Different, Important & Useful #WilcoWednesday

February 3, 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 Tara as she makes her writing debut! (Be sure to give her some love and leave a comment below.) 

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Go down to the end of our street then take a left. Take the third right and keep going until you reach Linden.

I made this 1.12 mile walk every Wednesday night and Sunday morning starting when I was 10-years-old.  That 30 minute walk was the difference between my parents and I…  and it was the glue that held my faith together.

What made me want to go to church so bad I would take myself? That’s easy. Her name was Evelyn and she once lived across the street from my childhood home. [Read more…]

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My Mother’s Faith #WilcoWednesday

January 27, 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 back my friend Holly, as she shares one of most powerful posts I’ve ever published here at 7DT. 

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Julie Ann Knight was a sweet-natured, compassionate young woman with a solid sense of humor and an unsophisticated understanding of God. Although her understanding of her Heavenly Father was simple, it was pure and innocent and she loved Him very much.

Julie Ann Knight was my mother. And she was beautiful. She had a heart of gold and she laughed so much it was contagious.  She didn’t have a great childhood, being raised mostly by a single mother who worked long days to make ends meet. While her mother loved her deeply, she wasn’t one for emotional moments or affection unless there was a reason, which was how she was raised. (Call it generational, if you will.) But Julie, she was as affectionate as a puppy. She longed for people to love her and like her. I tend to take after her in this regard.

Julie was easily liked, and she found out later in life that would get her into trouble. My mother found herself pregnant in the summer of 1982 and quickly made the assumption she wasn’t ready to be a mother or able to provide for a baby. Julie, pressured by her internal struggle and people in her life, came to the conclusion to have an abortion. [Read more…]

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Life is Beautiful (Review & Giveaway!)

January 22, 2016 by

I’ve been a book worm for as long as I can remember.

Growing up, I would always prefer to be tucked away in a corner reading, learning or studying instead of playing outside (or, as my parents often “urged” us to do the farming chores.)

I think I even loved reading more than TV watching.

Which stands true even today, decades later.

So when someone contacts me to say, “Hey, can we send you a copy of a book to read and review?” I can hardly resist.

But honestly, that’s a dangerous practice. Because what I am I going to do if the book is terrible?!? (I still get a free book out of the deal so…)

However, in my nearly five years of online ministry, a “terrible book” coming my way has yet to happen. Every single book I have read, reviewed and share has encouraged my heart or edified me in some way.

And today’s book Life is Beautiful is no exception. [Read more…]

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Courageous Faith: Essential Ingredients

July 1, 2015 by

Here’s a riddle for you:

Most people want this, but often it is hard to find. When we get it, it isn’t enough.  We have to act, because without action, it doesn’t exist.

The answer is courage.

Courage is so important that it is often woven throughout movies, stories and even our everyday life conversations. [Read more…]

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Friday Focus: Breast Cancer Survivor’s Footprints

December 7, 2012 by

It is the season for giving… So for the month of December, I am excited to introduce a new series called “Friday Focus.” Since Five Minute Friday is taking a holiday hiatus, God has encouraged me to showcase some faithful folks who are living in obedience, promoting His message in unique ways.

Our first Friday Focus Feature comes from a former client (and now friend!) of mine named Aribel. This woman has experienced God’s power in mighty ways throughout her life, but most recently as a breast cancer survivor. She has taken Romans 8:28 (“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”) to heart.

Sweet Aribel not only has an incredible heart for God, but she is sharing her breast cancer story– in a very artistic way. Aribel is the founder of Breast Cancer Survivor’s Footprints. She has taken her artwork, which stemmed out of her breast cancer journey, and is now sharing it for God’s glory. Here is her story… [Read more…]

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Because Sometimes God Has Other Plans (Vlog)

August 2, 2012 by

Today we are changing things up a bit… And I am trying my hand at another vlog (aka video blog.)

Sometimes things don’t go our way… but take heart. It could be an incredible blessing in disguise!

[wpvideo jUJhSES2] [Read more…]

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Helping Hands & Burgers for Babies (Factor of 7)

April 26, 2012 by

Did everyone see the awesome article in The Bayonet yesterday documenting our latest “Factor of 7: Latte Love?” If you read it and were inspired, I have some GREAT news for you… You can share the love of Jesus RIGHT NOW!

Mandy Gramkow is a friend of mine from college, a fellow blogger, a wife, a mama to two precious little ones and a daughter of Christ.  She ran across 7 Days time and realized that she was actually in the middle of her own Factor of 7. Team Gramkow’s journey of faith will simply blow you away, so please check out her message below to answer her call of sharing the love of Christ! [Read more…]

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More Than Cardboard

September 3, 2011 by

God is a resourceful dude. He made the earth out of nothing. He made man out of dirt. And he gave us cardboard.

Whoa, Sharita– random transition. Yes, I know. But after a school assignment last week (details below) I realized cardboard can be used for many different things. Little kids (myself included) use cardboard boxes as play houses, forts, sleds for the stairs (wear a helmet) and sometimes enjoy it more than what actually came in it. You can ship things in it, give gifts, level a wobbly table, house a litter of kittens in it, store memories, make a sign, he list is endless. [Read more…]

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No Bologna Testimony (Part 2)

September 2, 2011 by

Here is a “Second helping” of my no bologna testimony. Below is my “recovery” testimony detailing a very challenging life experience– but one that I am grateful occurred the way it did with a God who loved me to take my hand and lead me through it!

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My life seemed relatively normal until my senior year of college at Kansas State University. I was really involved in a variety of leadership and service organizations on campus. I was slotted to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 40 days. I had a job offer on the table for a great salary with a major agricultural corporation in a turkey processing plant in Missouri as HR Associate. [Read more…]

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No Bologna Testimony (Part 1)

September 1, 2011 by
In my evangelism class for school this week, we were charged to write down our testimonies. I learned that Apparently there are two basic types of testimonies, conversion testimony and recovery testimony. (Talk about getting your educational money’s worth! YAY learning stuff!) Rumor has it that sharing your personal testimony is an effective way to share the gospel. These  were not only great for me to capture on paper, but really revealed the love and grace of God in my life. So here goes Part 1 of my No Bologna Testimony. (Today is my “Conversation Testimony) [Read more…]
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