Suddenly, I knew it was time to stop. God pronounced a season of silence, and I was relieved to obey His prompting. My words had begun to feel like a weight; the more I spoke the less I heard God's voice. When I sensed that God was giving me a blogging and social media break, I gulped the opportunity like a woman dying of thirst. I removed … [Read more...] about When You Know It’s Time for Silence
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Giveaway & a Safe Place for Wives
Friends... I've been holding on to a secret for so long that I'm about to bust. I promise to make it official as soon as I have a contract in my hot little hands. Here are some hints: It's a writing project in a new genre. (I'm up to my ears in writing, so I'm going to do a few fun posts here until I can breath again.)It's about a woman who … [Read more...] about Giveaway & a Safe Place for Wives
Partnerships for Speaking Up
God made us for community, and He will give us partnerships for speaking up if we'll ask and watch. I'm incredibly thankful for the partnerships that He's brought to me over the years for writing, coaching, and ministry. In this new season, He's surrounding me with the comfort of community in the hard place of speaking up. If you missed the … [Read more...] about Partnerships for Speaking Up
You Are God-Approved
It's easy to let comparisons make us doubt that we're God-approved. I was especially unsure in college, a season I wrote about in today's Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion, "What Kind of Woman Does God Approve Of?" Monday was International Women's Day, and I want to pause to celebrate YOU here no matter what "kind" of woman you are-- no matter … [Read more...] about You Are God-Approved
Boundaries for Speaking Up
Speaking up where we've been called to be an advocate can be hard, and it can be filled with land mines-- emotions, disagreements, and personal failures. I know I've experienced those, and that's why boundaries are so important. In this video, I tell about two personal failures that I've experienced recently and the boundaries that I'm … [Read more...] about Boundaries for Speaking Up
Preparation for Speaking Up
Why does the best learning have to come from the worst failures? Tune in today to hear why I hate this speak-up-journey and the lessons I'm learning because of all my mistakes. (I don't really hate the journey. I just hate all the painful failures!) If you're subscriber, go to the website to watch my short videos. This week I talked about … [Read more...] about Preparation for Speaking Up
How to Become a Loving Listener in Four Steps
Happy Friday to my regular subscribers and all those visiting from my devotion "How to Create a Legacy of Loving Listening." I'm so happy to hang out with you today! You'd think with all of the noise in our world that listening would be a natural activity. I have ears. (check!) There is noise. (check, check, check!) Thus, I listen. … [Read more...] about How to Become a Loving Listener in Four Steps
3 Ways to Build Community, Make Friends & Share Jesus (all at the same time!)
There's one community that we have easier access to than any other--our neighborhood. It's where we can build community, make friends, and share Jesus all in one fell swoop! Recently Cheri and I got to interview the Dave and Jon Ferguson, the authors of B.L.E.S.S.: 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World. The time with them … [Read more...] about 3 Ways to Build Community, Make Friends & Share Jesus (all at the same time!)
How a Caring Community Sparks Growth and Change
When you want to create a life of impact, there's no more powerful catalyst than a caring community. Last Tuesday, I pounded out the first post of 2021 just hours before my first Year of Impact meeting with 27 women. I only knew 2 others in the group, and I didn't sugar coat my fears. I left out one, though. One of the fears that I omitted … [Read more...] about How a Caring Community Sparks Growth and Change
The Fearful Move of Making an Impact
World-changer. How does that word make you feel? I know that it's supposed to be inspiring, but to me, it's intimidating. Maybe that's why I've become resistant to New Year's Resolutions. Change of any kind feels daunting (especially this year!), but changing the WORLD? Forget about it. But in the New Year, we traditionally look at our lives … [Read more...] about The Fearful Move of Making an Impact
A Prayer for Christmas (So It’s NOT a Nightmare)
It's Christmas Eve, so I know that time is short and expectations are high. That was the inspiration for my devotion today, "Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas." We have a simple choice today, but it won't be easy. I hope that this little prayer helps you to choose Jesus as the treasure for this season-- a difficult Christmas like none we can … [Read more...] about A Prayer for Christmas (So It’s NOT a Nightmare)
Purposeful Wandering
As you many know, I wear many ministry hats-- speaker, author and podcaster are a few. But one of my favorite "hats" is coaching speakers and writers over at Next Step Coaching Services. Last month, my coaching partner, Melanie Chitwood, released a new book called How to Write a Devotion, and part of the launch was a devotion contest. The winner … [Read more...] about Purposeful Wandering
Yes, We Need a Little Christmas
I'm so ready for Christmas! Except that I'm not at all ready for Christmas! I'm a last minute shopper who's always scrambling around for ideas. If you're the same way, I want to share some of my favorite gift books and some of the places I'll be shopping this year. My goal is to do the majority of my shopping in local businesses and fair … [Read more...] about Yes, We Need a Little Christmas
A Powerful Boost from Furry Paws
Whew! The election is over and the holidays are zooming toward us. It really feels like a new season, and I'm full of hope. For almost two years now, I've been hitting heavy topics with my blog posts. I've grown, and I hope you have too. For the months of November and December, though, I feel like we need a break for some lightness and … [Read more...] about A Powerful Boost from Furry Paws
How to Speak Up with Boldness & Kindness
About two months ago, I nervously stepped out on faith to ask a woman for an interview that I've admired from a distance. Dr. Karen Swallow Prior is someone that I started following after hearing her speak at the MLK50 Conference that I attended almost three years ago. Since then, I've listened to her speak up through her writing on social … [Read more...] about How to Speak Up with Boldness & Kindness
