by Elise Daly Parker
Several years ago I learned about a concept that has forever changed the way I communicate. It’s called Connect Before You Correct. We yearn for connection — with kids, spouses, parents, siblings, and friends. And the way we build those connections is by communicating, hearing and being heard, giving and receiving love, being concerned for one another, and coming alongside each another in the journey of life. But life is busy, juggling home life, work life, marriage, schedules, who has time for relationship? [Continue Reading...]
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
By Sharon Gamble
I came across a Bible verse the other day that reminded me of my reluctant submission to the concept of rest. Here it is: …In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. (Isaiah 30:15).
That part about “you would have none of it?” That was me. [Continue Reading...]
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
by Elise Daly Parker
Do you ever feel like you’ve got enough friends to keep up with? And besides, making new friends can be a little uncomfortable…awkward even. Well I’m generally a people person. I like people. I grew up in a tribe of five. I am genuinely interested in people’s stories and I like to know what makes them tick. I am blessed with a lot of friends. I love them, but I feel like I don’t get enough time with them as it is.
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
by Noelle Rhodes
At nine months pregnant, I pulled a small chair to the side of the dumpster. I stepped up on the chair and lifted the lid of the dumpster only to be met with the most horrifying rotting smell I have ever experienced. I held my breath and then jumped in. Yes, I jumped into the dumpster. As I began to tear into the trash bags around me, my panic began to grow inside of me. What if I couldn’t find the painting? What if I had really failed?
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
by Elise Daly Parker
It's been a little over three months since New Year and so it is a good time to reflect on our One Word for the New Year. I’m hoping you will share an update on your One Word too. You can LinkUp or share in the comments below.
[Continue Reading...]
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
by Kimberly Amici
This year, let’s go beyond the good intentions and create a plan that will help us achieve those things that are on our heart. But where and how do you start? A good place to start is by creating SMART goals. The acronym SMART stands for: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. When creating goals for the New Year here are some things to consider:
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
by Elise Daly Parker
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Happy New Year!
Did you choose your One Word for the New Year?
I have been reflecting, thinking, praying and have finally come up with my One Word for the New Year. Before I tell you what it is let me tell you a little about my journey. [Continue Reading...]
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
by Noelle Rhodes
Being a parent of a child with significant struggles has made the journey of parenting...unique. Though at times, it has been hard and heartbreaking, it has turned out to be a great adventure that has changed my life forever. It has deepened my faith and has taught me huge life lessons. [Continue Reading...]
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
by Noelle Rhodes
I have seriously annoyed my husband using all the methods above. I am so good at it, I don’t even realize I am doing it. It’s bad.Here are some tried-and-true methods to really annoy your husband. [Continue Reading...]
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
By Elise Daly Parker with Annie Ly Johnson, MOPS Coordinator, Montclair Community Church
MOPS groups “connect moms all over the world to a community of women, in their own neighborhoods, who meet together to laugh, cry and embrace the journey of motherhood.”
Annie and I sat around her kitchen table a while ago. I wanted to know more about MOPS and only wished I had heard about it when I was a young mom. Here’s Annie’s story. I think it’s one many young moms can relate to… [Continue Reading...]
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
by Kimberly Amici
I looked at other people talking and laughing together and assumed they must all be best friends. Surely they were getting together without me. Doesn’t anybody want to get together with me? Was it something I said?
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
Our vision is to inspire, empower, educate one another through ongoing community exchange. One of the ways we’re doing this is through our Friday Community column, in a monthly series called In Your Words. We reach out to our contributors and guest writers to ask them a question once a month.
Read what our contributors have to say and share your answer in the comments below.
Have you found a friend in an unlikely person or an unsuspecting place? Surprised by a friendship? Tell us about it.
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
by Noelle Rhodes
The following are tried and true steps to becoming a bad friend. Take it from an expert!.
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
by Noelle Rhodes
Here are a few surefire ways a mother can lose her mind this summer. Take it from an expert, like me. [Continue Reading...]
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
The content on Circles of Faith is relevant, insightful, helpful for intersecting and integrating Life, Faith, and Community. Our writers shared powerful stories that resonated with you, our readers. We want to go beyond the written word, deeper than our 800-word limit allowed. Podcasting allows us to do that.
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
I am thankful for the time that it took me to get the place where I accepted and really loved myself. I don’t think I realized how hard I have been on myself over the years. I wasted a lot of time wanting to be like someone else - thinner, cooler, bolder, more confident, neater, more creative, and less hysterical.
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
Twenty years ago in April, my husband and I went to Moscow to adopt a beautiful little Russian girl, Natasha. The trip and the adoption changed the trajectory of our lives. I had a baby boy more than 10 years prior, who was happy and healthy and the joy of our lives.
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
The moment that I realized I was doing something that I was meant to do and loved to do was when I was in the mountains of Guatemala, working for non-profit organization. I was surrounded by poverty, but felt more alive than I have ever been.
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
It was winter when I experienced the loss of my marriage. At the time, it felt like the end of the world. What surprised me about this was that God didn’t rescue me in the way that I’d expected. He didn’t bring my husband back like I thought He should.
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
After 33 years of marriage, my husband left me and moved in with another woman. I was left single and very alone. At the time, it felt like my life was over, I was rejected. What surprised me about this time was how real the presence of God became to me as I experienced Him as my husband. I
Enjoy what you read? Share it with others...
