Four Steps to Freedom (EverydayJesus Link-Up)

November 20, 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! 

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Blackness is all around me. The mechanical sound of artificial rain fills the room. I stand, towering over her, willing my heart to slow because I am sure she can hear it.

My nose itches but I don’t dare scratch it because she detects the slightest hint of movement. My lower back starts to ache and I listen for the rhythmic sound of her breath. For the next two and a half minutes, I argue with myself as I cling to the top rail of the crib. Is she asleep? Can I escape undetected? Wait, did she just squeak? Maybe I should wait another minute or twelve? 

I breathe a silent prayer. The time is right. Stealthily, I engage my mama-ninja stills and silently turn to face the bedroom door. Ok, Jesus. I have just four steps to make it out of here undetected by this anti-sleeping, cry-puking tiny human. Please, God in heaven… Make it happen.  [Read more…]

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Stay In Step

August 27, 2014 by

You might have noticed that Wednesdays are my days to take a breath. To rest. Recharge. To work toward some super-awesome God-sized goals for 2014. So here is a blast from the past straight from the archives. Enjoy, dear friends… and thanks for the grace. 

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“TTWWWWWEEEEEETTTTT!!”

Click, click, click, click… “One, two, three, four…”

Oh, the glory days of marching band. Now, before you start the cracks about being a band nerd, know that my high school was kinda tiny. Tiny like I graduated with 18 people in my class. And had about 80 people in our entire high school.

Which meant you were either in the band… Or you weren’t. (And seriously– who really wanted to go to an extra study hall? Pshaw.) [Read more…]

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Laugh A Little

August 26, 2014 by
Don't be afraid to get close and crack up.

Don’t be afraid to get close and crack up. Even if you have boogers on your face.

“Don’t take life too seriously because you won’t get out of it alive.”

I have heard that saying multiple times. It is plastered on Pinterest, bumper stickers and even T-shirts.

Although following Jesus is serious business, it isn’t supposed to be monotonous or boring. God created laughter for a reason.

How often are we intentionally engaging the gift of laughter?

I try to do so on a regular basis. Admittedly, I have my seasons where I forget, put my serious pants on and face each day with an intense grimace… Until my hubs reminds me to lighten up and enjoy the ride.

I want to pass that onto others– even if it might make me look a little goofy or make someone feel bit awkward.  [Read more…]

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Cool story, Bro.

August 20, 2014 by

Our first dance started out all sweet and romantical… Then we busted out the salsa. With maracas. Seriously. I guess you had to be there.

You might have noticed that Wednesdays are my days to take a breath. To rest. Recharge. To work toward some super-awesome God-sized goals for 2014. So here is a blast from the past straight from the archives. Enjoy, dear friends… and thanks for the grace. 

***

“DUDE! It was awesome! There was like this guy and these three girls, and they sang some stuff, and then the stage lit up and sparks showered from the ceiling.”

Ever tried to share an incredible story or experience with someone and you are met with a dumbfounded look of incomprehension? When that happens in our household, my husband often says “Huh. Cool story, bro.” (Even though I’m not his bro. I’m his wife. But that’s besides the point.) [Read more…]

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Country Running & Faith Lessons

August 5, 2014 by

You might recall that 2014 is the Year of the Runner for this formerly anti-running chick.

I have learned that there are many, many lessons to be learned in this running journey– many of which relate directly to faith.

About a month ago, I was blessed to spend some quality time back home with my family in Kansas. Just because I was on “vacation” didn’t mean God released me to sit on my duff for those few weeks. Nope, I had to keep hitting the pavement… Er, I mean gravel.

It was the first time ever in my life doing some literal cross-country running on dusty (and sometimes muddy) roads. Miles and miles just me, God, and the sneaky rocks trying to trip me up. [Read more…]

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iPad Art for the Heart: Walking on Clouds

June 4, 2014 by

Hi friends… For the next several weeks, Wednesdays will be dedicated to re-sharing some of my favorite posts. I am so blessed to be working on some “big rocks” and pretty awesome God-sized dreams, but I need time to make that happen. So after much prayer, here we are. I pray you enjoy these words… And thanks for extending me Christ-like grace. Oh. And everything is still business as usual for our Thursday #EverydayJesus link-up, so don’t miss it!

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My iPad is the bomb diggity. (Yes, I’m bringing that phrase back. Excited for it to catch on.)

Honestly, I probably don’t use my trusty iPad to the extreme that some hardcore Appladdicts do. (That’s my new name for people who love Apple products.) But I L-O-V-E the convenience and entertainment it brings to my life. Plus, it was a gift, so that’s a total bonus.

When I still worked at Christ Community before our PCS, we would all have the chance to do staff devotional during our staff meetings every so often. This blog is what happened when it was my turn. And while it was initially unexpected, I managed to integrate some iPad art into the heart message. Here’s how things went down… [Read more…]

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Not-So-Serious Business (Army Wife Network)

May 21, 2014 by

In every single one of my husband’s professional army pictures, he looks so…  Angry.  (You thought I was going to say handsome, didn’t you? He does look handsome, but in a grouchy kind of way.)

I know, I know—it is kind of the culture. Our men in the army are tough guys and these photos are professional purposes, not for posting obnoxious selfies on Facebook to Twitter or for saving as our phone wallpaper.

Although I tease him about the intensity of his pictures, I have a slight confession to make: Sometimes I approach life the same way.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to smile. And in my “natural” environment, I am a giggly, bubbly person. But sometimes I allow myself to get bogged down with the “seriousness” of life. Then my attitude looks more somber and scary than even my hubby’s drill sergeant photo.

And nobody wants to see THAT. #Terrifying

So today, we need to talk about some not-so-serious business:  Life. Laughter. And how they can work together.

Not so serious business

Want to read the rest of this not-so-serious-yet-hopefully-humorous post? Pop on over to Army Wife Network to check it out. Pretty please? (Don’t make me beg. You know I will do it.)

Smiling Through It,

Initials Signature Blog

 Linking up today with my sweet friend Beth over at Three-word Wednesday. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!

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All Tied Up (Repost)

May 7, 2014 by

Hi friends… For the next several weeks, Wednesdays will be dedicated to re-sharing some of my favorite posts. I am so blessed to be working on some “big rocks” and pretty awesome God-sized dreams, but I have to have time to make that happen. So after much prayer, here we are. I pray you enjoy this experience and thanks for extending me Christ-like grace. Oh. And everything is still business as usual for our Thursday #EverydayJesus link-up, so don’t miss it!

***

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves tied up in mess.

Perhaps it’s a big mess.

And when we end up in aforementioned life mess, rarely is it “on purpose.”

Actually it reminds me of one of my favorite childhood responses when questioned about why I ate dog food/made my sister stick her tongue to a frozen iron pole/blended up a spatula in a batch of zucchini brownies… [Read more…]

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21 Truths: God has a Sense of Humor (#EverydayJesus)

April 17, 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! 

***

I love to laugh. It doesn’t matter what kind of laugh– a small chuckle, a loud obnoxious snort, or a stomach-shaking-ribs-hurting-can’t-breath-tears-rolling all out hoot. Love me a good laugh.

Which brings me to this idea of how I ended up in ministry. I would be willing to bet that a majority of people wouldn’t think of “ministry” as a humorous experience. Yes, following Jesus is serious business and there are some pretty heavy situations we are often called to deal with…

But in the midst of it all, I don’t believe God is a fuddy-duddy. He isn’t up there sitting on His Heavenly throne waiting to wreak havoc on our lives.

I think Jesus likes to laugh too.  [Read more…]

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Series Intro: Feelings & Faith

February 3, 2014 by

My little brother makes me laugh.

He is a teenager now, almost 16. (Which I find terrifying and slightly gross– because it makes me feel exceptionally old.) My little bro is a sophomore in high school at the time of this writing, has a girlfriend (AH!) and a mechanically wired brain. (He recently re-built the transmission of his truck after watching one YouTube video. What?)

Anywho, as awkward as this boy/man is, I love him to pieces. And even though he is growing up, some of his antics still make me laugh.

A few weeks ago, he was doing some Food Science homework assigned by my good friend/college roommate Kayla (known to most in our hometown community as Mrs. Taylor.) It was very science-y and one of the questions was “List one item that doesn’t have matter.” [Read more…]

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