by Angele Tanyeri
The Collyde Summit is a gathering of passionate believers in the NY, NJ, and PA area, who love Jesus and are convicted to become world changers. Collyde turned out to be a life-changing experience for me! To gather and worship in this way was profound. It also gave me a chance to ‘collide’ with individuals I may not have had an opportunity to meet otherwise.
by Elise Daly Parker
So for pretty much the 30+ years my beloved and I have been married, we have been “working” on our finances. Initially, it was just a matter of trying to be responsible with our money and not get in over our heads with debt. Truth be told, our success was short term. Some of this was circumstantial – unanticipated life and salary changes threw us for a loop. But, really? We overspent.
by Kathleen Whittam
There is a nickname for people who only go to church on Christmas and Easter--a ChrEaster. My mom has long been a fan of the Christmas cactus, a plant that, oddly enough, blooms around Christmas as well as Easter. I started calling them a ChrEaster Cactus.
By Beth Stiff
I wanted to start from the beginning...
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.~ Genesis 1:1-2
My focal point was going to be on the three words God says over and over again in the first chapter of Genesis: “…it is good."
He looked at all He created and said it was good. ~ Genesis 1:31
Starting from the beginning sounded like a good plan because I’m currently reading from the Book of Genesis and those three words jumped off the pages as I read. If we believe everything He said as truth, and he says those three words several times, I’m thinking those words are rather important. [Continue Reading...]
by Elise Daly Parker
Even if you don’t go for a big New Year’s Eve celebration, the New Year can mark a fresh start, a new beginning, a shift in focus. It’s a good time to take a look back at the past, and consider a vision for the year ahead.
Many people choose a New Year’s resolution or two… [Continue Reading...]
What’s on Your iPod?
I love to listen to music as I exercise. In fact, if I am not taking a class or running with a friend, I need my music. My iPod with my workout playlist is just as essential as my sneaks and sports bra.
I have a standard list of songs that keep me moving, but I always keep my eye open for new music.
“The things that matter stay with you, seep into your skin…”
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline is the fictional account of a very real movement that brought homeless children from American Eastern cities by train to the Midwest and West. The intention was to offer homeless and abandoned children a fresh start and given a chance of being welcomed into new families. “Orphan trains” carried more than 200,000 children across the country from 1854 to 1929. Once they reached their new homes, many of the children were provided for and eventually adopted, while others were treated harshly, like little more than indentured servants; an extra body, a pair of hands to help with work on the farm. [Continue Reading...]
My story is not uncommon. I was born and raised in church. I did a lot of “church things” with a lot of nice “church people.” My childhood would not make a very good Lifetime made-for-television movie. It wasn’t perfect, but I was loved.
Perhaps that is why it took me so dang long to realize that I needed “saving” from anything. I wasn’t beaten. I wasn’t drug dealing. I didn’t live in poverty. I went to church and didn’t smoke. So, why did I need Jesus? [Continue Reading...]
The Great Awakening played through my car speakers on a rainy Monday morning driving to work. Then again, it continued serenading me on an average Wednesday evening on the way to church. Additionally, it welcomed the start of the weekend one warm Friday afternoon.
There are few albums that I can listen to at any time of the day and in any mood. The Great Awakening from Leeland is one such album. [Continue Reading...]
Submerged is the first Christian fiction book I’ve ever read and I enjoyed it. I honestly never thought about reading this type of genre because I figured it was going to be too religious. Would the style be more about what we Christians are always doing wrong or would it be a suspense thriller, as promoted. Talk about judging a book by its cover - shame on me. I’m happy to say, I was wrong. [Continue Reading...]
I came to Christ at an early age, I remember praying with my mom at age six to ask Jesus into my heart. And, like many of us, I certainly wandered from the Lord and from my faith during periods of my life. It wasn't until after I'd gotten married and become a mother that my eyes were truly opened to the truth of Jesus and His love.
Watching my own children, loving them with such an intense love, I could catch a small glimpse of the love of my Heavenly Father. [Continue Reading...]
I picked up this book because I had read, and liked, the first edition. If you haven’t read the original book, here is a quick synopsis.
The original book (no longer in print), simply called Breathtaking , is a compilation of emails the author, Amber Payne, (then Metz) wrote while she was waiting for a double lung transplant. Only 19 at the time, Payne’s lungs had been so damaged by cystic fibrosis that she described her condition as, “trying to breathe through a straw.” [Continue Reading...]
Zion is here.
Before you crack open your Bible and search fervently for the meaning of “Zion,” let me clarify. Hillsong UNITED has released their newest album, Zion.
Hillsong is a mega church based out of Sydney, Australia, with campuses around the globe, including London and New York City; UNITED is the worship band birthed from Hillsong’s youth ministry in the ‘90s. Now, they tour globally, leading worship with their original songs that are relevant to churches and Christians around the world. [Continue Reading...]
Yelling at my kids to hurry up doesn’t get them to move any faster. Over-planning our days just over-stimulates everyone in our house. Planning meals is convenient … when I remember to thaw something in time to cook it for dinner. Too often I put chores and tasks before the people I love most.
The more I strive for perfection, the more likely I am to make an even bigger mess of our days, my attitude, and my kids’ moods. [Continue Reading...]
God calling...
Though I was born in New York, my parents are from Peru. I visited when I was young, but it had been 15 years since my last visit. I had no plans of returning anytime soon.
I didn’t anticipate that God would put a love and concern for others, especially abused children, in my husband’s and my heart. [Continue Reading...]
Holley Gerth has released a new book, You're Made for a God-Sized Dream, brought to us by the publishers at Revell.
This book is for anyone who is looking for a way to dig deeper and take an honest look at their skills and strengths; and then to figure out how to utilize them to fulfill their dreams.
We each are born with a dream inside of us; something we just know and feel in our deepest parts that we were made to do. This book is Holley’s way of leaning in close and saying, “Yes, you have a dream, let’s discover it together. [Continue Reading...}
She Speaks - A Speakers and Writers Conference From Proverbs 31 Ministries
Date: July 25-27, 2013
Registration: Open now and filling up fast!
We’ve had a few posts here on Circles Of Faith from the awesome women of Proverbs 31 Ministries, including Karen Ehman, Tracie Miles, Lynn Cowell, and just in the past few days, Amy Carroll. So I figured it was time to share just one of the fabulous opportunities Proverbs 31 provides. It’s their informative, instructional, applicable, inspiring annual She Speaks, Speakers and Writers Conference.
Two summers ago, I dared to venture out to the Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference…ALONE!
I had never traveled anywhere alone and stayed alone for several days. I’m a girlfriends’ girlfriend. I love traveling with a pack. I love having one of my birth or God sisters with me at times like this. I mean how much fun to prepare and plan, board the plane with breathless anticipation. To set down in a lovely foreign land (well from NJ to NC…it was new territory to me!) wide-eyed and bushy tailed ready to experience together a living, learning adventure. Then to return each night to our cozy little hotel room, giddy with fun and fellowship to share.
Well, my first She Speaks Conference wasn’t exactly like this, since I was…ALONE!
As it happened, I had been trying to get to the She Speaks Conference for a couple of years with a couple of interested gal pals. In fact, for my 50th birthday, my beloved friends, knowing the desire of my heart was to attend this conference, collected money to help send me on my way. I was just waiting till one of my friends could come along. But it had been two years and I was itching to go!
So, with great trepidation and nerves akimbo, I registered myself for She Speaks.
Yes, terror mixed with the excitement of actually doing this very big thing…ALONE!
I felt certain I was to go. And so off I went. The flight (I have some fear of flying) was smooth sailing. The shuttle was awaiting and quickly filled up with a spirited bunch of women, most of whom were exhausted from the pressures of leaving family behind and pulling it all together on the home front. We were mostly new to the conference. All of us were just silly with eagerness, chatting, exchanging stories, hopes, and plans, and getting to know one another in our moving bubble.
And then we arrived! It was actually one night before the Pre-Conference began; a great opportunity to relax and catch my breath before the opening of She Speaks.
I had already made a fast friend…
And so we agreed to grab a quick bite and go for a pool walk. Yes, we donned our bathing suits, jumped in the pool, and began walking laps as we shared like old friends do…though we had just met each other. For me, my new buddy was a sign that I was going to be just fine and this conference was going to be a girlfriend getaway and so much more, even though I was there…ALONE!
The next morning, I checked in to the Pre-Conference Session.
I was outfitted with my new conference tote and an awesome book by Renee Swope, A Confident Heart . I felt the book was a gift from God, since there was one of several book choices included in each bag, and this seemed perfectly chosen for me.
The journey of learning, connecting, worshipping, sharing, laughing, crying continued for three days. I was in the right place at the right time, meeting all kinds of amazing women I wouldn’t have met had I been traveling with others. The worship was rich. The keynotes were moving and left lasting impact.
I remember Lysa TerKeurst’s (keynote was Let God Chisel).Karen Ehman put on a hysterical skit on comparison (so relatable for comparison queens like me). Renee Swope’s testimony was powerful and moving. Oh and it was there that I first encountered Ann Voskamp, author of the life-changing One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are . I met the engaging and delightful Amy Carroll and signed up for some continuing ed, so to speak, through the equipping Next Step Speakers Services . I’ve since enjoyed Message Development coaching through Next Step from Karen Ehman and a recent eye-opening Group Service conference call, Writing a Bang-Up Book Proposal, also with Karen.
There were excellent workshops on marketing, writing, speaking, publishing, platform, and more. I was part of a Speakers Coaching Group (very intimidating, but I’m glad I did it!). And I even met with a couple of publishers to share my book proposal.
From beginning to end, I was so delighted to be at She Speaks. The friends I met, words spoken, lessons learned, challenges met…well it was all beyond what I could’ve asked or imagined.
If you want to sharpen your writing skills and hone your speaking message, enjoy lots of good girlfriend time (even if you’re alone!), be refreshed, equipped, and inspired, I’d say She Speaks is for you. Find out more here http://shespeaksconference.com/shespeaks/ .
And if you decide to go, please let me know. I’m doing my best to make my way there again this summer…this time with Circles of Faith Co-Founder, Managing Editor, and Friend Kimberly Amici. Hope to see you there!
Elise has been married for 28 years and is mom to four mostly grown girls. She is a writer, editor, writing coach, and blogger. She believes we all have stories that matter--big life bios and small meaningful moments. Elise believes our stories are a reflection of God’s glory and are meant to be shared. They have the power to inform, reform, and transform. She loves God, familly, friends...and really likes travel!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Greater: Dream Bigger. Start Smaller. Ignite God's Vision for Your Life. By Steven Furtick - Founder and Lead Pastor of Elevation Church, one of the fastest growing churches in the country and author of the bestseller Sun Stand Still.
Published by Multnomah, Nonfiction, 205 Pages with Discussion Questions
If you dream of doing greater things…or wonder about your greater purpose…or just need some inspiration for continuing to aim for more, Greater is a book for you.
Struck by the outpouring of love and regard for Steve Jobs after his death was reported, author Steven Furtick tweets, “What a life.” Jobs’ death draws Furtick to this scripture:
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12
Furtick realizes he’s nowhere near being the man of God he wants to be.
From this point, Greater takes us on a personal journey of discovering just what it means to be greater, through the biblical journey of the prophet Elisha, found in 1 Kings 19 – 2 Kings. Elisha was working hard, plowing his fields, when God sent the prophet Elijah to call him to a greater thing—becoming the great prophet Elijah’s successor.
What was required of Elisha is required of us if we desire to be greater.
Some of the requirements include:
1. Burning the plow—What do you have to leave behind to move forward?
2. Digging ditches—Start, even if it’s a seemingly small start…Act, talk, pray, be prepared.
3. Work with what you’ve got and give up the “if only.”
4. Believe that God never wastes anything, even setbacks and suffering.
5. Watch out for pride.
6. Renew your determination daily.
7. Trust what God says about you, “What matters is what my Father sees in me and what He says about me.”
8. “Strike” (Read Greater to find out what this means…)
From the beginning, Furtick draws a clear distinction between being greater than Jesus and greater with Him. “He’s calling us to be greater with Him through His Spirit within us.”
A couple of things that stop us from saying yes to greater is:
1. We don’t think big enough.
2. We don’t start small enough.
In the back of the book there are Group Discussion Questions, but you don’t need a group to discuss them. If your reading this book on your own, a journal might come in handy. The questions simply and clearly reinforce the message of each chapter, while offering a “Start Small” step. With a little imagination, you can translate the group step to a personal step, which I highly recommend!
Furtick has a wonderful way with words that jolts us into understanding.
Among my favorites are comfortable complacency, miserable mediocrity, lesser loser life, Captain Awesomesauce. His style is engaging and down to earth. And he uses some excellent real-life stories to demonstrate the path to a greater life.
One of the stories I appreciated most was when Furtick tries to teach his son Elijah how to ride a two-wheeler. The story starts with Dad huffing and puffing as he takes the training wheels off the bike with difficulty. And ends with Elijah not having much success with learning to ride. However, an AhHa moment comes when Elijah asks his dad if he will show him how to preach. Now that’s something Furtick, a pastor of a mega church, can do.
Furtick shares the value of letting go of our limitations and doing the best we can with what we’ve been given. The greater life “…starts where you are. You have everything you need to do all that God is calling you to do right now.”
I am in the midst of many transitions. And with my cofounder, Kimberly, we’ve just started Circles Of Faith. Greater was just the reinforcement I needed to keep moving forward. Greater offers excellent teaching, biblical basis, and practical steps to take toward living the greater life every one of us is called to by God.
To fnd out more about the author Steven Furtick and Elevation Church you can visit their website.
To comment on the book review CLICK HERE.
Elise has been married for 28 years and is mom to four mostly grown girls. She is a writer, editor, writing coach, and blogger. She believes we all have stories that matter--big life bios and small meaningful moments. Elise believes our stories are a reflection of God’s glory and are meant to be shared. They have the power to inform, reform, and transform. She loves God, familly, friends...and really likes travel!
Elise and I first heard about Pure Charity back in October at the Allume conference. It is one of the easiest ways to fund nonprofit projects you care about. You can even earn rewards back when you give to those in need. The best part…It’s free!
Your giving power grows simple by making everyday purchases and sharing promotions with friends.
Here is how it works:
What’s so neat about Pure Charity is the way you can track the progress of the projects you are giving to in your own little “charity portfolio.”
This is great idea and helpful for someone like me who wants to give more, but is not sure where to start. It takes the guesswork out of where and how to give. Choosing a charity is easy. A list of projects can be found here. Each one falls into one of the following categories: opportunity, water, freedom, health, food, or relief. The information for each project includes location, funding goals and even lives impacted. Once you set up your account and determine your funds allocation, you can rest assured that you are supporting the causes you care about the most on an ongoing basis.
Check out Pure Charity’s website to find out more. Also check out their blog and learn about the exciting new partnerships they are forming to make a real impact on those in need.
Kimberly is an enthusiastic and dedicated founding member of the Circles of Faith team. She is known for her creativity, strong faith, and commitment to living life with purpose and passion. Kimberly is a writer and community builder whose desire is for hearts to be healed, minds to be renewed, and women to be connected in fellowship just as God intended.
You can follow Kimberly in her journey to discovering the Sweet Spot of God’s success for her everyday life on her blog at Living in the Sweet Spot. or on twitter @kimberlyamici. Click here for her full bio.
All Sons & Daughters, Season One
I sat and listened one morning to sweet melodies and heartfelt prayers sung by two voices in beautiful harmony as I spent my quiet time with the Lord.
The voices belonged to David Leonard and Leslie Jordan of All Sons & Daughters. This duo, based out of Franklin, Tennessee, began writing and leading worship songs at their home church, Journey, in 2010. They signed with Integrity Music, a worship label, later that same year.
The music of All Sons & Daughters, categorized as indie worship, was birthed out of the heartbeat and environment of their home church, as they added words and melodies to the cries, prayers, and praise of their community. Their songs have also become relevant to congregations outside of their Nashville suburb.
It feels natural to sing along with All Sons & Daughters in moments of deep sorrow yet can be pleasantly enjoyed while going about the mundane activities of life.
Their songs comprise the perfect soundtrack for this journey called “life.”
Leonard and Jordan’s voices blend beautifully with accompaniment by gentle piano, simple guitar, melodic strings, and easy rhythms. Some of their songs, such as All the Poor and Powerless, Brokenness Aside, and Reason to Sing, are honest confessions of doubt and brokenness, but also serve as a reminder of God’s promises of restoration, healing, and faithfulness. Other songs, like Let It Shine, I Am Set Free, and All Praise to You, are proclamations of freedom found in Christ and a rally cry to worship Him. Alive and Oh Our Lord are the most upbeat songs on the record and joyfully exclaim the life we have in our Lord.
All Sons & Daughters offer their music freely as part of their mission.
In an age where piracy is rampant and artists hold tightly to their creation, All Sons & Daughters acknowledges that their purpose is not merely fame and fortune, but to chronicle the journey that we are on as sons and daughters of the Most High God. This is evident, not only because of soulful words that they have set to music, but also because they make these lyrics and chord charts available on their website for worship leaders and musicians to use freely.
All Sons & Daughters has also released four EPs, or mini albums: Brokenness Aside EP No. 1 , Prone To Wander: A Collection of Hymns EP, Reason To Sing and their latest, The Longing, released on September 25, 2012.
To find out more about All Sons & Daughters visit their website.
A native of New Jersey, Denise Trio is a full-time worship leader, mentor, designer, and blogger based out of Fort Lauderdale, FL. She wants to use her voice to inspire others to seek healing and pursue restoration of broken relationships. Follow on her blog Blond Moment of the Day or on Twitter.
We all have a story to tell! Personal Connection is just one of the ways we share stories here at Circles of Faith. Ordinary women are doing extraordinary things for God. We hope Jena’s story encourages and inspires others to take that next step to what God is calling them to do.
Worship Leader, Singer/Songwriter, and Pioneer of the Worship Soul genre
Tell us your FAITH story.
I grew up in a Christian home, in my father’s storefront Pentecostal church. Ever since I can remember, God was drawing me closer to Him through songwriting. As early as age seven, I began to develop a relationship with Christ although I didn’t know it at the time. I loved being close to God, talking with Him, journaling my thoughts and, of course, singing to Him.
It was my father who shaped my faith. His teaching of giving God your best will always be with me. Though he is still alive, this is part of my inheritance—his legacy to me. Dad was very “big” on knowing the Word. He would instruct me to read Bible stories each day after school and then share with him what I learned. I hope to instill that same fervor for God in my children.
I went through a phase, like many children raised in Christian homes, when I lost my faith. During college, I was so far away from God and wasn’t sure how to get back to Him. After graduation, I moved to New Jersey from Wisconsin and stumbled upon the church I now attend. It was my experience there that led me back to God and a process of healing and discovery began that is ongoing today.
Faith has played a major role in the decisions I make in life. It was only through faith and God's leading that, after ten years as a high school history teacher, I was able to take a step and leave teaching to stay at home with my newborn daughter. It was that step that opened the door to God's purpose for my life.
What does LIFE look like for you?
My family encompasses so much of who I am. My husband Ron and I are just two people on the love roller coaster! Our two daughters Olivia and Nia energize our lives. Ron’s and my relationship is shaped by our love for God and worship, our passion for fitness, and love of laughter. Laughter has helped us to remain sane even when times are tough. We love sharing a big bowl of popcorn and watching a funny movie. As simple as it may seem, sharing humor with someone means a lot.
An important part of our relationship is learning to balance parenting in the 21st century! Ron is an excellent caregiver to our girls—his love is huge for them and he almost never seems stressed by them. His supportive and caring personality really helps to keep me balanced. We are working as a team more than ever. Nearly seven years into our marriage, we have truly begun to build a rhythm for our lives.
While I am not doing any one thing full time, I am doing a mixture of things that are fulfilling to me. The purposeful choices I've made make it possible to focus on my desire to create and minister in song as a volunteer worship leader in my church. I’ve also been able to pursue my passion for fitness. I currently teach classes, and do personal training at my gym, while working towards my personal training certification. In addition, I work part-time at Lululemon, a yoga store and athletic clothing retailer.
How does community inspire your life?
My church family is a big part of fostering my faith. There are people in my life who have mentored me…especially women in our church. They have really helped me to come into my own. They have helped me grow tremendously as a mom, a women in ministry, a wife, and as a person. There women have taken time to pour into me and help me to see myself clearly, always pointing me toward God. I am so grateful for their influence in my life. I hope to be a mentor to young women some day too and make the same investment others have made in me.
Community boils down to investing in people and allowing people to invest in you. Small groups play a big role in our life. One of the things my husband and I love to do is host LIFE group (small group) in our home. Our group is diverse, fun, and we truly feel valued by them.
God has also blessed me with a core group of friends and I am energized when we laugh together—again, laughter is key to me!
The friends I’ve made at church, work, and the gym are all amazing women! I love to get people together and help facilitate relationships by having little gatherings. Not only do I get to connect with my friends, but they can connect to each other too.
Lululemon is not just a place I work, it has become a community of sorts for me as well. I love being a part of what they are doing. Their focus includes investing in the development of their employees not just in the area of fitness but personal purpose development through goal coaching sessions and vision casting. Lululemon has allowed me to utilize my skill of connecting to other women, having real conversations about fitness, life, and purpose. I am able to motivate people to do the things that they love.
Where and how does the above all come together for you?
Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to inspire others through music. I am blessed to have that dream come true by creating authentic worship music for others to connect with God and be inspired to live out their lives purposefully.
I am in the process of finishing my recording for congregational worship. I can’t wait to see how God uses these songs to help people connect with Him. My hope is that these songs will be used in the lives of congregations across the nation!
In 2009, after I had my first child, I decided to start recording some of the music I was creating. It was this process that began leading me to my true call. Right before a recording session for my album entitled Where I Belong, I was talking with a friend from church. I shared with her the things that were in my heart--a desire to connect others to God through worship in a fresh way. It was then that the song Discovery: Show Me the Way was birthed and my path became clearer.
Since then, I have written two songs, in particular, that I believe will really move people into the presence of God. I am producing them as an independent artist, meaning that I am not signed to any label. My hope is that these songs, especially Have Mercy and Lord You Are, will touch many. My desire is to break past racial, cultural, and denominational barriers through my music. My prayer is that my music speaks to people from all backgrounds!
I hope God will continue to use me in worship and worship ministry development—praying that I can know his heart for me in each season of life.
Jena recently teamed up with Kickstarter to successfully fund her dream to record the two songs she has written, Have Mercy and Lord You Are. Here is the video of her sharing with others her passion for what she is doing.
Let us know what your favorite worship song is in the comments HERE and be entered to win a MP3 download of Jena's song Discovery.
You can follow Jena on Twitter at @jenaworshipsoul
“I wanted to share with my daughter how to set boundaries in dating; I just didn’t know how.”
“I’ve been talking to my girl about what to look for in a guy. Thank you so much for backing me up!”
“I’ve known that a boyfriend isn’t the answer to the desires of my daughter’s heart, now I know what to say!”
These were some of my favorite comments this past weekend as I spoke at a mother/daughter retreat. This is my passion; to come alongside moms and empower women to become wise and in turn raise wiser daughters.
When I was nineteen years old, some wise women came alongside me, teaching me that no guy, whether he is a dad, boyfriend, even an amazing husband one day, can fill the love gap in my heart. As I became a young woman, a wife, and eventually a mother, I began to realize the enormous need of women of all ages to have their hearts filled with this truth.
I wanted to share what I had learned about love.
About 10 years ago, I began by inviting a small group of girls from my neighborhood over for pizza and brownies. Then I shared my story with them about how I fell for Jesus. One of the girls stayed afterwards to help me pick up. She asked if I would mentor her. I said, Yes!” Then she invited a friend, who invited a friend, who invited a friend…until we ended up regularly with six or seven girls.
I began writing Bible study lessons, which I would email to the group. Then we met every Wednesday after school to go over the lesson and answers to their questions. The idea that Jesus was wild about them…well, let’s just say their comments included, “This is weird!” But as time went on, I began to see their understanding of Jesus’ love change. That wasn’t the only thing that changed, so did the way they thought about themselves. As their thinking changed, so did their actions. As I saw their self-worth and confidence rise, I just knew this was not just for this small group of girls, it was a message for every girl.
This was the small beginning of His Revolutionary Love and the conferences I now speak at all over America.
It didn’t take long for me to realize one problem with my first book: the girls were reading His Revolutionary Love way too fast. Reading a whole book in a day is a lot like drinking from a fire hydrant! So I wrote Devotions for a Revolutionary Year: 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love for You . This way, a girl can soak in a bit of God’s truth about her every single day of the year.
With one grown son and two high school daughters, I often feel like I’m not equipped for this raising children thing. Just when I think I have covered one issue, another one that I haven’t even thought of pops up!
Do you ever feel you’re not equipped as a mom?
Then you’ll want to join the community of moms who gather at my website who are purposing to raise wiser daughters.
I certainly don’t think that I have it all together, but we’re trying, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to figure this thing out together. Maybe this is just what you need? A place where you can get tips on how you can be a wise woman raising a wiser daughter too! Join us at www.LynnCowell.com.
Let me leave you with three of my favorite tips for getting your girl to talk to you:
Turn off your phone when she talks.
If it rings, dings, or bings, no matter what – leave it.
Look her in the eye.
Nobody looks anybody in the eye nowadays. When you do it says one thing, “I really care.”
Care about what she cares about.
Even if you have heard about the woes of life at the lunch table every day since school started, listen intently again.
Today, Lynn is giving away a signed copy of her newest book Devotions for a Revolutionary Year: 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love for You. To enter, just leave a comment about an area you need help in as a mom. If life is super busy, just say, “I’m in!”
Lynn Cowell is an author and speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She has been married for over 25 years and has a grown son and two daughters in high school. She has written two books His Revolutionary Loveand Devotions for a Revolutionary Year. Her favorite things include the mountains, well-worn sweatshirts, and anything that combines chocolate and peanut butter.
photo credit: pixieclipx via photopincc
My husband and I were among the first on line to get a copy of The Skin You Live In: Building Friendships Across Cultural Lines because we have the privilege of being members of Dr. David Ireland’s 6000-member mega church in NJ. Having been a member of several multicultural congregations over the last 15 years, it seemed like an important book for me to read. I know from almost a decade of attending Pastor Ireland's church that he truly desires racial reconciliation and longs to see diversity—not only in the pews as he ministers on Sunday morning, but in the Body of Christ as a whole.
Are you a Christ Follower but find that you do not want to sit next to a person of another race?
Do you cringe at the thought of your son or daughter bringing home a person of another race or culture…especially if the relationship may be romantic?
Then this book is for you.
On the other hand, maybe you think, "I've got this one covered, I am not prejudice."
This book is still for you.
Each of us should ask ourselves, “Do I feel uncomfortable with others who are different than me?” And if so, “Why?”
This book helps you to do just that.
The book intentionally asks hard questions, such as:
* Am I cross-racially attractive?
* Do I unconsciously reject people of other cultures?
* How do I develop strong interracial relationships?
* What skills are needed to have a safe interracial conversation on race?
I found this book to be an easy read despite its sensitive topic.
It reads like a well-written dissertation with plenty of examples of race/cultural conflict and resolution. Most of the steps shared in this book are basic Biblical relational principles that we, as Christians, should be walking out in our life; act neighborly, share common interests, be warm and inviting, offer mutual respect, and respond with kindness. The real-life stories included persuade the reader that racial reconciliation is important as well as necessary. The practical steps, while fairly simple, are helpful as well. A couple of these are: offer hospitality, go on social outings, and practice honesty in relationship.
Dr. Ireland points out that reconciliation starts with stepping out of your comfort zone.
He explains we can really only do this through grace. You can't talk about race reconciliation without talking about its most important element – forgiveness. In Ths Skin You Love In, Dr. Ireland does a wonderful job of talking about why forgiveness is necessary, as well as breaking down what it is and what it is not. A general prayer of forgiveness is included in the book to get the reader started in the process of letting go of past hurts that may prevent furthering relationships.
The book ends with Dr. Ireland sharng his story about the hate and discrimination he experienced as a result of his race.
Then he accepted Christ and it healed him of the pain of victimization. "I emerged from my dorm room as a new believer in Jesus and as a man healed of prejudice and confusion over how I would live and connect with others in our pluralistic and multicultural society." His firsthand experience encourages the reader that race reconciliation is possible.
I would’ve liked a little more insight into the actual process of forgiveness and how it is walked out in everyday life. I believe unless forgiveness takes place, it can be extremely difficult to put into practice the suggestions provided, whether it’s opening up your home or having vulnerable conversations. From experience, I know for healing to take place it’s important to allow the Lord to search our hearts and expose specific places where we've have been hurt or walls have been built. So I highly recommend downloading the study guide here. It provides a prayer that addresses a particular offense or offender. I have learned over the years that forgiveness is an ongoing process that often requires repeated prayer. Over time, the layers of unforgiveness are peeled back and healing begins. To go deeper into the matter, I wish the book included the steps victims can take to repent of judgment and vows that they may have made due to their experiences.
Even though Dr. Ireland shares his personal story, I wanted to hear more about the nitty -gritty of his experience. I felt as though the book was missing a more in-depth account of his journey through victimization to healing. Was it really as easy as Dr. Ireland states? Did it take one prayer or did he have to forgive multiple times? Those details could help me and others through our journey.
This book will touch and transform each one who reads it differently, based on their personal experience.
Even though I thought, "I've got this one covered…", as I read, I allowed the Holy Spirit access to "ping" my heart in the areas where subtle discrimination was buried. I repented of stereotypes and judgments and have had transforming conversations with my husband and friends.
There is no doubt that in a quest to unite people to people and people to God, Dr. David Ireland has poured his heart into this book.
The Skin You Love In is an essential read for anyone looking to improve relationships with others, whether of the same race or not.
For more information on Dr. David Ireland and the other books he has written, visit http://www.davidireland.org .
Today we are giving away a signed copy of the book. Click here and you will be redirected to the right place.
by Susanne Ciancio
Anytime is a good time to see a marriage counselor. All marriages have conflicts, just as all relationships do. If there is no conflict, one of you may be unnecessary. What I mean by that is that the only time couples can report there are no arguments, disagreements, etc., is when one spouse calls the shots and the other passively goes along. Healthy relationships have conflict!
by Holley Gerth
The phrases leap out at me from one commercial after another as I sigh and shake my head. I realize these are just advertising ploys. Yet I often translate the same attitude to my everyday life. I set lofty goals. I want to achieve great things. I want to do it all or none at all. Have you ever felt the same way?
