From the Root to the Fruit

April 6, 2015 by

I have always loved to learn. I was that little kid who would beg my mom NOT to keep me home from school. “Please, Mama! It is just a small fever. And I haven’t puked for 20 minutes! PLEASE LET ME GO TO SCHOOL! ” 

Yeah, I was THAT kid. #NerdAlert

Like most elementary school children, I had a favorite subject.  And no, it wasn’t recess.

I loved science. Elementary school science was the best because it was MY kind of science. That science was basic biology before they made it all complicated by adding numbers and junk to it.

Anything living always piqued my interest. I especially loved the hands-on experiments. [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: Wives of Faith Tagged With: , , ,

Bad things. Good People. Great God.

December 22, 2014 by

In lieu of the holiday season, I am taking a quick breather (for a couple of weeks) from cranking out lots of fresh material. There will still be blogs posted, some new, some reposts. Like this one. I pray it speaks to your heart today!

***

I have heard this phrase in many conversations. I have witnessed it on Facebook statuses. I have even seen it on a billboard.

“Why do bad things happen to good people?”

That is a good question. And a tough one at that. I’m not gonna get all theological on you today (my brain isn’t quite up for that level of discussion) but I think that “Bad things” happen to “Good people” due to sin. [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: affirmation, challenge, Christ, cross, death, faith, God, life, pain, promises Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Practicing What We Preach: The Final Lesson

December 15, 2014 by

When I was in college, I both loved and loathed finals week.

I loved it because it signaled the end of a semester… which equaled a much anticipated BREAK.

I loathed it because, well… Finals. Duh. #NoPressure

I loved it because other than studying, we had lots of free time to goof around.

I loathed it because at some point, I needed to quit goofing around and get busy with a last-minute learning push.

I loved it because it nearly always involved sweets, treats and delicious food.

I loathed it because of that same reason– and my pants were angry when my waistline *surprisingly* got tighter.

And so friends, today is our final lesson in practicing what we preach when it comes to being like Jesus in our Everyday.  [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: Practicing What We Preach Tagged With: , , , ,

When Giving Thanks Is Hard (#EverydayJesus Linkup)

November 27, 2014 by

Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends. I thought about taking today “off” but I remembered I wrote this post a couple of years ago… God prompted me to re-share it in case this year’s Thanksgiving finds you struggling. Because let’s be honest, sometimes giving thanks is HARD. Be encouraged. Be blessed. And feel free to link up if you feel so led. Thanking God for your faithfulness to Him and this 7 Days Time Ministry. 

***

The smell of turkey wafts through the house… family piles into the kitchen, clamoring for their “special” chair and debating on which slice of pie will be most worth the calories.

Thanksgiving. A beautiful time of year. A time for family. A time for food. A time for giving thanks.

But sometimes, that’s easier said than done.

Thanksgiving [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: gratitude Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Right Kind of Pride (#EverydayJesus)

November 13, 2014 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! 

***

Do you struggle with pride? I do.

It is zero fun.

But there is hope.

Especially when Jesus is in our everyday.

If you are reading via email, click here to watch the video.

So… what are your thoughts? Do you think the Double A plan of awareness and action will work for you? In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride the most? What is your strategy to deal with spiritual pride? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.

Don’t give up on the battle with pride, friends. Know that God will equip you.

After all, he is oh-so-proud of you!

Humbled by Him,

Initials Signature Blog

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before the fall.” ~Proverbs 16:18 NIV

7 Days Time
 Loading InLinkz ...
Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: Everyday Jesus Tagged With: , , ,

Practicing What We Preach: Do Not Judge

October 20, 2014 by

Sometimes I really surprise myself… and not in a good way.

I am a Christian, have been for several years, writing about Jesus, walking with Jesus, working for Jesus…

But I still struggle not to judge like Jesus tells me to.

It’s disgusting, but as we work through this “Practicing what we Preach” series, authenticity is the only way to go about it.

[Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: Practicing What We Preach Tagged With: , , , , ,

How Does your Garden Grow? (Parable of the Sower)

July 14, 2014 by

A Walk through the parablesWhen I was growing up, I had a love-hate relationship with that precious spring Saturday when all signs (from my mother) pointed to the fact that it was garden planting day.

I loved going to the greenhouse and picking out the little plants and seeds. I hated the work that would soon ensue.

I loved the thought of tasty veggies in a few months, but I hated the wait.

I loved the variety of our family’s garden: Strawberries, blackberries, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, peppers, corn, green beans, okra, onions… But hated when the bugs took out some of my favorite varieties.

I loved playing in the dirt, but hated the “rules” that had to be followed for the plants to survive and thrive.

I loved watering the garden, but hated dragging the hose all over Timbuktu to get it there.

Yes, it was a love-hate relationship.

Now, I miss having a garden– even the hard work that it included. We live on post with a teeny tiny backyard and there really isn’t much space for a garden.

But I still dream… And sometimes those dreams weave their way into my spiritual life. [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: A Walk Through the Parables Tagged With: , , , , ,

Why I Gave Up (Lent Results)

April 28, 2014 by

Well friends, here we are.

Another spring, looking back a week ago at Easter. That precious, Holy Day that God saved the world.

But guess what? He keeps on saving us. Even today. Two thousand years later. One way He does this, in addition to the never-expiring offer for salvation through Jesus, is through growing us in our day-to-day lives.

And how fitting? “Grow” is my One Word for 2014.  [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: attitude, growth Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Jesus in the Birthday (#EverydayJesus linkup)

March 6, 2014 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!

***

When I was a kid, my birthday was a pretty big deal.

Well, at least it was to me. (Everyone else acknowledged it but didn’t lose sleep anticipating it for weeks on end.)

My birthday was the only day of the year that it really was all about me… and if you have heard a few bits of my testimony, you understand that “I” was kind of my favorite thing.

I looked forward to the party, the gifts, bringing treats to school, the whole shebang. Now a few decades later, my birthday really isn’t that big of deal to me. Yes, I enjoy it but it sure doesn’t have the luster of day days of youth.

But I will tell you one thing that IS exciting about getting older: Celebrating your baby’s birthday. And thanking Jesus for this sweet little life He has bless us with. [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: Everyday Jesus Tagged With: , , , , ,

Faith and Feelings: Frustrated

March 3, 2014 by

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Robison via Flickr

Sometimes I get so frustrated I just want to scream. Or punch something. Or hide in the closet and inhale a bag of chocolate.

But I refrain. (Most of the time, anyways.)

There are so many experiences in life that can produce frustration. Perhaps its a continual miscommunication with our spouse. I could be a teething baby who refuses to nap. Maybe it is that pesky bathroom scale with numbers that refuse to budge even after you have worked your tail off the last week.

Frustration is everywhere and is one of the important “feelings” to discuss in our “Faith and Feelings” series. Fortunately for us, we aren’t alone in our frustration.  [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!
Filed Under: Feelings & Faith Tagged With: , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »