The 3 O'Clock Wake Up Call: Recent Episodes
Laura Busse
Inspirational messages of gratitude and faith-inspiring questions from Laura Busse to wake us up to God’s presence around us, power within us, and plans for our lives.
Listen to Laura's interview with Dr. Sheri on her Where Medicine Meets Ministry podcast. This is a great conversation between two fantastically positive and engaging women of faith.
Especially when I’m looking forward to something… like my flight leaving on time. But it’s often while we’re waiting that God gets our attention and gives us our next assignment.
This week, let’s play a quick game of Uno as we learn four faith strategies to help us while we’re waiting.
What is it about shame and regret that has such a powerful hold on us? If you’re like me, there are some things that are very, very hard to let go of.
But letting go is exactly what Jesus wants us to do. He cares more about who we are becoming than where we’ve been. So this week, let’s do the walk of shame together, let ourselves off the mat, and allow ourselves to accept his forgiveness.
Here are this week’s 3 Circle Questions to reflect on alone with Jesus and with a few trusted friends this week. 1. Drop the Rock of Shame – Can you think of a “Walk of Shame” your feet have traveled? Where were you? What did you do? Who saw you? In Psalm 34:5 God promises, “Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Imagine yourself looking into Jesus’ eyes. What would He say in grace to you? What truth would He also share?
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Drop the Rock of Regret – God cares more about who you’re becoming than where you’ve been. How does God use our mistakes to make us more like Jesus? What area of your life is He working on right now?
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Drop the Rock of Un-forgiveness - When you confess your sins to God, He remembers them no more. Why is it so hard for us to forgive and forget when we hurt ourselves or we’re hurt by others? You are forgiven to forgive. How can you take a step of forgiveness this week?
When was the last time you stood face to face with someone who told you you’re not enough?
Not smart enough. Not pretty enough. Not skinny enough. Not rich enough. It hurts right?
This week in our Face to Face series, we look at the Samaritan woman at the well and see how she may have been misjudged - both by the women at the time and by ourselves, as modern day readers.
But despite that judgement, Jesus looked past her labels, allowing her to walk with confidence into the plans God had for her.
God wants you to do the same!
Did you know that Jesus’ first miracle in the Bible was to turn water into wine? A lot of wine. Some scholars estimate it to have been 180-200 gallons. Maybe Jesus was trying to show us that he could be just an average guy when He wanted to…
I read the other day that when COVID -19 started shutting down the US in March 2020, alcohol sales increased by 55%. Sales of it online went up 243%. So…even if you don’t have a relationship with alcohol, I bet someone you care about does.
I certainly do. And at times it’s been a little too close for comfort. This week, I sit down and exchange a few words of affection with a few bottles of booze. See if you can relate..
Today, we start a series I’m calling Face to Face. It’s about what happens when ordinary people, like you and me, stand face to face with Jesus.
We’ll be looking at people in the book of John, but what happened to them can just as easily happen to us when we “look Jesus in the eyes.”
It’s a face to face encounter that will change our lives forever!
When you walk close to Jesus, you can expect that God will give you new insights and a few “Ah-ha!” moments. It’s in these moments when you see Jesus more clearly or hear God’s still-small voice. It can ignite an unstoppable faith and change your life.
God is searching the earth looking for people like you & me who want to see Jesus more clearly and hear His voice. Key question – When God is searching, will YOU be found by Him?
It's got its ups and downs, but every single one is worth the trip. Because you never know when the ride will end.
Sometimes to win, you gotta lose big. And losing hurts... But it is often in those moments of loss that God shows up, strengthens us, and pushes us through to new and better things. And when it's all over, we find that we've actually won after all.
We all have giants in our lives that we face every day. This week, we learn a little more about David, and how we can model his techniques for successfully defeating our Goliaths.
When things get stressful, it’s easy to let your mind run off the rails. It’s in those times, when we adopt a more patient, Christ-like perspective, that we can keep the crazy train on the tracks.
This week, I get to talk with Mary Carol Kolbenschlag, Co-founder of Discover Pathwaze, about how we can best figure out our direction amidst life’s many challenges and distractions.
Discover Pathwaze has worked with hundreds of young adults to filter through the confusion, stress, and uncertainty of their college application and career process. Mary Carol shares her insight and wisdom, giving us THREE KEYS to discovering the best paths for us, and the young adults in our lives.
This is so helpful, no matter where you are in your journey. Join us, along with one loud airplane, a couple big bugs, and a barking dog, for this powerful conversation in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.
3 Circle Questions Here are three questions you can reflect on and discuss with a circle of friends or family. 1. What are strengths you feel God has given you? How are you currently using these strengths in your life?
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Who is someone you look to be your guide and help you discover the plans God has for you? Are you helping to guide anyone else?
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Prayer Challenge – Ask God to lead you down the next path He has for you. Like Abraham, take the next step of faith and GO! Pray for young adults you love and ask God to help you be their guide.
What battles are you fighting right now? Where in your life do you need to see victory? How can you be best equipped to fight the good fight of faith every day?
This week, we learn how each piece of the ARMOR OF GOD protects us in our fight. And let’s face it, we are fighting spiritual battles, big and small, every day. We can sure use the help.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him. – 1Corinthians 2:9
During the past two months of COVID-19, what have your eyes NOT seen that you wish you could have seen? Maybe you miss seeing a paycheck being deposited into your checking account. Maybe you missed a graduation ceremony or your favorite team taking the field.
For me, I missed seeing my daughter in Nevada over Spring Break and my mom and step-dad last month in Arizona. All my trips have been canceled. All my summer plans are still unknown. I sure yours are too.
So much is still unknown, right? We don’t know when churches will gather again on weekends or sports teams will begin to practice. We don’t know when schools will open or when we’ll ever be able to plan a vacation.
It’s now, in a time with so many unknowns, that I share our final Holy Habit – WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD.
This week’s message challenges you to WALK AND TALK WITH GOD this week. You’ll learn how to start, what to say, and laugh with God along the way.
Here are three conversational starters to spur you on as you WALK AND TALK WITH GOD.
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God, my eye can’t see the future but I can see my blessings today. Here are the things I am most thankful for…
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God, I want to hear Your voice and know the plans You have for me. I do love you. What is the next step of faith You have for me?
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God, only You know how long this current crisis will last, while I wait how can I learn to love you more?
I hope you’re all hanging in there. By my count, this is Week 8 of the “COVID 19 Shut Down.”
For 8 weeks now, you’ve been in cooped-up in close quarters with the same people. There’s no escape. We’re able to pick our friends but when it comes to FAMILY and this quarantine…we’re stuck with them.
This week’s Holy Habit is vital to your survival: FORGIVENESS.
Take a tour with me through some of my dirty laundry, minus the smell, and I’ll teach you 5 Steps I’ve found to be essential for my forgiving others, and myself.
Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to knock you down when you think you’ve got it all under control. It’s in these valleys, flat on our faces, that God often does his greatest work, gently prompting us to get back up, dust ourselves off, and learn to live more confidently in Christ.
Fighting with God may make you feel a little uncomfortable, but with some practice, you’ll join heroes of the Bible like David, Job, and Mary & Martha. This week, after a little "Covid Quarantine" game time, Laura will teach you some of her favorite punches.
Please give us any feedback you might have on this and, if you liked it, share it with a friend or three!
It’s always your favorite sins that will do you in.” – Kenny Chesney
As the coronavirus closes schools, businesses, churches, and outdoor parks, it’s sometimes feels like the walls are closing in around us. To get out of the house blow off some steam, my husband Dan jumped on his mountain bike. Out on a deserted dirt road, Dan ran into a neighbor taking his young daughter for a joy ride on an ATV four-wheeler. The two stopped to check in on each other’s families and sanity. Our neighbor confessed, “I’m out of work, but life at home isn’t so bad. I play games with my daughter… and start drinking at noon.”
I’ll be honest, when I heard about their conversation my first thoughts were filled with judgment and pride. I’d never start drinking in the middle of the day. I bet his wife is about to lose her mind.
Then the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit turned the focus on to me and revealed a new truth: Since being stuck at home, I too am drinking more than usual. In that moment, Kenny Chesney’s lyrics popped into my head.
“It’s always your favorite sins, that will do you in.”
Quarantined at home, every night feels like Saturday night. As soon as I pull out the pots and pans to make dinner, I get hit with a craving for a glass of red wine.
What is it with women and wine? After attending countless social events, I’ve come to think women and wine have an unique attraction to one another. Maybe it’s our excuse to get together, relax, reduce stress, or escape the hurtful voices in our minds. Whatever the reason we reach for a drink, I’m guessing happy hour is on the rise during this COVID-19 crisis.
Wine might not have a hold on you. If it does, I am by no means throwing stones. But think for a moment. What habit right now is trying to take more and more control over you as the walls of quarantine are closing in? What do you have a tendency to do too much? Are you eating too much, worrying too much, shopping online too much, criticizing too much, gossiping too much, watching toxic trash too much? There’s got to be something. Be honest. What is it?
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to discover how habits create patterns in our lives that change who we are and can predict our future. Before we begin, here is the definition of a habit.
“A habit is a routine or behavior that is performed regularly – and in many cases, automatically.” – James Clear, Atomic Habits
God has known forever what scientists are now publishing with confidence. Proverbs 23:7 reminds us that as we think, we become. I’ve come to realize that when cravings become habits, our habits lead us down the path of who we’ll become. Do you want this time of isolation and quarantine to dictate your future? It’s not too late to take inventory of what’s taking too much control over you.
The most powerful habit that has changed everything in my life, is the daily practice of thanking God every day at 3:00 p.m. – the exact hour Jesus died on the cross for the world. No matter what chaos I’m living in, what crazy thoughts are running through my mind, I stop and give God thanks for something, even if it’s just a few seconds of peace. One moment of gratitude shifts my heart and mind into alignment with Jesus’ and sends me down a much better path for the rest of the day.
Scripture shows us that Jesus modeled giving thanks to God at all times. He thanked God before He multiplying five fish and two loaves of bread to feed 5,000 people (Matthew 14:13-21). He thanked God before calling Lazarus from the grave ( John 11:38-44). And He even thanked God during the Last Supper, knowing His own death was imminent (Matthew 26:26-30).
Let’s start or remind ourselves why giving thanks to God is a HOLY HABIT that can change everything during a time of crisis.
ONE POWERFUL MOMENT OF GRATITUDE TO GOD CAN…
• Release you from unstoppable stress or worry. • Reset your mind to God’s goodness and grace. • Remind you of what’s most important in your life.
Give it a try. Set an alarm on your watch or phone for 3:00 p.m. or download our free app and we’ll start the habit for you. https://www.3oclockwakeup.com/
Every day, you will be reminded to give thanks to God and live your best life in the midst of this crisis. When the walls start closing in, let’s reach for God instead of whatever the enemy would love for you to reach for.
Giving thanks to God is the first Holy Habit, the first step to win, against our favorite sins that could do us in.
3 O’CLOCK CIRCLES Here are 3 questions you can think about and share with others in your home, on the phone, or online.
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Give Thanks – Write down 5, 10, or even 50 people, places, or things you are thankful to God for.
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Give Thought - What is a favorite sin that has the power to do you in? Confess this to yourself, God, and someone you trust who loves you.
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Give Time – Read how Jesus modeled giving thanks in your Bible. Here are the three key passages mentioned above: Matthew 14:13-21, John 11:38-44, and Matthew 26:26-30. What can you learn from Jesus as He lived out the holy habit of giving thanks to God?
The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!
Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call Movement
Some Christmas memories we'll treasure forever, others, we'd like to forget as soon as possible...
Imagine how Mary's life was upended with the news that she was going to give birth to Jesus? If she had known the profoundly amazing ripple effects of that, I bet it would have been a little easier to handle. In preparing for Christmas, let's explore some of those effects - yes, it's possible in a podcast, I promise. I bet you'll be as amazed as I was...
This Thanksgiving week, you will be given many opportunities to love others. I think we’d all agree that some people are easy to love, while others are much more challenging. You might not see things the way they do, agree with their political views, or approve of their lifestyle. Still… you can choose to love and let go of all that separates you.
Do you ever feel like having five more minutes would make all the difference in the world? You desperately desire for five more minutes to clean before the company arrives, or prepare before the presentation, or hug before you have to say good-bye.
Don’t you wish you had a “pause button” that could freeze a moment in time? Who would you spend five more minutes with? What time in your life would you like to relive in order to remember it more vividly?
Let's face it, it’s challenging to love the people we live with, work with, and bump into every day. But we're called to, right? Didn't Jesus? He was on a mission to do the His Father’s will; to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). And when He did, hatred became love, shame was washed away, and even gossipers gave God glory. Jesus perfectly modeled what it looks like to love our enemies. Our challenge is…will we follow His lead?
Our words hold so much power. They have the awesome ability to be uplifting and life giving.... But, they can also be crushing and destructive.
Words spoken over us either limit and label, or lift us up to see our true potential. Thankfully the words God speaks over you are beautiful and abounding with hope.
What kind of words do you want to be known for?
How quick are you to judge someone else? The woman laughing with her boss, your recently-divorced neighbor driving a new car... It's easy to form opinions before understanding the situation, or the person in it. Unfortunately, sometimes it's our first instinct.
But Jesus was not that way. He was caught up in mercy, love, and compassion.
This week, we take a little quiz, then follow Jesus to meet the woman at the well and learn to let compassion lead the way.
No matter where you are: far from God, on your way home, or safe in His loving arms, remember, “There is rejoicing in the presence of angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10) Repenting is a simple U-Turn. Admitting you’ve been on the wrong path and walking back to God.
I hope you’ll check your mind, heart, body, and soul to see if something in your life is spiraling out of control. If so, turn right around today. Whatever shoes you’re wearing, start walking home. God is waiting with out-stretched arms, ready to welcome you home.
Want to learn more about our upcoming Women's Conference on October 19th? Watch this short video.
I recently learned that the average person spends 90,000 hours of their lives working! That’s way too many to simply complain or trudge our way through.
What if you took the mundane work you do every day and invited God to join you? Because He sees you folding the laundry, cleaning the toilet, working diligently, and loving faithfully. He takes great delight in you and rejoices over you (Zephaniah 3:17). He cheers you on as you work every day.
Inviting God into our work can change the mundane into marvelous when we consider the author of our life and creator of the world truly cares about our hours and our days.
“We come together to know and grow.”
That sounds great, but unfortunately we can’t just snap our fingers and make it happen. I’ve learned that to be truly known, whether in a small group, or one on one as a friend, takes time, effort, and vulnerability. We have to be real with each other in order to form friendships. And that’s risky.
But it’s always worth it!
Rose is one of The Lost Girls of Sudan. She is one of thousands of refugees who fled the horrible violence of war torn Sudan for the safety of the Kaukama refugee camp in Kenya, back in the 1990s.
Her journey is inspiring, as is her confidence in Christ, who she has relied upon every step of the way.
You don’t have to sing in church to let people know you’re a Christian. In fact, if you sing like me, people generally prefer that you just keep quiet.
But you can try this…
Every day God is calling you to draw closer to Him. He doesn’t want to be another detail in an over-scheduled, chaotic day. He desires intimacy with you so He can reveal the next step of faith He’s planned for you.
Even though I walk through the valley of a jam-packed Back-to-School sale at Target, I will not melt down… Well, not too badly, anyways.
Coming up on those birthdays that end in zeros can be a little daunting. Recently, I ran into a stranger in a graveyard who taught me one way to deal with it...
God is pleased when our steps follow Jesus and we walk in His ways. But He knows we’ll stumble in the dark, reach for the wrong things, and skin our knees more often than we soar.
And if you’re in a dark, dingy basement, you may end up bloodied and bruised.
I said a sad and unexpected goodbye to an old friend this week, but she wasn’t there to hear it.
Before you have to do the same, reach out to someone you’ve lost touch with, before they’re lost for good.
In this week's episode, I've got some suggestions I hope will help.
This Sunday is Father’s Day. Let’s raise a glass to all the fathers who are crushing it! They show up in their kids’ lives: checking in, cheering on, and showering with love. But what about the fathers who died young or didn’t stick around after the positive pregnancy results?
This week, we’ll explore how God, as our HEAVENLY father, more than fills that hole with His overwhelming, unconditional love.
Research tells us that if you haven’t tried sushi by age 35, there’s a 95% chance you’re never going to.
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
What holds me, and many of us back, is fear. Fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, even the fear of success.
This week, we’ll tackle fear with faith, because God is continually challenging us to change.
God calls all of us to something. Are we listening? And do we obey and go?
Throughout the Bible, God sent His people to do things that required great faith and trust: Abraham, Moses, Mary, and Paul.. to name just a few.
Through their obedience they accomplished miracles.
Spring has sprung... minus a few freak snowstorms here in Colorado.. so it's bathing suit weather!
This week we talk about how comparison sends our feet down the path of negativity, and that God is calling us to recognize and celebrate our uniqueness.
There's some scratchy audio - I actually started jogging in place as I told the story. Sorry!!
How do we control the thousands of thoughts competing for our attention? How can we have more positive, uplifting thoughts and fewer negative, toxic ones?
Learn to SHUT SATAN UP by separating "truth" from "trash".
You can read the entire blog post HERE as well as get challenging questions to share with your friends