The Beautiful Landscape of Our Spiritual Family (& the Southwest) #Empowered by the Spiritual Life
In Texas, Fall whispers to us with exception of the occasional Scarlet or Shummard Oak, Hickory tree, or the dull yellow of a mangled Bodark. But before change was evident, my family headed west. Years ago, in our apartment in Bad Windshiem, Germany, my husband and I promised ourselves to travel stateside, to be as intentional at home as we were abroad. We’d traveled much of Europe. On the antiquated cobblestone streets of Rothenburg, we were enamored at the square near the Rathouse. Among the international crowds along the Seine...
read moreWhat You Really Learn About that Loathsome Person (Guest Post: #Empowered by the Spiritual Life)
Guest Post: by Susan Stilwell {I remember when I first met Susan Stillwell, in Diane Bailey’s hotel room at Allume last year. Obviously, we were a dangerous group with one bed consisting of Caryn Jenkinson, Amy Breitmann, Susan, and me, huddled together. The other half of the room, Diane, Lindsey Hartz (mine and Amy’s roommate), Shelly Miller, Jennifer Lee, and Emily Wierenga, crowded ’round the other bed. Lots of laughter ensued. Too much. So much so, security knocked on our door. Which of course, called for more...
read moreGet Ready to Leave Your Comfort Zone (#Empowered by the Spiritual Life)
Some of us were taught salvation is an arrival. But really, it’s a ride. And if we if we take our seat, not passively sit-back-and-be-a-passenger, but actively and willingly participate with the Spirit of God, fear of the unknown threatens us. “You will die, either of embarrassment or of a heart attack,” storm the words of Fear. We can obey Fear or we can become a people of the wind. For some, this comes easier because they don’t have years (decades, even) of former training standing in their way. They just...
read moreThe You God’s Called You to BE–Dropping Legalistic To-Do’s (#Empowered by the Spiritual Life)
I’ve looked at what someone else is doing and think, “I must do that too.” I’ve been drawn away from my own path by the bright and shiny, other thing. I’ve been lured out, more from pressure to measure up, rather than measured steps of the Holy Spirit. I’ve compared. I’ve competed. I’ve people-pleased my way into heavy yokes. Then, I’ve crammed someone’s square talent into my round one, shoving the bulging sides and forcing it in. Our difference gives us our uniqueness. There...
read moreGive Away – 2 Books (Empowered by the Spiritual Life, #10)
I’ve been honored to meet Deidra, on several occasions, and even vlogged with her (one on one) in an invigorating and fun Google hangout. But before that, I’ve read her blog. I’ve come to know her words and her heart through them. And for that I am giving away her new book. This is her baby, her first-born, delivered to the world. “In this encouraging and empowering book, Deidra Riggs calls readers to accept God’s invitation to join him in making a difference right where they are, regardless of...
read moreOne Former Atheist–And a Faith That Changed Everything (Empowered by the Spiritual Life)
“If you’d told me that I’d sitting here, telling my story of salvation, I would’ve laughed, right in your face. And I would’ve told you, you were a crazy Christian. I didn’t believe there was hope. I didn’t believe there was true love. Five years ago, I didn’t even believe in myself.” ~~Kristin Kristin, a former Atheist, shares her testimony on how she discovered God, in spite of her own admittedly combative stance toward Christians. It brough me to tear near the end of this...
read moreFree Printables for You (#Empowered by the Spiritual Life, #8)
Take these words with you as you go about your week. Here’s to starting off on the right foot with these reminders. ______________________________________________________________ (This is part of the #Write31Days series. I won’t have a post every day, but I will be posting more often for the month of Oct. And there may be mistakes, grammar or spelling errors, however, the conversation will be what matters, right? I hope you’ll bear with me as we explore the idea to be #Empowered by the Spiritual Life....
read moreIn Which 3 People Have a Chance To Win Vibella Jewelry (#Empowered by the Spiritual Life, #7)
“Our catalog is more than a collection of jewelry. It’s a redemption story.” ~~ViBella Jewelry I can not think of a better way to be empowered by the spiritual, than to help other women be empowered too. That’s what Vibella Jewelry does for women who surrounded by poverty.They give them a voice and a job. We receive gorgeous, handmade jewelry. ViBella Jewelry, just launched their 2016 catalog and every purchase supports women in places like Haiti. They’re creating stories as much as they’re creating...
read moreGo Ahead–Do It Afraid (Faith & Fear, Empowered #6)
“We all know that when courage dies, creativity dies with it. We all know that fear is a desolate boneyard where our dreams go to desiccate in the hot sun.” Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic–Creative Living Beyond Fear There really is no such thing as Fear Not, at least not an altogether, not. When it comes to taking risk, fear haunts us. Before we can even put ourselves out there, fear will be there leading us into an abyss of dismal dread. But if we’re honest, if we’re looking on the bright side of...
read moreWhen You’re Looking for Answers–On Kingdom-minded Understanding (#Empowered by the Spiritual Life: #5)
(Stay tuned for next week. I’ll be giving away books, free printables, and jewelry as part of my #write31days, series.) “All of God is accessible to you through Christ. Cultivate His knowledge above everything else on earth.” A.W. Tozer, Man: The Dwelling Place of God I sat on my blue couch, in Killeen, Texas, in the first house I ever owned with short-n-shaggy brown carpet under my feet. Fatigue settled on me like a pair of baggy clothes, ragged and worn. I hadn’t slept in days. Each night, I had laid in...
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