Protecting the Gospel this Christmas

This is Joey. He played a shepherd in this year’s Christmas play at church, and today he is going to teach us a few things :)  A few Sunday’s ago Joey asked me to pray with him at the altar during the end of our church service. This isn’t uncommon. We happen to sit right be our altar every Sunday, so he is used to seeing us and others use this place of prayer every week. I’m truly thankful to attend a church that makes this a normal occurrence. I see the fruit as my children unapologetically run to the altar each week

We usually pray for those that are sick, ask for forgiveness (Lord, YES!), and pray for safety for those that we love. I let Joey pray first and then I was going to follow him. But this week he prayed that we would “protect the Gospel” this Christmas season. These were his words not mine. I was silent. I mean — how do you follow that? He looked up at me and said, “Mom are you gonna pray?” I think I said something like, “You said it all bud!” And then I went back to my seat and cried.

How did such a young boy make such a profound statement? Truthfully, he had probably heard it from someone and repeated it. But his words pierced straight through my heart. He was right. We must protect the Gospel, especially during the Christmas season.

Let’s be honest — Christmas can feel chaotic. Each year it gets busier and busier. The Christmas programs, dress-up days at school, church activities, Christmas shopping, work travel all make this season CRAZY! But let’s pause for a minute and see how we can protect the Gospel this Christmas.

1. Chase after Peace

The enemy knows if he can’t distract me or bring about calamity, then he makes me so busy that I have completely pushed out the real reason behind the season. Peace is something you have to chase sometimes. It’s easy to think peace should just fall upon us. But that’s not how it works. We have to be intentional in chasing after peace because we live in a fallen world. And the enemy wants to strip us from living in the peace of celebrating our Savior. How do you draw peace from Jesus? Well, He is called the “Prince of Peace” after all (Isaiah 6:9). So were going to chase after Him! It’s truly simple. Just spend time with Him in prayer, Scripture, and worship. That is literally the peace from Heaven.

2.  Treasure the Story in Your Heart

I love reading the Christmas story in Luke. It’s the most detailed account we have of Jesus’ birth. Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.” I love this statement. This was right after the angels had announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds and they “hurried” off to find Mary, Joseph, and the baby. I picture young Mary just smiling while thinking about what God had done through her. I like to think that maybe she was taking mental pictures of what was unfolding around her. She was treasuring those moments.

I want to treasure this story. I want my kids to treasure this story. I want them to meditate on it, and think about what all God has done for them. Y’all, we must keep the Gospel fresh in our hearts and minds. We can do that by reading the scripture, remembering the words, and truly treasure the story we have been given.

3. Celebrate!

Protecting the Gospel is not all work. It is FUN! We have so much to celebrate! Mary celebrated! She celebrated the pregnancy of Elizabeth when she went to meet her in Luke 1:39-45. She celebrated with praise in Luke 1:46-56 (Go read it!!). We should let excitement pour out of us. What does that look like practically? Go see your family! Have the Christmas parties! But don’t forget to engage in the activities that point to the One that saves!

4. Give the Gospel Away

The next way we can protect the Gospel is to simply give it to others. We pass it on. This is the perfect season to tell others about the story of Jesus. I also think we need to acknowledge challenges others are facing.

Be concerned with becoming the instrument through which God accomplishes His purposes. Mary said in Luke 1:38 after the angel announced Jesus’ birth, “I am the Lords servant.” She willingly submitted to God’s will in her own fear. Imagine what would happen if we look for ways to be “the Lord’s servant.”

Servanthood is not busyness. Don’t confuse the two. Servanthood is submitting to God’s purposes and seeking out ways to be His instrument. You don’t have to be anymore busy to be God’s instrument. You use the situations and places He has you right now to recognize missional opportunities. Find a way to give to someone else this Christmas. Even if it doesn’t make sense (especially if it doesn’t make sense).

Joey probably had no clue what would become of his words at the altar the other day. He may not have fully grasped what he was saying. But it’s a message I needed to hear, and maybe you did too. This isn’t the only way to protect the Gospel. There are many things we can do. But I’m praying we focus on these to help us protect the Gospel this Christmas.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! I can’t wait to share some amazing updates with you all soon :)

“Be concerned with becoming the instrument through which God accomplishes His purposes. ”

The Power of Yet

Not too long ago, I was able to put together a personal development session for the people I work with. We focused on the growth mindset and the power of yet. A few weeks later, my oldest daughter came home with this paper. They had evidently done this motivating activity at school too. If you think about it, yet is truly a powerful word. In the English language it is a preposition, which means something usually follows. The word points us to something next. You can take that word and apply it to a negative phrase and it instantly changes the attitude or feel of the statement. In the corporate world it goes like this:

I haven’t met my goals.

When you add the word yet, everything changes.

I haven’t met my goals, yet!

It’s simple, but it’s a game changer. I find myself really trying to instill this concept into my kids. We are surrounded by negative self-talk. The younger generation is drowning in it. This is something simple I can teach them.

But what if we take this a step further and dig into the power of yet from a Biblical perspective? I had the chance to speak about this at a women’s retreat a few weeks ago, and God showed me so much! I want you to first think about a yet statement in your own life. What are you waiting on? Some examples:

A family member hasn’t accepted Christ… yet.

I don’t have a husband… yet.

I’m not a mother… yet.

Go ahead. Make one for yourself.

Yet is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 2:4-5. How fitting that this preposition first appears in the creation story and points us to the future. Here is what it says:

“These are the records of the heavens and the earth, concerning their creation. At the time that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, no shrub of the field had yet grown on the land, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not made it rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground.”

The first thing this scripture points out is that there are no shrubs and no plants. It tells what the world doesn’t have, but it also tells us why it wasn’t there. There were no plants because God hadn’t made what it needed to survive… yet. These plants needed water and someone to cultivate it. Maybe God hasn’t created the things that your “yet statement” needs to not only survive, but to thrive. When I think about some of the “yet statements” in my own life, here is what I have come to realize:

I have prayed “Please Lord give me a husband”. But what if the man he had picked for me wasn’t ready yet? (Side note: God picked a good one for me :)

I have prayed “Please Lord give me a job.” But what if the job he had picked for me wasn’t created yet?

I have prayed “Please Lord give me a child.” But what if the mother He knew I could be wasn’t ready yet?

I think sometimes we look at the creation story in Genesis and forget that the creation story never ends for us. God is our Creator and He loves being creative.

The plants and shrubs in Genesis needed someone to cultivate it in order to survive. Who is helping you cultivate your yet? Who are you allowing to speak into it? Who are you following? Are you allowing negativity? This matters. We don’t have the power to change a lot of things that happen to us, but we do have the power to choose who speaks life and truth to us.

We see in the very next verses that God creates man from dust. He chose the simplest particle to make the most complex organism. In some cases, He does the same for us. He can use the small things to produce the big things. The lesson is to use the small things He gives you now as you actively anticipate the yet.

There is a secret to living in the a season of not yet. It’s called contentment and gratitude. I joke all the time that I am living in my bus driver era. But the truth is, my time with all 3 kiddos in the car on the way to school will not last. We like to rush through life trying to get to the next best season. But if we live like that, we will miss the good things. If we’re not careful, we can miss the gifts that God has entrusted us with today looking for the yet in our life.

Being content is a skill that you learn. It’s not something that comes naturally. It’s something you choose to do and choose to be. Each day we are given is precious. And listen…  contentment is not a choice to dismiss your desires or silence your future aspirations. Contentment is choosing to put them in their rightful, humble place. You enjoy life now with hopeful anticipation of what’s to come.

I want to give you a picture of what anticipation and hope in the not yet looks like. There is a longing in our hearts. It’s not there for us agonize over things of this world. It’s there to point us to eternity. The yet I am sure of is the promise of heaven for believers.

Meditate on one of my favorite verses from Revelation.

“Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look Gods dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more, grief crying and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3

“There is a secret to living in a season of not yet. It’s called contentment and gratitude. ”

The Olympic Challenge of Unity

I love the Olympics! I love it so much that usually I shed a tear or two while watching. It probably has something to do with my love for sports and all the passion that surrounds it. I remember watching Kerry Strug and her epic vault in the 1996 Olympics. She was already injured, but in order to win the Olympic gold medal she had to vault one more time. She ran full speed and then she performed her vault skill that included fulls and flips. She stuck the landing on one foot. I cried.

Moving into the 2000s, I watched Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt break barriers we didn’t even know existed. I cried.

The 2021 Olympics gave us something to hope for as we longed for something normal in the wake of COVID. I cried with gratitude.

4 days into the Olympics I have already shed tears watching Caeleb Dressel give his hard earned gold medal to a young swimmer. By the way, they both cried too. I also watched the amazing gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik help his team win the bronze medal. My husband and I were actually watching him and thinking he was the water boy, and then he left everyone in awe — tears.

Do you have Olympic memories like this? As a family we gathered around the tv and cheered for our country and all the athletes. The kids have started the “U.S.A.” chant every evening.

I admire the athletes and the sacrifices they make for their country. The stories of perseverance, legacy, and passion fuel my love for the games. For a few weeks we watch the entire world come together for a common purpose. If you think about it, not much else in the world has the ability to do this. At the heart of the games is unity. As Americans we have an opportunity to come together for something bigger than politics (thank you Jesus!). I fear we have gotten really good at being divided country. I truly don’t know how we got here, but I do know we can do something about it!

I’m not giving you another opinion, I’m issuing a challenge. Consider this your Olympic challenge of unity. Can we unite for the sake of others? Can we show the world that we still are the United States of America? Let’s go to Hebrews 12:1 to receive this challenge through Scripture.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1

“Great cloud of witness”

This is referring to the hall of fame patriarchs mentioned in Hebrews 11. These women and men of God serve as a witness and encouragement to us and I believe they are literally cheering you on. Woah, this gives me a little extra motivation knowing that God takes so much care in our encouragement. Can we be a great cloud of witnesses for our country? Can we encourage and cheer each other on? I know we are not angels or patriarchs of faith, but we can take a page from their book for the sake of unity. I challenge us to be a positive and unifying force to all those who may witness your reactions to the games. You have spectators in your home, your work, and your church. Show them what Christians actually stand for.

“Lay aside every weight and the sin that entangles you.”

It’s so easy for Christians to see the sin. We are taught to recognize it, but our knowledge of sin shouldn’t be used to condemn others. That’s not our job. Our knowledge of sin should be used for our own repentance. To run this race we need to throw off the sin that entangles you — not the republican or democrat or any other person you don’t agree with.

Did you know that Olympic runners used to tie weights to their feet and train with them? And then before the big race, they would literally toss those weights to the side. What do you think happened? They were faster, more effective, and their endurance was able to withstand more. I actually remember doing this for dance team back in the day. We had ankle weights we would practice high kicks with. When we threw them aside, our kicks hit our face and were effortless! Your weights don’t have to be sin, it can be anything that hinders you. The most debilitating thing we can do is contribute to the division of our country during a unifying world event like the Olympics.

“The race marked out for us.”

You don’t have to be an Olympian to run a race. As Christians, we all have a race to run. We run a race of service, love, suffering, and obedience, just to name a few. It takes patience and perseverance to run the Christian race in the world today. It also takes compassion and grace. Our race is a difficult one. Lucky for us we have inspiration and a perfect example. We need to be:

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

This challenge is not for the faint of heart. It’s only for true Olympians. I’m also not telling that as Christians we shouldn’t stand up for what we believe — we should. But I want to challenge you to think about these questions in our pursuit of unity. I believe this will help you handle potentially divisive situations.

How would Jesus handle this?

Is the Holy Spirit directing me or am I being lead by my emotions?

Is my response contributing to division or peace?

I can’t wait to see the rest of the Olympic Games. I hope for more inspirational stories. Gather your family and friends, focus on unity, and make memories as you watch history unfold.

“The most debilitating thing we can do is contribute to the division, of our country during a unifying world event like the Olympics. ”

Dear Lord, Please Help Me Be a Good Summer Momma

This is the prayer I have been praying every morning. Like most families, we are still adjusting to what summer life and schedules look like. I truly do look forward to the summer season, but just like any other season, there are challenges. I don’t know about your house, but mine is pretty noisy these days. I play the role of a bus driver (yes…even in the summer), a referee of fights…lots of fights, a chef for 3 meals a day 🤣 (not a very good one might I add), a swim instructor, a PE coach, an art teacher…. All in the name of keeping them busy.

For those of you that homeschool your children…. Bless you. How do you do it? I welcome your advice. For those who are stay at home mommas, I admire you. Everyday is summer momma day for you. For those of you that go to an office everyday and have to drop your babies at camp, day care, or babysitters…. The summer kid shuffle must be a challenge. And then there are the empty nesters. Summer may bring back so many memories for you. Then there are a few of us that work from home and are brave enough to attempt to keep the kids busy, fed, and happy while answering emails, taking calls, all while maintaining patience and a smile (ok - so the smile may not happen). And who am I kidding? Patience goes out the window… No matter what your summer challenge is, being a summer momma is hard.

How can we draw energy and peace from God during this season? Does He have some sweet comfort for us? I believe He does. Here is what He’s pressed upon my heart:

The Comfort

First, if you’re even concerned about being a “good” summer momma, rest assured that you already are. Your sheer concern shows genuine love for your children. You are already a good one…. I promise. Are the days peaceful and calm? Probably not. But that doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong. Being a good summer momma is learning to accept a little bit of chaos as a season not a permanent reality. In the chaos, we are to draw near to order. Allow God to be the order and consistency in your life. Also, take some pressure off yourself. Some days you will feel like you win the mom award and other days feel like you lost. I saw a quote the other day that said, “Winners are just really good losers.” It’s so true. When you lose the day, you learn, you adjust, and you try again the next day. That’s all God wants from us.

Expectations

We all want a joy-filled summer for our kids, but let’s face it…. Making them happy 100% of the time is impossible. That is an unrealistic summer expectation. And there are so many times where those expectations can truly steal our joy. You also need to know that our kids give us new mercies every day just like God does. End the day with a question that steers their mind to something positive. I ask my kids almost everyday, “What was your favorite part of the day?” They always have an answer and I consider that a win.

Phone a friend

Seriously… find a friend in your same summer situation and bring her and her kids in. A few weeks ago, I had another work from home momma come over with her kids. We gave them some ground rules while we worked and they played. It was a breath of fresh air, and the kids loved it. Summer can be an excuse to pull away from your Christian community. Don’t get caught in that trap. We still need our people!!! Don’t let summer take you away from your community (especially your church community).

You must have quiet time.

I know that sounds so trivial and the “Sunday School Answer”, but you must. Your souls needs it. Your sanity needs it. Your heart needs it. I have a noticeable peace when I commune with God first thing in the morning. I truly must draw peace from His Word. My kids have started asking me, “Mom, have you done your Bible time yet?” THEY notice when I don’t and then call me out. 🤣

Embrace the Season

I do see the summers dwindling before my eyes. We are down to 9 summers with the high probability that all 3 kids will be at home all summer long. That’s not that many in the grand scheme of things. I know God wants to teach me contentment even in the busy seasons. This won’t last forever. Before we know it, we will be shuffling kids to school, then to all of the after school activities, weekend games, and events. I’m going to hold on to these next few weeks and fully embrace all the comes with it.

As I’m sure you noticed, this blog was more of an encouragement than Biblical lesson. But I know that’s what you need as we approach the half-way mark of summer. Hang in there summer mommas. Rest assured that you are a good one! Praying you have the best perspective the next few weeks.

Dear Lord,

First, thank you for the summer season. Thank you for the chance to spend more time with the kids. I pray for all the mommas trying to do it all and be it all for their families this summer. Give us peace to know that we are doing a good job at all of the multi-tasking. Help us draw on your order when things feel so chaotic. Don’t let us pull away from community. Keep our expectations and faith grounded so that we can fully embrace each day with a fresh and loving spirit. In your name we pray - Amen.

You got this momma!!

Where is God Taking You?

My oldest Aly has been taking care of this flower for about 3 weeks now. She first had it in a cup in her room. She watered it each day and made sure it had enough light. She then transplanted it into our flower bed, carefully digging the hole and then covering it with pine straw. But over time this poor flower has started to die. And Aly really doesn’t understand why this thing she has labored over is not surviving. To make matters worse, there are a few wildflowers that popped up around it…. Flowers she didn’t take care of.

I attempted to be super spiritual in my explanation that God had a plan for this flower and sometimes we need to sit back and let Him work instead of trying to do it all ourselves. She kind of looked at me like….this is weird mom. And then I realized this lesson wasn’t for her…. It was for me.

I have recently taken a deep dive into Deuteronomy. And it is quickly becoming one of my favorite books of the Bible. Most of this book is a reminder of the law and covenant God made with the Israelites. God continually reminds them about their blessings, the promised land of inheritance, and how to follow His commands.

The other day I came across this verse and it stopped me in my tracks.

“For the land you are entering to possess is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and irrigated by hand as in a vegetable garden. But the land you are entering to possess is a land of mountains and valleys, watered by rain from the sky. It is a land the Lord your God cared for. He is always watching over it from the beginning to the end of the year.” Deuteronomy 11:10-12

Have you ever asked God, “Where are you taking me? What are you doing with my life? Why must I wait Lord?”

If you have asked any of these questions recently, maybe you find yourself in a cross roads. Or maybe you have been surprised by circumstances and wonder what God is stirring up? Or maybe you are tired and need a place to rest spiritually, mentally, and physically. Me? I have a vision for the future, but the path is not there…. So I ask all the time…."God what are you doing here? Where are you taking me?”

I’m going to encourage you through this scripture today.

Where is God taking you?

He is taking you to already sowed soil.

He took the Israelites out of Egypt, a land of labor and slavery, and into rest. He wishes to do the same for us. There are some things we are meant to sow, irrigate, and care for (my children come to mind). But then there are things God wants to provide for us. He will irrigate it with rain. He will provide the seed already sowed. God will do the labor. I can see God shaking His head and saying “Amanda quit trying to sow your own seeds. I will do that.” Where are you tempted to sow the soil or irrigate the land that God is already working on?

He is taking you a place God has “cared for.”

He has been building this place, this circumstance, this idea for you for a long time. If you are asking the questions, then rest in the fact that He is building it for you. He is caring for it and at the perfect and ripe time, the land will be ready for you to enter. He cares about your questions, your path, and the place or circumstance He is preparing for you. Your questions are welcome in His presence and they don’t fall on deaf ears. He started caring for the place long before we even asked the question. I encourage you to have faith in God caring for you and your future. He provides strength for us, and the source of that strength is trust (Isaiah 40:31).

He is taking you to a place that has been carefully watched over specifically for you.

God is so specific. He is not a one size fits all type of God. It’s one of His unique characteristics. He is watching over you and all future situations as He prepares it for you. And he will continue to watch over it - day and night, beginning to end.

All of this gives me so much peace. And that was the purpose of these scriptures. Moses gave these words to the Israelites as they were preparing to enter the promised land. He is reminding them of how even in the wilderness, God was carefully watching over the land, caring for it, sending rain, enriching the soil, sowing the seeds for them. It was all in preparation for them to enter and rest and enjoy at the perfect time.

I also don’t want to mislead you into thinking that everything is going to work out just like you envision it. It’s probably not… because our vision and what we see is so limited compared to what God sees.

So many times I’ve had a plan. Watched it fail. And then realized He had a plan. As I watched His plan unfold, I recognized His way was better…. Better than what I could have imagined. So that’s what I choose to hold on to. I am not all-knowing, but I know enough about our God to know that His ways are better than mine.

May this be a reminder to you in whatever cross roads or wilderness journey you feel you are on. God is caring for, watching over, sowing, and laboring ….. He is preparing the place He is sending you and has been from beginning to end.

“I am not all-knowing, but I know enough about our God to know His ways are better than mine. ”

The Saltworks Story

We have another feature blogger this week! I met Hallie last year at a conference we were working. Fast forward to 2024, and we are both planning to speak at the Ignite Women’s Conference in Alexandria in August. Enjoy her encouragement this week. - Amanda

By Hallie Dye

There’s a reason I have a drawing of Peter walking out to Jesus on the water behind my desk at my office. There are so many parts of that story that resonate with me deeply. The way Peter desires ultimately to walk with Jesus where he walks—and even refuses to step out should the Lord not call him. The way he takes a number of steps in strong faith—putting his full belief in the One who commands the seas. The way he shifts his eyes to where his own two feet dare to stand. The feeling of the panic setting in when he realizes what he’s dared to believe—dared to attempt. When his heart and feet sink when he sees the wind and waves he’s up against. When he falters and sputters in unbelief, calling out to the only who can save him—the very God who had called him to stand right where he is.  

That story first became a powerful reminder when I finished my first draft of my book years ago and then spoke for the first time shortly after. Neither were things I’d ever planned or considered, and the same could be said for my podcast the Saltworks. I’m not sure exactly what I thought happened from the moment someone went from being at their home to standing on a stage or what occurred between someone typing the first sentence and becoming a published author. I guess if you’d have pressed me for an answer, I would have said you had to be asked to stand in any of these places. I’ve found that to be undeniably true—just not by man nor the world. 

My book began in the notes on my phone sitting on my bed after a long day of quarantine with three small children at home. My speaking began with a text from a friend to see if I’d be willing to speak at a women’s event coming up. My podcast began when I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to share the story of a local ministry that was just getting started. When listed out, all of these seem random, yet none of them I could have completed nor endured on my own. All have come at the calling of the Lord—and all I have doubted over and over, choosing to stare often at the audacity of where my unqualified feet have dared to stand. 

When Jesus gets Peter safely back into the boat, he asks him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” I’ve often felt compelled to come to Peter’s defense here, because I have no doubt that Jesus is able—I only doubt myself. However, one thing we say often on the Saltworks is, “when you doubt the calling, you’re really doubting the Caller.” Because we aren’t necessarily doubting if God is good—we are often asking will he be good to me? Has he called me out here to fail? 

The reason Peter’s story is such a beautiful reminder is because it is a physical snapshot of a person doing what is humanly impossible—of doing what Peter should not be able to do, and yet he is called to it. What we learn here is that when God calls us to do something, he will sustain both the calling and the called. He will both lead us and hold us up. We should not be able, and on our own, we aren’t. Yet, like Peter and the other disciples in the boat, the places we most encounter our own limitations are the very places we encounter just how able Jesus is. 

The Saltworks podcast has been a place where I have walked this out the most (pun intended). I fell in love with listening to podcasts years ago when I was staying home with babies and would turn on a podcast during nap time while I was doing other chores. It was a season of long days doing work that felt mundane and unseen, and I quickly realized the uncanny ability podcasts held to make one feel seen right in their own living rooms folding laundry or driving in their cars. How they can make the listener feel like they’re not just listening, but that they’re too a part of the conversation—that they have a place at the table. I can personally attest to how with one simple phrase, through the work of the Holy Spirit, they can change a life one degree at a time. 

I love all kinds of faith-based podcasts, but my favorites are interview based and are often planned around books launching, music tours, and the like. These conversations are so powerful, because it is so evident how much time and prayer those sharing have put into each of their crafts. But it also made me think at times: what about the people like me? What about the people who are doing the work behind closed doors, following one step at a time, living out their callings where no one sees?

The word ‘saltworks’ is a word which can literally mean a place where salt is refined, and it can also be a slang term for jobs viewed as drudgery. Each of us is the salt of the earth—placed in our specific corners of the world to bring the hope of Jesus into the lives of others and to be refined as we walk daily with him. And much of our stories can feel like that: drudgery or mundane. Yet not a single part of our lives lack purpose when we live for the Lord, because God works in the Saltworks. It’s the place that we all walk regardless of what our calling is, what we’ve experienced, endured, faced, or overcome. It’s the miracles, big and small, the battles fought, the grief experienced, the love found, the overcoming and becoming that happens each and every day right around us. It’s the stories untold of so many faithful people seeking to find and follow this same faithful God. The Bible is full of these people, and they live right next door to you. The Saltworks are their stories, and it’s my honor—however undeserving that may be—to share them with you. 

Like Peter, I have questioned what I’m doing and where I’m standing. Like Peter, I may not be qualified, but I do feel called, and I will continue to walk and fix my eyes over and over on the One who has called me—the same God who calls you. I will commit to remember hour by hour and minute by minute if necessary that the Lord who calls us really does hold it all. Like Peter, I won’t always do this well—and that’s okay. The truth is, out of self-doubt, Peter did fall. And there was immense grace and purpose in that. Because in his failing, he was reminded who was holding the wind, the waves, and Peter himself. Yes, Peter fell, but he did not drown. He was reminded that the Lord is just as sovereign in the storm as he is in the safety of the boat. He was reminded that Jesus holds just as much authority in the face of chaos as he does in calm waters.

I can’t help but think we need that same reminder today. He has a plan no matter what our circumstances may say. I may not know what the Lord holds for me or the Saltworks, but I know I’m going to follow him for the duration however he wants to use it. He really is our Good Shepherd, and He really will be faithful to us. He doesn’t need us to be all powerful because He is. He doesn’t need us to be able because He is. He doesn’t need us to be strong because He is. He just needs us to be faithful. With our eyes set on him and with the encouragement of those walking alongside us, I believe we can do just that no matter the walk set before us. Spend time with the Lord today and ask yourself: where are you feeling compelled to step today? The same God that held Peter holds you too.

Amanda here… Hallie didn’t know this, but this particular story of Peter is one of my favorites. There is so much to be gleaned from this story. It is my honest prayer to help people step into their calling with bold faith! Praying for you!

“Like Peter, I may not be qualified, but I do fee called, and I will continue to walk and fix my eyes over and over on the One who has called me - the same God who calls you. ”

Protecting the Fruit

One of my favorite things to do is encourage others to use their voice for the benefit of the Gospel. Alarie is one of those sweet friends that I love to encourage. She is a momma to 3 boys, and they keep her hopping. Enjoy our guest blogger this week, Alarie Warren.

Until about four years ago, I had never been exposed to fruit trees. When we moved, we found out we had 2 in our backyard. A pear tree and a fig tree. With our pear tree, we've only gotten 2 pears total even though it produces every year. Those 2 pears were amazing. There is nothing better than fruit straight from the source. Guess who else loved the pears…..The squirrels and the birds. They eat them all before they're ripe. While I'd love to "shoo" away all the animals and have the pears for myself, there isn't really a good way to do that. So we've given up on the pear tree and decided that fruit is better suited for those it benefits most. This reminds me of how often we want to keep all of God's goodness and our gifts to ourselves, just like we wanted to keep all the pears. But we're not called to do that. We're called to share Him and His goodness with everyone. How can we glorify God if we keep our gifts and talents to ourselves? I mean, He gave them to us! I once heard someone say, "Joy multiplies when it's shared, but burdens are divided." By sharing our gifts, we can be the joy someone needs to see or hear! So share the miracles. Share the good things. Share the things that weren't so good but He brought you through to the other side even better than you were before. Share the burdens. 

Wait, we're talking about good things here; not burdens, right? Let's dive into that, actually. There are burdens in our life that also need to be removed.

Let’s talk about the fig tree. It's big and the fresh figs are so yummy. My boys love to pick them and eat them straight from the tree! This beautiful tree has been declining over the last few years, though. At first, we weren't sure why. After some research and observation, we found that some of the old branches that hadn't produced in years were taking in the same nutrients as the newer, more productive branches. They had become a burden to the tree and needed to be removed, or pruned, to allow for new growth. Much like in our own lives, we have to remove things that are hindering our growth and hurting our fruit. That can mean spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational. Sometimes, it isn’t necessarily an old habit or person keeping us from “being our best self”. Sometimes, it can be really good things; good fruit. Did you know, when you have a young plant, it is often encouraged to remove the first fruits? You can certainly leave them there and they’ll be fine, but the rest of the plant will eventually suffer. However, if you remove them, more nutrients can make their way to the rest of the plant. This develops deeper roots, and it better equips the plant to withstand the elements. I call this “protecting the fruit.” Did you know God does the same thing for us? 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.” John 15:1-2. 

What are the “fruits” in your life that need the most protection? What are the things that need to be pruned?

I encourage you to read the rest of John 15 and really soak it all in. Let His words pour into your mind and nourish your soul. Ask yourself these questions this week and ask God to reveal the answers to you. And don’t forget to share your gifts with others and be the light!

Love, Alarie

Amanda here… Man this is so good! We need to protect the fruit just as much as we need to share it. Thank you Alarie for this wonderful word today!

“What are the fruits in your life that need the most protection? ”

How to Be Still

My middle child, Sadie, used to have the hardest time going to sleep. When she was a toddler it was difficult to get her still. There were so many other things she wanted to do other than rest. She would toss and turn to keep herself awake. The only way I could get her to finally rest is to literally put my hands on her and apply some slight slight pressure. I don’t know why, but this would immediately still her so she could go to sleep. Do any of you have a child like that?

This was how I got her to relax and truly rest. God wants rest for us too. I have recently been reading Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers. They are some of the harder books of the Bible to digest, but there is one thing that keeps coming up! It was God’s command for Sabbath and rest. It was (and still is) so important to Him that His people rested. He mentions it over and over again throughout these books of the Bible. I think we struggle to rest because we struggle to be still. And I don’t know about you, but this time of year is filled with busyness. Who has time to rest or be still??? I want to challenge you to be still this week. We need to allow God to place His hands on us so that we find rest for our soul.

For some, they have an innate ability to shut their mind off and enjoy stillness and peace. I do not fall into this category. Stillness is totally a struggle of mine (so I guess Sadie gets this from me?). Unfortunately, I haven’t found anyone that can pull the same trick that worked for Sadie all those years ago…. But what if we ask God to lay His hands on us so that we can be still in His presence?  I’ve set out to find a few things that create an environment of stillness. This has helped me and maybe it will help you!

1. Start your stillness with thankfulness. Through thankfulness we get in a spirit of exalting God for who He is and what He has done for us. Approaching your stillness with a thankful heart will allow your mind to ease into a state of reverence.

2. Approach God with humility. We talk about having humility with one another, but what about with God? One mistake I made in approaching stillness with God, was a “me” type attitude. I was praying things like “Lord, show ME something today” and “Who do I need to encourage?” There was nothing wrong with what I was asking God in those moments. But my questions for God all had to do with expecting something in return… not truly approaching Him with humility and a servant heart. Come to God with a humble spirit and focus on Him. We don’t need to have an agenda for God while trying to create an environment for stillness.

3. Approach Him with weakness. Yep weakness. One of my favorite verses is Exodus 14:10, “The Lord will fight for you, you only need to be still.” Part of being still is realizing our human flesh is weak and that we can’t do it all ourselves. The act of becoming weak is realizing that for that moment we are not the strong one - God is. Stillness involves letting go and letting God fight for you.

4. Start a timer. This is super practice and I almost didn’t include this because it seems so simple. But just like any other spiritual discipline, this needs to be practiced. Set a timer for 5 minutes. See if you can be still and focus on God for just 5 minutes. Then, you can work your way up to 10. We aren’t going to get it right the first time or probably the second time. Don’t give up on it, even if it feels awkward!

5. If none of this works…. Just worship Him. That’s truly all He wants from us. It’s one of the very reasons we were created (Psalm 150). Turn on your favorite worship song, blast it in your ears and close your eyes.

Remember, we are creating an environment for stillness and rest. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get it right. There is no “right” way of being still. You find what works for you, and then you practice. I’m practicing with you this week!

“The act of becoming weak is realizing that for that moment we are not the strong one - God is. ”

Seeing God in Your Business

I recently participated in the 2024 Women’s Symposium. It’s an event in Monroe that celebrates women and their personal and professional stories. The topic I was able to discuss was Sisterhood and Solidarity: Mentorship in the Workplace. It was truly so fun (thanks Melissa Baldwin!!!) But when I was first approached about this topic, I was a little nervous. Not that I don’t have anything to say - I do! But I’ve become so accustom to using scripture as my guide when speaking. How do I come up with good content in this non-church setting? This audience would be different. I didn’t know if they would be believers and if talking about my faith would be polarizing. I just had a ton of questions about how I do this well. Not everyone in our realm of business wants to hear what the Bible says.

Maybe you find yourself in a business setting and you wonder where your faith fits in. Or how you live in a business environment and point people to Christ without beating them over the head with a Bible (most work places don’t allow that by the way ha!)? Don’t get me wrong, I still use scripture in my job to guide me, but it’s a delicate balance. There are HR rules in place to maintain that balance. How do we point people to Christ through the way we conduct business? I’ll share a little bit about what I’ve learned and what God is still teaching me:

1. God is in the business of people. Luke 9:16 says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It’s the golden rule. Love your neighbor. Love the cubical next to you and pause before reacting. I like to remind myself that people come first and profit is always second. God has always blessed that mindset.

2. God is in the business of encouragement. What you say and how you say it matters. We are either building people up or knocking them down. There is no in-between. James 3:6 says, “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell”. EEEK! This scripture always gives me a reality check. We are in charge or developing the people around us, challenging them in a way that produces growth. Challenge doesn’t mean discourage. You can challenge and encourage at the same time.

3. God is in the business of order. Have you ever been faced with tough business decisions? Which option is the most peaceable? Which decision is more Christ-like? I think the most challenging and telling thing is how Christians react when things are out of order. Our reactions to chaos can point people to Christ.

So can business and faith come together? Absolutely, they can! Did you know that some of the first business practices are listed in Leviticus? The Bible can be your guide in how you conduct business.  Sometimes it’s easy for us to separate business and religion, especially when there are company laws that keep them separate. But we can include God’s Word into business and gently guide people in biblical principles while maintaining acceptable relationships.

God gave me so much to hold on to this past week! I’ll let you in on a secret… I did use the Bible as my guide for the Women’s Symposium. But God gave me guidance to share it in a strategic way. I was blessed in the most incredible way after my segment was done. A sweet lady walked up to me and she said, “I see Jesus.” That was it. That’s all she said, but God knew I needed to hear that because that was the mission - to show people what Jesus looks like without even saying His name.

God is in the business of using our faith in every setting….maybe ESPECIALLY the non-church settings. I want to challenge you: Let people see Jesus in you without saying His name. Walk into the non-church setting with beaming faith and joy that is unmatched with anything the world can provide. I dare you!

“that was the mission - to show people what Jesus looks like without even saying His name. ”

Let Your Praise Rattle Your Fear

I find myself wanting to go back these moments in this photo. A few weeks ago 900 ladies came together in worship and testimony at Champions of Faith. I love music. Well… let me rephrase. I love praise and worship music (2000’s boy bands are a close second). I feel something when worship music is playing. In the face of fear or trying circumstances, it helps me remember this world is temporary. This is not our home. Our home is with our Savior, and it will be amazing one day.

On this night of worship, our praise shook the rafters. It was an incredibly humbling experience. I have no doubt that many ladies walked through the door with fear in their hearts, but left with joy and confidence that God is good and He is working all things according to His plan for His glory.

There were many contributing factors to the new-found joy these ladies experienced that night. One of the most prominent factors was the worship. Did you know that your praise can rattle your fear? Here’s how:

1. Worship lifts our eyes. For a few moments we focus on our Savior. We take the attention and focus off of us and onto perfection. Worship is not about us. It’s the script-flip we need to turn our hearts and minds from fear to joy. Aly Taylor (one of our Champions of Faith speakers) talked about how impactful worship can be even when our circumstances make it hard to “feel”. She said that the truest form of worship happens when we don’t feel like worshipping at all. While our circumstances might not change, we are reminded that joy is found in Jesus - not a circumstance.

2. Worship points to what we will do in Heaven one day. In Revelation Chapter 7, scripture talks about the great multitude in Heaven worshiping. Worship is one of the few things we can do on Earth and also in Heaven. Let’s get good at it….because we will do it for eternity. Pointing my thoughts toward Heaven remind me that fear is no match for what Jesus did on the cross. And what He did will allow me to spend eternity with Him.

3. Worship reminds us of the truth. Do you know what fear actually is? Fear is a lie that the enemy feeds you about God. Think about it….. What do you fear? I fear for my children sometimes and the world they are growing up in. The lie the enemy is trying to get me to believe is that God will not provide for my children. Go ahead and try it for yourself. What lie is the enemy trying to get you to believe about God? The only way to combat a lie is to fill your mind with truth. I want to live in truth. But to live in truth - we must know the truth. Scripture and worship are both packed with the ammo we need to fight the lies of the enemy.

I want to leave you with some truth today. You don’t need more of my words. You (we) need The Word. I pray this Psalm gives you peace and joy today.

Psalm 34:1-9

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD and he answered me; he delivered my from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

The poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.

“You don’t need anymore of my words. You (we) need The Word. ”

Showing Our Children How to Love God & Others

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Happy Valentine’s Day! I thought this message would fit perfectly into the day of love! This is one of my favorite verses. It’s such a tender yet, demanding command that Moses gave the Israelites not long before they entered the land God had promised them. It’s one of the central themes in Deuteronomy. We are to love God, think often about His commands in our daily life, and perhaps the most important part — repeat them to our children.

I have recently been challenging myself as a mom to find new ways to show my children the love of Jesus. I remember when they were very little, all I desired was a few minutes of quiet time… Just me and Jesus. It would often get interrupted, and it would leave me frustrated. But now I am in a new mindset. I look at the years ahead and know that my never-quiet house has an expiration date. Our kids will grow up. We have 9 more years of a full house before the oldest turns 18. 9 more years of loud. 9 more years of interruptions. 9 more years of everyone under one roof.

Ugh… That’s hard to even type. In fact, you didn’t see this through the screen…. But there was a 10 minute pause and a tear before I continued this blog.

Ok… let’s move on…. Please! :) So… I have 9 years to impart all of the knowledge, wisdom, love, and understanding I have for Jesus and His Word. It’s a mission and a responsibility. One way we can do this is to involve our children in the work God has called us to. It’s something I have tried to keep top of mind. I want my kids to see me read God’s Word. I want them to pray with me, but I want them to see action too.

This photo of Sadie is her helping me get ready for Champions of Faith. She was so excited to help and do a “big girl” job. It opened the door for all kinds of questions: What are you doing mom? Why are you doing this? What does faith mean? Can you show me faith? Can I help you?…. And then the best statement: “This is fun!”

Loving Jesus is FUN! Getting to serve is fun! I want to show them that love is not merely read on a page. It is shown and learned through action. Yes, I want my children to love God’s Word. But I also want them to love people and serving. I want them to be a part of whatever Kingdom work I am doing. It’s a promise I have made to God and to them.

I want to challenge you this week. How can you involve your family in what you are doing for God? Take them with you. Show them what the Gospel looks like. Make it fun. Give them a task and a purpose. I read somewhere long ago that we should be praying for our children to have a greater ministry impact than we do. It is a prayer I have for my children. I want them to carry my mission to places I could never reach, but we must show them how. We must show them that our love for God is easily displayed by loving others well.

“Show them what the Gospel looks like.”

The Game of Distractions

Ok, so it’s Super Bowl weekend. Who you got winning the game? Taylor Swift or the other team? 🤣 Me, personally…. My money is on the half time show. Usher will win and I will get up and dance to “Yeah!”.

My 7 year old LOVES Taylor Swift! She over heard us talking about the Super Bowl and her only comment was that she hopes Taylor’s boyfriend wins the game! As her mom, I’ve got to do better in teaching her what the Super Bowl is actually about. Everyone knows it’s about the commercials.

Man…It is so easy for us to get distracted…..

Let’s shift quickly to that one time the disciples got distracted.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And He said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’ ” Matthew 18:1-5

The disciples had a moment of weakness. They became preoccupied with a ranking system and completely lost sight of their purpose. We can do this too. It’s so easy to place your focus and attention on status or promotion. Our flesh is weak, and society pressures make it near impossible to have a pure heart. But I believe in you! These 3 quick tips can help us shift our mind when the pressure to be the best causes us to lose our focus. We must be like children.

1. Children are dependent. My 7 year old is depending on me to teach her about the Super Bowl… not Taylor Swift :) But seriously… our children depend on us for everything. We must depend on God for everything. The second we think we can do it ourselves is when destruction follows. What is distracting you from depending on God?

2. Children take the “lowly” position. In this day and time, children and women were the lowest class in society. I think about Jesus and how He came to serve with a humble heart. Even in positions of leadership, we can be servant leaders. Jesus gave us the perfect example of this in the way He lived.

3. Children are trusting. They trust those that take care of them and follow. I think our biggest distraction is a lack of trust. We start to depend on our own strength the moment we question what God is doing in our lives. That’s the perfect formula for losing our perspective and purpose.

Use these three tips when you feel that moment of weakness come upon you…. Because we are human. I do hope you have fun watching Usher this weekend…. I mean the game :) !

“The second we think we can do it ourselves is when destruction follows.”

A Call to Action

I love encouraging you! I do! I love God’s Word and love presenting it to people in a practical way. Some very special people did that for me, and it’s my desire to do that for you. BUT…. If I’ve just given you a “good word”, then I haven’t done my job.

Words are good, but I want to drive you to action. I want you to be a doer of the word. Today is a call to action. It is a chance for you to move, and I’m praying you take it.

I’ve arranged marriages for several of my children 🤣. Perhaps the strongest of arrangements is between precious Nora Kay and my youngest, Joey. They are a match made in heaven. They are spunky, funny, and when they get together -  they just giggle.  Nora Kay already calls my husband her “father in awe”….. yes…. I said awe! Lol.

Today is for her.

Today is for her family.

I usually have a plethora of topics in my mind each week and have a hard time choosing what to write about. But today was abundantly clear that I just needed to rally the troops for our sweet Nora Kay. Today is transplant day. It is such a huge and important day for this family.

Your call to action:

1. Kneel in prayer. I want you to actually bow. Find a closet. Hide in the bathroom (that’s sometimes my only peace 🤣). Do whatever it takes. Bow before God and humbly ask Him to heal her through the bone marrow she will receive today. There’s something very reverent about physically kneeling before God and presenting your deepest desires. If you live in the Monroe/West Monroe area, Fair Park Baptist is open all day (7am-4pm) for those that want to come and kneel. Go to the Pray for Nora Kay Facebook page and pray over all the requests that have been posted.

2. Sacrifice. What can you sacrifice today? I think about Nora Kay’s dad who is the bone marrow donor. He is making a sacrifice. No doubt…. All of us would do the same for our kids but it’s still a sacrifice. This is a painful journey for him and he needs our prayers too. I am reminded of Jesus’ sacrifice as well. His sacrifice healed us. I’m not asking you to inflict pain on yourself. But what can you sacrifice today in their honor? Time? Food? An offering? Sacrificing is holy and still very relevant.

3. Talk about your faith. Tell someone about how much you love Jesus. Tell someone what He did for you. There is power in speaking your faith. Mallory and Bryn have been so vocal about their faith throughout this whole journey. They leave sprinkles of Jesus in every room, with every doctor, and through every encounter. Do this in honor of them. Make yourself ready to talk about what God is going to do through sweet Nora Kay.

Will you do these things with me today? Pray, Sacrifice, and make yourself ready to proclaim the good news!

“If I’ve just given you a good word, then I haven’t done my job. ”

Stuck

I have a group of girl friends that I am truly so blessed to have! We started out as a disciple group in 2021 and now we are basically just life BFFs! God brought us together through scripture and we developed incredibly deep connections. Our group has been beside one another through the lowest of lows and highest of miracles. God has taught me so much about faith through these women. We keep in constant contact. We share what God is teaching us and when we need prayers. A few weeks ago my friend Alarie Warren shared some thoughts with our group. My response was, “Oh hey! This is a great blog post. Send it to me :)”

Crickets…… And probably an eye roll from Alarie. But I am proud of her. She leads us in this blog post today and I know you will identify with it! Thank you Alarie. Enjoy!

Stuck

By Alarie Warren

“You're not stuck, you're just not willing to move.”

That was my response to my youngest when he claimed that he couldn't get out of my chair because he was "stuck". Truth is, he crawled right into that spot. He wanted to sit with me, but there wasn't room. So, he decided to wedge himself between me and the chair. But he wasn't, in fact, stuck. He just wasn't willing to move.

And right then, God spoke to me. It wasn't, "Hey Alarie, listen up!" It was through an everyday interaction with one of my boys. He's always doing that; letting my kids teach me more about Him than I often learn on my own. What I learned in that moment was sometimes we feel stuck in situations and mindsets that may seem out of our control (me being overwhelmed with the clutter in my house), but instead of doing something about it, we hope that God makes it go away or, dare I say, “opens a door” for us. He’s not going to make my clutter disappear. I made the clutter, I've gotta get rid of it. I've got to be willing to move.

How many times do we sit in the midst of the clutter in our lives thinking, "If God would just get me out of this, then I could get ahead." or "If God would find me a job, then I could pay someone to get rid of my clutter." (I totally haven't said that before...) Oftentimes, we don't see ourselves as the culprit because acknowledging that tends to hurt. Putting your pride aside sometimes hurts. Decluttering can hurt. However, if we aren't willing to at least take a few steps forward, we'll always feel stuck…always helpless and overwhelmed. Have you ever completed a task and thought, "Wow, I feel so stuck and overwhelmed that my task is finished." Probably not. If I had to bet, you were probably feeling some serious relief.

One of my favorite things to do is check things off my to-do list. I write everything down. Literally everything:

·         Eat breakfast

·         Take vitamins

·         Drink water

·         Put clothes in washing machine

·         Drink more water

·         Put clothes in dryer

·         Fold clothes--not today

You see what I mean? It's one of my favorite "life hacks." Now, do I always check everything off? No, but I try. The key to feeling productive is actually doing the things that are productive. Don’t let fear or anything else keep you from moving.

In Job 1:7, God asked Satan where he came from; not because He didn't know. He knew. He asked because he knew Satan was up to no good. Satan's response was, "going to and fro on the earth, and walking back and forth on it." He was wandering around with the sole purpose of causing chaos. When we "sit in the stuck", we are giving the enemy the front row seat to our emotions and our mindset. He is the most successful opportunist in history and his whole agenda is based on waiting and wondering when we'll be vulnerable enough to get into our heads.

But I have good news. Great news, actually!

Our God is not the God of overwhelm, confusion, anxiety, or "stuck." He is our helper and He's already gone before us!

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

So let’s all pledge to be willing to move in 2024! Who’s with me?!

Love, Alarie

Whew! Way to go friend! Proud of you for sharing your heart. How true is the statement, “You’re not stuck. You are just not willing to move.” That statement will stick with me this week.

“You’re not stuck. You are just not willing to move.”

Miss America: Lessons for 21 Year Old Me

It’s Miss America week! I always get nostalgic this time of year. The year I was able to walk, dance, speak and strut on that stage seems so distant, yet not that long ago. But when I pull out the dress and realize I can’t get my right leg in it…. I am reminded of how long ago that truly was. 🤣

Who are you cheering for this week? Y’all know Louisiana is my girl. She is beautiful, precious in every way, talented, and an all-around sweet person. I am praying for her! With her, I also have connections to Miss Texas through the Varsity world and a blog post written a few months ago! Crazy how God connected the dots! This is also the first year teen and miss compete in the same location at the same time. Go Laura Jane and Makenzie!

When people realize that I was a former Miss Louisiana, one of their first questions is always, “Ohhh! How did you do at Miss America?” And then I chuckle and tell them, “Top 52!” 🤣

The experiences and memories I will truly cherish forever! The fashion shows, special events, red carpet events, 2 weeks of filming in LA, production rehearsals, and the incredible free swag bags were amazing! I mean…. wow! We felt like stars back in those days. But to be truthful, my 21 year old heart was a little broken when I realized the judges didn’t choose me…. For anything.

You see, when you prepare for something like Miss America, you must go in with confidence. You must go in picturing what type of Miss America you could be. You become so mentally focused that you don’t think past the final competition. I had devoted that portion of my life to Miss America, and so many others had devoted their lives to help and support me along the way. You don’t get to Miss America by yourself! And the thought of letting others down was tough to swallow.

Ok, so this sounds like a sad story…. it’s not… I promise! Because 37 year old me has better perspective. I look back and think… “Wow God… What a story you gave me to tell. How blessed am I to be able to talk about this and share your goodness with others.” Here is what I learned and where I find joy in my experience. These are lessons any current or future Miss America contestant could use…. Or the normal mom of 3.

1. We need God-fidence. If someone were to say, “Tell me about yourself.” What would you say? Most of us would talk about our kids, family, job, college degree, major, and hobbies. We find identity in the titles the world gives us. 21 year old me totally found identity in what others said about me and what the world said. We need to daily remind ourselves who God says we are. If we don’t, we will be crushed in spirit, and we will allow the words and thoughts of others rule our heart. I want God ruling my heart and here is who He says you are: You are forever loved (Romans 8:38-39), You are strong (Psalm 18:32), You are forgiven (1 John 2:12), You are His (Isaiah 43:1), and You have purpose (Esther 4:14). You are beloved, valued, accepted, and wanted by Him. If you keep this in mind, it suddenly doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks or says about you. No matter if you are about to walk the Miss America stage or change a diaper, you now have a confidence that is unmatched… and people see it and gravitate towards it.

2. Jesus is the only mold. I remember the year I was competing they were starting to re-brand the Miss America image. They were going away from the “pageant patty” era and going towards a more modern image. That’s why we did the Miss America Reality Show. They wanted to show the world that we were a different and relatable group of women. I remember several MAO executives telling us what to expect and what they were looking for in a Miss America. They wanted modern, hip, non-robotic, natural, and not over the top. I took this to heart and wanted to fit that mold. When making Miss America decisions, that’s what I kept top of mind. There is nothing wrong with this! It’s smart! However, that should never out-weigh the uniqueness of the way God made you. So, I am asking you, “Who are you trying to be?” Are you trying to fit a mold? Are you trying to be something for the sake of an accolade, crown, or to please others? You don’t have to be a pageant contestant to fall into this trap. As a mom you can try to fit the mold of super mom. And it goes like this: Moms need to get up earlier, fix lunches, do homework (my child MUST get As), do the laundry (3xs a day), cook a nice hot meal (that everyone loves - yea right!), clean the house, oh and don’t forget to work out and eat gluten free meals.… Who told us we have to do all that :) ?? It’s a mold (and a lie), and as ladies of God we must flee from that thinking. I’m trying to be like Jesus. It’s the only mold that lasts.

3. Be Bold.  “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Be bold about your faith. Be boldly kind. Be boldly patient. Be bold in where your peace comes from. Be bold about sharing Jesus with others. Be bold in grace, mercy, forgiveness, and self-control. If you are all of those things - you are bold. Because those things are all counter-cultural.  How do we stand out in today’s time? You be bold about the Spirit’s work in your life. This is the fruit of being led by the Spirit.

I love thinking about my Miss America experience and all the lessons learned. It feels like I lived a different life. I’m so thankful for the people who poured into me at that time, my family, and the Miss Louisiana Board - who are family! It’s fun to reminisce. You can watch this year’s pageant Sunday night (Jan. 14) on YouTube! Cheer on our Louisiana girls and pray for their God-fidence and boldness as they both compete.

“I’m trying to be like Jesus. It’s the only mold that lasts.”

New Year… Same Me!

I didn’t make a resolution. I didn’t set a new goal. I boycotted it all. And maybe you should too.

My husband and I like to joke on January 1st. When we do something out of the ordinary we say, “New year. New Me.” But this year it’s, “New Year. Same me, but smarter and wiser.”

Like many of my friends, it was a Merry Flu-mas for us. 3/5 of us had the flu this Christmas. I haven’t had the flu in about 20 years. I truly don’t get sick at all…. Not much keeps me in bed. But this flu was something.  The poor kiddos had it worse, and the littlest one had a very tough time with it.

Needless to say, Christmas was low key for us. No one really wanted to be around us 🤣 and I don’t blame them one bit! I probably approached this New Year a little more apathetic and a tad more groggy than normal, but I think it’s what our family needed.

By this time, I usually have a new planner, 16 new goals, and action plan to get there. I do enjoy casting a vision and planning for the future. But this year…. I just didn’t. I learned a few lessons in 2023 and I know it will help shape how I make decisions and plans moving forward. I’m choosing to reflect on the lessons learned in preparation for 2024. Maybe this will help you:

1. You can make the plans, but the Lord establishes your steps. I have been guilty of making plans and not leaving room for God to work it out in His way and His time. And then I get super frustrated when MY plan has been derailed … because (HELLO) I am not in control. This almost always is a direct result of my impatience of God’s timing. I’m so worried that I’m going to miss out on something or just reach a point in my life where dreams and goals are “too late”. This year God has forced me to wait on Him. He has taught me that He knows best and it doesn’t always rely on me. He has a plan and I just need to trust it, follow the Holy Spirit, and when in doubt…. pray. It’s honestly a much less exhausting way to live.

2. Follow the peace not what’s shiny. There were several opportunities put in my path this year that seemed perfect. I just knew God had lined it all up for me. But after praying on it and seeking wise counsel, I realized it was just a shiny distraction. Several of those opportunities would have checked off goals I made for myself in 2023, but God’s peace just wasn’t there. I learned that sometimes saying “No” can honor God. I could have said, “Yes!”, and I bet it would have been just fine… maybe even exciting! But if I hadn’t followed God’s peace, I have no doubt I would have spent time on something that either wasn’t meant for me or was stealing time and attention from something much more Kingdom effective. And most times the most Kingdom effective thing is the least shiny. It’s often the work that no one saw or even knew you did. I’ve learned that living in peace is freeing and the fruit is joy.

3. Consistency is key… always. This one is simple. Do you want a better prayer life? Pray often and consistently. Find a time each day you can commit to it. If you fail, pick up the next day and try again. There will be days you forget. There will be days you don’t even want to, but if you’re consistent you will see the fruit. Apply consistency to anything you want to accomplish and watch God honor your work.

In 2024, I’m not adding more tasks and goals. I’m choosing to reflect on the lessons God taught me and how to carry them with me so that this year is the most Spirit-filled and God-lead year yet! I am praying that for you too!

“Sometimes saying no can honor God.”

God Encourages Us!

I am so excited about this week’s blog! One of my favorite things to do is encourage and support others who are spreading the Gospel. I met 2 amazing ladies (Amanda & Alley) this fall when I recorded a podcast episode with them. They have just released a 30 Day Devotional entitled: “Living Out Loud’s 30 Days of Encouragement with Alley & Amanda.” I am so happy for them and their giant step of faith! This week’s blog is from them and it firmly sets our heart in the Christmas Spirit. Enjoy and go support these ladies in their mission to live a life OUT LOUD for Jesus :)

God Encourages Us! 

I can only imagine how Mary felt being told she would conceive and give birth to a baby. Not only a baby, but the savior of the world. Since Mary was a virgin, she must have been beyond overwhelmed by feelings of shock and an unknown future. There must have been questions  running through her mind like would anyone believe her & what would happen with her & Joseph.  Even though she trusted the Lord , this could not have been anywhere near easy for her. Can you think of a life changing moment in your life where you got news that left you overwhelmed with fear?  Fear of what people would think or fear of what would happen. Plus, all of the what if’s. We are human and even if we love and trust the Lord with everything we are, there are at least a few seconds if not hours that our minds are racing with fear or doubt in life changing circumstances. The prayer & goal is that we battle those moments by taking captive every thought and battle it with God’s promises to us.  Still, before getting to that place, the enemy takes advantage of those moments by throwing the mindful attacks our way.  

As I was reading in Luke 1 this Christmas season verses 36 -56 ( read below) really stood out to me. In Verse 36, The angel tells Mary about Elizabeth conceiving a son in her old age.  First,  let me say that I love Encouragement!  I love encouragement because our God is the master encourager. It amazes me how God cares about every detail in our lives and how he goes to great lengths to encourage us. He always goes before us in all things. Yes, we will have trials. We are not promised a pain free life. In fact, God says we will have trouble in this life, but to take heart because he has overcome the world. Not only has He overcome the world, but He promises He will never leave us. One of the ways we can feel His presence through troubling times is through encouragement. The angel told Mary about Elizabeth’s miracle. This gave Mary confidence to visit Elizabeth. Elizabeth was able to affirm & comfort Mary immediately. Mary needed this and God knew it. God’s orchestration of Elizabeth & Mary conceiving around the same time was no coincidence. Mary ended up staying with Elizabeth for 3 months. Look how God provided for her. Just like God went before Mary and provided her with the encouragement from another friend at the perfect timing, God does that for us. He wants us to be encouraged!  I can’t help, but to think about these two women and how they were able to affirm each other in the lord. I think about how important encouragement is to give and to receive. I think about how important it is for me to be seeking the Lord not only for my life,  but to be able to give support and godly council to other women in my life. I think about how crucial it is that I surround myself with prayer warrior women who are in the word so that I may receive truth and wisdom when those hard life changing seasons come in my life. Most of all this gives me so much comfort knowing that no matter how painful life may get, I can trust that God has already gone before me and truly does have it all under control. Things may get tough, but not only will JESUS be in the fire with me, but He will encourage me through it.  Well, because He loves me and He knows that I need it and wants me to have it. My encouragement to you friend today is to make sure you never isolate yourself.  It’s important to stay connected. The enemy does not want you to receive encouragement. Be like Mary and follow God’s leading. He will lead you straight into the encouragement you need.

“It’s Important to stay connected.”

Did you like this?? You can read more from them in their 30 Day Devotional! Buy it here: https://a.co/d/9qLar7h

Dream Big!

Over the past few months, I have been in full planning mode for our annual company wide conference. It truly has been fun and rewarding. Im a visionary and love to plan events and think about how I can play a small part in impacting others. I approach my job with the attitude of if we build our people, we will build our business.

The theme this year for our conference is “Dream Big!” I’ve thought a lot about how we can encourage one another to cast a vision and go after it. This one is for my Varsity Spirit friends, and anyone else who may feel like their dreaming days are gone or diminished. After all, dreaming is for kids right? Not adults!

What does God say about being a dreamer? What does He want from us and what does He want for us? How can we dream professionally, spiritually, and relationally? These are all questions I’ve pondered in getting ready for this conference. Here are a few things God has placed on my heart this week.

1. God Wants Us to Dream

Oh yes, He does! He wants you to cast a vision and imagine what your future life could be. He wants you to find joy in working toward and achieving your hearts desires. BUT He doesn’t just want that for you. He wants us to invite Him into our dreams. He can do “immeasurably more than we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20), but the kicker is He can… not YOU can. What would happen if you involved God in your dreams? I believe it’s one of the greatest displays of His power. He loves taking ordinary people coupled with His extraordinary power to accomplish amazing things. It’s what our God does. So here’s what you need to do: Dream a bit. Ask yourself “What does amazing look like with God by my side?”

2. You already possess the skills to get there.

Moses dreamed of freeing the Hebrew people. He didn’t know how he was going to do it and he certainly doubted his capacity. But God gave him all the tools he needed way in advance. Think about it…. What did Moses use to do all the amazing signs and wonders of God? He used the staff. This staff wasn’t a special, magical staff. Moses had the staff in his hand years before God gave him this special assignment. In fact, Moses used this tool everyday in his job… something very ordinary. At the right time God used this normal everyday staff to accomplish the dream of Moses. What about you? I bet you have skills and tools that seem ordinary and mundane. I believe God will help you realize your dream by sharpening the skills you use every day. Moses had the staff in his hand all along. So do you.

3. God will give you what you ask.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7

This verse is often taken out of context. At first glance, this looks like everything we ask will be given to us. That’s not exactly what this verse is saying. There are two things I want you to consider when reading this. The first:

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you”

If we are fully in tune with Jesus and the Word of God, our vision and dreams will align with His. When our dreams align with Jesus, He can give us what we ask. The only way to “remain in Him” is to spend your day with Him, read His Word, and spend time in prayer.

The second thing: Sometimes when we “don’t get what we want”, it’s not always God telling us, “No.” If you don’t see your dreams and requests coming to fruition, ask God to change your perspective. Let me show you what I mean by that. Let’s say you dream of having a new job and you have made that request known to God. What if you started asking God to give you a renewed since of purpose in your current position? Ask God to show you one person that needs your impact. Ask God to bless you and help you bless others. Changing your perspective will in essence answer that prayer request for a new job. One more example: Maybe you dream of being debt free one day. You are asking God to help you navigate that request. Well… for Christians, we are debt free. Jesus ensured that when He went to the cross. I know that doesn’t fix all money issues, but He essentially answered that request if you change your perspective.

I want you to take a few minutes today to dream. As adults, we rarely get a chance to do that. God wants you to dream. He wants to be a part of your dreams. He gave you all of the experiences, talents, and vision to make it happen. And if you find yourself wondering why God hasn’t given you what you request…. Ask Him to help change your perspective.

Go on…Dream Big. I dare you.

“God wants us to dream.”

Just Come and Sit….

Our church has a Women’s Bible study on Wednesday nights. It’s a fantastic mid-week reset. There’s a group of us that rotate leading and that keeps it so fresh and relatable. One of my good friends was teaching this week and I just want to share the goodness that occurred during that time.

We are all about to enter a season of exhaustion. I feel it stirring in me. I actually feel this exhaustion earlier than normal. What is this season? It’s the Holidays! It truly is my favorite time of the year, but still it can be so so tiring. The kids activities, extracurriculars, Christmas concerts, extra church functions, family travel, gift giving, and let’s throw in a busy work trip in the mix….. Are you tired yet? The Holidays are such a privilege. We get to experience the Holidays because of Jesus. But why am I so tired?!

Anyway… this Wednesday I was headed into Bible study a little tired and maybe a little overwhelmed. I was doing good to just get there (not even on time might I add). I showed up with my keys and phone - no purse, no BIBLE (ugh what a sinner 🤣), no notebook, no pencil. I had obviously come prepared to learn about the Lord 🤪. But my friend had prepared exactly what my heart needed. We sat in the dark, she played worship music, and we prayed. FOR ONE HOUR. I needed that reset more than ever in those moments. This week my prayer journal pages felt a little empty, my scripture reading had gotten a little stale, my worship had been less frequent, and I felt guilty. I don’t want life to be that way, but every moment of the day was filled from sun up to sun down. She will never know how much I needed those moments to just sit with Jesus.

Can you relate? Do you find yourself a little tired from life? Wishing you had an hour of Jesus time? Y’all….. Jesus is always waiting for us. He wasnt the one too busy for me. I believe he walks with us all day long waiting for us to just come and sit with Him. Truthfully, I preach this all the time to the women in our church. I tell them about the story of when Jesus and His disciples were exhausted and hungry from spreading the Gospel. I tell them that what Jesus did was provide a spiritual remedy for physical problem. He said, “Come with me to a quiet place.” Just come and sit…. That was the solution to hunger and exhaustion. The disciples didn’t have long with Jesus before the groves of people found them. But they had just enough time so that they could continue to do the work of God. It’s no coincidence that immediately following this gospel story was the feeding of the 5,000 - one of the greatest miracles in the New Testament. You can read this story in Mark 6:30-34.

So back to Bible study…. There was some serious praying going on for that hour. Women worshipped, prayed over one another, and enjoyed being with their Savior.  Jesus had been calling me all day. He wasn’t calling me to do more “spiritual” things. He was calling me to just come and sit with Him for a while. He’s calling you too.

A small amount of time with Jesus does so much more for my tiredness than any source of caffeine. I hope you go into this busy Holiday season with the peace of Jesus. We may never be fully rested, but we can be fully vested in Jesus. He is the spiritual solution to our physical need.

I am praying that you have a friend that makes you sit still for a few minutes to sit with Jesus. If you don’t, here I am telling you to do it. Just step away for a minute. You don’t even need your Bible for this (we can be sinners together 🤣). I know He’s telling you, “Just come and sit for a while.”

“He walks with us all day long waiting for us to just come and sit with Him.”

Remembering the Power of God

“I see You taking ground.

Oh, I see You press ahead.

And Your power is dangerous to the enemy's camp.

You still do miracles.

You will do what You said.

For You're the same God now as You've always been.”

These words are the lyrics to “That’s the Power”. It’s my anthem lately. I. Love. This Song… The power of our Savior is bigger than any ploy by the enemy. The enemy is no match for Jesus.

Maybe you’ve forgotten that recently. Or maybe you’re just so consumed by the busyness of life that you have failed to think about the power of God. Or maybe you find yourself in a battle and need the daily reminder that God is bigger. He is able. He still does miracles and He is the same God that carved out highways in the sea.

Today is different type of blog. I’m going to highlight a few examples (stories you’ve no doubt heard) to remind you of His power… to remind me of His power.

Recently, I put together a series of messages on how to Biblically fight battles. One of the key points in how we face battles is the process of remembering. We need to remember what God has already done in our lives. We need to remember what He has done throughout history, and we need to remember what He has done in the lives of those around us. It’s the ammo we need to fight.

Do you remember?

Do you remember that time when God moved an entire sea so that millions of Hebrews could walk on dry ground?

“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” Exodus 14:21

This story seems so ancient right? I haven’t seen any seas parted in my life time. Maybe it seems a little far fetched, but God indeed still parts the sea. The sea was an obstacle for the Israelites. It was the barrier that lie between them and freedom. God broke that barrier for us when He sent Jesus. He broke that barrier in my life when I surrendered to Him. He has moved countless obstacles in my life that weighed immensely more than water. Yes, He still parts the sea. His power over whatever is keeping you from freedom will prevail. He used the wind to move the water… won’t He do it for you?

Do you remember that time the sun stood still?

This is perhaps a lesser known story. When it comes to battles, Joshua is legit. God was with him through every single one. On this particular day, Joshua and his men traveled all night to surprise the enemy in conquering the promised land. Joshua needed time to avenge his enemies. He knew the battle did not need to be fought in the dark. So, he asked God to keep the sun in the sky until that battle was won.

“The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel.”Joshua 10:13b-14

The Bible is clear in that there was a miracle of cosmic proportions to keep the sun in the middle of the sky. Ok, I’m sure scientists everywhere would cringe at those words. They would give you a million reasons why this isn’t possible. But I have only one reason why it is: The power of God. It’s endless. It’s omniscient. It’s omnipresent. It’s the ONLY explanation.

These men needed light. They knew fighting in the dark was not an option. What about you? Do you remember when God gave you light? Maybe He provided a friend to shed some light on your situation. Maybe He took you from the darkness of anxiety, depression, and fear to gently escort you into the light. Did he bring you out of the darkness of sin? Are you the light to others?

God will do anything to give you light. He will pause the sun in the sky for you. He did it for Joshua. Won’t He do it for you?

I could keep going. We could be here all day. But I know you… you are smart. You understand that the power of God is limitless. He is the same God that moves mountains, wins impossible battles, defeats death, calms the sea, breaks the wall of Jericho, opens the prison doors, and gives sons to the barren. Won’t He do it for you?

If we were together right now, I would emphatically say that paragraph again with tears in my eyes. We would be on our feet (with Rattle playing in the background duh!), getting ready to worship the God whose power never fails. Make remembering a priority. I promise it will give you life and motivation to keep going.

He still does miracles.

He will do what He said.

For He’s the same God now as He’s always been.

“Won’t He do it for you?”