As 2016 was winding down I felt like I was one of the only bloggers without a “Word for the Year,” Then, in the final hours, it came to me in the shower - only THE single-most inspiring space in my house. My word for 2017 is really two words: Open Doors. Ever since these words popped into my head and I claimed them as my own, it seems that doors have been flying open all over the place. Either that or I have more awareness of the opportunities before me.
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GIVEAWAY WINNER!
Everyone has periods of suffering in their lives but if anyone can understand lifelong suffering surely Joni Eareckson Tada can. So who better to author the Beyond Suffering Bible?
Today, I’m excited to announce not just one winner of this new Bible but THREE WINNERS . . . simply because I couldn’t stand not to share the love with more people. I only wish I could send everyone a copy!
So, without further ado, the winners are as follows:
Noelle
LouAnn
Christi
I’ve emailed each of you with a request for your shipping address. Please respond ASAP so I can get your Bibles mailed out to you.
A big thank you to all who entered and many blessings in the New Year!
Pumpkins, Roses, and Calgon, Take me Away.
Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist is the book I’m reading right now. This book is really causing me to take a step back and re-evaluate the busyness of my life. I am no longer working a full time job, we have no responsibility in our church right now, and I no longer have kids at home that keep me living crazy. My crazy comes all from pressure I put on myself to keep working toward getting everything on my to-do list done. But I never get it done and I never will get it done because I keep adding things to it. That’s simply the kind of person I am.
I have this voice inside my head that tells me that it is wrong to stop and rest when my hubby works such long and crazy hours (don’t worry it isn’t a real voice, just my thinking voice). It also warns me that if I stop and rest I might have to deal with some very unpleasant thoughts about very real problems. Though I don’t share everything about our lives and family here on the blog, we have one. And our family has it’s share of ups and down just like any other family does. However, this particular year has been a hard one. Stress, worry, fear, and heartbreak (You don’t need to tell me to cast my cares upon the Lord or to trust in Him alone because believe me, I find myself in a constant state of casting and trusting).
So I keep myself busy to keep from being overwhelmed . . . or so I tell myself. Click To Tweet
I’m in the process of re-evaluating. What are the things that are really important in my life and what things can be set aside? What are the things I’m doing that have to do with the calling on my life and what things am I doing out of a sense of obligation? What are the things that I do that will best serve God, my family, and my friends? And maybe me too because this might just start with taking better care of me!
I’ve been hesitant to take a blogging break because I’ve been to writer’s conferences where “they” say - those great and all-knowing experts on everything - that to draw back from regularly posting to your blog is certain death, and will diminish all those followers you’ve worked so hard to gain so that One Day, that fabulous book you’re writing will be the buzz among them and they will broadcast the word near and far making it the next best seller and making your name a household word!
Push, push, push, and don’t slow down. Post it, link it, Pin it, Tweet it, IG it, and turn around and do it all again.
It has been slow going as I write the book that I feel God has called me to write. I plug away whenever I can . . . whenever I don’t find myself swamped with all of the other things I feel obligated or simply driven to do.
But wait a minute. What about that verse I’ve clung to so often on this writing journey, “The Lord will accomplish that which concerns me,” from Psalm 138:8? I know I have to put the work into the writing but driving myself mad with the push for likes and follows? Not now. Not at this juncture in my life. Not when I have more important things to fight for. NO!
At the end of the day, whether my book is picked up by a publisher or self-published, whether it reaches thousand, tens of thousands, millions, or a couple dozen people, the message in my book will get into the hands of those it is meant to. Our Pastor asked a question last week that really hit the nail on the head for me, At life's end what will matter most, the number of likes you've gotten or the amount of love you've shown? Click To Tweet
So I’m taking a little break. I don’t know how long it will be but I need to take a little time for self love in the form of self care. Lord knows, I need it! My family needs it too. Even if I can’t be present with them they need my prayers. So I’m drawing away for a time to do the next right thing.
I already had a few posts planned so I will pop in from time to time with photos and maybe some news of what is happening in my world. You can also follow me on Instagram where I will be posting more often.
Be still and know that I am God.
I’m looking forward to it.
Blessings friends,
P.S. I hope you liked my French Country Pumpkins and Roses. Pretty things make me smile 🙂
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace
Monday:
IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired, InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStoryMaking Your Home Sing Mondays, The Beauty in His Grip What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking,SmallWonder, LifeGivingLinkup, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends
Tuesday:
TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse, CedarHillFarmhouse, KatheWithAnE,TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles, Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story, IntentionalTuesday
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, TheBlissfulBee, Posed Perfection, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, ChristianBloggerLinkup, Whole Hearted Home, Mom’s Morning Coffee, Women with Intention, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday
Thursday:
ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner, PrettyPreppyParty, The Deliberate Mom/Shine Blog Hop, I Choose Joy, Live Free Thursday, Thought Provoking Thursday, PartyAtMyPlace, 100HappyDays, SincerelyPaulas, ThankfulThursdays
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration, Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With Jesus
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents, SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet
Today is the Day That Hope Prevails!
Ten months ago I met the Happiest Girl in the World!
We’d been in the same online writer’s group for some time and within this group I always noticed her joy shining through the crowd of hundreds. Attracted to the light within her I began to follow her writings where she offers hope to the hurting. As a Neurophychologist Dr. Bengtson’s doctorly advice is amazing, but it was her joy-filled countenance, positive attitude, and sheer energy that struck me most about this new friend of mine.
Where did this contagious joy come from?
When Dr. Michelle and I finally met face-to-face at the Allume writer’s conference last Fall, and she asked me to be a part of her book launch team for Hope Prevails, I was ecstatic! She was, in my mind, one of the BIG ones! A writer of substance. A writer with authority. A writer with a long list of letters coming after her name to show that she was worthy of paying heed to.
And given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of her book I would have the chance to inspect the reason for her JOY.
I’m pleased to announce that TODAY is the formal release of Dr. Michelle’s new book, Hope Prevails! This book is unique in that it offers insight from Dr. Michelle’s personal journey through depression. I was stunned to learn that this joy-filled woman once lived without hope and in the depths of despair. In her desperation she tried using the same methods she’d given her patients to overcome depression only to find that they didn’t work. This is when she began addressing the spiritual side of depression. Dr. Michelle states that if we don’t address the spiritual side , We are just applying band aids and hoping our soul gets well #HopePrevails Click To Tweet
She also states emphatically that,
Depression does not have to become a permanent way of life #HopePrevails Click To Tweet
This is good, GOOD news!
This book is Dr. Bengtson’s life’s work. In it she shares how God can shine the brightest light in our darkest moments so that we are not alone. As Dr. B. says, My book, Hope Prevails, shows us that nothing we face is too big for God. #HopePrevails. Click To Tweet
This book is powerful and offers real HOPE. I wholeheartedly recommend Hope Prevails and cordially invite you to get a copy of Dr. Michelle Bengtson’s book today. If not for you, then for someone you love.
Expect to be blessed!
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace
Monday:
IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired, InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStoryMaking Your Home Sing Mondays, The Beauty in His Grip What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking,SmallWonder, LifeGivingLinkup, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends
Tuesday:
TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse, CedarHillFarmhouse, KatheWithAnE,TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles, Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story, IntentionalTuesday
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, TheBlissfulBee, Posed Perfection, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, ChristianBloggerLinkup, Whole Hearted Home, Mom’s Morning Coffee, Women with Intention, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday
Thursday:
ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner, PrettyPreppyParty, The Deliberate Mom/Shine Blog Hop, I Choose Joy, Live Free Thursday, Thought Provoking Thursday, PartyAtMyPlace, 100HappyDays, SincerelyPaulas, ThankfulThursdays
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration, Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With Jesus
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents, SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet
Milk, Eggs, Prophecy - FREE on Kindle!
I love the life I live! Who’d a thunk that my latter years would be filled with days to write and create; attend writer’s conferences; belong to writer’s groups; teach others from my own experience; and rub elbows with some of the most talented women I’ve ever known? Who’d a thunk that I’d get the opportunity to showcase the work of my friends right here on my own space in the blogosphere? Life is GOOD!
Today I want to share a book with you that I’m super excited about! I’m excited because it was written by one of my dearest friends, Debbie Kitterman. Debbie is an author, a speaker, the founder of the ministry Dare2Hear, and she and her husband John are Senior Pastors of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Debbie is also a friend, a shopping buddy, an explorer of “unusual” places, a fellow “gourmet” as we search out the best places to eat, and a partner in crime as we weave our way through the maze of the web and conquer unknown technical territories!
Have you ever felt like God laid something on your heart that He wanted you to share with another person? Has that ever weighed so heavily upon you that you couldn’t rest until you had the opportunity to share it with that person? I’ve had that many times in my life but I could never put a name to it until more recent years. Prophecy.
When one thinks of prophecy one thinks of the the future and the foretelling of events yet to come. You know, Armageddon and the End Times. What we aren’t taught much about in the mainstream church is the spiritual gift of prophecy as it relates to forth-telling, or declaring revelation from God into individual lives. This is something I’ve learned about in recent years and, though I thought it weird when I started learning, I soon realized it is simply God speaking to us with words of affirmation, encouragement, even direction for our lives. Why wouldn’t a God who loves us want to speak personally to us? Why shouldn’t this be as normal a staple in our spiritual pantry as milk and eggs are in the kitchen pantry?
In this book, Milk, Eggs, Prophecy, Debbie gives us a down-to-earth, simple explanation of the “radically ordinary nature of prophecy” and why it is important to the church today. What I like about the book is that she takes it a step further by explaining that we don’t need to run to those with “prophetic giftings” to hear from God but how God can, and wants to, speak directly to each and every one of His followers. That’s MY kinda’ God!
What I LOVE about this book is it’s readability in that the teaching on prophecy is balanced with stories from Debbie’s personal life and her own journey as she explored this gifting that God has given her. If you’ve always been curious about the spiritual gift of prophecy, this is a great place to start . . . AND . . . as a Valentine’s Day gift of LOVE to you, Debbie’s book is FREE on Kindle throughout the Valentine’s Day weekend (midnight Friday through midnight Sunday)! Simply click on the PICTURE below to be directed to Amazon and start reading today.
Now can I ask you a favor? If you choose to read this book would you then follow up by going to Amazon to give it your highest and best review? And don’t forget to Tweet about it! That would be a wonderful Valentine gift of love to our dear Debbie!
To learn more about Debbie’s ministry, to book her for a speaking engagement, or to follow her blog you can visit her website HERE.
Happy Valentine’s Day friends!
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, NiftyThriftyThings, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace
Monday:
InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, Making Your Home Sing Mondays, The Beauty in His Grip What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking
Tuesday:
HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, Elizabeth&Co, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse, NaptimeCreations, CedarHillFarmhouse, KatheWithAnE,
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
Dream.Create.Inspire.Link, MeCoffeeAndJesus,Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky,Time Warp Wife,Solo Deo Gloria Sisterhood,Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story
Wednesday:
TheBlissfulBee, Posed Perfection, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, A Little R & R, Whole Hearted Home, Mom’s Morning Coffee, Women with Intention, Coffee for Your Heart
Thursday:
ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, FromMyFrontPorchToYours, ADelightsomeLife, AKAWeekendRetreat,
KatherinesCorner, PrettyPreppyParty, YourTurnToShine, Serving Joyfully/Thriving Thursdays, The Deliberate Mom/Shine Blog Hop, I Choose Joy, Live Free Thursday, Thought Provoking Thursday,
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, MissMustardSeed, ThirtyHandmadeDays,TheShabbyNest, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday,
ShabbyliciousFriday, TheCreativeCollection, Christian Mommy Blogger Fellowship Fridays, Blessing Counters,Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays,Faith & Fellowship Bloghop, Grace & Truth Linkup, Grace&TruthSharingRedemption’sStories, Dance With Jesus, The Weekend Brew
Saturday:
