I love spring. It’s a time of newness, growth, refreshment. This year, I want it to be a time of rethinking the way you juggle working and parenting. My book Balanced just released, and I thought March would be the perfect season to challenge you to spring clean your life, to revamp the way you’ve been prioritizing your kids, work, volunteering, and other commitments you’ve made. You’re invited to take part in my challenge—and it’s really easy to commit to the eleven-day challenge!
BUT before I spill the details about the eleven-day challenge, help me kick off the challenge at my upcoming Balanced author chat party! On Monday, March 10 (that’s next Monday!), I’ll be hosting a chat about the many struggles moms go through to find balance and how you can begin to implement some change into your life. Of course, there will be plenty of fun giveaways too: books, gift certificates, and more! RSVP HERE!
Discover the power of a joyful family! Join us as we explore 14 tried-and-tested ways to create a joyful family. From fostering a positive environment to embracing gratitude, let’s pave the way for happier and more fulfilling family experiences.
I didn’t realize what a miracle it is to have joyful children until we adopted two little children who didn’t know what joy was. When Buddy (two) and Sissy (five) came to live with us, they’d been in foster care for over two years. They had a lot of anger, and I missed our joyful family.
Buddy and Sissy had been moved from home to home. Some of their experiences were positive. Others were not. During the first few months, we saw a lot of tears, a lot of tantrums, and very erratic behavior.
Thankfully through wonderful therapy, many prayers, and a joyful family, they, too, found joy. I asked some friends for tips on creating a joyful family and added a few of my own. Here are fourteen ways to teach your child joy.
Model joy. Emphasize service to others as joy-building activities. —Gina
Show him or her how much he or she is loved. Every day. —Karen B
Be a joyful parent. —Beki
Treat those around you how you want your child to be treated and how you want your child to treat others. —Kristil
The key to joy is contentment. Teach your child to be grateful and content; joy will come as an extension. “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy …” —Dayna
Model how to trust God and rejoice… in all circumstances. And make every day FUN! —Karen P
Be joyful in the really ugly moments of life yourself so you can come out victorious and give God the glory. —Traci
Find wonder in the everyday world around you and teach them about God. Being happy may be fleeting, but the joy of the Lord is our strength. —Jenny
Celebrate their uniqueness. —Lisa
Love them and love your spouse. —Ronica
I love those tips! Here are four more ways to create joy—tips from the Goyer home:
For our kids, joy came with stability. They knew that we were steadfast in our love and care for them.
We also didn’t make a big deal from little issues: Spilt milk? No problem. Loud voices? We can deal with it. As we remained controlled and steady, our kids found joy in realizing that their little mistakes weren’t big deals and wouldn’t receive severe punishment.
We praised more than we punished. When we caught our children being joyful and kind, we’d exclaim over their attitude and deeds. They loved getting praise and wanted it repeated.
Creating a joyful family is a process that requires time, patience, and effort, but the rewards are immeasurable. By adopting some of these tips and making them part of our daily lives, we can foster a positive environment where joy thrives. Our children can learn the skills and habits that will help them navigate life’s challenges with a positive attitude. Remember, joy is not a fleeting emotion but a state of mind that can be cultivated and nurtured over time. Let’s commit to creating and prioritizing a joyful family in our lives.
Takeaway
A joyful family takes time, patience, and effort, but the rewards are priceless!”
Joy isn’t just an emotion, it’s a state of mind.
From patience to positivity, you can learn the habits that create a joyful family and make your home happier!
Love thrilling fiction? My book The Swiss Courier(that I co-wrote with Mike Yorkey) is for you!
If you’d rather read non-fiction, my book Balanced is available on Amazon.
Connecting with you at the CHCSD Conference in Sioux Falls, SD, was awesome! I hope you received encouragement, help, and inspiration — and if you need the slides from any of my sessions, you can find those below.
As you may remember, I’ve been homeschooling for a long time. My oldest son is 34, and I attended my first homeschooling conference in 1994. I’ve been at this for a while!
BUT I’m also a current homeschooling mom. This year I’m homeschooling three kids, ages 12-15.
Here is a photo of my family. Aren’t we cute?
John and I were blessed to adopt six kids after raising our three biological kids. We also have two “unofficial” daughters and wonderful grandkids. Together we make a big happy family! I’m amazed at how God has grown our family, and I suppose I just wanted to homeschool for 35 years!
Like you, I’m in the daily grind of it. Homeschooling takes up much of my day. I’m also an author and speaker. I’ve written 72 books.
Now, you may be asking … how does Tricia write books, speak at conferences, and homeschool? That’s a question I get a lot. I get it so much that I wrote a book about it, and you get it for FREE!
For your free copy of Balanced: Finding Center As a Work-at-Home Mom, go here: Free copy of BALANCED.
Even if you aren’t a working parent, you’ll find some great tips!
Thank you so much for your friendship. Here are MORE ways we can connect.
And if you’re interested in writing a book, I invite you to try out my subscription group, Write that Book!Click here to get all the details and sign up.
If you have a child interested in writing, we also have the perfect program for them. Join the waiting list to try it out!
Finally, I want to leave you with a bit of encouragement. When raising kids, you’ve already made the two best choices: to invest in them and teach them about Christ. Keep up the great work! As a parent of three adult children who love Jesus, I know it makes all the difference!
Download Slides from my Sessions
Note: These slides are for personal use only. Please do not present or share.
Is it time to reawaken your dreams, Mom? You don’t have to sacrifice the dreams of your heart. You can pursue the things God placed in your heart while serving Him and your family. I know, because I’ve done it, and you can too!
Re-Awaken Your Dreams, Mom
What dreams did you have as a child? Did you want to be an astronaut? A doctor? A marine biologist? While some of those dreams may have been inspired by popular movies (hello Free Willy!), we can look back at our childhood to discover some of our hidden talents and design. Have you ever considered these questions: Who did God design you to be? How well are you living that design?
Is it time to reawaken God’s dreams for you?
Let’s start by considering what you enjoyed during your earliest years. Who were you like as a child? What did you like to do? I was a library nerd. In fact, I discovered going to the library could be dangerous. Once I had checked out so many books at the library that I crashed because the books on my handlebars were so heavy!
Think back to when you were between the ages of 10 and 12. What did you love doing? What brought you true joy?
Here are some things I loved:
• Drawing.
I loved drawing. specifically drawing and naming my future family. I wanted eight kids: two boys and six girls. (God gave me three boys and seven girls!)
• Watching other families.
I remember one moment when I saw a large family at the beach playing together. There were kids in their twenties down to toddlers. I was drawn to their joy and relationship.
• Reading.
I loved going to the library and reading piles of books. Especially drawn to Little House on the Prairie books and books on Helen Keller.
• Spending time at my grandparents’ house.
One of my favorite things was sitting next to my grandpa and watching Lawrence Welk. Seeing my grandma cooking delicious food. Enjoying meals around the dinner table with the television off. Enjoying their organized and peaceful house.
• Being at church and feeling part of the church body.
I love feeling like the older people at church were my extended family. I loved how my Sunday School teacher cared about me.
Re-Awaken Your Dreams, Mom
The funny thing is that when I took the time to think about what I loved, I realized the things I was drawn to then are things I love now. I write books. I have a large family. My grandma lives with me, and I love serving in church.
Also, 2020 re-awakened my love for art and cooking. Painting and drawing are relaxing and give me a chance to breathe. I also love keeping a comfortable home and trying new recipes. True joy is found when my family is sitting around the dinner table. I love family time, togetherness, and seeing all ages interact.
I’ve realized over time that focusing on the things that brought me joy from my earliest ages is what brings me joy now because that’s part of who God made me to be. What about you? Are you living who God designed us to be? If not, here are some ways to do that.
1. Delight in your design.
Too often we look at what we’re NOT, and we forget to focus on who we ARE. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago,” (NLT).
And Psalm 100:3 says, “Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture,” (NLT).
Look at this we see that God’s will for our lives is living out the person He designed you to be.
2. Nix the lies that hold us back.
Lies such as, “I’m not smart enough,” or “I don’t have enough time to focus on things I like.” We may have made mistakes and believe we aren’t allowed to try again. We may believe that God has dreams for everyone else, except us.
What lies have held you back from who God designed you to be? It’s time to reawaken your heart. Take time to write down lies, and then combat them with God’s truth. Don’t listen to the negative thoughts that hold you back.
3. Depend on God.
If God designed you for a purpose, then know He is there to help. Job 33:4 says, “For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Just as God gave you life, He will breathe His inspiration into you.
Today you can fulfill God’s will when you dare to become the person God made you to be. Turn your heart to God and place yourself in His hands. Ask Him to reawaken your heart to the things He put there. Place your design into His hands, and ask Him to guide His steps. He will be faithful to do it!
Re-Awaken Your Dreams, Mom
Are you struggling to balance your dreams and your life as a wife and mom? I understand! That’s exactly why I wrote
Are you a work-from-home mom that feels stressed, overwhelmed, and overextended? Working moms are simultaneously raising kids, juggling a career, and taking care of family responsibilities. Some days can feel like Groundhog Day or an endless list of to-dos. Believe it or not, it’s not supposed to be this way. It is possible to create an environment that includes priority, structure, and balance.
Bestselling author, homeschooling mom, and work-from-home expert Tricia Goyer isn’t perfect, but she’s developed a system that works, and she shares all of her knowledge in Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom. Inside you’ll find tips and strategies that actually work.
You’ll learn how to:
Create focus themes for your family
Prioritize your schedule
Use your job, so it also benefits your kids
Stop comparing yourself to other moms
Organize your home to fit your needs
Do the inner work, so you can truly understand what balance looks like
Balanced is perfect for Christian women of all ages. It doesn’t matter if you’re a new mom or a seasoned mom, women will discover a wealth of information in this resource.
If you’re looking for a simple how-to manual with outlines, or if you’re not willing to do the spiritual work to impact your life, then this book isn’t for you. But if you’re willing to learn from your mistakes, try a new balancing methodology, and trust in God, this self-help book will be a lifesaver for you!
Do you feel as if you’re spinning your wheels in life? Does it feel as if you’re working too hard and not getting anywhere? Or maybe you have a hard time getting started, and you’re not making the kind of progress you want. This can be progress with your kids, homeschooling, work, following your dreams, or a million other things.
We often find ourselves spinning our wheels because we’re stuck in the mud of our emotions.
We work hard, but instead of focusing on the progress, we focus on the too-long to-do list. We see where we are falling short instead of where we’re succeeding. Yeah, I have a bad habit of doing that, too!
There are so many things we don’t even start because we’re so sure we’re just going to fail. We judge ourselves or our work before we even give ourselves a chance. How fair is that? It’s not!
So many of our struggles stem from the root of fear. The emotion of fear bogs us down. The whispers of fear stop us short. The fears of failures cause us to give up before even starting. Yet the good news is we can do things differently. We can believe, try, and then succeed!
Any success comes from when we start with our hearts and minds first. The reason you’re spinning your wheels is you’re likely doing the same things over and over. Yes, they may seem safe, but they don’t work!
Today, my friend Dr. Magdalena Battles and I discuss time-saving tips to help you succeed, and we start our conversation with this question: “Are your decisions based on your personal values?”
Your Life, Your Priorities
Once we understand our personal values, we know what we want. We also have a motivation to take steps toward success, because these steps are birthed from deep in our hearts.
In my book Balanced, I encourage readers to list EVERYTHING they do in a week, and then to number their priorities between 1-4 … AND to delete the fours. Why? Because those fours are often based on fears. Fears of saying no. Fears of missing out. Fears of rejection. Fears of being left behind. Saying “no” actually frees us up to do more of the things we WANT to say yes to.
Today, my guest and I will do a deep dive as we talk through our values and choices. Questions Dr. Battles encourages us to answer are:
Where would you like to spend most of your time during the week?
What is most important to you?
What do you value most in the world?
From there, we talk about time-saving tips that really work. Why do they work? Because they’re based on our values.
Listen in. I know you’re going to enjoy this episode!
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Scripture to ponder
Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:6
If you are enjoying the show, I have a quick favor to ask! If you haven’t yet hit the subscribe button and left a rating and a review on iTunes, please take a moment and do so! I love reading your reviews and it keeps the algorithms happy so new listeners can find the podcast as well!
Dr. Magdalena Battles has a Ph.D. in psychology, a master’s degree in professional counseling, and a Bachelor of Science degree in child psychology. Her post-graduate studies were completed at Harvard. She is a writer and conference speaker who specializes in parenting, child development, family relationships, domestic violence, and sexual assault. She shares her real-life experiences and professional insights on this website (Living Joy Daily) and on LifeHack.org, where she was named one of their top writers. She and her family enjoy camping in the RV and have visited 32 national parks so far. Magdalena is involved in her church and local community through Bible studies, book club, cheer coaching, and after-school programs. She and her husband reside in Texas where they are raising their three young children, a dog named Max, and a handful of silkie chickens. Hat obsessed, fascinator loving, and passionate about dressing nice without spending a fortune are some things you will find out about her on this blog. All of her blog postings are cross-posted in her very active Facebook group called Dr. Magdalena Battles; Living Joy Daily. Magdalena is the author of Let Them Play and 6 Hidden Behaviors that Destroy Families.
Can good things come to those who write? Today’s guest Allison Fallon knows that most people think of writing as a chore, but she considers it self-care. And, after this interview, I agree!
Writing has power. Writing helps us find our voice and pay attention to our lives. Writing can help us to get us unstuck in many areas of our lives.
Writing down your story is one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal to see your life with clarity and become the most empowered version of you. You have something totally unique and immensely valuable to offer the world—and writing can help you unlock it. In this episode, Allison and I unpack all that writing can offer you! I know you’re going to be inspired to pick up your pen after listening to this episode!
Who is Allison Fallon?
Allison Fallon is an award-winning author, sought-after public speaker, and nationally recognized writing coach. She has worked with thousands of people to realize their writing potential and become published authors.
Discover the power of (finally) getting unstuck, claiming your clarity, and becoming the person whose life you want to live—all through a simple self-care practice you can build into your daily routine.
For anyone who’s trying to make sense of their life, who wants to get unstuck from the patterns that hold them back, hear this incredible news: everything you need for the freedom you want is entirely within reach. This practice and pathway are free, it’s readily available every day of your life, it takes just minutes of your time, and anyone can do it.
Author, writing coach, and speaker Allison Fallon’s life transformed when she discovered the power of a daily writing practice. As it turns out, using your words is one of the most powerful means you have for unlocking your life. The Power of Writing It Down is your guide to this transformative tool available to us all. In as little as five to twenty minutes a day, scientific research shows this daily practice can help you:
Identify your ruts and create new neurological grooves toward better habits
Find fresh motivation and take ownership of your life
Heal from past pain and trauma
Relieve anxiety and depression
Contextualize life’s setbacks and minor frustrations
Live a more confident, balanced, and healthy life
…and so much more
Drawing from years of coaching hundreds through the writing process—from first-timers to New York Times bestselling authors—Allison shares tried and tested practices for getting started, staying inspired, and using this simple habit to shift how you feel and show up to your life. Pen and paper is simply the method, but the reward is the real magic: new depths of self-discovery, creativity, and intentionality for living.
Walk It Out Scripture
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1
If you are enjoying the show, I have a quick favor to ask! If you haven’t yet hit the subscribe button and left a rating and a review on iTunes, please take a moment and do so! I love reading your reviews and it keeps the algorithms happy so new listeners can find the podcast as well!
Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:
These 5 keys to making space for life-giving relationships can help you find balance when relationships seem off-center. There is a way to retain friendships but support the time constraints we need to foster our own inner peace and nurture those most important to us. This week we welcome Emily Grabatin to the blog to share how to build space for those life-giving relationships in your life and you can enter below for a chance to win a copy of Emily’s book Dare to Decide!
5 Keys to Making Space for Life-Giving Relationships
I felt worn out.
I had spent most of my life content as an introvert with a couple of close friends and plenty of solitude. Now I felt like Miss Popularity, whose schedule was packed with coffee dates, volunteer commitments, relationship drama, helping friends move, and Friday night invitations, plus wrangling the three-hour time zone difference to call my parents. Interactions that had once made me feel alive and purposeful now stirred an inner war between my needs and others’ expectations.
I knew I had to figure out how to reprioritize my time spent with people, but I felt stuck. The thought of disappointing or offending someone felt exhausting.
One night over dinner with a friend, I blurted, “I have too many people in my life. I don’t know what to do.”
It turned out she had a process for how she managed her relationships. Knowing this gave me permission to design my own framework for being intentional about the people in my life.
Several years later, as I was juggling motherhood, a full-time job, and getting serious about purpose coaching, I came across Tricia Goyer’s book, Balanced. I realized all over again how life-giving it is to create a filter for what gets your yeses or nos.
Here are five principles I have found useful in becoming more intentional about my relationships:
5 Keys to Making Space for Life-Giving Relationships
Believe there’s a different way.
I could slip into a persevering mode, waiting for life to go back to “normal”, or I could use that sense of striving to remind me I need a fresh approach. Talking to my friend and reading the stories in Tricia’s Balanced helped me see other ways to live out the different facets of my calling.
Clarify your values.
I made a list of the people in my life, as well as what I received from and gave to that relationship. Considering where I felt conflicted, I identified my values behind these interactions, such as responsibility and servant-heartedness. While identifying my values was helpful, it wasn’t enough. I had to define what living them out looked like to me. For example, for years I agreed to help anyone who asked. Once I had more demands on my time, I planned to stay at the end of events to help clean up, and chose to help certain people in ways that freed them up to do what they were called to do.
Recognize the types of relationships you need.
Living a purpose-filled life means ebbs and flows of giving and receiving, nurturing and learning, solitude and interacting. When I felt overburdened, I made a second list to understand why—a list of the kinds of life-giving relationships I needed. Starting with my relationship with God and myself, I added others such as come-as-you-are friends, family, collaborators, new connections, mentors, and those I mentored. Making this list helped me realize I was giving more than receiving, and clarified the dynamics I needed.
Create a framework.
To help instill these boundaries in my life, I created an ideal schedule of time-blocks designated for each relationship type. When peers would ask to invite me to coffee their product party, I now had the language to decline or defer without feeling guilty or rude. This framework also gave me a way to check how “balanced” I was each week.
Invite God to lead.
While a framework is a helpful tool, it’s meaningless without aligning it to God’s purposes. To avoid falling into people-pleasing or rule-following ruts, I continually have to ask Him, is this someone You want me to make room for? Or is this someone You want to guide elsewhere? It would also be easy to use it as an excuse to exclude the people who annoyed or drained me. Living a purpose-filled life means welcoming opportunities to strengthen my character or show God’s hope and love — and asking him God to help mature me.
5 Keys to Making Space for Life-Giving Relationships
People are the treasure of heaven. When circumstances shift, it’s time to get intentional about who we give our time and attention and to explore fresh approaches to doing so. Thankfully, we have a God who guides us beyond our understandingbeco. He becomes our strength even when we have little to give.
If you’re ready to move forward in your calling join Emily as she shares stories of when she needed peace, clarity and courage at life’s crossroads. If you have felt paralyzed from the fear of the unknown, being misunderstood and making the wrong decisions, you’ll find gentle grace and encouragement within the pages of this book. Through thought-provoking questions and practical strategies, you can design your meaningful life one small dare at a time.
Emily Grabatin infuses hope into dormant and God-called dreams. Through coaching, writing and leadership development, she helps individuals recognize who they are, uncover what makes them feel alive, and streamline their focus so they can flourish.
The greatest gifts Emily has received have been from individuals who saw her potential even through seasons of restlessness, burnout and wandering. She appreciates people holding a space for her to discover her own answers and step out into her calling. Now she’s passionate about offering that gift to others.
For more information on Emily, visit the Dare to Decide website where you can receive a free chapter.
Does the word “apologetics” scare you? I shouldn’t. The word apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia, which refers to a speech of defense, typically for one’s own self. When we study apologetics we are learning why we believe what we believe. This is important for everyone, especially kids.
“Apologetics is an amazing evangelistic tool,” says today’s guest Jesse Florea. “It’s the Holy Spirit who softens people’s hearts to the truth of the gospel, but by studying the evidence and facts for Christianity, a person seeking the truth can gain even more confidence in his or her decision to follow Christ. Becoming a Christian takes faith and belief. Apologetics makes that belief much stronger because it’s built on facts.”
Establishing a foundation in apologetics early on may also help guard against the church drift many young adults who grow up in church experience as they get older. Today Jesse talks about an amazing resource for kids. I know you’re going to love it!
Who is Jesse Florea?
Jesse Florea has worked at Focus on the Family for nearly 20 years. For more than 15, he’s been the editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from Wheaton College in Illinois.
Jesse served as the general editor for the CSB Defend Your Faith Bible, an apologetics Bible for kids. He is co-author of The Case for Christ for Kids and The Case for Christ for Kids 90-Day Devo with Lee Strobel. Jesse has been a contributor to LifeWay’s Stand Firm magazine for more than a decade.
Answering that question might seem hard, but it’s important. And this book can help. This introduction to apologetics offers one hundred devotions that will give you real tools and real answers for why you believe in God and why you trust the Bible.
You’ll dig in the dirt to uncover archaeological evidence. You’ll be inspired by stories of real-life defenders of the faith, and you’ll see God’s fingerprints all over creation.
So ask the hard questions. Find the answers. And be empowered to defend your faith.
Walk It Out Scripture
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 2:4
If you are enjoying the show, I have a quick favor to ask! If you haven’t yet hit the subscribe button and left a rating and a review on iTunes, please take a moment and do so! I love reading your reviews and it keeps the algorithms happy so new listeners can find the podcast as well!
Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:
Day 10: Buy A Secret Courage and get A Daring Escape for FREE! Put both books in your cart and use the Coupon Code: CHRISTMAS10
Day 9: Buy Praying Through the Bible in a Year and Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom for 50% off! Put one or both books in your cart and use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS9 at checkout.
Day 8: Order The Swiss Courier, you can get Chasing Mona Lisa for FREE! Chasing Mona Lisa is Book 2 in the series. Put both books in your cart and use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS8 at checkout.
Day 7: Buy my novel From Dust and Ashes and get Arms of Deliverance for FREE! Put both items in your cart and use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS7
Day 6: Get the novella collection An Amish Garden FREE ($10.99 value) with the purchase of Where Treetops Glisten! Put both items in your cart and use the coupon code CHRISTMAS6 at checkout!
Day 4: Buy a copy of The Grumble Free Year and get a copy of Calming Angry Kids for Free! A $14.99 value! Put both books in your cart. Use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS4 at checkout.
Day 3: If you buy my Titanic novel By the Light of the Silvery Moon, you can get my WWII suspense novel Songbird Under a German Moon for FREE! ($13.99 value!) Put both books in your cart. Use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS3 at checkout! (*limited quantity)
What is on your mind as we celebrate Christmas 2020? For so many people there is loss. We are missing family. Many are missing gathering together at church. Things are as they usually are, and it’s hard. Yet today’s guest Kari Jobe reminds is that this season can be about true worship. Worship isn’t about what’s happening to us. Worship is about God, who He is and His glory.
This year Kari released a new album The Blessing. She shares about how God called her to worship as a young girl, and what He’s currently doing in this season of her life. I pray this interview will inspire you.
Who is Kari Jobe?
For more than two decades, well-respected worship leader Kari Jobe has been using her gifts to lead people into the presence of God. When she began leading worship at age 13, she never imagined she would be nominated for a GRAMMY® or win multiple Dove Awards. She has sold more than 1.4 million albums (TEA) in her career and has more than one billion career streams. Originally from Texas, Kari now lives in Nashville, with her husband Cody Carnes and their two boys, Canyon and Kingston, and they both serve at their home church The Belonging Co.
The Blessing was uniquely recorded this summer during the pandemic without a live audience at Kari Jobe’s home church in Nashville. This special project captures a genuine, captivating worship experience with Kari and her band as they entered God’s presence celebrating His victory, hope & peace during an unprecedented season in the world. Featuring the powerful world-renowned title track, this will be one of the guiding torches to lead the church further into the hope of Jesus.
Walk It Out Scripture
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14
If you are enjoying the show, I have a quick favor to ask! If you haven’t yet hit the subscribe button and left a rating and a review on iTunes, please take a moment and do so! I love reading your reviews and it keeps the algorithms happy so new listeners can find the podcast as well!
Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:
Day 10: Buy A Secret Courage and get A Daring Escape for FREE! Put both books in your cart and use the Coupon Code: CHRISTMAS10
Day 9: Buy Praying Through the Bible in a Year and Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom for 50% off! Put one or both books in your cart and use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS9 at checkout.
Day 8: Order The Swiss Courier, you can get Chasing Mona Lisa for FREE! Chasing Mona Lisa is Book 2 in the series. Put both books in your cart and use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS8 at checkout.
Day 7: Buy my novel From Dust and Ashes and get Arms of Deliverance for FREE! Put both items in your cart and use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS7
Day 6: Get the novella collection An Amish Garden FREE ($10.99 value) with the purchase of Where Treetops Glisten! Put both items in your cart and use the coupon code CHRISTMAS6 at checkout!
Day 4: Buy a copy of The Grumble Free Year and get a copy of Calming Angry Kids for Free! A $14.99 value! Put both books in your cart. Use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS4 at checkout.
Day 3: If you buy my Titanic novel By the Light of the Silvery Moon, you can get my WWII suspense novel Songbird Under a German Moon for FREE! ($13.99 value!) Put both books in your cart. Use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS3 at checkout! (*limited quantity)
**Scroll below to win The Giving Manger for your family!**
This Christmas you can use these five simple ways to lift your spirits and the hearts of those around you as well. By choosing to look outside yourself, you–and your family–can be blessed and be a blessing in this season of the greatest gift of all-time–the birth of our Savior. We are grateful for this guest post by Allison Hottinger who loves sharing the true gift of Christmas with others.
Five Simple Ways to Lift Your Spirits
Have you cried more this year than you ever have before? If you answered yes, you aren’t alone.
If you look around at your neighbors, friends, and strangers, you will see hints of worry, sadness, and loneliness on their faces.
Now think for just a second: How would it feel if someone came along to lift you up right now?
What if they dropped a chocolate bar at your door?
What if they dropped a notecard in the mail for you?
If someone even noticed me at the grocery store right now, it would lift me up.
In some ways, it’s never been harder to lift the cloud hanging over us, but in others, it’s never been easier because a small gesture can go a long, long way. We have to do something to lift the people around us.
Five Simple Ways to Lift Your Spirits
Here are a few simple ways to practice kindness and giving to others that will not only lift the spirit of those around us, but will bring joy to our own hearts as well:
Mail a letter to a senior in a nursing home
It’s as easy as printing out this service project packet, having your kids color a picture, and popping it in the mail. Getting letters are sure to make a senior smile when they can’t have visitors this year.
Poinsettia doorbell drop off
We all loved doorbell ditching as children, but have you done it as an adult with your kids? Pick up an inexpensive poinsettia (some stores have them as low as $5 right now) and drop it off at a neighbor or friend’s doorstep to make their day!
Don’t complain for a whole day
Have you ever tried to go a whole day without complaining? It’s tough. Choosing joy when we have the opportunity to complain is a quick gift to those around us and will often lift our own hearts.
Leave a note on someone’s pillow.
The words “I love you” hit different when written intentionally and left on a pillow. A small gesture that can’t help make someone in your house feel treasured.
Start a tradition together
Five Simple Ways to Lift Your Spirits
The Giving Manger is a fun and interactive Christmas tradition that will help families focus on giving and the true meaning of Christmas. By putting a piece of straw in the manger each time an act of kindness is completed, hearts are encouraged and excited to look for opportunities to give. The tradition is complete when on Christmas Day they place Baby Jesus in a manger full of straw, representing all the service and kindness shown leading up to the day!
Do the tradition with a friend and share stories of kindness along the way!
This year, let’s remember that tears are temporary but memories of giving last forever.
Allison Hottinger and Lisa Kalberer are sisters who are passionate about giving back. As they began to raise their own families, they realized that the true meaning of Christmas and the spirit of giving was getting lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. They put pen to paper, wood to the saw, and clay in their hands to create the book, manger, and Baby Jesus that make up The Giving Manger–a complete tradition to help families focus on the real meaning of Christmas. They hope that The Giving Manger can spread kindness and promote service as families come together and shift the focus of Christmas from getting to giving. Allison lives in Ladera Ranch, California, and Lisa lives in Austin, Texas.
Day 10: Buy A Secret Courage and get A Daring Escape for FREE! Put both books in your cart and use the Coupon Code: CHRISTMAS10
Day 9: Buy Praying Through the Bible in a Year and Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom for 50% off! Put one or both books in your cart and use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS9 at checkout.
Day 8: Order The Swiss Courier, you can get Chasing Mona Lisa for FREE! Chasing Mona Lisa is Book 2 in the series. Put both books in your cart and use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS8 at checkout.
Day 7: Buy my novel From Dust and Ashes and get Arms of Deliverance for FREE! Put both items in your cart and use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS7
Day 6: Get the novella collection An Amish Garden FREE ($10.99 value) with the purchase of Where Treetops Glisten! Put both items in your cart and use the coupon code CHRISTMAS6 at checkout!
Day 4: Buy a copy of The Grumble Free Year and get a copy of Calming Angry Kids for Free! A $14.99 value! Put both books in your cart. Use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS4 at checkout.
Day 3: If you buy my Titanic novel By the Light of the Silvery Moon, you can get my WWII suspense novel Songbird Under a German Moon for FREE! ($13.99 value!) Put both books in your cart. Use the coupon code: CHRISTMAS3 at checkout! (*limited quantity)
Does your story matter? You know my answer is a great big YES! Sometimes we feel silly for taking time to put our words—our stories—on paper, but my friend Kennisha Griffin is the first to say that your story is a GIFT to the world.
A professional writer and mom of six, Kennisha is the first to admit the balance isn’t easy. Raising kids and writing books means pouring into each, yet Kennisha knows that it’s worth it. If God has given you a story to write it’s for a reason.
If you’re curious about writing, or you just want to know if it’s possible to raise kids AND work at home, you’ll find many, many great tips in this week’s podcast!
Who is Kennisha Griffin?
Kennisha Griffin is the author of six inspirational books. She has written both fiction and non-fiction books that speak about family togetherness and hope after trauma. She and her husband, Cody, live in Waco, Texas, with their six children.
“Writing a book is one of life’s most prestigious accomplishments; however, many times, a writer faces fear and a host of obstacles. Unfortunately, many aspiring authors reach a stopping point and never return to their manuscripts to finish. Some don’t even begin writing, and they have amazing ideas. If you fit into any of these categories, I have good news for you. You can write your book. Your dream can come true.”In Put Your Pen to Paper, inspirational author, speaker, and literary coach Kennisha Griffin teaches you how to navigate through writing challenges, stay motivated, and jumpstart your exciting new career as a published author. She offers professional and powerful keys that help writers overcome obstacles like writer’s block, and create the book they’ve always wanted to write.
Walk It Out Scripture
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart. Matthew 12:35
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Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode: