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!)
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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
A Little Break for Fun and Fashion!
Ok. You all know me here as a pretty serious girl, talking and writing about all the serious things. But I'm a GIRL too, you know? I've been watching my friend Shari Braendel's YouTube Channel and Instagram account for all the fashion things, and last week I dove into everything she's been teaching me! Here's a fun Facebook Live that we did all … [Read more...] about A Little Break for Fun and Fashion!
Speaking Up in Winsome Ways
I hope you're enjoying these interviews on how to speak up in godly ways! I'm learning something new-- a new tip, script, or way of thinking-- from each woman. It's really been fascinating to ask the same set of questions to four different women and hear four different answers. Each one has brought her strengths to the table! This week, I … [Read more...] about Speaking Up in Winsome Ways
How to Persevere in Speaking Up
So... I blew it online today. Sigh. Instead of calling a guy up (I mean, he was a STRANGER who made a nasty personal assumption about me, and he was dead wrong, and... ahem.), my emotions got the best of me, and I called him out instead. (I wasn't totally nasty, but I let some snark slip.) This is a process, isn't it? I should have … [Read more...] about How to Persevere in Speaking Up
Developing Deep Roots for a Strong Voice
This week I'm beyond excited to launch a series of four interviews with a very special group of women, women who are known for their tender hearts and strong voices. These are women that I've seen speak up in real life in godly ways, and I can't wait for us to learn from them. Each woman shares lessons that we can take into our everyday life as … [Read more...] about Developing Deep Roots for a Strong Voice
How to Be a Godly Woman Who Speaks Up in Godly Ways
Politics. Race. Covid. Mercy me. It seems like our world is steeped in issues with hoards of people who have LOTS to say. There are daily opportunities to use our voice (especially on social media) which lead to a myriad of opportunities to either get ourselves in trouble or to do a little good. I'm left with the question, "How can a … [Read more...] about How to Be a Godly Woman Who Speaks Up in Godly Ways
How to Fight Feeling Unlovable
There are all kinds of things that make us feel unlovable. They can be a small as a pimple mixed with our wrinkles, a spat with your spouse, or a tech glitch that makes you feel like the dummy they write those books about. Or we can feel unlovable for truly traumatic reasons like a besmiched past, being shamed by those who should have loved us, … [Read more...] about How to Fight Feeling Unlovable
Speaking Up
I've been so absent here, and please know that it's not escaping my attention. I have lots of good reasons but no good excuses so I'll spare you. :) Even though I haven't been writing here much, God has definitely been opening doors for me to live the message I've been sharing here: Listen --> Feel --> Do--> Speak In particular, … [Read more...] about Speaking Up
