silos and gardens (although those are awesome). This vision is found in majestic moments of experiencing God Himself thus creating spaces for this experience. But if we are not awake to unimagined possibilities, we might only see the cost and miss the bigger story.

God is the ULTIMATE fixer-upper of our souls. We place our lives in His hands and we go to Him to experience majesty. When we do this, day after day, He takes the old rundown places of our soul and creates experiences that only He can.

Were you able to savor a moment or two in the presence of Majesty this weekend? Maybe you declared; “Monday I will begin and commit” But Monday has come and is almost gone. Maybe you missed church too and that moment of stillness you promised yourself you would take.

I believe it is right here we can truly begin to taste the real message of Christmas. We feel failure, fret, and fatigue day after day. It comes from work, kids, decisions we have to make. Trying and tiresome circumstances interrupt us over and over, greatly discouraging us to press on in a life of faith that is real. The demands we all face, the deadlines and the drama everywhere consume our moments. If we are not awake they threaten to derail, even destroy, our greatest intentions.

Here is the good news Christmas brings; the day is not over yet. If you are reading this, Jesus was born for this moment. All He wants for Christmas is YOU.

“Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest…”

– Matthew 11:28

Come to Him right now with whatever is going on in your mind, heart or life. Keep coming as you are, day after day. So this is Christmas, a Majestic Rescue mission redeeming our life back to God one day at a time.

God knew how discouraged we would become in our seeming failure and unfulfilled intentions. He knew then and knows now how painful and lonely life would be today for you. He knew the joy and peace so deeply hungered for everyday. So God in His mercy sent His only Son called Jesus, Emmanuel, born on Christmas day. He lived a perfect life (the perfect life we want to live and fail to achieve – daily). He came to die a death with thieves and murderers to save them. He suffered three days in hell the punishment my life deserves and then, overcame death! Taking my place on the cross, He rose from the dead overcoming my death and sin forever. As if this was not enough his disciples watched him ascend up into the sky to be with His Father. ALL this He did to rescue me so I could come into His Majestic presence now and forever. He even wants to restore my yesterdays, repurpose the pain and mistakes for His good. Joel 2:25 is a promise I still grip; “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten…”

I think for me I have a certain rescue I want now, a job, a thing, a relationship, and when I don’t get it I can be tempted to move away from God to find my own “feel better”. But that just leaves me hungrier. I have learned that if I will just keep coming and remain a little every day, authentic and honest with God, He gives me Himself, His voice speaking to my deepest heart in a moment.

I write questions I have for God, what I am feeling, what’s happening that day, with my next place in scripture. He always speaks. In these moments everything is the same, but I am not. His Truth reframes the way I see things. Because I have tasted a moment with the King, He brings order somehow even in chaos.

No one can give us what I am talking about here, not money, no position or accomplishment. Actually I think its failure, brokenness and misplaced wants that often get us at the feet of Majesty; at least it is for me. At His feet I find love, forgiveness and resurrection power to begin again. It is supernatural. I can’t write, say, do or give you anything you are really seeking this Christmas, no one can. You are the only one that changes your today when you decide to come to Jesus, the true-life changer. I know that coming to Him daily, just as I am, I become His Majestic Rescue.

Majestically Present

Christmas is a time of remembering. We have personal memories at Christmas that are magical but also memories that are painful and sad.

We would like to help you turn your thoughts toward Majesty this Christmas and find relief from the stress and worry this season can bring.

What is majestic in our lives today? Other than watching The Crown series on Netflix there does not seem like much.

Today’s Focus – God’s Part:

In Psalm 68 David is remembering God’s glory and power. The theme of this Psalm, as stated in the Life Application Bible says, “Times and culture changes, but God is always majestically present as defender and provider.”

Wow! I want the majestically present God in my moments. Just the word alone strikes my soul deep with desire for more, something this world can never provide. David is remembering the Ark of the Covenant that Moses followed years before him. David himself followed the Ark of the Covenant as it ceremonially re-entered the temple in Jerusalem. This object is where the presence of God rested in the Holy of Holies of the temple.

Today through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we want to help you personally experience the majestic presence of God Himself in moments. Together let us resolve to capture, not squander majestical moments only God can provide.

Our Part:

YadaFactor is a process that uniquely helps us capture these moments as I did reading Psalm 68 several days ago. Here’s what we suggest to help YOU capture majestic moments before the year ends:

• Go out and buy a notebook or journal to write in.
• Place the date at the top of the page and the day.
• Ask God where in the Bible He might want you to go.
• Begin reading just a little.
• Now begin to write to God how you’re feeling about your day. Be honest and real with Him.
• As you write include things that stood out as you read from the Bible.
• Talk to God with your pen about what you read, what you need, what your afraid of, or what you deeply desire.
• Are you feeling alone, forgotten, mistreated, angry, hurt, happy, thankful? Give it all to him.
• Ask Him to speak to you through His Word before you begin.
• Finish up with a prayer.

God is waiting for you to come into His presence. This is what Christmas is all about. He knows you, your deep heart, fears, wants, needs…and He wants to speak to you.

Our part is to practice this after every day, trusting God to provide majestic moments. Remember God is not looking for your perfection. Like a good Father He only desires you.

May God pour His blessings and favor on you as you come and adore Him!