Thanksgiving series one of three: Always be joyful
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Welcome to the first of three Thanksgiving posts! Each installment will highlight one aspect of the key verse. Today, I’m talking about how to always be joyful. For…
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When life is out of control: taking ownership
Over the past year and a half, I’ve felt out of control in several areas of my life—from the contractors working on our cabin who operate on “mountain time,” to changes in my health, to my daughter’s recent major household move (it’s all good), to the ever-changing publishing industry. I’ve come to realize, however, that…
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Every story has already been told: bringing something fresh to the table
Today I’m talking about my latest five-minute romance featured in Woman’s World magazine’s Nov. 6 issue (on sale now!). The idea for A Surprise Invitation was sparked not long after our neighbors joined my husband and me for dinner earlier this fall. As I brainstormed ideas, I thought: What if a couple invites their widowed…
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Next steps: bite-sized means to an end
A few weeks ago while traveling, my daughter texted me after dropping off her rental car. Near tears due to multiple mishaps, she worried about missing her flight home. My momma “fix it” mindset kicked in. But at 780 miles between us, I could only pray. And then I thought about what she needed to…
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Conviction 101: examining the condition of our hearts
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. ~ Proverbs 4:23 Have you ever spoken with someone and then were later haunted by your own words? Not just once, but on instant replay? That happened to me recently after I stopped to visit with a couple in our neighborhood…
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Behaviors that trip us up: rooting out the stumbling blocks
Not long ago as I walked through our property, I tripped on a small tree stump but caught my balance. The next time, I wasn’t as fortunate and pitched forward to brace myself with my left arm—which I’d broken and had repaired two years earlier—then rolled onto my right side. For several weeks afterward, I…
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Blindsided by ‘everything but’ or following your dreams
In my latest subscriber newsletter, I talk about learning #allthings tech and marketing on the business side of writing and—quite honestly—this “old” dog is easily overwhelmed. Yet I can spend a half day trying to establish automated workflows for new subscribers—or contemplate a redesign to my website—before realizing my time to create content or revise…
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What you know + what you’re good at: finding your lane
I’ve read several meanings of the saying, “Stay in your lane,” but my favorite is: find your purpose and stick with what you know and what you’re good at. While “good” is an ideal I continue to strive toward, there have been many signs over the years pointing me toward my purpose—culminating in a contract…
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God ‘winks:’ tiny reminders that we matter
One recent morning, I prepared a travel mug with hot coffee for an hour-long drive into town. But when I reached for the natural sweetener I use, I discovered my supply was depleted. On a whim, I peeked inside my purse and found a stash of my favorite sweetener packets. During another morning, I stepped…
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The ‘fruit’ of our labor: what happens when we give up too soon
A couple weeks ago, we invited our neighbors over for dinner and I tackled a new dessert recipe. I realized that was risky business, especially if it flopped, with the nearest store a minimum of 1½-2 hours roundtrip. Although I encountered a couple glitches, I’m grateful I improvised because it ultimately received raving reviews. I…
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