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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Life-giving words...

Today, I'm linking up with (in)courage... because there is something so beautiful about hand-written, life-giving words. Pen and paper coming together to lift up and inspire. Words of encouragement and cheer... a note of sympathy... a celebration of birth, of life... or maybe even "just because."





I was blessed with 2 free greeting card packs (and a super pretty card organizer!) last week, courtesy of (in)spired deals and Dayspring. I say blessed because, in my opinion, there is nothing that makes me happier than knowing I've made someone smile... I've already sent a few of these cards to friends. Cards with scripture and encouragement and beautiful pictures, sent to friends who encourage, inspire, and bless me with beautiful moments every day. I'm so thankful to (in)courage and Dayspring for blessing me with a way to reach out to those around me... a way to share His love with the ones I love.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

The Joy Dare

Ann Voskamp never ceases to amaze me with her beautiful words and even more beautiful soul. She always encourages us to look for the gifts in the everyday, to see God in the everyday... a child's smile, the smell of cupcakes baking, a butterfly fluttering past... and to write them down as a reminder of how much we have to be thankful for. She is daring us to find the joy in the everyday and count a full 1,000 gifts in 2012, in her own words "a joy dare to give all glory to Him." To celebrate the Joy Dare, she is also hosting a giveaway! Click HERE to visit her blog and  learn more! (Because she explains it far more beautifully than I ever could!)

Is there such a thing as Post-Holiday Stress Disorder?

... If there is, I am suffering from it. Lately I've been stressing, worrying, yelling at my children, and just plain down in the dumps, things that are definitely not of God. I'm not going to dwell on those things anymore, because I know I'm already forgiven.  2 Chronicles 7:14 reminds us, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  So, what am I gonna do about how I've been feeling? Just what the bible says... humble myself, pray, seek His face, and turn from my wicked ways. I'm going to remember that I'm covered by Grace, and I'm going to be iNtEnTiOnAL... I'm going to consciously make the decision EVERY DAY to cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit in myself - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) 

Two things I've chosen to participate in to help me along the way are The Gentleness Challenge over at Women Living Well and starting January 15th, a study of Ephesians at Good Morning Girls, a sister site of Women Living Well. Won't you join me in renewing your mind with the Word and a little encouragement from other women across the blogosphere by clicking on the links and learning more about the challenge and the study? :)