From Frazzled to Fun

Helping moms create space for fun, family, and faith

A Catalyst of Change Movie for These Times

faith Jun 23, 2023

"God's children are not for sale." The movie Sound of Freedom has this phrase as it's anthem.

May that anthem be loud and clear as we show up in droves July 4 and after to support this movie, produced by Angel Studios, the makers of the Chosen series.

Sound of Freedom is based on the gripping true story of a man’s mission, in spite of overwhelming dangers and sacrifices, to rescue children from the darkest corners of the world.

This action-packed drama, starring Jim Caviezel, shines a light on the harrowing reality of sex trafficking and the valiant efforts of those who work tirelessly to combat it.

The movie addresses the reality of child sex trafficking in a nuanced and creative way that doesn’t show outright sexual abuse or rape, but all of those are implied.

Because of the mature content, this movie is most appropriate for teens and older.

Despite the heavy subject, a common thread throughout the movie is that...

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Family + RV + Jesus?

faith parenting May 27, 2023

I had planned to write about Target's PRIDE push (did you sign one of the circulating boycott petitions?) As I dug into this, I was surprised to discover more retailers that have similar agendas. 

One of the most shocking for me, after Target, was North Face, who just released their "Summer of Pride Tour" ad with drag queen "Patti Gonia" (one minute ad can be seen at 5:50). I guess they didn't learn from Bud Light's recent and sudden loss of 16 billion dollars because of a similar campaign.

Mama bears, let's send them a clear message...go woke, go broke.

Enough said, because I also learned about a very different tour that brings so much HOPE in this darkness, and I'd much rather focus on this!

Can you imagine doing a family vacation this year that would include joining other faith-filled families in the great outdoors for family movie nights watching "The Chosen" on a 20 ft. movie screen, fishing...

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Pray for our Nation

faith May 04, 2023

Today is the National Day of Prayer, and I want to encourage you by sharing this message my husband Chris sent out to our church:

* * *

Let's join millions of brothers and sisters in our nation and around the world praying directly to God

Let's pray for ... 

> Revival

Lord, let it begin in me. 

> Unity

At a time our country is divided, it's time for the church to be united.

> Spiritual Awakening

Who can I share Jesus with today?


“Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”  D.L. Moody

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 

* * *

I also want to pray Eph. 3:14-21 (NIV) for the people of our nation:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth...

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One Simple Way to Not Undermine Your Child's Success

faith inspiration parenting Mar 25, 2023

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...

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The Sturdy Bridge of Faith

faith Mar 04, 2023

"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...

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Aslan is on the move -- revival is HERE

faith Feb 18, 2023

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...

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Free Crisis Help for Women Ages 13-32

faith parenting Jan 21, 2023

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: 

 

Where are the residential locations?

  • ...
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Pray For and Message our New Congress

faith Jan 14, 2023

"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...

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Steps to Finding Your Word for the Year

faith inspiration Dec 31, 2022

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...
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A Simple and Meaningful Christmas Tradition - The Christingle

faith inspiration parenting Dec 17, 2022

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...
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