Teri Johnson» Blog

What’s Your Win?

Teri — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:15:21 +0000

It’s not always easy to see the good, especially when we are in the midst of a struggle or facing a storm in our life. It’s not always easy to hang on, persevere, and press on when circumstances aren’t changing…

…they aren’t getting better.

I have whispered this little prayer many times, “God, show me a win. I need to see a win.” When we are caught up in our problems, dealing with people, difficult issues day in and day out — when the negative seems to outweigh the positive, wins can appear distant.

What is a win?

A win is a victory, big or small :: Wins are everyday miracles :: A win is a blessing, a gift, a kind word from someone at the perfect time :: Wins are hugs, fruitful conversations, smiles, and laughter

A win is overcoming an obstacle or learning something new :: Wins are surprises and coincidences :: A win can be healing of mind, body, or soul :: Wins are found on a walk, watching the sunset, or looking at the stars

A win is restoration in relationships, forgiveness, closure :: Wins are found in new beginnings, through change, and in endings :: A win is acceptance, surrender, humility :: Wins are found in justice, rescues, and homecomings

A win is discovering truth, gaining new insight, knowledge, a spiritual awakening :: Wins are all things good :: A win is an answer to prayer :: Wins are all things positive :: A win is an accomplishment :: Wins are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control :: A win is grace.

Wins are everywhere, we need to look for them.

We are called to actively pursue what is good and pure. To do this, we must focus our thoughts, efforts, and energy not on negativity, sin, and the things of this world, but on things that honor our Creator…

…all things good.

I am choosing to “look for the good” and “count my blessings” — I am choosing to actively pursue wins no matter what the circumstance may be.

Will you join me?

Every Wednesday, at terijohnson.com, I will write and share a win. My hope is to encourage and inspire you, and to motivate you to do the same…pursue wins. The question for you to answer is:

Could you…would you share with me? With others? I hope so — leave a comment below or link up your “Win” post…it’s that simple, yet powerful!

When we share we testify God’s goodness, His provision, His strength, His love. We overcome evil with good. That’s what happens when share and look for the the gifts, the blessings, the victories…the wins.

My win: Friendship. Today I had the opportunity to start my day taking a walk with a friend. We don’t see each other often, because of our busy schedules, but I called her out of the blue and she was available! We talked, laughed, listened, spoke truth into each other’s lives, shed a couple of tears, hugged and went about our day. Our 1 hour, spur of the moment, get-together was a bright spot in my day, a blessing. I needed friend-time this morning, we both did.

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Please join me! Got questions? Leave a comment below or email me here.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Lets Pray for our Children

Teri — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:12:42 +0000

Will you join me starting March 1 in praying these 31 Biblical Virtues for your children?

Whether your children are young or old, whether you’re expecting or hope to be expecting, whether the children in your life are biologically yours, adopted, step, or they are just precious to you — you can join in and pray for them!!

Click –> here to learn more!

Take Action

Teri — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:16:13 +0000

“IF you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. IF you don’t ask, the answer is always no. IF you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.”

Taking action in ALL things is key.

Do you ever find yourself circling the same mountains — wishing things could be different, but they are always staying the same? IF so…the answer is: take action doing something different to get a different result.

NOTHING in life comes easy…there is always a journey that needs to be taken to get to another place — along the way we learn, experience, and become more of who we were created to be. BUT…we must decide to take action and be intentional every day putting one step in front of the other.

What is preventing YOU from taking action? What are the stumbling blocks in-your-life that are tripping you up? To discover those things that are keeping you in the same place takes action too! You must search to discover truth.

What action can you take now — to move forward?

Visit Keeping it Personal for FREE resources and other tools to encourage and inspire you!

Photo Credit: hope4broken

The Words I Would Say

Teri — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:06:32 +0000

I love music. There are so many songs that have inspired me over the years. There are so many songs that can instantly capture my mind, bring it to another place, another time. I’m sure you can relate to being “taken-away” to a past memory, an earlier age, an experience, or a relationship.

Most often, for me, it’s the words — the lyrics of the song that sink into my soul…

…that leave a footprint.

Today this one inspired me. encouraged me. brought a SMILE to my face. I’ve heard it many times, but cling to the chorus tightly…

These simple truths…

Be strong in the Lord
NEVER give up hope
You’re gonna do great things
God’s got His hand on You
Don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget
Don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray

These are the words I would say.

These words are a reminder. These words are affirmation.

These simple truths are for YOU and for me! You can listen to the song, The Words I Would Say by Sidewalk Prophets here.

From one simple life to another, come find peace in the Father — BE encouraged.

Photo Credit: Zupao

Ignored, BUT not forgotten

Teri — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:53:55 +0000

My last post here was November 15th…I haven’t forgotten about this space, really I haven’t…

…its just been ignored.

The picture a day, project 365, that I worked on in 2011 started out FUN FUN FUN, until it became something I had. to. DO. DO. DO. That’s what I had been sharing here, just a picture and a reflection EVERYDAY.

What happened? why did I stop? I had to eliminate something from my life and that’s what I chose. YES…I kept taking the pictures, I just stopped posting them here. I was falling behind, couldn’t keep up with all of my irons-in-the-fire so I decided to ignore this space.

Now…a few months later — I’m back. With a renewed spirit and a desire to write. to share my thoughts. to expand. SO that’s what I’m going to do — share in this space. No more project 365. No more attempting to post each day. No set schedule. No rigid plan or theme or writing schedule to adhere to. Just sharing when I feel compelled – I will just write…

Today I am so grateful for these gifts…

the sun shining
Fay who prayed with me
Jill who’s helping me prepare for our Valentine’s Day party
Rebekah who has taken over The Refine Conference blog
my parents who lovingly look out for my best interests
the experiences that are refining me

Yes, it was was ignored, BUT not forgotten — What are YOU grateful for today?

Water Cycle

Teri — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:15:58 +0000

{Photo 319/365} He jumped in the car after school, it was the cutest thing in the world. He said, “Mom, when it rains it’s NOT because Jesus is crying…when it rains it’s NOT because He is sad at the world. I know why it rains!!” A smile covered his whole face, I could tell he was excited about what he learned today in school. When we got home he couldn’t wait to show me his science text book that explains the Water Cycle. He said, “See mom? See? The picture? There’s water and lakes and puddles — then the water evaporates — then the water falls from the clouds that’s precipitation, that’s the rain!! It’s not tears — I figured it out…the rain is not God’s teardrops.” I captured this on video…it’s priceless — one of my favorite gifts of being a momma is watching these guys learn and grow. Wow…what a GREAT gift!

A Gift

Teri — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:59:44 +0000

{Photo 318/365} I’m not the crafty creative type…this is as good as it gets for me. I stopped by Ben Franklin to grab some ribbon the other day because I’ve got orders for the book coming in that people want me to send to someone else as a gift — AND I want them to look “special” — so this is what I’ve been doing. A polka-dot ribbon wrapped around the book, signed copy, with a little note on the front and a splash of purple curly ribbon. It’s cute…there’s no extra charge…it’s just that personal touch I wanted to add. That’s it. =)

Bubble Gum Bubble

Teri — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:36:48 +0000

{Photo 317/365} I picked him up after a long day at our office. We had the Keeping it Personal: Shop for a Cause Open House today. It was fun…it was successful…but I was ready to go home, have dinner, and spend time with my 3 favorite people. We were in the car drive when he says mumbling, “MMMMoommm, llllloooookkkk! Llllloooooookkk!” I came to a stop light and this is what I saw — a HUGE bubble gum bubble. It was a good bubble, because it lasted long enough for me to whip out my camera and snap this. He was SO excited…he just recently over the past few months has mastered blowing bubbles with bubble gum — such a proud little nugget. I can remember these moments when I was a little girl, it’s the little things that are exciting. I like that.

Warming Up

Teri — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:11:30 +0000

{Photo 316/365} We turn on this fireplace a lot — I love the convenience of just flipping a switch. This is our gathering space in the house, the hearth room off the kitchen where we all sit and talk, or read, or just enjoy the fire place. There is no TV nearby {on purpose} it’s a space for them to enjoy while I’m fixing dinner, or a space to gaze out the window towards the street where the sun rises each morning. Tonight we all just gathered around…snuggled closely before the boys went out to a movie with their dad. It was peaceful, warm, quality time.

ChapStick

Teri — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:59:31 +0000

{Photo 315/365} This is the time of year when the lips start to get chapped. Actually, I often feel dry and flakey all over and am very grateful for lotion. For some reason my boys get the “ring-around-the-lips” and we go through ChapStick like it’s water. I can’t remember actually ever running out of ChapStick…like getting to the bottom of the tube and not having any left. What I mean when I say we go through ChapStick I’m saying we lose them. I stock up with a variety of flavors. We’ve got them in nightstands, junk drawers, my purse, in our cars, and of course the boys take them to school in the pocket of their jeans. The problem is that when we need them, they seem to have disappeared…SO I have to run out to purchase another variety pack. I don’t know…it’s just one of those mysteries — ChapStick. Chapped lips. Dry Skin.