Spiritual Growth

I Love Jesus, But I Cuss A Little

faith, freedom, grace, Life Lessons, Spiritual Growth

The first time I saw that t-shirt I was offended.  Like any good Christian girl should be. And I immediately started judging the person on my facebook friends list who posted it.  Of course she would post something like that. The recently-divorced single mom whose status updates were littered with F-bombs on the regular.  She was a trainwreck, so it was natural a post like that would come from her. (Nevermind the shirt was true about me; but I don’t cuss “as bad as her”, and I would never admit it outloud or gasp! post it on social media!) I scrolled past the garment disgusted and with an eye roll, but that shirt…

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Unfinished: Waiting for What’s Next

faith, freedom, grace, Spiritual Growth, Success & Motivation

“Not scared to say it, I used to be the one Preachin’ it to you, that you could overcome I still believe it, but it ain’t easy ‘Cause that world I painted, where things just all work out It started changing and I started having doubts And it got me so down…” -Mandisa, Unfinished Turns out Mandisa and I are practically the same person.  Who knew? Remember last month when I wrote to you about What to do with the Death of a Dream?  It’s not that I was being disingenuous at that time, but I have a confession: The reason I felt compelled to share that message with you is because I…

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Wherever You Go, There You Are: How to Stop Running and Start Facing Life’s Challenges

faith, freedom, grace, Guest Blogs, Life Lessons, marriage, second marriage, Spiritual Growth

“Wherever you go, there you are.” That simple, yet profound, quote is one of my favorites.  It plainly illustrates the truth that you can’t outrun your problems.  No matter how far you go or how hard you try.  Wherever you go, you will be there and until you deal with you, your problems won’t go away. When I was working on my book, I had a vision for the second half to be a collection of stories from other people who had also been through what I called a “Now What? Moment”.  A moment when everything in your life comes crashing down around you and you stare hopelessly at the sky asking, “Now…

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Hover Boards and House Shopping

faith, grace, Life Lessons, Spiritual Growth

[Clayton is the 9 year old boy who lives in my house with his mom, Jenny.] Last night, Clayton came home from his dad’s house, where he had been since our “Christmas morning” celebration on the 24th.  He left ecstatic about all the incredible gifts Santa brought him – books and DVDs, video games, a razor scooter, a hover board, even his very own .22 rifle! When he came home from his dad’s all he talked about was how much better the hover board he got there was than the one he got at our house.  This hover board is so much smaller than the one I got at my dad’s house.  The…

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Unqualified

freedom, grace, Life Lessons, Spiritual Growth

Three Summers ago my stomach was in knots as I hit the send button emailing in my application to work as a camp counselor. I was afraid I wouldn’t be accepted because of what I had been through. I doubted I was worthy or qualified. I wondered if my divorce would make me appear as a negative role model that the staff wouldn’t want around their teenagers or own kids. Thankfully, I was graciously accepted and blessed with the opportunity to serve at Camp Northward’s high school week for the last two years. This year my church, Crossroads, started their own senior high camp and I had a familiar flutter of insecurity when…

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A Billion Dollar Lesson In Disobedience

faith, Guest Blogs, Life Lessons, Spiritual Growth

“When I talk to you….listen.” – God So we all have lessons to learn in life, but we don’t always learn our lessons the first time, or the second time, or the easy way.   I was recently reminded of an important lesson – again – and I’m pretty sure I won’t be forgetting it this time. Most people have those, “if only I had thought of that…” moments in life, after the fact.  Let me tell you about mine. Rachel, (it’s her blog…she’s my wife….on with my story) started traveling for work quite a few years ago, and would end up in questionable parts of town in different cities around North America.  It…

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Woman Camp

faith, freedom, Life Lessons, Spiritual Growth

Recently, my church held a camping weekend woman’s retreat, they called it “Woman Camp”. Ten years ago, if you had told me I would be signing up for a camping trip for 500 women only – voluntarily – I would have thought you were crazy. Sure I had attended plenty of women-only events… out of sheer obligation, but not excitedly. And I didn’t really feel like I fit in when I was there, I just didn’t relate. In case you don’t know me, I am exactly equal parts fashionista and tomboy; which means you’re just as likely to catch me barefoot as you are in AWESOME stilettos. My best friends had almost exclusively…

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The Year God Stopped Talking to Me

faith, Life Lessons, Spiritual Growth

New year’s day 2016 I sat on my living room couch, face red-stained and eyes puffy from hours of crying, my voice half-strained from screaming – at God – in particularly colorful language at times. Why? Because it was New Year’s Day and as I sat down to reflect on the previous year and craft my plans and goals for the next, I realized 2015…..Well…..sucked. Sure there were good things in 2015.  In fact, on the outside it looked like a GREAT year: We bought our first house. Barry left his job where he was miserable and went into business with his Dad. We took my my mom on an incredible trip to…

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God is in the Restoration Business

faith, grace, Life Lessons, Spiritual Growth

He breathes life into lifeless places. It doesn’t matter if it’s a relationship, your health, your emotions, your dreams…. He brings dry bones out of the grave and wraps them in flesh once more. He Restores the years you lost, the love you lost, the friends you lost, the faith you lost, the dreams you lost, the opportunities you lost.   Over and above what we can even think of or imagine. He makes all things new, again. If you let Him. If something in your life needs total restoration, read these promises below and be encouraged. He CAN do it. He HAS done it for others (including me). He WANTS to do it…

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Deserts

faith, Life Lessons, Spiritual Growth

Lately I’ve been feeling….dry. And by “lately” I mean for like the last 6 months. And by “dry” I mean a little dead on the inside. Spiritually. I have heard about spiritual desert seasons people go through. When they feel distant from God. And I’ve seen the cheesy church signs that say things like: “Feeling distant from God? Who moved – you or Him?” Thanks for that extra guilt and shame, church sign.  In a time when I already feel lost and confused. The fact of the matter is, I have been marching steadily toward the purpose and the mission to which God has called me. Not away from it or Him. So…

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