Are there areas in your life that you have had difficulties with on a regular basis? Are there things you’ve failed at or habits you’ve struggled with over and over? If so, then let me assure you that you are not alone.

As humans, we often fail, fall short and come up lacking in our own strength. We are incomplete. We are insufficient. But thank God for His love, His mercy and the beautiful gift of His grace!

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJ) says, And He (Jesus) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you…”

The Message Bible translates this verse as: My grace is enough; it’s all you need. 

What exactly is grace? The Greek word for grace is charis, which means “gift, favor, benefit,” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance). And it is used to imply “pleasure, delight, favorable regard, beauty, friendly disposition, kindness, or goodwill,” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).

The Greek root of “grace” implies “a superior stooping, bending or reaching down in kindness to an inferior.” This is a picture of God.

I like the way one minister explains it: “Grace is a kindness. It’s a gift – not something earned, deserved or merited. The grace of God is His favor, His anointing, His ability, His support, His wisdom, and His help.”

Isn’t that wonderful?

James 4:6 (AMP) says, But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully)…

and

Hebrews 4: 16 (KJV) says, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Grace is more than a little prayer we say before our meals. It is the power of the Holy Spirit to meet our needs and solve our problems. It is help in our time of need. It is enough – it’s all you need. God’s grace is sufficient for you!

God has given His grace to us. That grace is a supernatural gift of inner strength, ability, understanding, favor and more. As we learn to receive His grace, He will supernaturally help us to succeed in whatever situation we face.

John 1:16 (AMP) says, For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received…one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.

The Lord has given us one grace after another, but just like any other gift, we have to receive it. We have to tap into this supernatural power. It won’t just fall upon us – we have to choose to accept it and walk in it.

If you choose not to receive and walk in God’s grace, then life will be a struggle – difficult and draining. You will have to do it on your own. Life will be hard. You will feel as if you’re walking around in a fog, and you will experience a sense of detachment from life and from the things of God.

But if you will learn to receive God’s precious gift of grace, there will be a supernatural flow to your life – a supernatural ease and ability to do what He has called you to do. Areas that you have had difficulty in will become easy. Things that you have failed to do, with enough grace, you now can do. Bad habits or addictions you have struggled with for years will be broken as you draw upon His grace.

With God’s grace, you will find that you make it through tests, trials and tribulations that might destroy someone else. God’s grace will empower you to stand through every circumstance or situation.

Let’s look at 2 Corinthians 12:9 again, but this time in the Amplified Bible:

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.

Without His grace, we are insufficient and incomplete. We come up lacking every time. But His amazing gift of grace is sufficient for us. It is enough. It is all we need.

Embrace God’s grace. Draw upon the strength and power of His grace. It’s a free gift – underserved and unearned, but it’s yours if you’ll just receive it!

Prayer: 

Father, I thank You for the free gift of Your amazing grace. Today, I receive Your grace – Your power, Your ability, Your help – to accomplish all that I need to accomplish. Your grace strengthens me to stand no matter what comes my way. Your grace is sufficient. It is all that I need. It is enough. I embrace Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Do you ever just feel depleted? Like you’re running on fumes? Like you’ve given ALL you have, and there’s nothing left? Maybe you dream of running far, far away just so you can rest your weary self.

As moms, we’ve all been there. By nature, we are givers. However, if we don’t take the time to pull away from the daily routine and replenish our own souls, then we won’t have anything to give to those we love most.

To replenish means “to fill or make complete again, to resupply, to inspire or nourish, to become full again.”

If we allow ourselves to give and give, yet never take the time to nourish our own souls we could become emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted, overly sensitive, discouraged, and possibly even depressed.

So, it is essential that we learn what things nourish us, inspire us, and fill our souls to the brim. Therefore, I’ve compiled a list of over 100 ways to replenish your soul and have broken them down into various categories (though some are interchangeable).

All of these suggestions won’t necessarily work for every single individual, but I believe that you can find several that will help you or even spark other ideas that will. I encourage you to read the list and find a few things to add to your daily, weekly, and monthly self-care routines. (And if you don’t have a self-care routine, now’s the time to begin one!)

Be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom to enter my giveaway for a chance to win my You Are a Masterpiece art course – a fun way to replenish your soul and spirit!

Replenish Your Soul by Nurturing Your Spirit

Our souls are vitally connected to our spirits, so if you’re feeling depleted check this area first. 

• Spend time daily in the Word.
• Make time to fellowship with the Lord each day in prayer.
• Find time to be alone on a regular basis.
• Make sure you know and are working toward fulfilling your God-given purpose.
• Take a few moments each day to meditate in the Word, to renew your mind, and reset your thoughts. This will help you calm worrisome thoughts, release hurts and negative feelings and regain your spiritual and emotional strength.
• Read inspirational books that help you grow spiritually.
• Create a gratitude journal and take some time each night to record the things you’re grateful for.

Keep Your Body Well

A healthy body is connected to your overall well-being and is essential to caring for your soul. 

• Make sure you are taking time to exercise (including both strength training and aerobic activity) on a regular basis.
• Include a stretching/yoga routine which can help reduce mental and physical stress and relax your body.
• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Keep your body properly hydrated.
• Get enough rest each night.
• Update your wardrobe to include clothes that make you feel beautiful/fun/sassy/hot/artsy – whatever!
• Try something new with your hair – new cut, new style, new color, new updo. Just have fun with it.

Give Your Soul Expression

A wonderful way to replenish your soul is to give expression to it – whether it’s joy, excitement, peacefulness, and sometimes even sorrow. Rather than holding in your emotions, find a way to express them creatively.

• Listen to music. What types of music do you love? Find the genres that inspire you, energize you, soothe you, etc. and play them as you work, exercise, pray, and drive.
• If you play an instrument, make your own music. This art form can give wonderful expression to the deep emotions of the human soul.
• Sing (whether you think you can or can’t) – it will lift your spirits and bring joy to your soul.
• Dance like nobody’s watching (as the saying goes). Of course, there’s no way I’m gonna dance if someone is! 😮 But you can…if you want…
• Write poetry, songs, short stories, a novel.
• Play! Keep a happy, lighthearted disposition, and make time for a little fun on a regular basis.
• Have a good laugh often to release those “feel good” hormones into your blood stream and boost your energy level.
• Live in the “now.” Learn to be present in the present. Celebrate the little things and determine to enjoy each day.

Stimulate Your Mind & Imagination

Sometimes just pulling away from the “daily-ness” of life can help replenish your soul. Spark your intellect or imagination by partaking of great ideas or the genius of others. 

• Read a book – get lost in a great novel or some classic literature.
• Join (or start) a book club with a group of friends or soon-to-be-friends.
• Listen to audio books while cleaning, decluttering, working out, etc.
• Read poetry to yourself or listen to it being read aloud.
• Thumb through old magazines and allow your mind to
• Watch a great movie and be transported to another time and place.

Find Ways to Express Your God-Given Creativity

You don’t have to be an artist to express your God-given creativity, all you need to do is live a life that reflects your uniqueness. So begin to give everything you do your own personal touch. Use your imagination and intuition to express something that is uniquely you.

• What hobbies do you enjoy? Make sure you take time each week to pursue your creative passions.
• Create an art journal. If you want to try your hand at a certain art medium but don’t know where to begin, start out with a journal. Sketch (or paint) your thoughts, ideas, emotions, quotes, or whatever in the journal on a regular basis. Practice makes progress.
• Join a local art class or enjoy a “paint party” every now and then.
• Find a few friends who enjoy scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, or any craft for that matter, and get together on a regular basis to create.
• Draw or doodle on a sketch pad, or have fun with some adult coloring books and markers.
• Sign up for lessons in an area that interests you: ballroom dancing, a musical instrument, photography, pottery, painting, a foreign language. Don’t let those dreams die!

Satisfy Your Senses

Perhaps your soul needs to indulge in some sensory stimulation to fill “full” again:

• Cook a delectable gourmet meal and eat it on your fine china, using your silverware, linen napkins, and crystal goblets. Don’t have any? Go to yard sales and thrift stores & create your own eclectic “set” to use.
• Treat yourself to some dark chocolate (or whatever “sweeties” you love). Keep a hidden stash just for you – you know you have to hide it from those young’uns – and their father – or at least I do)!
• Gratify your senses with aromatherapy. Diffuse essential oils which can calm and center your mind, ease anxiety and stress, or stimulate and energize you by reducing the effects and mental fatigue.
• Get a massage whether it’s a professional one, a sensual massage given by your husband, a sweet (but ultimately pathetic) massage by an obliging kid, or a “poor man’s massage” with a foam roller. Massage has a wonderful way of refreshing your body and mind, relieving anxiety, and tons of other benefits.
• Take a long, warm bath with lavender salts by candlelight and some soothing classical music to relax your mind and body.

Solitude for Your Soul

Sometimes you just need to pull away from everyone and everything and just enjoy your own company. Even if you only have a few moments of alone-time, your soul can receive replenishment. 

• Have a cuppa. Even on the busiest days it is possible to pull away for a few moments and sit down with a nice hot cup of tea (or coffee, if you must). During this time you can sit quietly and let that lovely beverage warm your body and soul while your mind can wander or reset.
• Journal your deepest thoughts or ideas. Spend five to fifteen minutes writing down things that are on your mind, your latest inspiration or anything that may be bothering you.
• Take a nap. You know what wonders it does for your wee child’s mood? Yeah, it’ll help you too.
• Take a walk and enjoy the local scenery while allowing your mind to wander.
• Unplug. Turn off the phone/computer/TV/radio and just “be.”
• Take the day off (if you can) and do absolutely nothing. Just putter around the house and let your mind unwind. Sit on the front porch swing or lie in a hammock and rest.
• Say no to things you really don’t want or don’t realistically have time or energy for.
• Say yes to things that make you happy. And perhaps splurge a little on yourself. Buy a small luxury just for you.
• Go to the library by yourself. Check out some books or read some there – just indulge yourself in the delicious musty smell of learning and imagination.

Let Nature Satisfy Your Soul

There is nothing like spending time in the great outdoors to put all of life’s problems in perspective. Nature can awaken your soul and stimulate your senses, making you feel more alive. Then on the other hand, it can quiet and still your soul, bringing you immense comfort, tranquility and peace. You need the beauty of the natural world and God has generously given it to you.

• Soak up the sun. Spend a little time enjoying the Vitamin D boosting benefits of the sun each day and elevate your mood at the same time.
• Plant and cultivate a garden.
• Don’t have space? Create a terrarium or fairy garden instead. Or put more houseplants around your home.
• Take a nature hike into the hills or mountains with your family and enjoy a picnic afterwards.
• Enjoy a lunch break at your local park and feed the ducks with some breadcrumbs.
• Find water (creek, river, falls, beach, lake, etc.) and sit by it, listening to its gentle gurgle or crashing waves. Allow the water to relax your mind and nourish your soul.
• Lie under big, puffy clouds imagining all sorts of creatures from their shapes.
• Stargaze. On a cool, clear night try to identify any visible planets or constellations. Or watch for falling/shooting stars.
• Wrap up and sit on the front (or screened-in) porch and enjoy a good thunderstorm.
• Sit outdoors by the fire pit at night and just watch the flames & sparks.
• Listen to the “evening course” of crickets, cicadas, and tree frogs in the summertime.
• Turn your backyard into a bird sanctuary. Set up feeding stations so you will have birds year round. Listen to their beautiful birdsong and learn to identify the ones in your yard.
• Stop and smell the roses (or whatever lovely flowers you encounter).

Replenish Your Soul at Home

Your home should be a sanctuary for your soul – a refuge from the rest of the world for you and your family. Here are just a few simple ways to create that sanctuary:

• Clear the clutter. Get rid of stuff you no longer need or love.
• Light some candles to add warmth and ambiance.
• Put on some classical music (or praise and worship or soft jazz) to create a soothing atmosphere.
• Rearrange furniture for a cozier (or more
• Open up your curtains or blinds and allow the sunlight into your home.
• Keep a fresh bouquet of flowers on the kitchen table.
• Create art for your walls – there are plenty of tutorials and DIY projects on Pinterest if you don’t feel artsy enough.
• Make some new pillows for your sofa/bed/chair – basic sewing skills are all you need.
• Keep a fire burning in the fireplace on cold nights to read by.
• Add bright (or your favorite soothing) colors and more lighting to your living spaces.
• Bring nature indoors – wildflowers, plants, pine cones, beautiful rocks or seashells, even a water fountain.

Allow Your Soul to Breathe

Take yourself (and your family if you’d like) on a cultural outing, field trip or even a weekend getaway to nourish your soul and allow it to breathe.

• Go on an artist date.
• See a play.
• Take in a symphony.
• See a Broadway musical.
• Visit a history museum.
• Visit an art gallery.   
• Be a tourist in your own town.

Relationships Satisfy Your Soul

As humans we are relational by nature. Whether you’re an introvert (like me) or an extrovert, you need people – and they need you. Take time to nurture relationships that satisfy your soul.

• Call a friend just to chat.
• Write a letter to someone far away (or your husband or child).
• Have a Skype coffee date with an old friend you lost touch with over the years.
• Join a club (gardening, running, book, photography – whatever your favorite hobby is).
• Be generous and giving towards others. Make “random acts of kindness” not so random.
• Practice forgiveness. Release and let go of any grudges or unforgiveness you may have towards others. (Remember, you’re only hurting yourself when you refuse to forgive.)
• Share “wonder” with a child – they see it everywhere and in everything.
• Be silly with your children (or another small child). No need to be so serious all the time. Enjoy your life!
• Love on your children – show them affection and let them know how special they are to you.
• Love on your husband – let him know he’s the most important person in your life.
• Surround yourself people who encourage, support and cheer you on.
• Limit your time and interaction with negative people who drain you or bring you down.
• Love on your pet. Don’t forget that petting your pooch or cuddling your kitty can reduce stress and anxiety.
• Volunteer your time at your local church or community center.
• Take the time to thank someone who has made a difference in your life.
• Always look for gifts in the people you meet (and don’t forget those already around you). What makes them tick? What lights them up?
• Think and speak more positively about yourself. Put a stop to negative self-talk and thoughts.

Your Hopes & Dreams Are Important to Your Soul

Proverbs 13:19 says, “A dream fulfilled is sweet to the soul.” Don’t lose sight of your dreams. They are important to a satisfied soul.

• What do you dream of? Have you tossed that dream aside lately? If so, pick it back up and begin to pursue it once again.
• Step back and figure out what matters most to you. What is your purpose? Why are you here? Take time out to design your life just the way you want it. Don’t just let life happen to you.
• Make a bucket list of dreams you’d like to see fulfilled.
• Pick one thing from your bucket list and get started!

Create a Personal Growth Plan

It is essential to your soul that you are continually growing and developing – emotionally, mentally, intellectually, and creatively.

• Write out a list of goals for your life. Where do you want to be in one year, five years, ten years, and so on?
• Listen to personal growth audiobooks and webinars.
• Take a class to learn or improve skills that contribute to your goals and dreams.
• Try something new on a regular basis. Do things that scare you. Search out new places and scenery. Always be growing and developing.

Art is a wonderful way to replenish your soul! Enter below for a chance to win my You Are a Masterpiece: Mixed Media Art Course:

Linking up with my friends at iHomeschool Network for 100 Things. Check out more posts here and enter to win one of two $100 Amazon gift cards!

For the past few months I’ve been hosting a “Create & Connect” group for ladies in our church. And just like the name implies, we meet to connect with one another while making something beautiful with our own hands.

I have had such a wonderful, positive response from the ladies who participate. The feedback has truly been encouraging and has reaffirmed what I’ve believed for a long time:

As women, the desire or need to create is just “in us.”

Even the Proverbs 31 woman knew this – verse 13 says, “With delight she works with her hands…”

Creativity evokes a sense of happiness, contentment and peace as well as many other benefits. By tapping into the creativity that is on the inside of you and expressing yourself with something made by your own hands you can bring a sense of joy and delight to your everyday life.

But maybe you feel less than creative or entirely uninspired. Perhaps you even feel like you don’t have a “creative bone in your body,” or deep down you may believe that creativity is only for the “artsy” sort.

However, I firmly believe that creativity lives within each of us, and expressing it in some form or fashion is vital to living a fulfilling and flourishing life. Creativity is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.

So to get your creative juices flowing, I have compiled a list of ten ways to reawaken your creativity:

10 Ways to Reawaken Your Creativity

1. Spend time with the Ultimate Creator. – One of the most important things for you to realize is the fact that if the Lord lives in you, then you can draw upon His inspiration and creativity. Ask Him to show you areas that He has gifted you in and to help you express them in creative ways. The more you fellowship with the Lord, the easier it will be to tap into the gifts and talents He’s given you. Believe that you are a vessel for God’s creativity and that by tapping into it you can serve Him and bless others.

2. Surround yourself with creative friends. – If you want to spark your own creativity, then fellowship with those friends of yours who are the dreamers, the makers, the creative thinkers, the innovators. Find people who are doing things you love and feel you might enjoy and hang around them. If you don’t know someone like this personally, then follow someone online – there are plenty of creative types all over social media. Which one resonates with you? What do you admire about this person? In which ways do you wish you were more like him or her? Allow them to inspire you to create.

3. Take yourself on a creative date. – Check out museums, art galleries, craft fairs, antique shops, concerts, plays, vintage bookstores – whatever you love. Go on a nature walk and soak up the beauty of God’s creation. Allow His creation or the creativity of others fill your soul with creative ideas.

4. Make time to daydream. – Give your imagination a chance to flourish by allowing your mind to wander every once in a while. This process can relax your mind, improve your memory, and give your brain a chance to explore various creative options. Ideas can begin to flow in an uncluttered environment.

5. Allow yourself the freedom to explore. – Don’t expect perfection, just take pleasure in the moment. Surrender yourself to the process rather than the final outcome. Who cares if your creation isn’t perfect? Did you learn something new? Did you have fun while you were making it? Did it bring a sense of contentment or fulfillment? That’s what really matters.

6. Set aside the time. – You will never “find” the time to be creative, so you really need to schedule in at least once or twice a month (more if possible) to create. Try something new each time you sit down – painting, sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, photography, sculpting, cake decorating – the possibilities are endless! The point is: make the time to make!

7. Create an inspirational soundtrack. – I firmly believe that music can lift your mood, stimulate ideas, and get those creative juices flowing. So find music that relaxes you, makes you happy, and even transports you, then create an “inspirational” playlist on your phone to listen to while you create.

8. Exercise. – There. I said it. (You probably knew I would!) But exercising on a regular basis is a fabulous way to stimulate your mind, improve your thought process, and elevate your cognitive creativity. Plus it’s good for your body. 😉

9. Join in on the fun. – Find a local painting class, a writers group, or amateur theater company and join them. These types of established groups will encourage you to be more creative on a regular basis. Can’t find one? Then start one yourself! Gather some like-minded friends and meet once or twice a month to express your creativity together.

10. Participate in my “You Are a Masterpiece” Course. – Don’t have the time or the resources to devote monthly classes? Then I invite you to join in my online workshop, You Are a Masterpiece. For only $60, you will receive 20 different lessons in various forms of art and crafting – that’s $3 per lesson!

Plus, it will also have the feel of a Bible study as well, with each week having a theme, scripture focus, and short devotional:

• Week One: You Are a Masterpiece – You are an exquisite work of art, carefully crafted, intricately detailed, uniquely you. God made you in His image. No matter who you are or what you have or haven’t done, you are a priceless treasure to the Lord. He loves and adores you.
• Week Two: For Such a Time as This – This is the moment for which you have been created. God has a specific purpose for your life. He prepared a plan and path for you before you were even born. Your life — and what you do with it — matters to God and others.
• Week Three: Discover God’s Plan for Your Life – Do you know what your God-given purpose is? If not, don’t worry. The Lord has made it easy for you to get on the right path to finding and fulfilling His plan for your life. And I will give you some guidelines to help you get on the path to discovering that plan.
• Week Four: Use Your Gifts to Bless Others – Your gifts are important. You have been blessed to be a blessing. Let your life SHINE everyday no matter what your circumstances are, no matter what you’re going through. Make it your aim, your great quest to love others and to use your giftings to help them.

Don’t miss out on the early registration price of $60 – the regular price will go up to $80 after May 1st.

Click on the image below for more details:

If you knew you couldn’t fail, how big would you dream?

We all have dreams and desires for our lives – things we hope to accomplish and aspire to achieve someday. But the sad reality is that many will live and die and never see those dreams fulfilled.

Why? Because it takes more than most are willing to give.

Living your dreams takes courage. It requires you to face your fears and believe that your dream is more important than the feeling of being “afraid.” It takes commitment, dedication, and sacrifice. There will be things you must lay aside in order to accomplish the dream and desires in your heart!

Living your dreams requires good, old-fashioned hard work – blood, sweat and (probably lots of) tears. It involves time and more patience than you think you’ll ever have!

But most of all living your dreams requires financial investment. Money is a necessary “tool” to help you accomplish most of your dreams.

Do you dream of being a stay-at-home mom who is able to raise and nurture your own children rather than having someone else raise them? Maybe you would just like to own a home of your own – completely debt free. You may aspire to own your own business or a quaint little shop. Or perhaps you simply want to finish your college degree.

Maybe your heart burns with a passion for the world. You may have an intense longing to adopt orphans from another country and bring them into the love and light of your own home and family. Or your heart may break to be able to help deliver women, girls and boys out of the human trafficking industry. Perhaps you would love to be able to go to third world countries and help with medical missions or disaster relief.

The possibilities are endless!

Whatever your dream is, it will most likely take money to accomplish it.

What is your dream? What is the burning desire of your heart?

Is it bigger than you? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish it?

Part of my ministry is to help others find and fulfill their God-given purpose, and most of the time your purpose has everything to do with those deep desires of your heart and the dreams that just won’t go away.

As a pastor’s wife, I have had so many women share their dreams with me, yet continue to live a frustrated and unfulfilled life because of lack of finances. It breaks my heart because I know many of them will never accomplish what the Lord put in their heart to do.

I don’t know about you, but I have HUGE dreams and desires. My biggest desire is to be able to travel all over the world with my husband and children ministering the love of God and seeing people from every tribe and nation come into His Kingdom.

My husband is able to do this on a limited basis, but he has to work within the confines of a church budget. (Thank God for a church that values souls enough to have this budget!) But the kids and I would love to be able to go with him too.

This is why I am so thankful the Lord opened up the Young Living opportunity to me. It’s not just about essential oils. A woman can have every oil known to mankind, use them for every housekeeping chore, or to improve her family’s overall health, or to fragrance and purify her home, but still be unfulfilled spiritually, mentally and emotionally.

This business not only helps you live a healthier life, it also has the potential of helping you fulfill the dreams and desires of your heart. It gives you a tool (money) to help you live the life you’ve always dreamed of.

With Young Living, not only can you bless your family in the area of wellness, but the income can ultimately help you fulfill your purpose in life. Plus you get to help and bless a lot of people along the way!

Watch this 5-minute video to see if Young Living might be beneficial to you, your family, and many others.

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“My heart is overflowing with a good theme…” ~ Psalm 45:1 (NKJ)

Do you know what the theme of your heart is? Think about it for a moment.

You may not even think you have a theme. You may feel like your life has been one long series of fragmented incidences, disconnected and detached from one another. But if you stop and consider the things that have been in your heart for years and years, you’ll realize that those things are actually a part of your “theme” or purpose.

This scripture in Psalms says “my heart is overflowing with a good theme.” What is overflowing in your heart? What things stir your heart? Are there certain patterns that you can see throughout your life? Things that have always been important to you? Dreams that just won’t go away – even after many years? Desires of your heart that you still long to be fulfilled?

Some of the themes that continually fill my heart year after year are: writing, creating, inspiring and encouraging women, helping others find and fulfill their God-given purpose (um, and England never quite leaves me alone). 😉 Not all of these things are connected, but in a way they are. I can use my writing and art to inspire and encourage others, and help them find their purpose.

The same is true for you.

There are certain themes that seem to recur in your own heart over and over. They run like threads through the tapestry of your life, weaving a beautiful work of art. And if you will identify those themes, they will lead you to God’s plan and purpose for your life.

When you recognize your heart’s theme(s), you will find that your life will become more harmonious. You’ll begin to understand yourself so much better. Then you can live a more accurate, faithful, and purposeful life each and every day.

I encourage you to spend some time thinking over your life. Identify the theme (or themes) of your heart, then begin to make steps towards fulfilling them.

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I write a lot about “flourishing.” I mean, Flourish is the name of this blog, after all. So, I write about flourishing in your spirit, flourishing in your soul (your mind, emotions, and creative center), and flourishing in your body…blah blah blah.

But who really even cares about flourishing?

Maybe you’d rather find out how not to flourish? If so, this post is for you!

Just follow these 7 simple steps, and instead of flourishing, you’ll wither away, shrivel, and eventually dry up!

How Not to Flourish

1. Continually look at your circumstances.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” But if you want to do your own thing, then just keep living by what you see and feel. Don’t try to look beyond your circumstances. Don’t you dare believe that things will get better. Nah! Just keep focusing on everything that’s going wrong and you definitely won’t flourish.

2. Constantly feel sorry for yourself. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) says, “Give thanks in all circumstances…” While you’re looking at your circumstances, also add to that a big heaping measure of self-pity. I mean, how could you possibly give thanks during them? No one cares about what you’re going through. You’re sad, pitiful, and pathetic. Just keep wallowing and you’ll wither even more.

3. Refuse to get rid of sin. 

Song of Songs 2:15 (NLT) says, “Catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard…” But what do you care about your vineyard? You’re trying not to flourish, right? So, you might as well keep on doing that thing you’re doing (you know what it is). After all, choosing life (Deut. 30:19) will cause you to grow and thrive. You really don’t want to do that, do you?

4. Live in continual strife with others.

Psalm 133:1 (NIV) says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” But who needs goodness and pleasantness? You’re trying to shrivel, aren’t you? So go ahead, quarrel, argue, and stir up strife with everyone you meet. That will really help you out.

5. Be super-sensitive and easy to get your feelings hurt.

1 Corinthians 13:5 (AMP) says that love “is not touchy or fretful or resentful.” But “they” were so rude to you. So don’t bother walking in love, because that will cause you to live in victory – a vibrant, beautiful life (and we’re going for withered).

6. Never forgive or forget.

Mark 11:25 (NLT) tells us, “When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” But think about what they did to you (and think about it over and over)! They probably did it on purpose, or they may not have even known they hurt you. But who cares? Continue to be angry and hold a grudge against them. (That’ll teach them!) And you can be content to lick your wounds.

7. Be selfish.

Philippians 2:3 (NLT) says, “Don’t be selfish…” But it really is all about you. So, make sure you take care of Number One. Refuse to have a generous, giving heart. Refuse to help, encourage, and cheer others on. Instead, think about yourself ALL the time. After all, you’re all you’ve got!

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There are plenty of other ways not to flourish, but if you will follow these seven simple steps, you’ll be surprised at how fast you begin to wither! You’ll also live a sad, miserable existence, but at least you won’t be flourishing!

(And yes, this post was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. My desire is that you will choose to flourish. Therefore, do the complete opposite of each of these steps and you’ll find yourself thriving in life!)

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Are you tapping into the creativity that is on the inside of you and expressing yourself with something made by your own hands on a regular basis? If not, I hope this post will convince you to do so. Because as you will see, there are tremendous benefits to your entire being!

From my own experience, I can attest to the fact that I am a happier woman, wife and mother when I take time for myself to make something with my own hands.

You don’t have to draw or paint to create. You could make beautiful music on an instrument, write poetry, crochet or knit, bake and decorate cakes, create one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. The possibilities are limitless!

The point is: Do something with your hands that satisfies your heart and soul.

As I mentioned in my book, A Life That Flourishes,

“You are the crowning design of the Ultimate Artist. In fact, the Bible calls you God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). And this word “masterpiece” is the Greek word poiema, which carries the idea of something that is artfully created.

Not only were you artfully created, but when you were formed you were also given specific desires, talents, abilities, gifts, and passions to help you fulfill God’s purpose for your life.

Furthermore, as a Christian, you have the Creator living on the inside of you! So, if you want to cultivate your soul and fulfill your God-given purpose, then it is important that you take time to explore those creative passions.”

You are so much more creative than you think you are! So let’s look at some of the benefits that taking time to create will bring into your life:

10 Benefits of Creativity

1. Joy – Creating brings tremendous joy! Apparently, the Lord loves and takes tremendous pleasure in creating. The beauty and splendor of His creation is all around us, and He creates new life each and every day. So when you create something beautiful out of the humblest of materials, you are able to partake of a little bit of His joy in doing so.

2. Self Expression – Creativity allows you the freedom of self-expression. There’s a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from making something with your own hands. Just like the Proverbs 31 woman who did everything under the sun, we can feel a sense of accomplishment and perhaps identify a teensy bit with her when we make things for our home and family.

3. Fulfillment – By allowing the creativity on the inside of you to flow out, you will be a more content and fulfilled woman. And a more content, fulfilled woman is less prone to feel sorry for herself or “put upon” by others as one who is dissatisfied and disappointed with life. When you have a deep sense of fulfillment, you are better able to meet the many needs of your family and others around you.

4. Authenticity – When you create, you put something of yourself into the work. It reflects you – your artistry, your skill and your ability. Even if you were to copy someone else, your piece would still be a bit different – uniquely yours. The more you create, the more you discover your likes and dislikes. You realize your desires more fully, and begin to develop your own ideas, style and technique. Your work reflects who you really are.

5. Sense of Balance – You are a whole person – spirit, soul and body. We know that our spirits need time in the Word of God and fellowship with the Lord in prayer. And we know that our bodies need healthy food and proper exercise. But our souls – our minds, intellect, creative center – also need proper care. By giving yourself an outlet for creativity, you allow your soul freedom to grow and soar. Engaging in creativity “fills your cup” and brings a sense of balance to your whole being.

6. Resourcefulness – Sometimes obstacles arise while you are creating, so you have to become more resourceful. You have to problem solve. This helps you think and process things in new and different ways. And as you overcome these challenges, you begin to feel empowered and able to face other challenges head on.

7. Stress Release – When you set aside time to create for your own pleasure and enjoyment, it helps relieve stress and built-up tension. You can lose yourself for hours and experience a sense of timelessness as you let your mind wander and dream while you work with your hands.

8. Improved Health – Studies have shown that stress can lead to weight gain, lower immunity to infections, increased levels of glucose, and heart disease. Since creativity helps to lower stress levels, it stands to reason that engaging in it will help improve your overall health (both mental and physical).

9. Continued Growth – As you give way to creativity and the enjoyment you gain from it, you begin to realize that you want to learn how to create even more. You’ll want to improve your technique and grow in your craft. Creativity brings a continual learning process that helps you to continue to grow.

10. Connection with Other Women – In order to improve your creative skills, you will begin to connect with other creative women who can teach you and help you along. In turn, you can do the same for other women. You will exchange ideas, techniques, provide feedback, and encourage one another. This develops a strong sense of community and connection which can be deeply rewarding.

I encourage you to find a hobby or creative outlet that you enjoy and pursue it. Learn to organize your time, energy and resources so that you can do something creative everyday – or at least on a regular basis.

Not only does creativity benefit you, it also encourages your children to explore their own creative passions, which can produce such a sense of pleasure and accomplishment in them. Model joy and excitement in creating for yourself and for others. And nurture the creativity that is in them!

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Looking for a way to encourage and nurture your children’s (and your) creativity? Then I invite you to join me for any of my mixed media art workshops. Click on the image below for more information!

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Are you intentionally nourishing your soul?

If not, I want to encourage you to take some time today to think about the things minister life, peace and joy to you, then set aside some time to pursue them on a regular basis.

When I speak about the soul, I am not referring to your spirit – the hidden man of the heart that 1 Peter 3:4 talks about – I am actually referring to your mind, emotions, creative center, etc. (If you want more information on the difference between your spirit and soul, then I encourage you to listen to this podcast episode. It will help you distinguish between the two.)

As women we are often pulled in every direction, stretched well beyond our limits, and expected to keep our emotions – and everyone else’s – under control. And that’s not always so easy to do.

But if you can learn to disconnect from the busy-ness and stress of everyday life to invest a few moments in yourself, then you’ll find that you are better able to handle all the craziness that life throws at you.

When you nourish something, you supply it with what is necessary to sustain life and growth.

What fills your soul with life?

Which hobbies, activities, or daily rituals bring you joy or a deep sense of satisfaction? What whispers to you and beckons you to make more time for it in your life? Pay attention to those whispers or gentle nudges to come away and refresh yourself.

I have compiled a list of things that help me nourish my soul. I encourage you to use them as a springboard for nourishing yours.

10 Ways to Nourish Your Soul

1. Make time each day to be alone.

This time for solitude and quietude doesn’t just have to be in the early mornings (though that’s when I prefer mine), grab snatches of “alone time” whenever you can. When you are alone, you are able to think, feel, dream, commune with the Father, and receive His wisdom and guidance. You are able to shut out all other voices and hone in on the voice of your own spirit. If you will learn to do this, you will tap into the inner well of riches that God has placed within you.

2. Take a tea break.

Even on the busiest days it is possible to pull away for a few moments and sit down with a nice hot cup of tea (or coffee, if you must). During this time you can sit quietly and let that lovely beverage warm your body and soul while your mind can wander (if only we women had a “nothing box” like our husbands do)!

3. Read.

Sometimes you just need to let the dishes and laundry wait while you curl up with a good novel. It is important that you read books on spiritual growth and personal development, but I believe that it is also important that you spend time with the “classics” as well. Why? Because classic works of literature will enrich your mind, stir your emotions and passions, fill you with new ideas, and awaken your soul.

4. Write.

Do you have a strong desire to write, to express the deepest thoughts and ideas of your heart through the written word? Are you the type of person who finds it much easier to journal or communicate in writing rather than verbally? Perhaps you have a deep desire to write a book or poetry or worship songs or even start a blog. What is stopping you? Someone needs to hear what you have to say. In fact, you may be the only person who can reach that one person with your heartfelt words. You must find your “voice” and give expression to it.

5. Listen to your favorite music.

Music has a tremendous effect upon the spirit and the soul. Because of its incredible power, it can bring healing, peace, inspiration, joy, hope, and exhilaration on one end of the emotional spectrum. On the opposite end, music can produce sadness, turmoil, fear, aggression and other negative feelings. (I’d encourage you to choose the former rather than the latter.) There is a certain type – and most likely, many types – of music that will resonate with your soul. Think about the kinds of music that minister life to your spirit. Which types of music soothe your soul? Make you feel happy and carefree? Bring back sweet and pleasant memories? Energize or exhilarate you? Feed your soul with your favorite music.

6. Make your own music.

If you are a singer or musician or long to take up music lessons once again then make sure you’re pursuing your gift on a consistent basis. Even if you never learned to play an instrument but have a desire to, then do it! Music is an art like no other. It helps give expression to the deep emotions of the human soul.

7. Be creative.

Tapping into the creativity that is on the inside of you and expressing yourself with something made by your own hands will cultivate and nourish your soul like nothing else can! There are many different areas in which you can use your artistic abilities. I encourage you to find a hobby that you enjoy and pursue it. Carve out a small work space and a block of time each day (or once a week) to create in some form or fashion. Then be fierce about pursuing it on a regular basis – without guilt. This is one of the best things you could do for yourself as a mom.

8. Commune with nature.

Have you ever wondered why the Lord placed Adam and Eve in a garden instead of building them a nice little home in which to dwell? Perhaps it’s because He knew just how much our human souls would need the beauty of His creation. There is nothing like spending time in the great outdoors to put all of life’s problems in perspective. Nature can awaken your soul and stimulate your senses, making you feel more alive. Then on the other hand, it can quiet and still your soul, bringing you immense comfort, tranquility and peace. You need the beauty of the natural world and God has generously given it to you.

9. Create a personal growth plan.

One very important way to nourish your soul is to never stop learning. In fact, I encourage you to develop a “lifestyle of learning.” We mothers are always eager to invest in our children’s education, but it is vitally important that we continue to invest in our own as well. As Christians, we should be continually growing, changing and progressing “from glory to glory.” If we are not moving forward, then we will begin to stagnate. The Bible is all about growth. We are encouraged to grow in wisdom, knowledge, understanding, love, grace, and more. There is always room for improvement in every area of our lives. Cultivate your mind and intellect and your soul will thank you!

10. Create a peaceful atmosphere in your home.

Your home should be a sanctuary for your soul – a haven full of love, laughter, and the peace of God. It should be a refuge from the rest of the world for you and your family, and a place of encouragement and gracious hospitality to others. It should rejuvenate all who live and visit there, and refresh their souls when necessary. Decorate and organize your home in a way that pleases you and your family. Make sure it is filled with beauty, pleasant sounds, delicious aromas, and most of all, love.

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When the Lord created us, He gave us these amazing souls to allow us to articulate our own uniqueness, to express our innermost passions, to think, to feel, to reason, to imagine, to dream and to grow. By taking time to you nourish your soul, you will be a more satisfied woman, wife and mother. Not only that, it will also affect all other areas of your life!

To expound on any of these areas of nourishing your soul, check out my book, A Life That Flourishes, from which much of this post was excerpted.

I would love to hear what you do to nourish your soul. What things bring rest, refreshment, and a deep sense of satisfaction to you?

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This post is part of a link-up with my friends at iHomeschool Network called, “Renewing Myself During Mom Time.” Click on the image below to read more of these inspiring posts.

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Are you feeling frustrated over a situation that you’ve prayed about, but haven’t yet received the answer to?

If so, I want to encourage you to resist that frustration.

You see, frustration is not faith. It is actually unbelief because deep down, a part of you is asking, “Why isn’t this working?” It allows doubt to begin to creep into your heart.

But faith believes that God is working even when it doesn’t look or feel like He is. Faith is not moved by what it sees, nor by what it feels.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  — 2 Corinthians 5:7

Faith does not waver. It keeps its eyes fixed on the eternal promises (the Word) of God.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18

So what do you do when you begin to feel a sense of frustration?

• Resist it — stand against the temptation to become frustrated.
• Continue to give God praise for the answer to your prayer.
• Enter into REST.

“For we who have believed do enter into rest…” — Hebrews 4:3

Rest in the truth that God’s Word works. Rest in the truth that He holds you in the palm of His hand. Rest in the truth that He loves you with an everlasting love. And rest in the truth that He only wants to do you good.

He is working behind the scenes even when you can’t tell. He is taking good care of you. If you’ll keep standing in faith, you will have the very thing you are believing God for!

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“When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said He would do.” – Romans 4:18 (MSG)

Do you have a situation in your life right now that seems hopeless? Maybe you have more than one circumstance or situation that appears hopeless or even impossible. If so, please know that you are not alone.

We all go through tests and trials that sometimes leave us feeling desperate and despondent. Everything around us looks as if we will never make it through. And it feels as if our world might come crashing down on top of us.

But I want to encourage you today to follow the example set before us by our father in the faith, Abraham. Romans 4:17 says that even though “everything was hopeless, Abraham believed God anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw…”

Abraham made the decision to not live according to his senses. He chose to believe God’s Word over everything else that he saw, heard and felt. The circumstances were screaming at him that what he’d been promised was impossible, yet…

He believed anyway.

Whatever you are going through, whatever you are facing, God is still on the throne. His Word is still true. What He has promised, He will surely do!

For God Himself has said, “I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!” – Hebrews 13:5 (AMP)

Though your situation may appear to be worsening, all hope is not lost. Don’t despair. Don’t be afraid. Choose to place your trust in the One who sees you, loves you and knows exactly how to work your situation out. He will never fail you. He will never forsake you. He will never let you down.

No matter what it looks like, choose to believe God anyway!

Prayer:

“Father, even though my situation looks hopeless, I know that You are still on the throne. I believe Your Word over what I see, hear, and feel. You know exactly how to take care of the problem(s) I am facing, so I ask for Your help. Please come right into the middle of my circumstances and fix them for me. Show me what I need to do regarding this situation. I trust in You to bring me through to victory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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Are you going through a “drought” in a certain area of you life right now? You may be experiencing a dry season spiritually in which you are desperately searching for a way to get back in right relationship with the Lord. Or perhaps you feel emotionally parched – someone close to you or a difficult situation has drained all your emotional strength and you feel as though you are withering inwardly. Or maybe your finances or various streams of income seem to have all dried up.

If so, then I encourage you to call on the Lord today! He has showers of blessings to bestow upon you:

Ezekiel 34:25-26 (NIV) says, “I will make a covenant of peace with them and…I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.”

This word “shower” in the Hebrew is geshem, which means to “rain violently, pour down in heavy shower,” (Strong’s Concordance).

God wants to rain blessings in your life – and not just a light rain of blessings. He wants to pour down heavy showers of blessings on you!

Have you ever been caught up in a huge downpour of rain? I have many times. In fact, it happened again just this weekend.

My mother and I had scheduled a yard sale for Friday and Saturday. Up until a few days before, there had been very little chance of rain in the forecast. All day Friday the weather was overcast and dark, heavy clouds filled the sky. Every so often, a few light sprinkles would fall and we thought the rain would start, so out would come the tarps to cover all our items. But the rain actually held off all day long and we had quite a successful sale.

Then the rains finally came in Friday evening – and not just light, gentle rains – we’re talking huge downpours all through the night. Our Saturday sale was a total washout. Thankfully, we had covered most of the items so that they stayed dry. But early that morning, after we realized the rain would not relent, we had to pack everything up and get them to warm, dry storage. In.The.Drenching.Soaking.Rain.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love rain. So it didn’t bother me one bit to have to get out there and haul boxes back and forth while it poured. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I was soaked from head to toe. I had rain dripping off the tip of my nose. My clothing was heavy and completely saturated with rain.

And that got me thinking.

God wants to drench, soak and saturate His children with His love, His goodness, His grace, His mercy, and His kindness. He wants us to flood us with blessings!

2 Corinthians 9:8-11 (MSG) says, “God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. This most generous God…is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.”

In the natural, we experience seasons of drought. There are times when the grass and flowers will dry up and wither away because there’s been very little or no rain to water the earth. But no matter how long of a drought we have, eventually the rain will come.

And if we cry out to the Lord and continue to obey and trust Him even in the most difficult circumstances, He will show up in the midst of our drought, just as surely as the arrival of rain, and pour out His blessings upon us!

Hosea 6:3 (NLT) says, “Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”

The Lord doesn’t want you to live your life dry, parched and withering. He wants you to experience showers of His blessings in every area of your life.

Deuteronomy 28:2 (AMP) says, “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God.”

In verses 3 through 14 of the same chapter, the Lord gave Israel a huge list of blessings that would come upon them and overtake them if they would obey His commands. In fact, Jesus came to earth, died on the cross, and rose again so that we could live in those same blessings:

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’ that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” – Galatians 3:13-14 (NKJ)

Not only does the Lord want His blessings to come upon us, He wants to pour so much on us that we don’t have enough room to receive them all!

And Malachi 3:10 tells us, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house,and try Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

The Contemporary English Version of this verse says, “…I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing.”

If we are experiencing blessing after blessing, then we are able to turn around and bless those around us, as well as those in other parts of the world who are less fortunate than us. That’s what His blessings are all about – being a blessing to others, showing them the love and goodness of a kind and generous God.

So no matter what area of your life you may be experiencing a drought, I encourage you to call on the Lord, and by faith receive the showers of blessing that He so graciously wants to pour out on you! Believe Him for them no matter what your situation looks like at the present. He will come to you as surely as the rain!

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Are you allowing fears (or even feelings of inadequacy) to keep you from doing what you know you should do? Are they holding you back from doing what you want to do?

If we’re not careful, we can live in bondage to fear and intimidation all of our lives and never fulfill the dreams in our heart. Join me over at Managing Your Blessings as I talk about facing those fears and overcoming them.

Don’t allow fear to rob you of your destiny!

(Click on image below to read post.)

I believe that living to please the Lord has to be intentional. I don’t know about you, but I fall short in this area often. I get so caught up in the busy-ness of life that sometimes I forget to take the time to honor the One who gave me this beautiful life I live.

But I don’t want that to be the “norm.”

Ephesians 5:10 (AMP) tells us to “Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].”

As we learn the things that please Him, we must be intentional about practicing them. In my first post on Living to Please Him, we talked about how one of the very first steps in pleasing the Lord is to just spend time with Him.

If we want to be strong Christians, we will need to dig into the Word on a regular basis. And we will need to carve out uninterrupted time each day to fellowship with the Lord in prayer. The closer we are to Him, the easier it becomes to please Him.

In fact, I have found that when I don’t discipline myself to be in His presence, I become easily irritated with my family and others. My faith wanes and my feelings take over and can easily overwhelm me if I let them.

But the more I give myself to the Word of God and to prayer, the easier is to do two of the most important things that bring pleasure to the Lord:

(1) Walk in Love

Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity)… And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [watchfully] obey His orders…and habitually practice what is pleasing to Him. ~ 1 John 3:18, 22 (AMP)

and

(2) Walk by Faith

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

I think that it’s quite interesting to note that our faith won’t even work without love. Faith expresses itself through love.

For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love. ~ Galatians 5:6 (MSG)

So no matter what we pray and ask the Lord for, if we are not walking in love towards our husband, children, extended family, friends, church members, or that irritating clerk in the check-out lane, then our faith can’t be expressed. It simply won’t work.

Everything in our lives is intertwined — especially in the spiritual arena.

If we’re living full of the Word of God, if we’re living in continual fellowship with Him, then we will walk in love towards others and our faith will be strong and active.

A woman who lives in the presence of the Lord, who displays His love and kindness to others, and has a strong, vibrant faith life will be extremely pleasing to Him!

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Need a unique Mother’s Day gift for that special mom? Checkout Alisha Gratehouse Designs.

Living to please Him. It’s what I want my life to consist of. And I’m sure it’s what you want for your life too.

Anyone who has walked with the Lord for any length of time knows what a truly wonderful God He is. He is perfect Love. He is incredibly generous in His giving. He’s unbelievably gracious and merciful in every way. He is simply amazing!

He has told us in His Word that He will give us the desires of our heart – whatever we ask – if we will seek Him and delight in Him.

“Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart.” ~ Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

And…

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.” ~ 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)

He has bestowed marvelous blessings upon us: salvation, healing, provision, wisdom, direction, and anything else we need in life. All we have to do is receive these blessings from Him.

But in the midst of all the wonderful things He gives us each day, let’s not forget to give back to Him. Let’s find out what pleases Him and seek to pursue those things.

In Colossians 1:10 (AMP) the Apostle Paul prays, That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things…

This should be the biggest desire of our heart to be fully pleasing to the Lord and to desire to please Him in all that we do.

And in Ephesians 5:10 (AMP) we are told: “Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].”

So how do we know which things are pleasing to the Lord?

The most important way to find out what pleases the Lord is to consistently spend time in fellowship with Him. We do this by reading and studying the Bible and coming into His presence through prayer and worship on a regular basis.

Living in continual fellowship with the Lord changes us. We become more and more like Him. We learn to hear His voice more clearly. We begin to sense the things that are important to Him.

Time in His presence separates us to Him. It brings our will into agreement with His will. It aligns our thoughts and ways with His thoughts and ways. We grow to love Him and desire to please Him more and more each day.

In fact, the Bible tells us about a man who lived in continual fellowship with God. His name was Enoch:

Genesis 5:24 (AMP) says, And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God…

And do you know what else the Bible says about Him?

Hebrews 11:5 tells us, By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

How did Enoch please God? By walking in continual fellowship with Him. He had a genuine, living, thriving relationship with Almighty God.

We only have a few verses that even mention Enoch, yet we can see that because of his love and hunger for the Lord, he pleased Him so much that he was allowed to step on over into His very presence.

What an incredible testimony!

So, we understand that the first step in living to please the Lord is to live in unbroken fellowship with Him. Staying connected to Him is vital to pleasing Him.

Over the next few weeks, we will look at other attributes that please the Lord. Let’s make it our greatest ambition in life to live to please Him!

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Do you want to see the dream of your heart fulfilled?

Proverbs 13:12, 19 (NLT) says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy…It is pleasant to see dreams come true.”

Turning your dream into reality is really up to you!

If you want to experience the life and joy that comes from living out the dream in your heart, then I encourage you to join me over at Managing Your Blessings. There I am sharing 4 important steps to seeing your dream fulfilled.

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Have you ever thought about just how much the Lord loves and delights in you? It’s true!

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) says, “The Lord your God …will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Psalm 37:23 (NLT) states that God “delights in every detail of [your] life.”

And 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) declares that God “cares for you affectionately and He cares about you watchfully.”

These verses not only show us that He delights in us, but that He also has a tender, caring, and affectionate love for each of us.

One of my favorite scriptures, Ephesians 2:4 (AMP) says, “But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us.”

This scripture reveals three facets of God’s love for us. His love for you is great and wonderful and intense!

He loves you so much that He wants you to be His and His alone. In fact, He is jealous for you:

James 4:5 (MSG) says, “…He’s a fiercely jealous lover.” Another version of this verse puts it this way: “He wants you for Himself alone,” (NCV).

And Deuteronomy 4:24 (CEB, GNT) says, “The LORD your God is an all-consuming fire.  He is a passionate God.  He tolerates no rivals.”  From these verses we can see that God loves you passionately, fiercely, and jealously.

Psalm 36:5,7 (NLT) states, “Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds…How precious is your unfailing love, O God!”

And Micah 7:18(NLT) states, “He delights in mercy and in showing unfailing love.”

God’s love for us is precious, merciful and unfailing. His love for us is vast and limitless!

Jeremiah 31:3 (KJV) says, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”  Other translations of the latter part of this verse read: “therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you,” (ESV); “…that’s why I’ve been so patient and kind,” (CEV); and “…so I have continued to show you My constant love,” (GNT).

So from this one verse, we learn that God’s love for us is faithful, patient, kind, constant, and most importantly, everlasting!

These scriptures are only the “tip of the iceberg” concerning the delight and love the Father has for you.  There are many, many more scriptures that speak of His great love.

No matter what you have done — whether you feel you deserve the Lord’s love or not — He delights in you! His love for you will never end. He will never fail you, never forsake you, never give up on you, and never let you down! (Hebrews 13:5, AMP)

And remember what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Take comfort in the fact that the Almighty God delights in you! He loves you more than you could ever fathom. Receive His love today. Nothing can ever separate you from it! 

Prayer:

Father, thank You for delighting in me and in every detail of my life!
You are an amazing God! Your love towards me is great, wonderful and intense.
It is tender, caring and affectionate, yet it is also passionate, fierce and jealous.
I receive Your unfailing, everlasting love today. Nothing can separate me from it!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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What is the dream in your heart? What is the desire that burns within you? What does your soul long for? If God would do anything for you, what would it be?

It is important to identify that one thing, because many times the dream, the desire, the fire that burns within your heart will be a clear indicator of God’s will for your life.

Philippians 2:13 (AMP) says, … for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

The Lord is creating in you the desire to do His will.

And Psalm 37:4 (NKJ) says, Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

So many people read this verse and see only part of its meaning – the part where if they will delight in the Lord, then He will fulfill the desires of their heart. And I believe this is completely true.

However, I also believe that if we spend much time in His Word and in His presence (through prayer) and truly learn to delight in Him, that He will place desires within our hearts. In other words, the desires that are in our heart have been given to us by the Lord.

These desires are things that are part of His plan and purpose for our lives. We may think that these things that are so dear to us are only our natural desires, but all along the Lord has been planting seeds of desire within our heart. And if we’ll nurture and water those seeds, they will come to fruition in our lives and place us right in the center of His perfect will.

(For further reading on this topic, check out Discovering Your God-Given Purpose.)

This is why it is so vital to live a life that is true to yourself. Don’t be in bondage to be who others expect you to be or to do what others expect you to do.

Have the courage to follow your heart and follow your dreams! They are important to God. And many times those dreams and desires have been given to you by Him to enable you to fulfill His plan for your life and to fulfill your joy!

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Psalm 65:11 (NKJ) says, “You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.” And Psalm 23:5 (NLT) says, “My cup overflows with blessings.”

I pray that 2014 will be a year filled with the goodness and abundance of God! May you experience an overflow of His blessings in every area of your life!

John Ruskin wrote, “Make yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts…bright fancies, satisfied memories, noble histories, faithful sayings, treasure houses of precious and restful thoughts, which care cannot disturb, nor pain make gloomy, nor poverty take away from you. Houses built without hands for your souls to live in.”

Cultivating the soul is about finding what speaks to you – to the innermost parts of your being – and making a conscious effort to pursue those things and drink them in on a regular basis. It’s about exploring the fathomless depths within you and giving expression to who you are.

I have only touched on a few things that can help you cultivate your soul, but we must not forget other areas: such as visiting art galleries, museums, taking in plays based on literary works, enjoying a ballet, etc. Or what about traveling to far away places and learning of other cultures? The possibilities go on and on.

The most important thing to remember is not to allow those desires or nudges to get lost or suffocated in the constraints of the every day. Yes, you must make time to grow your spirit and exercise your body – both of these things are vital. But don’t forget that you are a three-part being: spririt, soul, and body. So in all the things that you do on a daily basis, you must not neglect your soul.

If you do, you will carry a deep sense of unfulfillment and dissatisfaction throughout your life.

Find out what your passions are. Reawaken those buried dreams for your life. Listen to those inner longings of your soul.

Cultivating your soul and living a fulfilling and pleasurable life (even if they are the simplest of pleasures) is how you build your “nest of pleasant thoughts” and “satisfied memories” that the cares of life cannot disturb or take away from you.

Take time to nurture and tend to your soul so that later on in life, you will have built a house of beautiful experiences and precious memories for your soul to live in!

This post is excerpted from my book, A Life That Flourishes. Click on image below to purchase.

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Day 9 of the Cultivating Your Soul series –

These are the things I prize
And hold of dearest worth:
Light of the sapphire skies,
Peace of the silent hills,
Shelter of the forest, comfort of the grass,
Music of birds, murmur of little rills,
Shadows of clouds that swiftly pass,
And, after showers,
The smell of flowers
And of the good brown earth –
And best of all, along the way, friendship and mirth.

~ Henry Van Dyke

Have you ever wondered why the Lord placed Adam and Eve in a garden instead of building them a nice little home in which to dwell? Perhaps it’s because He knew just how much our human souls would need the beauty of His creation.

There is nothing like walking along the ocean shore at sunset to put all of life’s problems in perspective. And there is nothing like looking out over a majestic mountain range in the autumn, viewing the gorgeous colored foliage to make your soul thrill! Or what about standing at the top of a gorge or canyon as your heart flutters and toes tingle? Or the awe you feel at the base of an immense waterfall? Or the smallness of being lost in a dark and tangled forest?

So often in life we are faced with problems and trials, and unfortunately, we can get so caught up in ourselves and our own little world, that we forget there is an enormous world out there, created by an omnipotent and mighty God who knows just how to solve those problems.

In the cultivating of your soul, be sure to get out of doors and remind yourself of the One who created your soul, the One who created the huge, expansive universe and everything within it.

Nature can awaken your soul and stimulate your senses, making you feel more alive. And on the other hand, it can quiet and still your soul, bringing you immense comfort, tranquility and peace.

You need the beauty of the natural world. And God has already given it to you.

As Psychology Professor, Richard Ryan, wrote, “Nature is fuel for the soul…We have a natural connection with living things. Nature is something within which we flourish, so having it be more a part of our lives is critical, especially when we live and work in built environments.”

Nature nourishes the soul, increasing your energy and giving you a heightened sense of awareness. Just spending a little bit of time outdoors each day will enhance your sense of well-being and satisfaction.

So, find some way to connect with the Lord’s creation as often as you can:

• Go on a nature hike into the hills or mountains with your family and enjoy a picnic afterward.
• Bask in the sunshine of a local park while you take your lunch break.
• Plant and cultivate a garden.
• Take the dog for a walk on a daily basis.
• Stroll along the beach squishing wet sand between your toes.
• Or better yet, play in the ocean with your kids.
• Lie under a starry sky watching for shooting stars
• Or under big, puffy clouds imagining all sorts of creatures from their shapes.

Whatever way you can take in the natural beauty that surrounds you, do it. It will work wonders for your soul!

Next post … Houses for Your Souls to Live In.

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Linking up with the Autumn Hopscotch at iHomeschool Network.

In fact, He wants your life to be blessed and satisfying and filled with His abundance. Did you realize this? Did you know that He wants to bless you in every area of your life? It’s true – He does!

There are times in life when you may struggle through tests and trials or discouragement. You may even begin to think, “My life is never going to be what I used to dream about. I might as well forget my dream and settle for reality.” 

But that’s not what the Bible teaches us. God not only cares about your dreams and desires, He wants to fulfill them as well!

Read the following scriptures:

Psalm 20:4 (AMP) May He grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans… 

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Proverbs 10:24 (KJV) …the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

Proverbs 13:12, 19 (NLT) Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy…It is pleasant to see dreams come true. 

And in John 10:10, the Lord Jesus Himself said, …I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed. (MSG)

Jesus came to give you a life that is better than you ever dreamed!

I don’t know about you, but I can dream some pretty amazing dreams!!! But as awesome as I think my dreams may be, the Lord wants to do even better! 

The word better is defined as, “of superior quality or excellence, larger, greater, to a greater degree, more, to improve upon, surpass, exceed, that which has greater excellence or is preferable or wiser.”

Ephesians 3:20 (AMP) says, Now to Him Who…is able to do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams.

Not only does God want to give you a better life than you ever dreamed, He also wants to go “far over and above” your desires and dreams. Why? Because He loves you! He delights in every detail of your life (Ps. 37:23 NLT).

If you will continue trusting His Word, the Lord will see to it that all your godly dreams and desires are fulfilled. He will bring them to pass in your life.

What is the dream that you have in your heart? What kind of life do you dream of? Don’t give up on it! Don’t cast it off! The Lord wants to fulfill your heart’s desire – He wants to give you a better life than you ever dreamed!

Click here to read more scriptures concerning living your dreams and fulfilling your God-given purpose.

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I want to encourage you today that no matter what you’re going through, you are not alone. You don’t have to worry and fret trying to figure out what you’re going to do, how you’re going to take care of yourself, provide for yourself, or protect yourself.

Why? Because you are not an orphan. You are not hopeless and you are not helpless. You have not been abandoned.

In John 14:18 (KJV), Jesus said He would not leave us “comfortless.” That word in the Greek is orphanos, which is where we get the word “orphan.” In fact, all modern Bibles translate it this way.

The Amplified Bible says, “I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]…”

Orphans are children who have lost or been abandoned by their parents. They have to worry about everything. They have no one to comfort them, to provide for them or to take care of their most basic needs. Orphans have to constantly think about where their next meal is going to come from, where they can shelter for the night, and how they can stay protected from those who would harm them.

Very little (if any) comfort is found in the life of an orphan. Orphans have no one to love them. No one to hold and embrace them, to tell them that everything is going to be all right. They are utterly alone.

If we are not careful, we can develop an “orphan mentality,” thinking that we are all on our own and that if we don’t find a way to take care of ourselves, then no one else will. We can get so consumed with cares and worries that we are constantly wondering what we are going to do about a certain situation.

But we must remember that we are children of the Most High God. Your Father holds the universe in His hands and He knows everything you have or don’t have. He is faithful and devoted to you. He loves you immensely (Eph. 2:4 AMP). He cares about you affectionately (1 Pet. 5:7 AMP). He delights in every detail of your life (Ps. 37:23 NLT). And He’s promised to meet every one of your needs (Phil. 4:19 NLT).

He wants to bless you in every area of your life!

If you are worrying and fretting, trying to figure out how you are going to meet your needs or fix your situation, then you’ve forgotten who you are. In fact, you’ve taken on an “orphan mentality.” And if you are thinking like an orphan, then it’s time to remind yourself Who you belong to.

There’s no reason to worry if your needs are going to be met or if your difficult situation will ever turn around when the God of the universe is your Father. He will never abandon you, nor leave you comfortless. He will always take care of you and always provide for you. Ask Him to help you, then trust in His faithfulness. Remember Who you belong to and that He will never leave you alone!

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(photo credit)

It’s time again to link up with the lovely ladies at iHomeschool Network and the “10 in 10 Series.” This week’s theme is: 10 Things You Should Know About Me. 

Honestly, I can’t really say you should know these things about me. In fact, they’re more like: 10 Random Facts About Me That You Probably Could Live Without Knowing, But That I’m Going to Tell You Anyway (but really, that’s too long of a title).

If you want to know the basics about me, click here. And if you want to know about my family, click here.

And if you’re not absolutely bored to tears after reading them, feel free to check out these random facts about me.

1.  I am an introvert (ISFP to be exact), which means my main source of energy comes from within. I have to have time to be alone, to think, to dream, to plan, to create, to read, to write, to breathe. Although I love people, too much social interaction leaves me physically and emotionally drained. I will usually “click off” after a certain amount of time being with lots of people, and I tend to need a long time to recuperate from it. Being an introvert in a big family of extroverts has always been difficult. My own mother doesn’t even understand me. (I love you, Mom!) But I prefer intimate gatherings to large crowds any day.

2.  I grew up in a home that was built before the Civil War. It was a big, gracious Southern home, with a secret room that hid runaway slaves as they made their way on the Underground Railroad to freedom. The entrance to the secret room was through my bedroom closet. Cool, huh?

3.  I miss my big hair from the 80s and secretly wish perms would come back in style. <sigh>

4.  I have a strange (probably obnoxious) habit of bursting forth into song – silly kid songs, 80s music, praise songs – you name it. My husband and children claim that I have a song for just about any subject or word they can come up with. I can’t help it — there’s always a song in my heart! I grew up singing in church (duets, trios, choir, and praise team). I love to sing harmony (preferably alto, but I can also sing tenor if necessary). I sing because I’m happy…I sing because I’m free…

5.  I love to draw, paint and create. Sadly, I haven’t taken enough time over the years to do any of this. However, I recently set up a studio for myself where I finally have all my paints, canvases, easels and art supplies all together. I feel like I’m in Heaven!

6.  My favorite novel of all times is Wuthering Heights. It’s a pitiful and tragic “romance” (I use that word loosely), yet it’s filled with passion and beautiful imagery. You can read a bit about my visit to the Brontë sisters’ home in Haworth, West Yorkshire, England here.

7.  I’m in love with my own handwriting. Sad, but true. (I have excellent penmanship – it’s my claim to fame.) 😉

8.  I’m terrified of moths, but caught snakes, frogs, and lizards as a kid and teenager. (Hey, snakes do not flutter at my face like moths do!) I even picked up a baby water moccasin once, only I didn’t know it was a baby water moccasin at the time until an adult told me so. (Oops!)

9.  I have never had a professional pedicure (and probably never will) because my feet are so ticklish. I cannot stand anyone touching my feet – it’s even hard for me to touch them sometimes. One sure way to torture me is to tickle my feet.

10.  If I could live anywhere in the world it would be right here in Georgia (although, I’d seriously consider moving to England…).

Now, don’t you feel all the better for knowing these random tidbits about me?

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Linking up with the lovely ladies of iHomeschool Network for the “10 in 10 Series” & with Many Little Blessings for “Top 10 Tuesdays.”

Last week I posted the following quote on Flourish’s Facebook page:

“Dare to believe God will lead you. You will embark on the most exciting life imaginable. A Spirit-led life is a thrilling day-by-day adventure with the Holy Ghost. You’ll start out walking baby steps, but if you keep going, God will change you from one degree of glory to another until one day, you’ll be walking in the very footsteps of Jesus!” ~ Lynne Hammond

The most exciting life imaginable…a thrilling day-by-day adventure…Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? But what if you don’t know how to be led by the Spirit of God?

It’s really much easier than you think! In fact, you’ve probably been led by the Spirit many times without even realizing it. 

Romans 8:14 (NLT) says, For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

As a child of God, you can expect the Holy Spirit to lead you every moment of every day. And the number one way in which children of God are led by His Spirit is through the “inward witness.”

Romans 8:16 (NLT) says, The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God.

This inward witness of the Spirit, is an inward “knowing” – you just know what to do deep down on the inside of your spirit. We women often refer to it as “intuition.” You might have an impression or a perception about someone or something.

Intuition is defined as “direct perception of truth, keen insight, or instinctive knowledge.”

It comes from the Latin word intueor. Some translations of this would be “look at, consider or regard,” but another rendering of intueor (in and tueor) that I like is “inward tutor.”

This sounds just like the scripture in 1 John 2:27 (NLT):

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true — it is not a lie. So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ.

You have an Inward Tutor living on the inside of you Who will teach you everything you need to know. He will to guide you in every area of life if you will allow Him to. When the Holy Spirit is leading you in a certain direction, it will seem good or right. It will feel like a “green light” on the inside of you. And you will experience an overwhelming sense of peace. (For more on being led by the Spirit of God, please read Your God-Given Purpose.)

As long as you keep a pure heart and your conscience clear, your intuition is a safe guide in life. Learning to follow that witness, knowing, perception or instinct, is a step in the right direction to being led by the Holy Spirit.

And if you will “dare to believe that God will lead you,” you will most certainly experience a thrilling day-by-day adventure with Him. No longer will you remain on the sidelines of life watching others fulfill God’s plan for their lives, but you will partake of your own amazing journey with the Lord.

Learning to be led by His Spirit will make you a success in every area of life. And it is truly the most exciting life imaginable!

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