I have basically used the same photo of myself online for the last 6 years. Why? I don’t know…because I looked better five years ago?

I still had all my hair (surgery two years ago to remove a couple of benign tumors left me with two huge hairless patches of scalp — right in front of my head).

I wasn’t as heavy (too many hours spent doing web design at a desk, snacking and not getting enough exercise has wrecked me).

I was just….cuter.

Now I’m pre-menopausal and half-bald thanks to the dermatologist who shall remain unnamed. But I’m still me. I still have the same warped sense of humor I’ve always had – just with less hair and more flesh.

So why come clean now? Why not hide behind the facade of my 5-1/2 year old photo? Funny you should ask. I’ll tell you.

I’ve agreed to do an online LIVE seminar (my skin crawls everytime I type the word “live”) on blog and graphic design for my friends Amy Bayliss and Lisa Boyd of DIY Ministry.  I really wasn’t  planning on the LIVE part, but after much consideration, I decided I would. I mean, if I were paying for a seminar, I’d want to see the actual speaker — to connect. Besides, this is who I am now.

And it ain’t always this pretty:

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The day I married my husband I gained a best friend. Well, actually two of them. This is Angelle.

She’s a farm girl at heart, but now works in the big city. She left me. Yep, she moved away from our little corner of Texas to greener….er…pastures. And look at who she took with her:

Yes. My youngest daughter’s best friend — but not just him – she also took this fine  young boy:

My son’s best friend. It hasn’t been easy around these part since they left. We all miss them terribly. Fortunately, they only moved 3-1/2 hours away. It’s not cross-country. So we are still able to see them. Every weekend. Yes,  you read that right. We see them every weekend. Long story, but our family travels to her city every weekend for another reason – it will make for a good blog post later down the road.

So I still get to see these sweet faces on a weekly basis.

And I get to see my best friend, who is country-city chic at the same time. Of course, it’s only for a day…but I’m thankful for it. And thankful for her.

Never underestimate the importance of good friends. They are hard to come by.

**I took these photos of Angelle and her boys last Fall. We are planning on shooting her family in their new city this weekend. I can’t wait!

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Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, I fail. Last month, I was struggling to keep up with the 31 days series and when I got behind, I gave up. I have 12 more posts in the queue waiting to be edited and published. I will do it…just not in the  month of January. To the beautiful ladies of “A Woman Inspired Conference” who kept the series going, thank you.

See you soon with the final posts of my series!

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Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. ~Psalm 16:11

Abraham Lincoln once said that “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

While there is some degree of truth to this, we would all do well to remember that God has outlined some pretty specific ways for us to be happy in His Word:

• The Bible says that those who fear the Lord are happy. (Ps. 128: 1, 2; Prov. 28: 13, 14)
• Happy are those who keep God’s laws. (Prov. 29: 18)
• Happy are those who have children. (Ps. 127: 3, 4)
• Happy are those who do not condemn self. (Rom. 14: 22)
• Happy are those who trust in the Lord. (Prov. 16: 20)
• Happy are those who require wisdom. (Prov. 3: 13)

Isn’t it great to know that God cares so much about our happiness that He tells us things we can do to be happy in our lives? We are truly blessed – and should praise Him for our Happiness.

Please visit the other ladies who are participants in the 31 Days of Ministry Online:
Amy Bayliss {Cajun Inspired} : 31 Days of Heart Matters
{A Martha Heart} : 31 Days of Prayer
Karin {Mommy Matters} : 31 Days of Intentional Parenting
Jenny {867-53oh9} : 31 Days of Social Media
Dawn {My Home Sweet Home} : 31 Days of Encouragement
Lisa Boyd : 31 Days of WordPress

*Links to all posts on this subject can be found here.

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See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. – Eph. 5:15-16

One thing I’ve really wanted to work on this year is time management from a Biblical perspective.

I’ve read Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and I know that he says the “the essence of effective time and life management is to organize and execute around priorities.” As Christians, whatever we value most in life becomes our priorities. My number one priority is my relationship with God, then my family.

From a Biblical perspective, time management isn’t necessarily about the ability to manage our time. It’s about surrendering the time we have to spend to God. And that’s a good thing – I’ve always struggled with day to day time management…homeschooling kids, trying to run a business, family and church obligations — but add to that mix the fact that I’ve been taking care of my mom for the last 4 months and, well, you can imagine, .

I really needed this past weekend to focus on what God would have me do going forward – with my blog, with homeschooling, with our Friday School Co-op. I’ve been feeling stretched too thin for a very long time, and it’s no one’s fault but my own.  I have a hard time saying one little word – “no.” But God expects us to say “no” to things that aren’t important – we are told to redeem our time in order to recover it from waste and improve it for great or important purposes.

Matthew Henry said that “Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design.” Won’t you join me in praising Him for the gift of Time?

Please visit the other ladies who are participants in the 31 Days of Ministry Online:

Amy Bayliss {Cajun Inspired} : 31 Days of Heart Matters
{A Martha Heart} : 31 Days of Prayer
Karin {Mommy Matters} : 31 Days of Intentional Parenting
Jenny {867-53oh9} : 31 Days of Social Media
Dawn {My Home Sweet Home} : 31 Days of Encouragement
Lisa Boyd : 31 Days of WordPress

*Links to all posts on this subject can be found here.

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I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. – Psalm 116:1-2

They say love is blind, but I’ve heard it said that when we love God our affection has its eyes open and can sustain itself with the most rigid logic. In other words, we love Him because He first loved us. It just makes sense.

David spent so much time in prayer with the Lord. The Psalms are full of his prayers, praise, and petitions and I love to spend time reading them. Many times when David prayed, he couldn’t find the words, but God listened and knew his heart and answered him anyway.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had some pretty rough days in the past year. There have been times I was at a loss for HOW to pray, I couldn’t find the words to say to express my grief, anger, and frustrations to the Lord. But the Bible says that He inclines His ear to us – He is waiting and listening for us to pray to him – whether or not we are able to use our voice – He hears us, because Jesus is making intercession for us.

I will praise the Lord today because He listens to my prayers. Spurgeon said, “Answered prayers are silken bonds which bind our hearts to God. When a man’s prayers are answered, love is the natural result.” I love the Lord my God and praise Him for answering my prayers.

Please visit the other ladies who are participants in the 31 Days of Ministry Online:

Amy Bayliss {Cajun Inspired} : 31 Days of Heart Matters
{A Martha Heart} : 31 Days of Prayer
Karin {Mommy Matters} : 31 Days of Intentional Parenting
Jenny {867-53oh9} : 31 Days of Social Media
Dawn {My Home Sweet Home} : 31 Days of Encouragement
Lisa Boyd : 31 Days of WordPress

*Links to all posts on this subject can be found here.

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And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. – 2 Cor 9:8

After reading Lisa B.’s “31 Days of WordPress” post today, I could feel her pain. There are some days when we could all use a little extra grace.

Lately, my business has been so very good (God has blessed abundantly!) that I’m finding it more and more difficult to stay on top of client requests and I’m having to turn a lot of new business away. I simply cannot do it all, nor can I stay on top of it, even working 12-18 hours a day.

Like anything in life, the stress is beginning to wear on me and it’s showing in my speech with others (I’m short) and my general attitude (I’m exhausted). It’s times like this, we must remember that God’s grace is sufficient. I love the acrostic for Grace, which I first heard from Dr. Adrian Rogers – “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense”. Isn’t that a lovely picture? Grace is one of the most beautiful words in the English language.

When people truly understand grace, it makes them want to write songs about it. I think we could all use a little grace now and then. If we can’t get it from those around us and we hit a wall due to exhaustion, depression, anger, frustration, or sadness…all we need to do is look up.

I will praise Him today for the unmerited favor He’s extended to this undeserving sinner. Truly, God’s grace is sufficient to see us through.

Please visit the other ladies who are participants in the 31 Days of Ministry Online:

Amy Bayliss {Cajun Inspired} : 31 Days of Heart Matters
{A Martha Heart} : 31 Days of Prayer
Karin {Mommy Matters} : 31 Days of Intentional Parenting
Jenny {867-53oh9} : 31 Days of Social Media
Dawn {My Home Sweet Home} : 31 Days of Encouragement
Lisa Boyd : 31 Days of WordPress

*Links to all posts on this subject can be found here.

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“Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.” Psalm 25:1

I’ll be the first to admit that blogging 31 days in a row is proving to be quite a challenge – especially when you haven’t blogged regularly in a year and a half!

Remember the days when people would actually stop by a blog and comment? There was even a time that I’d do the same. There was something so special about getting comments that fueled me on to want to write more. Write better. But lately, it seems we have all become so busy that the altruistic nature of blogging has become something of a lost art. Very few people comment, more people read in their readers and never click over to drop a line to let you know they’re still there.

And you’re left wondering. And waiting. And possibly splitting your infinitives. Writers should really learn to not split infinitives.

*Phoo Phoo* Is this thing on? Hello?

But you keep going, because whether or not you think anyone is listening, you have something that needs to be said. Even if you can’t remember to keep your story in first person and you switch back and forth repeatedly between first person and third person.

I said all of that to say this…even if no one else is listening,  especially when no one else is listening - God is always waiting to hear from us. He expects us to give Him the Praise He deserves – it’s either going to come from us or the rocks! I love this little video of a father and daughter singing the above verse. The singing starts at 1:45 – the little girl’s voice just makes me smile every time I hear her sing.

When was the last time you lifted up your voice to God in praise? Play that video again…listen to those words…

Please visit the other ladies who are participants in the 31 Days of Ministry Online:

Amy Bayliss {Cajun Inspired} : 31 Days of Heart Matters
{A Martha Heart} : 31 Days of Prayer
Karin {Mommy Matters} : 31 Days of Intentional Parenting
Jenny {867-53oh9} : 31 Days of Social Media
Dawn {My Home Sweet Home} : 31 Days of Encouragement
Lisa Boyd : 31 Days of WordPress

*Links to all posts on this subject can be found here.

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“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jer 29:11

Though this story has been told many times and it is lengthy, I believe it is worth retelling, especially coming off of the Christmas season as we just have. It is the story the the Three Little Trees, and is a beautiful reminder that God has plans for us, plans that are more beautiful than anything we could dream up. I’m not sure who to credit the story to, as it’s been all over the internet for years, so if you happen to know, I’d love to give them the credit!

Three Little Trees

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked at the stars and said, “I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I will be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world !”

The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. “I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I’ll be the strongest ship in the world !”

The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in the busy town. “I don’t want to leave theh mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people look at me, they’ll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.”

Years passed. The rains came, the sun shone and the three little trees grew tall.

One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, “This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. “Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure,” the first tree said.

The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, “This tree is strong, it is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe the second tree fell. “Now I shall sail mighty waters,” thought the second tree. “I shall be a strong ship for mighty kinds !:

The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. “Any kind of tree will do for me,” he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe the third tree fell.

The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenters shop, but the carpenter fashioned her into a feedbox for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold nor with treasure. She was coated in sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.

The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and saved into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake.

The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. “”What happened, ” the once tall tree wondered ? “All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God.”

Many, many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night golden starlight poured over the first tree as a woman and her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. “This manger is beautiful,” she said. And suddenly the first tree knew that he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat The traveler fell asleep as the second tree sailed quietly out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered, she knew she didn’t have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand and said, “Peace.” The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew that he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldieries nailed a man’s hands to her. She felt ugly harsh and cruel. But, on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God’ love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

So the next time you feel down because you didn’t get what you wanted, just sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.

Praise God today not only for what he has done for you, but what he is GOING to do for you!

Please visit the other ladies who are participants in the 31 Days of Ministry Online:

Amy Bayliss {Cajun Inspired} : 31 Days of Heart Matters
{A Martha Heart} : 31 Days of Prayer
Karin {Mommy Matters} : 31 Days of Intentional Parenting
Jenny {867-53oh9} : 31 Days of Social Media
Dawn {My Home Sweet Home} : 31 Days of Encouragement
Lisa Boyd : 31 Days of WordPress

*Links to all posts on this subject can be found here.

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For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. – Isaiah 55:8-11

We are in the midst of a winter storm warning, with snow and sleet and ice expected over the next few days. While many people are not looking forward to the storm that is headed our way, my kids are excitedly anticipating it. It means hot cocoa with marshmallows, a fire in the fireplace, and building snowmen.

To me it is simply a reminder that God is the Creator and Author of all things. God has ordained our weather this weekend, and He wants us to find joy and comfort in the knowledge that He has a purpose for it, even if we don’t know what that purpose is!

There are few things more beautiful than a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, unless it’s when life begins anew in the Spring and the plants and flowers burst forth from the ground, awakening from their wintry slumber. As Christians, we are called to plant the seed of God’s word in the hearts of men that are cold to Him, men that slumber in the icy grips of a wintry death. When we plant the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of people, God has said that it will not return to Him void, but that it will accomplish His purpose in that person’s life.

God sent His son Jesus to fulfill a greater purpose, one that is available to all men who call on His name.  John 1 tells us that “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Sharing His son Jesus (the Word John was talking about) as well as His written word (the Bible) with others is as easy as handing a tract to someone you meet in the grocery store, or writing a blog post about what God has done in your life. This is one of the greatest forms of praise you can give God – with a pure heart and sincere actions. I love this song by Nichole Nordeman called “Every Season” – it reminds me that God is constantly working in our lives. Isn’t that worthy of some praise?

My challenge to you is to plant a seed somewhere this week and then come back and tell us how it went.

Please visit the other ladies who are participants in the 31 Days of Ministry Online:

Amy Bayliss {Cajun Inspired} : 31 Days of Heart Matters
{A Martha Heart} : 31 Days of Prayer
Karin {Mommy Matters} : 31 Days of Intentional Parenting
Jenny {867-53oh9} : 31 Days of Social Media
Dawn {My Home Sweet Home} : 31 Days of Encouragement
Lisa Boyd : 31 Days of WordPress

*Links to all posts on this subject can be found here.

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