Ordinary Inspirations for the everyday Wife, Mommy, & Homemaker

I Could Have Been Many Things...

2012-01-30T05:43:00.000-08:00

I'm sure I could have been many things. A manager of a successful company. A compassionate nurse. An important administrator. The owner of a restaurant chain.

The success, power, and prestige that I could have gotten from working outside my home could have been a possibility. Sure.

But I wouldn't change it for the world to see my little ones grow up. To be with them, day after day, and witness God's hand in their life.

Because I am their manager. I am a compassionate nurse. I am an important administrator. And most days, I run a pretty successful restaurant chain... even if I never get the praise for it. But most importantly, I'm raising little souls to love their creator God. What a high calling!

Colossians 3:23 say, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

So to the mommy, whose days seem long, and you wonder if what you are doing means anything... it does! It makes an eternal difference!

And, lest I forget the mommies who sometimes deserve twice the credit, those mommies that work outside their home, because they have to, but their heartbeat is first and foremost in the home, God sees your heart and the work you do!

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A Daddy's Love

2012-01-28T05:56:00.000-08:00

My daddy ...

is someone who ties me shoes,
kisses my boo boos,
raises me up over his head to touch the ceiling,
catches bugs with me,
lets me ride on his tractor with him,
goes to work so I can eat him out of house and home,
fixes my toys and makes them new again,
sings Jesus Loves Me to me as I fall asleep,
prays with me,
teaches me God's Word,
changes my diaper,
makes me giggle,
watches movies with me and plays with toy cars,

... is someone I want to be just like someday!

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Would Others Describe You As Tender?

2012-01-27T06:47:00.000-08:00

TENDER.

Showing gentleness and concern.

>Soft.

>Delicate.

>Gentle.

>Affectionate.

>Loving.

Have you tried being tender towards someone that has wronged you? It is nearly impossible. In the heat of the moment, tenderness is replaced with deep anger, spite, animosity, revenge, and eventually hatred and bitterness.

Ephesians 4:32 says, "and be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you.

Has forgiven you.

HE FORGAVE YOU!

And so, when I'm tempted to let bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and words of evil filled up in my heart come out, I will put it away. He tells me to.

If we want to be tender people, we must be a forgiving people. How can we be a forgiving people?

1) Preach the gospel to yourself daily.

2) Be filled with the Spirit.

3) Pray for those who wrong you or persecute you or who simply are harder to love.

If you do this, you will be described as a tender person, full of compassion, and looking a lot like our Savior, Jesus Christ!

How about we start being tender towards those in our own house first and foremost?

Linking with the Gypsy Mamas 5 Minute Friday....

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Are You Enjoying Your Children?

2012-01-26T15:36:00.000-08:00

1. Laugh with them often.

2. Don't wish your day away.

3. Don't wish they were older/younger.

4. Tell them you love them all the time. Show them even more.

5. Listen to them; really listen to them.

6. Look them in the eye when they talk to you.

7. Don't compare them to other children.

8. Love them where they are at.

9. Give them lots of hugs and kisses.

10. Don't be their best friend, be their parent.

11. Stick to your rules, be consistent.

12. Show them love by your careful discipline.

13. Speak kind words, don't yell.

14. Read to them/let them read to you.

15. Smile at them.

16. Pray for them specifically, daily!

17. Play with them.

18. Don't give them everything they want.

19. Sit together in church as a family.

20. Worship and serve together.

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What Toilet Paper Says About YOU!

2012-01-25T06:50:00.000-08:00

On good days I'm #1: Faithful, logical and sensible.

I'm NEVER #2! It annoys me and I will make the time to turn the roll around the correct way.

#3, well... this is me too, when I'm feeling lazy and slightly ADHD.

I'm NEVER #4... that's just rude lol.

Which one are YOU?

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Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

2012-01-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

Ingredients

1 package (18-1/4 ounces) devil's food cake mix
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 tablespoon water
Confectioners' sugar
40 chocolate-covered thin mints

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, shortening, eggs and water. Shape into 1-in. balls; roll in confectioners' sugar.

Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until slightly firm to the touch. Place a mint on each cookie; remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 40 cookies.

LINKING WITH : Beauty & Bedlam

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Live Like You Were Dying

2012-01-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

I'm not talking about the country song, live like you were dying. I feel the need to urgently talk to you about this. Really! Listen up? If we were face to face, sipping coffee or tea across the table from one another, I would grab your hand and look you in the eyes, and plead with you:

What if you were told you only had one more month to live? Seriously. Think about it! More and more I hear about people getting cancer, or dying in a tragic car accident, or ... it doesn't really matter how.

Would you speak a little sweeter? Would things not bother you as much? Would you be more patient? Would you let that car next to you go ahead of you as your lanes merge? Would you take time to enjoy the simple things? Would you spend less time online and more time with the people right in front of you?

I know that for me, I would find time to let God's grace overflow from my life. God's grace, and less of me. What will you leave your family, friends, and community? Will they remember Jesus or how you were annoyed by tiny things? Because, in the light of eternity, they are tiny things...

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A Word For Your Saturday

2012-01-21T09:30:00.000-08:00

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Vivid

2012-01-20T06:40:00.000-08:00

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Vivid. Having the appearance of vigorous life or freshness. Producing a strong or clear impression on the senses: producing distinct mental images.

The smell of country apple body spray. Breathing in the freshness of pine cones; the kind that leave the tips of your fingers sticky, and take you to a childhood fire, wrapped up in blanket on the eve of Christmas. The feel of soft cotton robe pulled up above lips, caressing cheeks back and forth.

There are smells, touches, sounds... evoking memories, buried deep within, that come rising to the surface. Some, I sit and day dream about, never wanting to wake up. Others, I rip the blinds closed, blacking out any remembrance.

I want my little babes to remember sweet, special memories of our home. I want each smell, each touch, each sound to give them an abundance of a precious storehouse of memories. I want the grace of God to dance upon their minds, and recall His faithfulness and mercy.

And so, with each day, lifted to God as an offering of sweet-smelling praise, I will seek to create an atmosphere of peace in our home. No loud voices that damage little souls. No harsh tones that breakdown and crush spirits. Arms wrapped around with love, Christ's unconditional love spilled forth.

VIVID MEMORIES that will last a lifetime. May they always look back, and never want to wake up.

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One of my favorite parts of FRIDAY, linking up with the Gypsy Mama's 5 Minute Friday..... where, for only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. Join us?

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Please Tell Me I'm Not The Only Mom?

2012-01-19T05:49:00.000-08:00

Please tell me I'm not the only mom,

who lets her daughter dress up her brother,

for 20 minutes of peace - and - quiet?

One day I'm sure he'll demand they be removed

from the world wide web...

but maybe, just maybe,

I'll save one for his future bride.

Shhhhhhh, don't tell.

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Are You Ready To Bloom With Us?

2012-01-18T07:52:00.000-08:00

A COMMUNITY OF 33 IMPERFECT WRITERS , who have a passion to encourage the hearts of women. Will you join us? A free e-book will be offered opening day (February 1st) to readers. You won't want to miss it! Go check out what all the buzz is about HERE.

Our Heartbeat and Purpose:

To bless the Lord and give Him glory and honor in all we do.
To bless women through our posts. Sharing our heart and own experiences through postings for the sole purpose to encourage hearts.
To point readers to our Savior, bringing them hope and inspiration in their walk with the Lord.
To equip others with the Word of God, so they know who He is and know who they are in Christ.
To promote kindness, love and sisterhood with others.
As Sisters In Bloom we want to be seen as women who promote and uplift others, always seeking to walk in grace.

Sisters In Bloom Is Coming Soon from Denise Thompson on Vimeo.

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I Asked Him To Call Me Fat...

2012-01-17T11:43:00.000-08:00

I asked him to call me fat. Yeah, I know. The hubby rolled his eyes too. He told me of course he wouldn't and I told him I knew he was too smart to humor me with this request. Instead, he pulled me close, kissed my head, and told me I was beautiful.

I didn't want him to call me fat. I just wanted to get mad enough to make some changes in my life again. I'm a fighter and if someone I love can speak some good ol' fashion truth in love, I'll fight and fight and prove to them I can. I'm determined like that. But I'm also a slacker. I tend to be lazy. I'd rather sit on a sofa with my laptop and coffee than get up and move my behind.

A life of discipline takes work. sweat. tears. But the alternative? I don't want that. So I will get up and exercise until he tells me I'm beautiful and I believe it.

source

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I've Believed A Lie...

2012-01-16T14:24:00.000-08:00

Whenever I get down or discouraged,

when thoughts tempt to snatch my joy,

when condemning thoughts cloud my view,

when I look at myself and think I'm not beautiful,

when I'm discontented because of stuff,

I will remember, I must have believed a lie along the way.

Because His Word says otherwise. It says,

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED. Joshua 1:9

BE JOYFUL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE IN CHRIST JESUS. Romans 8:1

YOU KNIT ME IN MY MOTHER'S WOMB AND CALL ME BELOVED. Psalm 139

YOU TELL ME THAT ONLY YOU CAN SATISFY. Isaiah 58:11

What lie are you believing today?

Squash that lie with the truth of God's Word.

He says, YOU ARE MINE CHILD!

source

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To My Little Car Lover...

2012-01-15T18:05:00.000-08:00

1. So glad you recovered so quickly from the pukie bug.

2. I think it is neat your name starts with "Cars" and you love them so much.

3. I'm glad your Hot Wheels cake turned out fine after I almost chucked it into the garbage 5 times! Really... I kept running into problems making this cake, and envisioned myself picking up the cake and dunking it into the trash.

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Happy Birthday To A Miracle That Doctors Suggested To Abort...

2012-01-14T07:06:00.000-08:00

For the doctors who tell a mother (me) carrying a 10 - week - old LIFE within her to weigh her options...

For the mothers out there who contemplate getting rid of a problem, inconvenience, or a mistake...

I say...

No baby is a mistake.
Every life is important.
I would not have THIS precious gift:

To the little boy who has changed our world forever.

You make us laugh,

you say silly things,

your grin lights up a room,

your tenderness inspires me,

your giggle is infectious,

YOUR LIFE MEANS SOMETHING!

You are a miracle that the Lord gave us.

You were healed at 10 weeks growing in my womb.

YOU ARE A BLESSING! Happy 3rd Birthday!

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AWAKE

2012-01-13T06:30:00.000-08:00

I want to be awake. To walk around with eyes wide open, expectant of what God has for me today. Not groggy, dripping with anxious thoughts and condemning reminders, but free to be hopeful of what God can do through me.

Most days, in my own strength, I'm the opposite of awake. Asleep. If I am asleep I miss out on the blessings of the day. God wants to bless me! He waits, like a parent watching His child take her first steps. What does choosing to walk through the day, wide awake like?

Expectancy.
Hope.
Joy.
Light beaming on the soul.
Peace.
Contentment.
Obedience motivated by love.

And so, today... I choose to walk this day, eyes - wide - open. Why? Because asleep, I simply miss out on HIM!

Sarah Reeve's Awaken lyrics say,
"God of life You do not sleep
You live and move and breathe with us
Let us see Your love
Brilliant as the risen sun
Lord rescue every one of us
Let Your kingdom come
For only You will break the darkness."

Linking up with The Gypsy Mama: Five Minute Friday.

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For When You Just Feel Blah

2012-01-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

The day feels long and it has just begun. Clouds of grey tempt to snatch the joy I long for. I want to be content. I say It aloud, I will choose to be content. Still the grey hangs overhead.

Have you ever just felt blah? No reason, just blah. I think that is normal for women. We are such passionate people. God created us that way. We (I) get bursts of creativity where my soul seems restless. So much good I want to do, say, and live out.

Then there are days when I don't have a creative bone in my body and I don't care to go looking for it. Some days, we just need to be calm.

It is good for our souls to find that quiet, calm rest. It is needed. We are not meant to run on full-speed-ahead 24-7.

So find a moment, in your day, to just be.

Turn off the lights?
Turn off the computer?
Turn off the noise!

It will be good for you. How do you find balance between wanting to do - do - do, and sitting still and being calm?

Matthew 11:28 says "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

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Tim Tebow And The Race We Run!

2012-01-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

I've always loved sports. Every since I was a little girl, I would be outside, throwing around a football with the best of them.

I also am a succor for the underdog winning. I love close games, so I was beyond thrilled to see quarterback Tim Tebow win the other night! Wow, what a game!

Our Christian life is a game of sorts... a race.

2 Timothy 4:7 says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."

Philippians 3:14 says, "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."

Although we run and we strive and we endure, sometimes I forget that the victory has already been won! Jesus paid it all on the cross on my behalf and I do not have to live a defeated life!

How do we live defeated lives?

1) Downcast by our many failures.

2) Feeling condemned by our numerous weaknesses.

3) Trying to earn God's favor when He already loves us completely and unconditionally!

So live like the victory has been won today!

1) Serve Him because He first loved you.

2) Be joyful because He triumphs over sin and death.

3) Sing aloud praises to His name, because He is worthy!

I will leave you with one of my favorite verses today. May it bring you comfort and peace resting in the arms of your Savior:

Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your GOD is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing."

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I Don't Want To Be An Angry Mom

2012-01-08T18:41:00.000-08:00

I never imagined those words would ever come out of my mouth: "I don't want to be an angry mom." I'd never struggled with anger before. Who was I kidding? To think that just because I had never struggled with something like anger in the past, it would not show up, glaring back at me?

So when you think you are standing firm, TAKE HEED. Never think that you are above any sin. I surly did... We are all susceptible to any sin. That is why it is so very important, dear Mom, to be in the Word of God daily. To have your sins confessed. To be washed in the Word. To be clean and white and pure.

It got me thinking... maybe parenthood and the struggles we face just bring out what is deep within our own sinful hearts. All the crud that is way at the bottom... it comes rising to the surface. As I swim in Seneca lake on those warm Summer nights, I often see all the seaweed rising to the surface. It floats to the top and collects in one heaping pile of thick gooey yuckiness on shore. It's ugly. It smells. It is a good thing when our sin comes rising to the surface! It is not always pretty, but as the seaweed rises onto the shore of your heart, confess it and get rid of the mess (1 John 1:9).

When God's power is living and vibrant in our lives, there will be no room for seaweed to collect (at least not as much to rake up).

I'm linking up with Courtney's GENTLENESS CHALLENGE!

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4 Months

2012-01-07T20:09:00.000-08:00

4 minute apart contractions.

4 pushes.

4 o'clock feedings.

4 turned to family of 5.

4 other loves to care for.

4 ever memories being made.

4 months... goes by so fast.

Yup! I pretty much adore him...

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Graham Gardens

2012-01-07T08:13:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for natural, wholesome skincare products that work? Graham Gardens sent me a baby care kit to review after the birth of my son Grant. With my children's ultra sensitive skin, these products work great to treat, nourish, and protect their tender little bodies.

For me? I LOVE their lip balms! My favorites are the Peppermint and Orange Sunset. The Peppermint one tingles on my lips. Love that soothing feeling during these dry, winter days!

Please go visit Graham Gardens and let me know if you'd be interested in me doing a giveaway soon! Please comment (yes, or no) if you read this post. Thanks.

Ohhhhhhhh, and what I really want to try... the lotion bars for my dry dry DRYYYYYY feet!

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God's Grace And His Impossible Promises

2012-01-06T07:04:00.000-08:00

In my weakness, many failures, and bountiful insecurities, He calls me to trust Him by faith, and then choose to obey Him. Often, I plead my own case, give my excuses, and tell Him why it can't happen.

Just the other day our 5 year old daughter kept saying, I can't. I can't do this and I can't do that. My husband reminded her that we don't say that in our house. We need to ask God for help. All things are possible through Him.

I was reading in Jeremiah today. I have a magnet on my fridge with Jeremiah 32:17 on it. It prompted me to go to Jeremiah and the verse's surrounding text and I found a gold mine of truth there! Here's what God reminded me. Maybe He will remind you of the same things today?

1.God Promises Restoration After Punishment

God's grace shines the brightest in our weakness and humility.

Jeremiah 31:2 "Thus saith the Lord, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest."

The people were left of the sword but God whispered His grace and hope into their hearts. Motivated by deep, everlasting love, His Spirit will draw us back to Him and give us hope to trust Him after we sin. REPENT!

2.God Asks Us To Do The Impossible And Trust Him
God's power shines brightest when we surrender our control, reason, and will to Him.

Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee."

God asked Jeremiah to do the "impossible". He asked him to purchase land already captured by the enemy, while he was in prison no less! Impossible? Yes.... for God? No! What is He asking you to do that you keep saying NO to? Trust Him!

3.God Reminds Us Who He Is When We Start To Doubt

God's character will change our heart when we agree with Him about who He is.

Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?"

Often times I acknowledge who God is and then falter. I question if it can really happen and He reminds me of who He is!

4.God Honors Our Prayers And Rewards Our Faith

God's love and bounty will be hope for your today.

Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

Call unto your Lord in prayer today! He will answer you as you align your will with His. Lay aside your will and anxiety and TRUST HIM! He has GREAT and MIGHTY things in STORE FOR YOU!

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The After Christmas Blues

2012-01-03T05:49:00.000-08:00

Piles of new toys sit next to crumpled paper for wrapping. The tree lays lifeless along the road and white lights no longer glow about. Back to reality. Back to the mundane. Back to work. Back to a life of discipline and routine.

Toys rust, dust gathers, new things fade fast... and so does our happiness. Happiness is fleeting and promises what it can not fulfill. A temporary, earthly, fleeting emptiness, never completely fulfilled. When happiness leaves, despair spreads like wildfire. It burns fast and furious through your home, your mind, and your heart. It is the worst kind of thief and will steal more than you could ever imagine.

We seek possessions and earthly experiences only to be left wanting. Why not seek to open that big package still unopened? It sits where a tree use to be, in that corner over there. See it? It's plain, no bows, no glittery gold ribbons.

What you will find when you open it: Jesus Christ and His perfect Joy. What JOY will give you:

1) Much more than it ever promises!

2) Inner peace no matter what the circumstances of the day.

3) Satisfaction in Jesus and an eternal perspective.

4) A quiet, still confidence in God's work in your life.

5) A life of purpose and contentment.

Are you suffering from the after Christmas blues? Did you forget to open that last gift? I'll be right over here, opening the same gift with you!

Philippians 3:8-10:

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

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Start Your Own Health/Fitness Competition!

2012-01-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

Whether we call it a resolution or not, we all have new health goals for 2012. Do you? Should you drink more water? Eat more fruit and veggies, whole grain foods, exercise more? Are you motivated by some healthy competition? WELL READ ON, this simple competition is FOR YOU!

I developed this system last week. I have a total of 10 teams competing as we speak (started January 1st and will end July 1st).

Do you have some organization skills? Can you round up either 5-10 individuals or 5-10 teams sometime this week?

This is a points-based system. It is not all about weight loss (for those of you who do not need to lose any weight). Here's the details:

YOU GET 5 POINTS FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING THINGS YOU DO IN A DAY:

1) For each 8 oz glass of water you drink (8 glasses x 5= 40 points).
2) For each serving of a fruit you eat.
3) For each serving of a vegetable you eat.
4) For each serving of a whole grain food you eat (whole wheat, whole corn, brown rice, etc. - no enriched white!).
5) For each 20 minutes you exercise (this would be like a exercise DVD, walking, treadmill, elliptical, sit ups, leg lifts, etc)
6) If you eat a healthy breakfast (protein, fruit, and/or fiber based)
7) If you don't eat anything after 8 pm.
8) If you lose a pound (once you've earned that 5 points for that pound lost, if you gain it back you don't earn 5 points for losing it again).
9) If you make it through the day without drinking soda or another sugary beverage like sweet tea,etc.

Start rounding up people and see if they are interested? Send them this post for details. Once you have your teams set up, have them email their points to you weekly. They can keep their weight private (this is an honor system). Teams/individuals should weigh in every Sunday morning.

What our 10 teams did was put in $10 each towards a $100 gift card for the team earning the most points by July 1st, 2012.

The team with the highest percentage of weight loss (divide pounds lost by starting weight) earns an additional 50 points at the end!

Link up below if you are interested. Comment with any questions and I will answer in this post. Let me know in the comments section if you want pdf versions of daily and weekly points sheets.

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MY WORD FOR 2012

2012-01-01T05:09:00.000-08:00

So many people talk about a word for the year. A focus, a goal, and mindset for the year. My word for 2012 is WORD!

I want more of God's Holy Word in my life this year. What will that look like?

1. More personal reading of the WORD.
I want to wake up each morning with a fresh excitement for how God will speak to me through His Word that day. Ephesians 6:10-17
2. More studying of the WORD.
I'm going to strive to study a book of the Bible, line by line, verse by verse consistently. 2 Timothy 2:15
3. More memorizing the WORD.
At all times this year, I would like to have a verse or a passage to be memorizing. Psalm 119:11
4. More teaching the WORD.
I would love to continue to teach other women about God's Word. Colossians 3:16
5. More living the WORD.
As a result of the other four things above, I want God's Holy Spirit to be so evident in my life that the Word of God would pour out of my life to others. 2 Corinthians 4:6

May His Grace and Love shine brightest in me this year. May His Grace and Love shine brightest in you! Happy New Year!

What's YOUR WORD?

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