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We were late, and this time it wasn’t totally my fault. We walked into the restaurant and walked straight to the room reserved for the wedding party’s rehearsal dinner. We looked around for a place to sit and realized the other people who had already started eating had not been at the rehearsal. We were in fact the first guests coming straight from the rehearsal. The poor server was about to have her slow, easy group of 10 expand into a group of 40 hangry, tired adults.
I was impressed with our waitress, she handled the switch from an easy going pace to full on frantic and chaos. She was handling everything with ease. She was a total boss. I didn’t pay too much attention after that, until she reached across the table right next to me and I saw a fresh tattoo outline, mixed with some older tattoos. I waited until she finished handing something across the table from me and asked her about her tattoo. She read the words and began to explain why she chose them. They were a reminder to her that she was worth more than she thought and to never stay in an abusive relationship. She then went to explain the new tattoo, was a reminder for her and her young girls of future possibilities. That anything is possible and that they are all beautiful and have valuable.
I was impressed. So she was so young, a single mom with two young girls, yet she understood she had worth and value and that her girls were watching her choices, even if they weren’t old enough to comprehend it.
She went about her duties of delivering food and refilling drinks. When she would stop by to check on me and see if my water needed a refill we would chat. My heart was moved by her, her story, and her courage.
I knew our bill was being taken care of, but I felt like I wanted to make sure she knew what a Rockstar she was as a server and bless her. I decided to give her some cash as we left and speak a blessing over her. As I made sure my husband was on board, we looked for the opportunity to speak with her, without making a scene or taking away from her duties. As I walked up to her, we handed her the cash and spoke a blessing. But, I felt impressed tell her that she was a good mom and even though times were tough, she was a determined warrior. To stick with it and look ahead. I went on to share that the past was behind and not to let it hold her back from all the possibilities that lay ahead. She was fighting back the tears, and
I was about to walk away, when my husband said he had a few words of encouragement for her too.
When He was finished sharing, we walked away knowing we had shared the love of Jesus with her. We had deposited encouragement in her heart as we spoke words of prophetic encouragement.
This is why I wrote the book, The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for Others.
Once I understood how much Jesus longs for authentic relationship with me, with us, I couldn’t contain it. I want to share it with everyone. We are not discounted because of who we are, where we live, or what we might have done in the past. God loves us and longs for us to live for Him. I get opportunities to be a dispenser of His love and encouragement every day, to everyone I meet.
Will you please consider joining my launch team?
(No prior launch team experience is needed. Just a heart willing to help, participate and engage in the mission tasks. It will be fun!) Click here for the application
Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! (Colossians 1:27 The Passion Translation).
You see, when we live our life for Jesus Christ, He lives in us! He lives in you. He lives in me. He lives in us! It’s Christ in you/me/us that is the hope of glory. He gives us an excitement and fills us with anticipation for living with Him. He is the light in us others are drawn to. When God is in us, He is looking out at other people through us. We need to ask Him to show us His perspective on what He sees. We need to ask Him to give us His heart for others. When need to ask Him what He would want to say to show his love and extend His encouragement to others.
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This what prophetic encouragement is all about. It is about extending the heart of God to a hurting, lost and broken world. It is about encouraging those around us. It is about bringing comfort, strength and encouragement to people on a daily basis. Those in the church and outside the church.
Let’s allow Christ in us, to be the HOPE of Glory for all to see.
As a member of my Launch team, you will:
- READ The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement in a timely fashion (you’ll have 3-4 weeks to do so. Books will be shipped around July 23)
SHARE about the book on your social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat) or with your team, small group, book club, or organization. (we’ll give you instructions about this)
SHARE about the book on your blog/website.
REVIEW the book (Most importantly!) Post a review on Amazon (Not until 8/21) and other retailers (Goodreads and BN.com, etc) on or before August 21, 2018 (release date).(it’s easy, fun and we’ll guide you through it).
GIVE FEEDBACK in our private Facebook group about the book and how it has impacted you!
TELL EVERYONE you know about the book as many times as you can. - RECEIVE lots of freebies and gifts from Debbie.
Still unsure what this gift of prophetic encouragement is all about? Checking out my #BeTheGift Encouragement Experience Facebook group, where we have weekly “Encouragement Missions.” Let me show you what it looks like to be the gift of encouragement this world needs. You can Join the group here:
Also feel free to read what Kelly Balarie, Wayne Cordeiro, Dr. Michelle Bengtson, Sarah Bowling, Jennifer Eivaz and others who endorsed my book had to say by clicking here
Preorder your copy today and claim your FREE bonuses.
Again, also please consider signing up for my launch team here! Space is limited, by the number of physical copies my publisher, Chosen Books can send, so don’t delay. The launch team application will close the week of July 9th or when all the spots are full. Don’t delay, fill out the application today. I promise we will have some amazing summer fun! Plus, I have some great bonus gifts for my launch team members.
Please make sure to visit the post before yours and share some comment love as well as one other post of your choice. In Order to be featured you must follow rule #2 below.
Last week’s Top Clicked Posts:
The first post I want to highlight was by Alice Waters. Alice writes over at A Way with Words. In her post “Called to be More than a Pretty Face,” Alice looks into Deborah’s Story. One line that she wrote stood out to me and I would like to share it with you here: “Our pittance of faith, and feeble attempts at obedience do not limit God’s power and works.” If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Alice, please do so today by clicking on the picture.
Last week, there was another post that tied for the top views, it was from Jen over at A Fireman’s Wife she also has a linkup on Friday’s called: #FridaysAtTheFirestation To me, the beginning of summer represents strawberry seasons. Jen has a great recipe, that is easy and delicious and I know you are all going to want to try. Check it out by clicking on the picture below:
Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs. I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way. Thank you!
Now let’s get this party started, feel free to link 1-3 posts:
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Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
d2htrainging.com membership site is open, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.
Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:
Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Post: #BeTheGift was featured here:
My Posts: “Will You Sit with Me?” & New Mercies Everyday & Wait for it were featured here:
My Posts: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year & And So Do We! & Know Your Why were featured here:
My Post: The Power of your Story was featured here:
My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
Again, I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
I’m really looking forward to reading your book, Debbie, because I can specifically recall opportunities I’ve seen to speak into a life, but I dodged them like a bullet out of . . . what? Fear? Shyness? Reluctance to “get involved?”
Thanks for stepping out in faith as an encouragement to so many!
Thank you Michele! I am looking forward to you reading it as well. Truthfully, sometimes I dodge them as well… mostly out of fear of what will the other person think of me, but when I do step out I get rewarded and blessed by being an encouragement to others and they get the same.
What a wonderful story! Your generosity, encouragement, and kindness to the harried young server were so inspirational. I finished reading the post with tears in my eyes. I am excited to read your book to learn more about prophetic encouragement. What a beautiful way to share God’s love!
Thank you Laurie. I am excited for you to read my book as well. I am so blessed that my post this morning touched you in such a way. Yes, the gift of prophetic encouragement is an awesome and exciting way to spread the love of God! Thanks for your encouragement Laurie.
What a beautiful gift you have! Thank you for sharing that gift and allowing the Holy Spirit to use you!
Thank you, Emily! I love being available for God to use me and my words to bless others. 🙂
I have to admit, the title of your book made me a little uncomfortable. Prophetic encouragement? But reading your post helped me understand. It is important for us to shed His light and encourage others as He would do.
Thanks for your honesty, Debbie. I appreciate it 🙂 I can understand why, the word prophetic used to make me uncomfortable as well, because I didn’t understand it and had some bad experiences with it. But in truth, it is simply doing what Jesus did and allowing the Holy Spirit to move and speak words of encouragement, strengthening and comfort to others. Oftentimes when we pray for others, we are operating in the gift of prophetic encouragement and we don’t even recognize it. I am so glad my post helped you to understand more about this gift. I pray you will consider joining the #BeTheGift FB group, where we discuss what it means to really operate in prophetic encouragement and I give hands on practical ways to walk in it. Plus I pray you will consider reading the book, or possibly even joining the launch team. Blessings
I love this story! I had a brief encounter in Eugene a couple weeks ago with a server. And handed her my card after some encouraging words – only so she could follow up and find some further encouragement. We both need to get some pretty laminated cards w/ Scripture to pass around when we are out and about! The Word won’t return void. Amen? Amen.
Thanks Sue! And yes, the word will not return void. every! I often carry around 3×5 cards to write Scriptures, encouraging words or blessings on, but with my book release, I am having postcards created (in a downloadable format) so people can write encouraging words on them for people. I am so glad you were able to speak life and hope to your server in Eugene. We never know when God wants to bless someone through our words.
Thank you so much for the feature! Have a great weekend!
You are most welcome Jen!
Thank you for hosting! My offerings this week include Cheddar Smashed Potatoes, Grilled Shrimp and Scallops, and Mushroom Soup Marsala. Enjoy your week!
OOOH Marilyn, those are some tasty recipes you are offering this week. thanks for being here – enjoy your week!
I am so excited to read your book,Debbie. I wish I could join in the launch team, but because of my upcoming blogging break, I hear the Lord speaking more of His “slow” word over me. But I will surely be praying for you, and for all those who will read your words. May the Lord bring encouragement to you too, dear Sister!
Thanks Bettie! I am excited for you to read the book too! Make sure to pre-order and claim all the bonus goodies :)I so appreciate all your prayers. Those are much needed and very welcome indeed. I understand needing to be obedient to the Lord and slow things down, I pray that your blogging break will be refreshing and rejuvenating! Blessings to you
I love your heart for encouraging others and can’t even imagine how much you blessed that young waitress. God bless. laurensparks.net
Thanks Lauren. I just love being an encouragement to other people, I get blessed in return too. Blessings to you.
It is such a blessing to bless those whom serve us…As we serve the Lord & others,
Jennifer
yes Jennifer, it truly is a blessing to bless others. especially those who serve us
I am so excited for you and your book launch!! I know that this is going to be such a blessing to so many! Myself included!
Thanks for linking up @LiveLifeWell!
Blessings,
Amy
Thank you Amy! I so appreciate your words of encouragement and excitement. I am excited too. I can’t wait to have you read the book, and I am excited to have you join the launch team too!!!
I love these stories of you sharing times when you deposited those seeds of encouragement. The little things you noticed. The bravery of the intentional connection. It’s inspiring and beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us at #LiveLifeWell.
Thank you so much Jessica! I will admit, sometimes I am not as brave as I would hope to be, fear wiggles it’s way into my thoughts often.. But I push it aside. I love people watching and I am sure that helps me notice the little things. I so appreciate you and your encouragement. I am so blessed to have you on my launch team too!
I love your story of noticing someone that is too often overlooked, the server, and letting God love her through you!
Thank you Elizabeth! My heart goes out to those who are often overlooked, or discouraged. I want to spread the love of God to everyone and speaking encouraging words is something everyone wants and they usually willingly receive.
Very beautiful words this week. Thanks for sharing them. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week ahead.
Thank you Patrick I am so glad to have you here and I appreciate your encouragement. Blessings
“I get opportunities to be a dispenser of His love and encouragement every day, to everyone I meet.” I love this! Your book is so needed, Debbie! What a gift it is to share encouragement to others like the woman at the restaurant. Blessings to you and your husband as you continue to dispense God’s love wherever you go! 🙂
Thank you Christin! I love being able to dispense God’s love everywhere we go. It’s always a fun adventure with God. Thank you for the encouragement about my book too. I feel it is such a right now needed word too. Your words were confirmation of that. Thank you 🙂 Blessings