God-Sized Dreams… And How They Change Us (Part 1)

January 11, 2016 by

It’s likely that if you have ever met me in person or been around 7 Days Time for a hot minute, you know a few things about me (in no particular order):

  1. I am a Jesus writer, speaker and spiritual leadership coach.
  2. I am an army wife.
  3. I am a toddler’s mama.
  4. I am a nerd.

I feel like we should sing that song from Sesame Street, “One of these things is not like the other.”

But honestly, they all fit together really well.

I don’t know when “nerd” picked up a negative connotation (probably in the 90’s– Thanks, Nerdstrom in Saved by the Bell) but I am on a mission to redefine “nerd” into something positive. And slightly humorous. [Read more…]

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One Word 2016: The Whole Truth

January 8, 2016 by

What is your most memorable moment of anticipation?

You know, those times when you were so excited that you literally couldn’t sleep? Or when you would think about an upcoming experience and your heart would race?

I had a majority of those experiences when I was younger. (Something about the responsibility of adulting that makes care-free anticipation more difficult… but I am working on it…) [Read more…]

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Define the Relationship #WilcoWednesday

January 6, 2016 by

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.”  So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do.  Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. And let’s respond to God’s call with  a hearty “Wilco, Lord!” Welcome my friend Jenny as she shares a powerful heart message with us. 

***

Here we are – 2016 has begun!

I could happily write a blog about Christmas cheer and ambitious New Year resolutions.  I could talk about all my hopes and diet plans for the year ahead.  I want to write about those things.  But God has something else in mind for our time together today….

On Christmas Eve, after the cheerful day was winding down, my husband and I began reflecting on a rather deep question.  “What does the state of our world look like to someone who has not entered into a committed relationship with Jesus Christ?”  Whoa.  That’s heavy.  We tried to look objectively at the facts that fill our Facebook newsfeeds and nightly television broadcasts.  The world is riddled with brokenness, heartbreak, bondage, and disease.  We see parents behaving like children, and children being forced to grow up too fast.  We hear of murder in our neighborhoods, our schools, our churches.  We see people being persecuted and refugees fleeing in fear for their lives.  We watch as this happens around us and debate about who or what to blame.  Lessened morals result in stricter laws, and we continue to move towards political correctness with good intention to love our neighbors as ourselves.  [Read more…]

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Web of Perseverance

December 23, 2015 by

A few months ago, Husband, Tiny Human and I returned from a cross-country trip.

It was something of a debacle. What should have taken like 8 hours to get from New Jersey back to Washington State took more than 36.

Needless to say– I was frustrated.

But I was also rather surprised, because even with hours of delays, missed flights and the fact that I was literally wearing my last pair of clean underwear from my carry-on, I managed not to freak out on my husband. (I know it wasn’t his fault. But the poor man is often on the receiving end of my frustrations for all the things. I am working on this… Claiming a victory in that moment.)

Anywho, I was tired. Hangry (Hungry + angry.) Ready to get home. [Read more…]

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Humorous Holiday Hacks, Round 2 (Army Wife Network)

December 21, 2015 by

Can we just all take a collective, deep cleansing breath?

I don’t know about you, sister… But sometimes the holidays stress me out.

Sure, last month I made the vow to switch things up a bit this year for the holidays, transitioning from stressed to blessed.

But let’s be honest. Even in a “perfect” world, that would be a tall order… let alone trying to mesh that vision with the craziness that is Army-wife life.

One of my coping mechanisms for stress is humor. (Usually this is a good thing… Usually.) Last year, I shared some “Humorous Holiday Hacks” here at Army Wife Network. Apparently, they were well received. (That or people were so desperate for a laugh.)

Either way, I have been asked to expand on my “hacks” from last year,  adding some fresh ones to the mix. [Read more…]

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The Farewell Tour #EverydayJesus

December 17, 2015 by

Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day! 

***

My Mama has told me on more than one occasion that I am a girl who never wanted the party to end.

And now, entering in my 3rd decade of life, I have to say I can totally see that.

I am an extrovert. I love people. I love hanging out and partying like a Jesus rock star.

But now that I am older, I DO have those moments when I am ready to wrap the party up, head home, get in comfy pants and hit my bed. (Something about loving a soldier, raising a toddler, and doing ministry seem to require more sleep than previous life seasons…)

That’s how I kind of feel today. Because, my dear friend, this blog post is what I am considering to be the “Farewell Tour” of the #EverydayJesus link-up.  [Read more…]

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A Holiday Perspective & Abundantly More #WilcoWednesday

December 16, 2015 by

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.”  So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do.  Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. And let’s respond to God’s call with  a hearty “Wilco, Lord!” Welcome today one of the most insightful, humorous writer-y friends I have ever met, Lindsey. 

***

I’ve been struggling a lot with time crunches and stress this month, which is disappointing. This month was supposed to be set aside for calm. I had plans to shop for my loved ones slowly and with intention. I was going to sit at my kitchen table with tea and watch the rain. I was going to read short Christmas devotionals to my kids every night leading up to the 25th. I even took time off work to enjoy the season.

Has any of that happened?

Ha! Replace “slow” with “rushed.” Replace “tea” with “3rd cup of coffee.” Take out “read short devotionals” to “try to get a bath in once a week.” Did work leave me alone? Nope—last minute deadlines that my smooth-talkin’ boss talked me in to are piled on my desk. [Read more…]

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Because Postage is Expensive (Holiday Recap 2015)

December 14, 2015 by

Is it just me, or is postage mucho expensive-o these days? (I’ve been working on my Spanish…)

At the risk of sounding ancient, I remember when buying a book of stamps didn’t cost the equivalent to a first-born child.

Well, now I just sound ungrateful. I’m not. Really. I am so glad that we live in a country where we have such infrastructure to send things across the country for a handful of cash in just a few days.

(Super Random Side Note: I recently discovered how the term “Going Postal” was created. I stood in line in the post office during a lunch hour on a Monday. I had to pray REALLY hard to keep from going cray-cray. I am to be like Jesus, deep breaths, what would Jesus do?… Well, there I go, sounding all ungrateful again. My bad.) [Read more…]

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The Mathematics of the Gospel #EverydayJesus

December 10, 2015 by

Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day! 

***

I know, I know… I’ve said it so many times before.

I despise math. I haven’t seen a doctor, but I am pretty sure that anything with numbers makes me break out in hives.

Words are totally my jam. But obviously, (unfortunately?) dealing with all thing mathematical is very much a part of my life as well.

Even in my walk with Jesus. [Read more…]

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As A Sanctuary #WilcoWednesday

December 9, 2015 by
7 Days Time

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.”  So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do.  Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome today’s guest blogger, my dear friend, encourager, and wise counselor, Carriann. 
***

I watched aid workers receive refugees on the shores of a dark, icy sea.  Huge, hot, tears streamed down my cheeks as I took the scene into my heart. Tears of joy, tears of sorrow.

Many worked to wrap blankets around the injured, the cold, the very young and the very old. Mothers and fathers with resigned brown eyes fed their children, drank water, gathered them up after a rest and walked out. What compelled them to move away from rest so quickly?

Terror. People who know there is a difference between leaving and escaping move with haste. When a million miles is not enough distance between you and evil that hunts you, haunts you—you keep moving.

On my knees, I sought God’s will for our part in his plan to rescue them. [Read more…]

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