It is a good thing to take a look at your Christmas traditions each year and re-evaluate how you are celebrating the birth of Jesus. There is so much pressure from our culture to include things that have nothing to do with our Savior so that we get buried under piles of wrapping paper! I have loved making Christmas traditions over the years with my family. As is true with most of us, I re-evaluated which traditions I would include from when I was growing up. Some of the traditions that I grew up with were fun but didn't focus on Jesus. I wanted Him to be central in everything as much as … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Slow Down this Christmas
When Your Life is Full at Christmas Time There are 5 ways that you can slow down this Christmas and still get things done. Are you spinning out-of-control and with little time for anything extra? My life couldn't be fuller right now and I have hardly any time to write (except that a bit of inspiration hit) and I thought I'd share how overwhelming Christmas can become. Fast. My life is full to the brim (and did I say overflowing too?!) and I am sure yours is too. In fact. You probably don't even have time to read what I am sharing. BUT. You are desperate because you are sinking fast … [Read more...]
How To Get Your Home Christmas-Ready
My home is NOT Christmas-ready but my goal is to have it done soon. I want to keep Jesus first through the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, and baking season. In order to keep Jesus first, my goal is to get as much done in the first week of December. I want to relax the last week before Christmas instead of frantically running around. I'm sure that is what you would like too. If you are like me, you are running behind where the planning experts would say you should be as we enter the first week of December. So, stick with me as I share some tips and honestly share where I am … [Read more...]
Giving the Powerful Gift of Words this Christmas
Words can be the most powerful gift we give this Christmas and yet, their importance is often forgotten. You might be rushing around like a caffeinated version of Martha trying to get all your gifts purchased without overspending. Yet, once you discover the value of words, you might spend less time stressing over what to buy and more time finding how to give your words as a gift this year. Have you noticed that you don't get as many Christmas cards and letters as you once did? You might not even send cards out anymore. I must admit that my friends never got a card or letter from me … [Read more...]
Preparing for Christmas in 4 Easy Steps
Are You Preparing for Christmas? It is so doable. You really can do this. You can prepare for Christmas without the stress or at least lessen the stress and enjoy your kids and family this year! There is so much to do in the weeks and days before Christmas that we can get so stressed over a holiday that we love. It is so easy to forget the reason for the season! God gave us the best gift of all in sending Jesus as a baby to earth so that He could die for our sins and give us Eternal Life. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned … [Read more...]
How To Quiet Your Heart This Christmas
Christmas is just around the corner! Even if you have tried your best to slow down this year, it is just not possible and your heart is racing from the time you get out of bed in the morning. What I am going to show you is how to quiet your heart even if it is only for 15 minutes before your day gets going. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 As women, we … [Read more...]
Making A More Meaningful Christmas + Journaling Workbook
How do you make a more meaningful Christmas when all you are doing is rushing and stressing trying to get things done? I am convinced that the Christmas rush doesn't have to be what it is for many of you. Often you just need to cut back on all that you do. Start Your Day with Jesus I know that I have encouraged you to start your day off with Jesus many times before. Even during Christmas. I will be the first to say that with kids in the home it can easily be the first thing that is neglected. Yet, when you spend even ten minutes with Jesus, your perspective on everything will be so … [Read more...]
Holiday Must-Have Quiet Time Gift-Giving Deals
Holiday gift-giving is an intensely fun-packed shopping experience for deals you won't want to miss! There isn't any better way to shop than from the comfort of your home. Grab your coziest wrap and snuggle into its warmth on your sofa. Are you warming your hands with your favorite mug of coffee or tea? I have gathered some of my favorite Quiet Time resources that I love and have given to my friends and loved ones. Some of these are on my list to give as gifts this Christmas. Snuggle up in your comfy throw blanket with a mug of your favorite hot drink and let's shop together! I … [Read more...]
Shake Your Attitude Up with 12 Verses on Gratitude
How's your attitude? It's hard to have gratitude when your attitude is suffering! That's why I'm going to shake up your attitude with these 12 gratitude verses! Did you read what I have been sharing about Living Fearlessly? I made printables for 12 Scripture Memory Cards on worry (who doesn't worry from time to time?) Did you know that there is a difference between being thankful and being grateful? I think most of us really don't see much difference between the two words. Never fear! I am here to encourage you to learn the difference between the two words but that's for another … [Read more...]
Fantastic Black Friday Journaling Workbook Bundle Sale
I am so excited to announce our first-ever Fantastic Black Friday Bundle Sale! Have you enjoyed one of our Journaling Workbooks for your Quiet Time? I use them myself and I am thrilled to be sharing this fantastic bundle sale with you! I am sitting by our coal stove wrapped in my cozy Christmas blanket with my mug of tea. What better way to start shopping for Christmas than in the warmth of my family room. No need to get in a traffic jam with crazy people honking their horns at you! Bible Journaling Workbook Bundle Have you ever used one of our Journaling Workbooks? I use … [Read more...]
5 Reasons You Want Gratitude as a Lifestyle
We have so much to be thankful for, yet, our lifestyle causes us to be too rushed to pause and cultivate a heart of gratitude. We have packed so much activity into our schedules that we end up stressed and unable to see the beauty in our surroundings. I have a mug of peach tea that I am sipping as I chat with you at my kitchen table. The sun is brightly shining through the woods outside the large bay window where I'm sitting. I hope you will grab a mug and get comfy as we talk about gratitude today. I want gratitude to permeate my being until it is a lifestyle. Gratitude: means to … [Read more...]
7 Powerful Quotes to Unlock Gratitude from Your Heart
Have you ever noticed how powerful quotes can unlock something deep in your heart? These 7 quotes from Nancy DeMoss Wolgemoth will do just that for you. That is why you see so many graphics floating through your Facebook or Pinterest feeds with Bible verses and thoughtful or hilarious quotes! Who Doesn't Love Quotes?! A picture with a quote creates an emotional response that imprints the verse into your heart. A serious quote might resonate and stay with you longer because the picture creates a mental image. You might identify with an element of truth in that quote that cracked you … [Read more...]
5 Reasons You Need to Cultivate Gratitude Today
Do you lack gratitude in your day? Here are 5 reasons you need to cultivate gratitude today. You will find how being thankful changes everything even though circumstances stays the same! 1. A Song to Defeat the Foe! We have a foe that is deadly but when we sing a song of gratitude to the One who died for our sins, that deadly foe is defeated! What if you learned along with me to sing more often? We often have mellow Christian music playing in the background of our home. That makes it easy to remember to sing. It is not for the sake of singing that I sing. I often forget that … [Read more...]
How Gratitude Turns to Joy and Changes Everything
Have you ever wondered why gratitude changes everything to joy? Everything changes when your heart is filled with thanksgiving and gratefulness. Then joy comes! It reminds me of an unbecoming caterpillar which compared to a butterfly isn't beautiful at all! After it weaves itself into a cocoon, in time it breaks out into a gorgeous butterfly. Are you the kind of woman that is constantly complaining about this and that? I've been there! When you take the initiative to start keeping a gratitude list, you will be like the caterpillar that goes into a cocoon and comes out as a beautifully … [Read more...]
5 Gratitude Strategies for When You Worry
When you worry, it's good to have gratitude strategies so your troubles can be turned to victory. David was faced with a terrifying situation when he fled from his son, Absalom. When he looked to the Lord, he discovered that God worked for his good though the situation was less than the best. Have you ever faced circumstances that cause your mind to go into overload as the details are constantly swirling in your brain? Maybe, it's a recurring situation or a relational one. It might even be a terrifying one that changed everything in a moment of time. I often find myself in Psalms when … [Read more...]