Joy is the serious business of heaven. - C.S. Lewis This month's Bible reading challenge on Pure Joy has caused me to reflect on joy more deeply than ever before.I say that I want joy, but how badly do I really want it?Am I willing to choose and embrace joy over the daily challenges presented?Am I thinking of service as a height of joy rather than a stepping stone to some … [Read more...] about Joy Journal Bookmark and Journaling Page
Encouragement
The Road Marked With Suffering
Today I'm thinking of you. You who are looking at a long road ahead. Maybe you who are staring at a blank wall, wishing that handwriting with clear instructions for the journey would appear. Or maybe you are wishing you could somehow make the wall disappear. I don't know exactly what your wall or obstacle or hurdle looks like. But my heart hurts for you because not only have I been there, but I … [Read more...] about The Road Marked With Suffering
Don’t Wait Until You’re Not Scared
There's something that you really want to do that you're totally afraid to do. I don't know what it is. I don't know your motives and desires behind it. You have been longing to make this dream happen for days. Or maybe weeks. Or months. Or even years. You believe that you can do anything in the strength of the Lord but the truth is? You're afraid.You're afraid that you won't succeed. That … [Read more...] about Don’t Wait Until You’re Not Scared
If Only
Every day I receive emails from folks who have been called to God's work. Oh, whether they feel like they are supposed to start leading a small group or writing a blog or teaching a Bible study or nurturing a group of younger women doesn't really matter. Most of the emails are asking for one thing. Advice on how to begin. They typically write something like:"I've surrendered my life to God and … [Read more...] about If Only
21 Days of Encouraging Others
A couple weeks ago, I happened to walk in my daughter's school office right after the secretaries received a surprise visit from the PTO. The ladies on the PTO team had announced that they were sending the secretaries on a surprise visit to the spa! The sweetness in the room was so evident; all the ladies were just beaming with excitement. Everyone loves surprise encouragement, especially one of … [Read more...] about 21 Days of Encouraging Others
You Are Enough
I was 6 years old when I sat in the First Baptist pews for Sunday morning church. I often sat with Betty and Betty was special. I remember the flip on the ends of her short gray hair that she smoothed back over her head. She walked with a limp. I can still see her walk and thinking back on it, it might have been her hip. I'm not sure why I ever started sitting with Betty. But I do remember this. … [Read more...] about You Are Enough
20 Discussion Questions for Christian NonFiction Books
You've worked hard to set up a small group, book club or Bible study. You made phone calls, sent emails, arranged the schedule, and prepared a beautiful atmosphere. Or maybe you reserved a room at the library or church.Perhaps you are not the one who united the group, but you are attending a book club or Bible study for the first time. Now that the book lovers have united, how do you get the … [Read more...] about 20 Discussion Questions for Christian NonFiction Books
4 Questions to Measure Personal Success
Lately God has brought the topic of success before me in many ways. An email from a reader here. An article from someone I admire over there. A success story of weight loss. (You go!) A product launch turned full-time income. And it's easy to compare ourselves to the success notes of others. Their highs to our lows. But I'm not going to spend time on the comparison trap right now.Last week, a … [Read more...] about 4 Questions to Measure Personal Success