From Frazzled to Fun

I've given up canceling out my own prayers for my child.

What do I mean?

Well, let's consider something that I really wanted to see change in for my child.

For example, my child was making selfish choices and always seemed to put herself above others.

When I was in a quiet reflective moment I prayed that the Lord will help her to learn to put others first and be more considerate of others.

Later in the day, when bringing in a pizza for the family and a few friends I said to my husband,  "Oh boy, here we go again...she's going to push to the front and rush to get the biggest piece as soon as we come through the door, just like she always does."

Wait a second.

Back up.

I had to ask myself, Do I believe the Bible is true?

Because I know it says this: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever...

"I'm heading out to grab some lunch," said our friend Josh who ran AV at the retreat. My mind reeled with thoughts of how badly I wished I had some cash right now to hand him. He was sooo kind to give of his time....

 At that very moment my friend Vicki walked up and said, "Brenna, I just sold two t-shirts" and handed me a twenty dollar bill. 

It was almost one solid movement from her hand to my hand and then my hand to his hand!

This is the perfect example of how every detail for this event has come together, I immediately realized. Just at the time there was a need, it was met.

(And it was the one and only time anyone handed me cash all weekend, even with all the books and t-shirts that sold.)

Though it seemed like a daunting task in October when I felt the Lord leading me to have a Coach Mom Live Retreat, I moved forward in faith and I testify to the Lord's goodness and provision in every way.

I heard Priscilla Shirer the week before...

Have you been fearful for the future of your children in this world that has most recently seemed like everything has been turned on its head?

Be hopeful, mama! We are now seeing glimpses of what the future holds...

Revival is here!

You may remember my Aslan is on the Move blog post from two years ago that compared our "dark winter" season with that written about in The Lion,The Witch and the Wardrobe and ended with this prayer:

Father, I believe you will defeat the spiritual darkness and bring about the Great Awakening and Revival that many of us have felt you have promised. Help me to STAND, be still before you, and watch for your salvation.

Friend, it is happening now!

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Asbury University, the speaker for their morning chapel service closed with a simple prayer:

"Jesus, do a new thing in our midst. Revive us in your love."

A few students gathered afterwards and one student's repentance led to another, and students began to...

A young woman from my daughter's high school found out she was pregnant a few months ago. We tried to help, offering to throw her a baby shower and encouraging her. Unfortunately, the pressures became too great and she terminated the pregnancy with an abortion.

If only she had been given more support, I know the situation could have been different.

Do you have a hurting young woman in your life?

Do you have a friend who has a daughter in crisis?

Are you a young woman who is struggling with a life-altering issue?

Mercy Multiplied, a faith-based organization founded by Nancy Alcorn offers help and hope for young women in crisis...free of charge.

Mercy’s Residential Program helps young women ages 13-32 break free from life-controlling issues and situations, including: 

• anxiety
• depression
• sexual abuse
• eating disorders
• self-harm
• addictions
• unplanned pregnancy
• sex trafficking

Where are the residential locations?

• ...

"We pray Your blessing on us this day, O Lord. Trusting in Your daily provision, may we find ourselves like trees planted by water, that we may receive the strength and refreshment You provide. In this may we face the heat of the day and the drought of spirit that attend the demands on our time.

Reveal to us the sustenance available to us as our roots, our very beings, reach deep to find anchor in Your truth. Grant us the security of Your protection as we yearn for the refuge of Your steadfast love.

Then may we, as a Congress, as a country, and as communities seek to rid ourselves of fear and anxiety by placing our trust and confidence in You. Extend to us Your wisdom that we need not depend on our own understanding.

Test our minds this day and search our hearts. If we are found wanting, be gracious unto us.

In You does our hope find its foundation and, in Your name, will our prayers be answered. Amen."

Was this prayer, so powerful, from the opening of a long-ago Congress...

Have you heard friends talk about their "word for the year" and wondered how they found it? And what difference it made in their life?

Twenty-three years ago when I created my DIY prayer notebook, I began seeking a word, scripture, or phrase that the Lord would give me as my focus to write on the first page so that I could see it every morning and live intentionally.

Those words, scriptures and phrases through the years have provided me great inspiration and focus. 

And it's really cool to look back on them as I have those pages all still in the front of my journal, starting with the most recent.

I encourage you to give it a try! 

My simple step-by-step process for finding your "word for the year":

1. Get a pen and paper, find a quiet spot for 5-10 minutes, and ready your heart to hear from the Lord.
2. Pray something like this: “Lord, clear my heart and mind so that I may hear from you. Spirit of Truth, speak to me as I...

History

The idea of Christingles came from a Moravian Church in Germany in 1747 when minister John de Watteville gave children at the service a lighted candle with a red ribbon around it. He explained that this represented Jesus being the light of the world and the final prayer of that first service was "Lord Jesus, kindle a flame in these children’s hearts, that theirs like Thine become".

Moravian missionaries brought the tradition to the Church of England in the late 1700's and the Christingle was later made more popular in the UK by John Pensom in 1948 at Lincoln Cathedral.

The tradition is often observed either the Sunday before Christmas or on Christmas Eve.

Over the years the symbolism of the Christingle grew into what's known as a Christingle today. What does it represent?

• The orange represents earth.
• The candle gives light to the darkness, just as the love of God and Jesus himself does. (The foil is only there to catch waxy drips from the...

As you consider buying books for your child this Christmas, a book by historically-wholesome American Girl reminds us of the importance of vetting content.

The 96-page book, “A Smart Girl’s Guide: Body Image: How to love yourself, live life to the fullest, and celebrate all kinds of bodies” is written for girls aged 8-13 and promotes, among other things:

• getting "medicine" (puberty blockers) from doctors in order to "have more time to think about your gender identity"
• children contacting LGBT organizations if their parents are not supportive of exploring gender identity

“The way you show your gender to the world through clothes and behaviors is your gender expression,” the book reads, as reported by The Daily Mail. “Your gender expression can be feminine, masculine, or somewhere in between – and it might change! Maybe you’ll experiment with bright dresses and long, feminine hairstyles. Or you might try baggy...

Oh, God, source and giver of all things, you manifest your infinite majesty, power, and goodness in the earth about us. We give you honor and glory. For the sun and the rain, for the manifold fruits of our fields, for the increase of our herds and flocks, we thank you. For the enrichment of our souls with divine grace, we are grateful. Supreme Lord of the Harvest, graciously accept us and the fruits of our toil, in union with Jesus, your Son, as atonement for our sins. For the growth of your Church, for peace and love in our homes, and for salvation for all. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.

- Living God's Justice: Reflections and Prayers

God bless you and your family on Thanksgiving Day!

P.S. Have you marked your calendar for Coach Mom Live: Choose Joy, the retreat coming to sunny Phoenix Feb. 24-25, 2023? If not, what are you waiting for? The location is Arcadia City Church, and I want to see YOU there! Watch for more info!

Huge news yesterday.

I share my take on it in this short fireside chat.

• Life is WINNING!
• What does this overturn have to do with my son's birthday?
• This is only one of the NEW THING breakthroughs coming! 
• Healing for those with post-abortion grief and depression

His Kingdom come, His will be done!