For I Have Learned to Be Content
I’ve been taking a gratitude-type class for the last few weeks, and we’re studying several different Bible passages about thankfulness. This one stood out for me this week: Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV) 11...
View ArticleMy First ACFW Conference
A couple years ago I signed up for the ACFW Conference, and then we had this happen: Raccoons ate through our roof. And then this: A tree that fell in the yard. In other words, a trip anywhere just...
View ArticlePutting on the New
Update: 11/14/13 Just wanted to give a quick update here on Putting on the New. Since we launched we’ve been able to grow quite a bit. Praise God! What wonderful things he’d been able to do with that...
View Article15 Years and Lessons About Grace
Fifteen years ago this week, I was sitting in my brand new apartment with a content and happy feeling. I had weathered some rough years, both as a kid and young adult, but things had begun to change. I...
View ArticleWomen of Faith and Being a Fangirl
A few weeks ago I was able to go to the Women of Faith conference with speakers like Lisa Harper and Angie Smith. What an amazing experience and one that completely pulled me out of my comfort zone. It...
View ArticleUsing Your Creative Gifts
You’ve heard me say this several times over the last several years: use your creative gifts. Your creative gifts don’t have to be perfect (in fact, it’s better if they aren’t!), they don’t have to be...
View ArticleQuotes for Encouragement About Finding Joy
When you need inspiration in life, a few great, famous sayings from some of the most creative and brilliant minds is sure to do the trick. Jot down one or two of these quotes about joy and keep them up...
View ArticleVision Boards
Have you ever made a vision board? People think they’re either really cool or completely ridiculous. I believe they can help you remain focused and keep your goals in front of you. I think life can be...
View ArticlePeace I Leave With You
You know how I’ve been groovin’ on the words of John these days. I never used to enjoy John because he was so cerebral and poetic. Ironic, isn’t it? My apologies to him because now I can’t get enough....
View ArticleArt Is Personal
Did another craft show this weekend. Usually, talking to people isn’t my thing but I’ve enjoyed learning about the types of art people like. The colors, the style, the message… they all have meaning to...
View ArticleWhat Do You Meditate On?
A while back one of the sermons in our church was about what you meditate on every day. In other words, what are the words or objects that you continually go back to? Our pastor mentioned that everyone...
View ArticleHe Leads Me
One of the lines I meditate on frequently is “He leads me…” As in Psalm 23:2, “He leads me beside quiet waters.” I sometimes go back and forth between the King James Bible and the NIV for certain...
View ArticleKeep Going
The next time someone is trying to put you down, and make you feel bad about yourself, repeat these words to yourself. Don’t bother saying them aloud, just to yourself: You can’t intimate me. I am...
View ArticleYou Are Chosen by God
One thing I love about being a Christian is the idea that God chose us. Not the other way around. He chose us, loved us first, so that we could love him. This thought blows my mind a little. On those...
View ArticleSelf-Induced Nonsense
I’ve been watching Celebrity Apprentice and have found Gary Busey very entertaining. How can you not be fascinated with a guy who is kooky, genius-like, sweet, and incredibly odd? One of the things I...
View ArticleRandom Acts of Kindness and the Blessings That Follow
I’ve been thinking a lot about random acts of kindness. We see them everywhere. We really do. But they don’t quite get the attention that they deserve, do they? We hear more about the bad events on the...
View ArticleCan I Pray for You?
I talked about my change in prayer focus, and I thought, what better way to demonstrate that than by praying for you. Because you all lift me up so often, and I appreciate you. I want to do something...
View ArticleGod’s Timing
God’s timing. Is there anything more mysterious? For me, learning patience through God’s timing has been very hard. Are you patient? I’m not. When I see something I work toward getting it. I never...
View ArticleOn God and the Garmin
Despite having a pretty good sense of direction, I feel helpless without my Garmin. Why is that? I know my way around for the most part, but every once in a while I’m driving and have no idea how to...
View ArticleMy Word for 2016
Years ago, I adopted a word for the year. I think this was about 2009 or so and I believe the word I chose was “joy.” The memories are fuzzy, but I think that was it. I then quickly decided choosing a...
View Article
