and the winner is…

January 10, 2011 | Books

Lisa P. is the winner of When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa Terkeurst.

anti-scrooge

December 16, 2010 | Books, Feelings: Intentional freedom

I used to be stingy. Miserly. Scrooge-like. Most people didn’t know that–until I opened my mouth. I worried over the cost of things. I worried about paying my bills. I worried about the never-ending hospital and doctor bills that arrived the year of my infant daughter’s surgeries to my bout with cancer to my son’s critical car accident to two kids’ knee surgeries.

I wanted to be generous and we gave often, but the reality is that there was no connection between my heart and the offering. (more…)

Read, Think, Grow – Great resource for single moms

December 15, 2010 | Books, Family: Nurturing Family

My good friend and speaker, Sandra Aldrich, once said, “It disheartens me to hear people talk about single moms. I’m a single mom, and if I listened to those around me, my child will not succeed. But the reality is that I am not alone as a single mom. I’m parenting with the help of my heavenly Father.”

That’s why I read books for single moms with a just a little cynicism. Too many of them point out the obvious challenges, and fail to come alongside a single mom with encouragement, applause, and practical help.

That’s not the case with Teresa Whitehurst, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist’s new book, God Loves Single Moms.

First, she knows what it is like to be a single mom. She knows what it is like when funds are short, when her spirit was sagging because she had to “do it all”. Second, she’s keenly aware of the feelings, emotions, and practical steps that a single mom is feeling, but she takes it a step further. She doesn’t just empathize, she shows you how to live the best and receive the best that you and your child deserve. (more…)

Shattered Legacies

December 7, 2010 | Books, Faith: Knowing Christ, Family: Nurturing Family, Feelings: Intentional freedom, Video Bible study

What do you when all that you feel that you have is a shattered legacy? How does it affect you? What do you do to move forward? Today we explore three simple scriptural principles that help you begin the process of looking into your past — not as a victim, but as a scholar.

To view this study on YouTube, click here.

To join the discussion on the FB group, click here.

To download a personal study sheet to take it deeper, Pushing Past Your Past_Shattered Legacies (Word document)

To take it even deeper or lead a study with your friends: The Mom I Want to Be – Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids Something Greater (also available on Amazon.com and other online bookstores.)

Please feel free to leave comments or questions. Let’s talk!

Raising grateful children

December 1, 2010 | Books, Family: Nurturing Family

I watched my friend, Susie Larson, this past month. We were both speaking at a large parenting conference. Women pulled her to the side. They followed her to her table. I watched as this tiny, beautiful looking-way-too-young to have grown children mom put everything aside to listen, and then to pray. To really pray for the woman standing in front of her.

Susie is one of the most gracious women I’ve ever met, which is why I was intrigued by her book. Growing Grateful Children.

Let’s face it. Moms are busy. I remember those times when little hands reached for me, when dirty dishes stacked in the sink, and the laundry pile grew as fast as I threw it in the washing machine.

And yet there were other things just as important, like teaching my children to grow into adults that would bring something of value to the world. (more…)

Pushing past the past (new video study)

November 29, 2010 | Books, Faith: Knowing Christ, Family: Nurturing Family, Feelings: Intentional freedom, Video Bible study

Next week we’ll start the hard work as we investigate the “Shattered Legacies” we might have received, and how to look at them as a scholar and not as a victim, but for today we begin by understanding what we can’t do, which is to do it by ourselves.

Today’s action steps:

1. Invite God into the process

2. Anticipate what God can do through and in you, with His help

3. Make a list of those things you want to leave behind as you work through this study

I’m so excited to begin this study with you. Please feel free to share this on your blog or FB page or in your small groups.

To view video study on You Tube

To join the discussion on FB Live Free group

Resource: The Mom I Want to Be – Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future (there is great parenting information in this book, but the first two sections are about moving forward and healing, as well as forgiving, letting go, unpacking unhealthy relational methods, and so much more.)

(To purchase through Proverbs (profits through P31 benefit ministry and sends resources to women across the nation), through Amazon, through Christianbook.com)