Friday, January 31, 2014

One Word: Intentional

How was your first month with your own "One Word"? My month went well...for the most part. I was more aware of the things I was doing in everyday life being intentional about getting them done and doing them well.
Intentional is such a great word for how I want to live for Jesus. I want to be intentional in sharing the Gospel, doing good for others, and hwo I speak.

This week, like much of the country, we were sprinkled with snow. This made for hazardous driving conditions and sidewalks and driveways piled with snow. I made the intentional choice to shovel my neighbors' sidewalk, too. We don't know the family, but just that act of doing something for them I believe shared love with them. God is love.
What did you choose as your One Word this year? How did your first month go living that out?

Blessings!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Keeping Up With the Joneses

Stop Running on the Hampster Wheel and Start Living the Life God Intended You to Live

I remember when my older children were in public school before we made the decision to bring them home and school them at home. Peer pressure even at that age was intense. Buy this notebook, wear these clothes. It seemed to be a never-ending cycle:

Son: Mom, can I get these new DC shoes? All the kids at school are wearing them.
Me: Honey, we can't afford those shoes. Maybe we could get some that look just as nice.
Son: But mom, I'll be the only one not wearing these shoes!
Me: I'll see what we can do.

So we buy the shoes and in just five short months, he's outgrown them. So we budget to buy more only now we have a new baby to toss into the mix, and our budget gets even more stretched. Then we run into "Super Mom of the Year." She sews her children's clothes, feeds them only organic food that she has made herself and her house is immaculate! And the conversation turns to something like this:

 Me: Honey, if only I had a sewing machine. Then I could make clothes like Susie Homemaker does.
Husband: I'm not sure we have it in the budget to buy a sewing machine right now. Maybe after Christmas.
Me: But, Honey, we could save even more money if I make the kids' clothes. And all the other moms are sewing their kids' clothes...
Husband: I'll see what we can do.

See a pattern here? We feel the need to keep up with the Martha Stewarts of the world or the popular kids at school. But what we're really going after are things and status. We don't have to be like the other kids and wear what they wear. We don't have to be like the other moms and do all the activities they do until we wear ourselves out! We simply need to lean on the Lord. He knows all our desires, our needs, and even our WANTS! The Bible says we are called to live set apart lives (
As we begin to align ourselves with His plans for us, we will soon realize that Susie Homemaker was designed to do all that she does, just like I was designed to write, and like my sister was designed to teach. And even now, young mom with toddlers and preschoolers, you were designed to take care of your children. The Lord equipped you for that. You don't have to want what other moms have or do what they do. The Lord knows and He will supply what you need for your role right now!

Blessings!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Author Interview: Kelly Martin--The Afterlife of Lizzie Monroe

I want to thank Lyn for having me here on her blog to talk about my new book, THE AFTERLIFE OF LIZZIE MONROE and to answer three reader questions. I recently asked on facebook for any questions my readers had for me... they had a LOT! I was surprised actually. And they are really great questions! Some of the blogs on the tour have the questions and answers. Here we go!

Three Questions with Kelly Martin
1.       Which of your book characters would you choose to fight along side you in a Zombie Apocalypse and why?
This is a great question considering what LIZZIE is about. I think I'd pick Shane Davis, the main character in The Afterlife of Lizzie Monroe. He doesn’t seem to be scared of zombies ;) He sure seems to like Undead Lizzie lol

2.       Who of your characters would be most likely to be entranced by a vampire?
Kendra Moses from BIG is BEAUTIFUL. She’d love the power I think.

3.       If you could go back in time and give your 16  yr old self one piece of advice, what would it be? Quit worrying so much. It’ll be okay.


Do you have any questions for me? If so, you can chat on my facebook author page or twitter. I'd love to answer it.

LIZZIE isn't your 'typical' Christian book, but it has an awesome message about life and death-- Heaven and Hell-- Salvation and what it means to live. I hope you guys check it out :)

~Kelly

Blurb:
If Shane Davis had it to do over again, he wouldn't have gone out that night. He wouldn't have burned down the church. And he sure wouldn't have taken the annoying dead girl home with him.

Now that Shane has her, he has no idea what to do with her. He can't release her into the "wild" because people will recognize her (being a hundred and fifty year old town 'legend' will do that). He can't send her away because she can't take care of herself yet. And she can't stay because if people find her, they'll know he burned the church. Being eighteen now, Shane definitely doesn't want that fact coming out.

Unbeknownst to Shane, someone has figured out the girl's secret and will do anything to get it for himself... even kill the girl who isn't so immortal after all.

Buy Links:



About Kelly:


Author Information:
Kelly Martin is a southern girl who writes... a lot. She is the author of 5 Young Adult novels. Her favorite reviews are from the people who 'know' they aren't going to like her books... but end up loving them :) She loves God, is addicted to chocolate, and would rather write than sleep. Kelly loves a good mystery and believes in Sherlock Holmes.

Social Media Links:


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

TIP TUESDAY: Purging Sentimental Clutter



Our friends at Organized Chaos Online have been sharing with their readers about practical ways to purge all sorts of clutter in our homes: E-mail, clothes, kids' artwork and so much more. But what about all those things that sit in a box in the top of a closet or in a tote in a shed years and years since we have had any contact with them? Patti addresses way to purge sentimental items in a practical, compassionate way.

  • Use those items! Grandma's china, Great-grandma's favorite cookie press, Uncle Joe's hat collection.
  • Get rid of skinny clothes that you're holding on to for "when" you get that size again and plan to buy a new wardrobe when you do!
  • Display items you want to keep but don't want damaged.
  • Take pictures of kids' artwork since it's the memories of those pieces that we want and the photos can take us back just as the actual piece can.
  • Don't let anyone guilt you into getting rid of things you're not ready to part with!


Read more on the blog: Organized Chaos Online.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Exciting Reviews, Helpful Homeschooling Advice and Tip Tuesday!

Coming Up for Super Mom the Illusion in February

I'm so excited about all the new things that are planned for Super Mom the Illusion next month! 

  • We'll be giving our readers encouragement for keeping the vision the Lord has given each one of us on Mondays. You may be a mom of young children, but if you feel the Lord calling you for work beyond motherhood, these posts are just for you!
  • Our friends at Organized Chaos Online will be sharing with us on Tip Tuesday bringing practical and fun ways to organize our homes, lives, and families while enjoying the journey with others who desire to get organized!
  • On Wednesdays we'll share some time-saving, stress-free ways to implement learning in your homeschooling days even without textbooks. There will also be links to sites that offer free printables, reading lists, and other ways to make your schooling just a little bit easier.
  • Thursdays and Fridays will be where book reviews will be posted. Everything from historical fiction to homeschooling textbooks to Christian fiction and Christian fantasy fiction!! You won't want to miss those days because we'll also host a giveaway or two then and prepare you for a fun weekend with engaging characters and stories!
Is there something you'd like to read about here on Super Mom the Illusion? We would love to hear from you!

Blessings!

Friday, January 24, 2014

Blessings

Blessed to Be A Blessing

I recently polled some of my readers to ask them what it means or looks like to bless others. I received a variety of answers, all of them the right answer. They ranged from a friend paying for a teaching certification to being humble toward others; blessing others with our time to praying for them and watching the Lord bless those we pray for.
(C) 2013 Jodi Cotten
I began to wonder what it means to be blessed to be a blessing, too. If I have money to pay for a family to have a meal out or to buy groceries, that is certainly a blessing. But blessing people doesn't have to involve money...at least I don't think it does.
Laura Story has a wonderful song out called Blessings. A few of the lines cause the listener to stop and think about the blessings the Lord has for us:

     "What if Your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?"


And what if we are that person the Lord uses to be a comfort, an ear, a friend during the rain and tears and sleepless nights? What if just calling someone who hasn't been to church in a while and checking up on that person truly blesses that person and makes his or her day? 
I've come to realize that yes, we need money to do things for the Kingdom of God. But we also need to be with the people, both believers and non-believers, so that the Lord can use us as He sees the need in the lives of others.
We must shake off our own preconceived ideas of being a blessing or of blessing others. Instead, we must be open and willing to be used in any way because maybe that friend needs a gentle heart, a kind and loving and compassionate sister in the Lord to listen and pray rather than pay for a meal or a coffee out.

Blessings!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Book Review: Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady

Shawn Grady is one of my favorite authors! I like his style of writing as well as the settings and characters. I was an EMT, so fire fighters and EMS personnel often attract my attention when I look for new books, and his books reflect his real-life career as a firefighter in Nevada.

Book Description:
When hotshot smoke jumper Silas Kent gets his own fire crew, he thinks he's achieved what he's always wanted. But a lightning-sparked fire in the Desolation Wilderness of the Sierra Nevadas has his team in a plane before they can even train together. 

Pilot Elle Westmore has been called up to drop the crew into the heart of the forest infernos. A single mother of a mysteriously ill six-year-old, she can't imagine her life getting any more complicated. 

It doesn't take long for things to go very wrong, very quickly. A suspicious engine explosion forces Elle to make an emergency landing. Silas is able to parachute to safety but soon discovers his crew can't be trusted. They're hiding something, and now Silas is on a race to save himself and Elle from the flames--and from a more dangerous threat: his own team.


In his book, Falls Like Lightning, Grady weaves so eloquently mystery, love, and a wonderful glimpse into the Sierra Nevada mountain range. His descriptive words and attention to detail allow the reader to easily picture the settings of each scene, the way each pivotal character looks, and the sounds and smells they are surrounded by.
One of my favorite parts involves a fast moving action scene. Grady does such a good job relaying each and every detail of the images and motions that my eyes could barely keep up with the action I was reading. It was amazing!!

You can find this book as well as Shawn's other two books on Amazon.com!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

TIP TUESDAY: Getting Young Kids Involved in Chores

As a mom of eight children, I wanted to make sure I taught them each to be responsible and helpful members of our family. One way my husband and I did that was to assign age-appropriate chores to the kids. Even the younger ones who weren't reading yet were able to understand the chores they were to do! You may be asking how this was possible without mom constantly reminding little non-readers what to do. Simple. We made picture chores charts!
Source: My Name is Snickerdoodle

You can purchase pre-made charts, but our friends at Organized Chaos Online show us how simple it is to make visual chore charts instead!
This also works well for older folks who might do better with visual cues for daily activities, so consider how you might help a parent with their chores using this method, too.

For the complete details, visit: Organized Chaos Online!!

Blessings!

Monday, January 20, 2014

Book Release: The Afterlife of Lizzie Monroe by Kelly Martin

My dear friend, Kelly Martin, has released another fabulous book--her FIFTH! The Afterlife of Lizzie Monroe continues in the same intriguing manner as The Deception of Devon Miller and Big is Beautiful
The book is also priced at just 99 cents today, so it is a great time to purchase your copy! (The links to where you can buy this book are found below!). Buy today, tomorrow the normal price goes back tomorrow!!

Here's the back cover blurb:

If Shane Davis had it to do over again, he wouldn't have gone out that night. He wouldn't have burned down the church. And he sure wouldn't have taken the annoying dead girl home with him.

Now that Shane has her, he has no idea what to do with her. He can't release her into the "wild" because people will recognize her (being a hundred and fifty year old town 'legend' will do that). He can't send her away because she can't take care of herself yet. And she can't stay because if people find her, they'll know he burned the church. Being eighteen now, Shane definitely doesn't want that fact coming out.

Unbeknownst to Shane, someone has figured out the girl's secret and will do anything to get it for himself... even kill the girl who isn't so immortal after all.



Kelly is also having a Giveaway on her blog! You can enter on Super Mom the Illusion, though!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Here's an excerpt from the book!

Shane jumped to his knees, but Lizzie grabbed his arm to keep him from attacking Drake. She wasn’t worth it.

Shane looked down at her, his face hard. “He needs to learn to keep his mouth shut.”

Lizzie opened her mouth to speak, but Drake beat her to it. “And I bet you are the one to teach me, right, Davis?”

“Shut up,” Cheyenne said, stepping in front of Drake. “You two just cool it. You’re acting like children.”

“He started it.” Drake sat back down on the rolling chair in a huff. He ran his hands thought his hair and sighed.

Lizzie tugged on Shane’s arm to pull him down to her. He complied, but didn’t seem pleased about it. He wrapped his fingers around hers, holding her hand. If Lizzie’s heart could beat, it would have beat out of her chest. Even though he was holding her hand, he kept his eyes on Drake and Cheyenne. Lizzie wasn’t even sure he knew he was holding her hand, but Lizzie knew and she didn’t try to let go.



Kelly's Bio:

Kelly Martin is a bestselling author of four young adult/Christian novels: Crossing the Deep, Saint Sloan, The Deception of Devin Miller, and Big is Beautiful. Saving Sloan, the Saint Sloan sequel, will come out in early 2014. The first of the Hindsight series, Out of the Blue, comes out in February 2014.

Kelly's Links:





Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Afterlife-Lizzie-Monroe-Kelly-Martin-ebook/dp/B00HX89Q5W/
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-afterlife-of-lizzie-monroe-kelly-martin/1118082347?ean=2940148261759







Friday, January 17, 2014

Get Excited!

Ignite a Fire for Your Passion

(C) Captured Memories 365
I've been thinking lately about the surprises God has given us and those He has in store. Good surprises to propel us and our visions to their utlimate fruition. One of the things that excites me have been attending writer's conferences. I went to my first conference last year in Spokane: Inland Northwest Christian Writer's Conference. It was amazing and so very exciting! I had no idea whatsoever what to expect. I left feeling as though I had gotten all the keys to writing that I needed to start me on my journey. Conferences are like school for me, continuing education credits for my profession. They just excite me and surprise me all at the same time.
So what excites you? What lights a fire in you that you get really excited about doing? When God created you, he predestined you for a specific assignment and calling. And the goal of that assignment was winning the lost for the Kingdom.
Today, I want to hear from you about your passion. What is it that excites you that the Lord has called you to do?

Blessings!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Maintaining Momentum

Keeping The Goal in Sight

     Something that happens at the beginning of the year after our goals and resolutions are made. We're so passionate and enthusiastic and feel empowered that we can actually accomplish those things, and we believe nothing can stop us. And then a couple of weeks later, perhaps we haven't started toward our goals as strongly as we wanted to, but we feel like we can still get there. This is a pivotal time in reaching our goals. If we lose momentum, we will likely continue the pattern of slowing down and are in danger of eventually stopping heading toward those goals.


     It's not that we want to let go of our dreams, but somehow the goals we made begin slipping to the back of our minds. I personally understand how difficult it can be to keep my eyes on the end result. Life gets in the way, unexpected events occur, and before I know it, my goal is suddenly weeks or months behind where I expected to be with it. But I don't have to stay there watching it slip farther and farther away from me, and you don't have to either! Make it a point today to make a step every day or every week that moves you closer to your goal. Does your goal or vision have a deadline? It should be measureable in some way, so start today to list ways that you can take a step, an action to get closer and closer to that vision.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

TIP TUESDAY: Positive Messages

We can be our harshest critics, can't we? Instead of listening to those negative thoughts and lies Satan tries to tell us, write positive messages and Scriptures on sticky notes to put around your room, your kitchen, your car, the wallpaper of your cell phone so that you can see and read those every day!





Monday, January 13, 2014

Managing Mondays

Starting the Week Off with the Right Attitude

     You see it every Monday on Facebook. The inevitable posts about "hating Mondays" or the picture of the baby crying with the caption, "Oh, no! It's Monday again?" I know I am guilty of just scrolling past those because I've gotten so used to seeing them and have even come to expect them. But why and how did we become so numb to facing the new week in such a negative manner?
     I like to look at Mondays as the start of a new week full of new opportunities to hear from the Lord, to share the gospel with others, and to have a fresh outlook on my vision and calling. Every day, including Mondays, we can make a choice to welcome the day, and we can make it a day dedicated to doing what God has called us to do for His Kingdom.
     Instead of greeting Mondays with a strong dislike, how about we meditate on the Word as we start each week? Joshua 1:8 says, "This Book of the Law shall not depart out of my mouth, but I shall meditate on it day and night, that I may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then the Lord shall make my way prosperous, and then I shall deal wisely and have good success."

     My personal Scripture verse for the year is this:
"And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were intentional in doing a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have."--2 Corinthians 8:10-11

     What have you begun? What were you intentional about doing a year ago? Have you done it? It's not too late, but there is a necessity to complete it. So why not begin today...and every Monday! 

Blessings!

Friday, January 10, 2014

Ideas for Taking Care of Yourself

Ways to Refresh, Renew and Revitalize Your Spirit

Yesterday we talked about how important it is to take care of ourselves. Today, I want to share some ideas (and have YOU share, too!) for re-energizing our spirits and minds!
  1. Make time for prayer. Even if it is five minutes, make it a point to talk to God. He already knows what is going on in your life, and He's always there for you.
  2. Get in the Word. Find out what the Bible says about restoring your soul, renewing your mind and spirit, and finding joy.
  3. Talk a walk. Getting outdoors can brighten your mood. The fresh air and sounds of nature can help calm and soothe.
  4. Write posivite messages and Scriptures on sticky notes. Stick them to the walls, bathroom mirror, and any place you will look at daily. 
  5. Review your vision board. What have you accomplished? Celebrate your victories. What needs to be revised? 
  6. Write down a list of things that can propel you toward your goals.
  7. Enlist friends who will help encourage you.
  8. Follow those people on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) that are experts in a similar field of interest as you have.

There are plenty of ways to recharge your spiritual battery! Have one to share? Please leave a comment!!

Blessings!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Taking Care of Yourself

We All Deserve A Break Today

Recently I was talking with a few of my girlfriends about how much we have taken on in the past few months. Sometimes as moms and women in general, we just get overwhelmed and need a break. And that's okay! (Calgone take me away!)
(C)Designbasics.com
I know I have times when one child needs help with math while I'm scheduling blogs and another one needs to be taken to work and still another one needs to talk about how she is going to pay her performing academy tuition. Then my husband needs me to run and pay a few bills and soon I must consider what to make for dinner, plan the next day's schedule, and make sure I completed my online class assignments on time. We do a LOT throughout the day and sometimes, we just need a recharge.
My friend referred to it as airing out our brains. How true that is! We have so much going on not only in our lives but in our minds as well. We need to air out our thoughts and allow the Lord to refresh us and think only of what He has for us each day.
First Thessalonians 5:23 says, "The God of peace Himself sactifies me through and through [separates me from profane things, makes me pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and my spirit and soul and body are preserved sound and complete [and will be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
We need those time-outs from the things of this world so we can refresh our minds and spirits. 

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

TIP TUESDAY: Cleaning an Indoor Grill

During the winter months, grilling doesn't stop at our house! We utilize our George Foreman grill so we can enjoy the benefits when it's just too cold to go out. But have you ever noticed how difficult it is to clean them, especially when the grill plates don't come off?
Our friends at Organized Chaos Online share how to clean this small appliance today.

(C) Organized Chaos Online
TIP OF THE DAY: The easiest way to clean your Foreman grill – right after using the grill, unplug it and place a wet double-sheet of paper towel between the lid and the surface. The leftover heat causes the towel to steam and clean the grill. Then just wipe it down with a clean paper towel
For more details on cleaning your indoor grill, visit:  http://www.organizedchaosonline.com/2013/06/25/clean-foreman-grill-with-wet-paper-towel/.

Blessings!!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Guest Post by Nicole O'Dell of Choose NOW Ministries

Celebrity Influence


4 questions parents ask about teens and celebrities...
  1. Is it okay for teens to emulate a celeb?
  2. Is gossip about celebrities really gossip?
  3. What kind of celebrity focus should I allow in my home?
  4. What about when I'm not around?
Being a parent of a teenager is has a range of responsibilities from simply keeping them safe from harm and teaching them to live a healthy, godly lifestyle. And not only teaching them how to do it, but also inspiring them to follow through for the long-term. powerlinepowerline365, powerline 365, raise christian teens, parenting, nicole o'dell, choose now publishing, 365 In quick-fire answer to the questions above, I'd say: 1. Sure, it's okay for teens to emulate celebrities--but it depends which ones. If my teen wanted to be just like a Kardashian, I'd have to speak up. But if they wanted to be like Shawn Johnson (olympic gymnast with great values) or Danny Gokey (Christian American Idol alum), now that I could support. Use the issue of fan-dom as a way for you to discover the kinds of values that are important to your teen, and then make it a teaching opportunity. parenting memories
2. Well, actually, yes. BUT. In my opinion, we still need to be careful about gossip and motive when it comes to dishing about celebs, but they do put themselves out there to be dissected, in many cases. But even more than that, I think we have a responsibility to use those opportunities to teach our kids about what's right. For example, is it gossip to talk about the woman at the well and speculate about what Jesus was writing in the sand? No, of course not. It's our attempt to teach and learn about truth and grace. The same can be true about looking into the lives of celebrities if it's done with that motivation. 3. As I mentioned above, healthy conversation about public actions and lifestyles is a good thing. Measure that against God's Word to discover what's good and what's unhealthy. Allow your teens ask questions and talk openly about the things they hear, see, or read. But put limits on access through media like reality television and magazines that get too personal and cross the line. 4. Here's where the real challenge comes in. How well have you taught your kids the reasons they want to limit their exposure to celebrities and all that comes with that lifestyle? If they haven't yet bought in to the reasons, and are only following orders, then you risk them struggling with and eventually giving in to temptation. You can avoid that by having frequent open discussions about their celebrity faves. I'm Nicole O'Dell, author, founder of Choose NOW Ministries, and mom of six. I believe that preparation is the number one thing when it comes to raising teens who will make good choices even when you're not looking. I and my team at Choose NOW Publishing have just launched an incredible set of resources that hits right in the heart of your need. Powerline365 is just the companion you need to prepare now to victoriously power through this next year and beyond.
powerline, powerline365, powerline 365, raise christian teens, parenting, nicole o'dell, choose now publishing, 365
Powerline365
Plugging Parents of Teens into the Source Powerline365 is a high-voltage, multi-format daily devotional to help parents raise Christian teens without losing connection. Tap into the power you need to lead your teens into a vibrant personal relationship with Jesus. Many teens, even those from Christian homes, fail to connect with Him on a personal level. They forge on alone, searching for identity as the enemy pelts them with temptations and doubts. As parents, we’re left reeling, wondering where we went wrong. Powerline365 offers daily insight to ground you in truth as you plug into the Source. It's time for you to power-parent from a place of confidence and surrender, believing God's Word is true, and His promises will never go unfulfilled. twitter party, powerline365, powerline 365, parenting teens,  And I am certain that God, who began the good work within [your teenager], will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6, NLT) Now for the fun part! Crowdfunding is a super-risky (for me!), but potentially awesome (for you!) way to make products available to the public. It allows Powerline365 users or those who believe in the project and want to support the raising up of a godly generation of teens to fund at various levels. And it means EARLY ACCESS for you! Would you pop over to our campaign page and see what we have going on? There's a lot of great opportunity and interesting things you'll only have access to through this campaign. Plus it's the ONLY way to get ahold of these resources now, in time for 2014. GIVEAWAY: And all who participate in the campaign and leave a comment here will be entered to win a Spark30 devotional subscription. We'll give away one for every ten participants. This can also be gifted!
Nicole O'Dell, nicole odell, choose now ministries, peer pressure, parenting teens My heartfelt prayer is that you'll find victory in your relationship with your teens as you lead them to good choices and a strong faith in Jesus. Nicole O'Dell is the founder of Choose NOW Ministries, bringing a message of hope for today's families through daily articles, weekly radio shows, and the printed word. A mother of six herself, she has authored 23 books for parents and teens, both fiction and nonfiction, all with the goal of helping the reader make good choices NOW.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Surprises

What's in Store for YOU This Year at Super Mom the Illusion

Yesterday I shared with you my One Word: INTENTIONAL. This year I am going to be more intentional in not only setting my goals but reaching them, too! I'm going to be bringing you two book reviews a month, at least one giveaway a month, and daily blog posts Monday through Friday. I want to encourage, engage, and empower each of you through the Word of God and leave you knowing and trusting the Lord in all that you do!

That said, I have a few questions for you to think about. 

  • How do you feel when you're going to surprise a family member or friend with something wonderful? Maybe it's something they've wanted for a while and you are in a position to be able to obtain the item. Think about how that makes you feel. Are you doing it for the glory of having spent money on that special person or for the reaction and joy it will bring the other person?
  • How do you feel when you receive a surprise? Maybe a family member comes to visit as a surprise or you get that long-awaited trip from your spouse or a cool book you've really wanted to read. How do you feel when you receive something out of the blue that you hadn't expected at all?

It feels wonderful to give, doesn't it? And at least equally so to receive, especially when receiving the item was the farthest thing from your mind! Well, this year is going to be a year of surprises! I hope you enjoy this journey of being intentional, too!

Blessings!!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

One Word: A New Outlook on 2014

What Will YOUR One Word Be?

Last year I entered into a new challenge. A blogger friend challenged others to choose "One Word" for 2013 to live out throughout the year. As you may remember from my posts, my word last year was IMAGINE! I imagined what the Lord has planned for me with my blog, my writing, and my role in the Kingdom of God. I imagined my goals and that His plans for me are greater than the things I could ever hope, think or imagine!
This year, I decided to go beyond imagining what the Lord has in store for me or imagining what I could do or write or produce through my writing. This year I decided to be more intentional.
I want to be more intentional in my writing. More intentional in my topics for blogging. More intentional in the goals I set. More intentional in doing the things the Lord has called me to do for His Kingdom! So my One Word this year is: INTENTIONAL!

The last Thursday of each month, I'll post about how my month went. Was I intentional in my goals, my thoughts, my actions, my activities? Check back each month to follow my progress!!
Have you thought about choosing One Word? What's your word for the year? Share if you would like!

Blessings!!