Are You Listening Mr. Dressing-Room Mirror?

Dear Mr. Dressing-Room Mirror,

Your behavior this evening was completely unacceptable. I have never been so humiliated in all my life. Who do you think you are? I do have feelings you know. We need to come to an understanding, you and I. You work for the department store and the department store works for me. Get it? That means you need to be doing everything in your power to make the sale.

For the record, I don't believe for one second that I have that much grey hair, or that my legs pucker like that. And whose ridiculous stomach was that you showed me?

Again, not mine.

You're not fooling anyone with that awful flourescent lighting my friend. You're a circus-fun-house-wannabee, that's what you are.

To think, people believe our economy is depressed. You've got the whole nation fooled. It's not the economy. It's stinkin' dressing room mirrors like yourself that are keeping women like me from spending a dime on clothing.

Candlelight. That's the answer.

Are Those Giants I See?

As a few of you know, I am going to be attending Mt. Hermon's writers conference this Friday. Being the over-thinker that I am, I tried to think through every possible experience I may have there.

Yes, once again, I am trying to figure out God and just what He's up to. I know, I'm not the brightest duck in the pond.

It wasn't the least bit comforting to read their conference workbook and all the different places I will be able to go if I need prayer or a place to dry my tears.

Seriously. I am not kidding. They have a designated area for people who are crying.

See! What does that tell you about this conference?!?

To make matters worse, I did some research on the publisher and agent I sent my book proposal to. Talented and amazing people, Vicki Crumpton with Baker/Revell publishing and agent Steve Laube. They are giants in the Christian writing industry. GIANTS, I TELL YA!

With a sinus infection and cankor sore in the works, all signs for me that I am beginning to stress a bit about this week, I called my friend Beth. I shared with her about an error I'd discovered in my manuscript after I'd already sent it off. Sounding just like an exhausted mother I asked her, "PLEASE, tell me again why I wanted to do this?!? What in the world was I thinking? Who in their right mind would ever, EVER, want to be a writer?!?"

I can see a few giants up ahead - I've never had such respect for Caleb and Joshua in my life.

The Joy of the Lord!

Have you ever experienced the joy of the Lord? No, I'm not talking about happiness. Happiness is not the same at all. Happiness relies solely on the external. Things like pleasure, personal experience and circumstance. The joy of the Lord is wholly different. Let me give you a few examples. Chocolate-peanut-butter ice cream makes me very happy. Blue jeans that fit make me very happy. Children who don't argue in the car make me very happy. But, smiling while I'm grieving, being able to hug someone who has hurt me, and having indescribable peace when my world is falling apart, now that is the joy of the Lord.

The joy of the Lord is what separates Christians from the rest of the world. It is where the rubber meets the road, if you will. Being a regular Sunday pew warmer will not build your spiritual muscles. Sure, it's a great start, but having peace through a storm, a song in your heart through a fiery trial, or the strength to get up the very next day when your heart is breaking, that my friend is what people are watching for. What they are seeing is the joy of the Lord.

I witnessed the joy of the Lord last night.

Friends of ours pastor a small church. Their congregation has run them out. They built their little church from the ground up over twenty-five years ago. Slanderous words, hurtful accusations and unbearable gossip have been the arrows that have pierced their hearts. It has been so sad to watch. And for now, I must refrain from going down a bunny trail about power hungry, prideful sheep.

Instead of putting their congregation through this ugliness, they have decided to step down. In return, the Lord has blessed them and opened up a path for these precious saints to walk through, close to their children and grandchildren. But sadly for us, out of state.

It was an honor to be a part of their going-away potluck last night. What many would expect to be an evening of tears and sadness, was instead filled with many stories of God's faithfulness these past few months. And of course good food, wonderful fellowship, and much laughter. They are full of smiles and hugs, waiting with joyful anticipation for what God has planned next for their lives. I had tears in my eyes when this sweet pastor and his wife encouraged us and sang the precious hymn "In The Garden."

Friends, there is an indescribable, irresistable and unexplainable joy of the Lord. I was blessed to witness it last night.

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Doya or Don'tcha?!?

When I was a little girl I shared a bunk bed with my younger sister Jennifer. Though I won the coin toss, I still didn't get to sleep on the top bunk. As you can imagine, I was not very pleased with the outcome of my so-called win. Parents can be funny creatures.

It wasn't long before I realized the bottom bunk was a blessing in disguise. I had my very own blank canvas. As a writer this was awesome! Soon this special place was filled with all kinds of teenage thoughts, some would call graffiti, my parents called it vandalism, on the hard cardboard area above my head.

As a Christian, I am still a scribbler- a writer of words and quotes, thoughts and ideas. My Bible has not escaped this personal phenomena. And would you believe that I am married to a man who writes not a word in God's Word? His Bible is as clean as if he bought it today. Mine on the other hand, is filled with love letters from my children, pictures, pressed daffodils, and dates of a Word given and prayers fulfilled.

How about you? Are you a scibbler? Or do you find it odd to write in the pages of your Bible?

So, doya or don'tcha?

What time would you choose?

There are special moments in my life where I wish I could stop the hands of time. My kids are all home tonight, and my husband and I are hanging out doing a whole lot of nothing. Some would call me boring. I consider myself a great appreciator of time.

I can often torment myself because I yearn to go back to times in my life that I can't go back to. Times like when my mother was alive, when my babies were small enough to nuzzle into the crook of my neck, my wedding day.

Whenever I'm overwhelmed by the desire to stop my life right where it is, I ask the Lord to bless my grateful heart with a memory. I ask Him for a snapshot of this joyful moment in my life. Making a deposit into my mind's library allows me to go back every once in awhile, and replay these special moments in my life.

How about you? Is there a special part of your life where you wish you could freeze time? Have you made any memory deposits lately?


To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

My Stalker-Walker Strikes Again!

When I get to Heaven I plan on asking God a few questions.

1. Why is it that after a workout, days later your body is in excruciating pain, yet you look no different?

If you feel different, shouldn't you look different?

2. I also want to know why God didn't create a food-credit plan. If I pass up a donut or a loaf of bread, wouldn't it have been nice of Him to let us bank the calories for later?

I should have known when I agreed to go and workout tonight, that I was going to pay for it later. My Stalker-Walker friend Gina has a screw loose. She really does. What person in their right mind smiles through a weight training class? Every time she would look over at me (hiding in the very back corner, by the huge fan, and behind the Jack Lalanne wanna-be) I would shoot her "I HATE YOU" looks, hoping to somehow use mind-power to knock her off her step-box thingamajig and wipe that ridiculous I-love-working-out smile off of her face.

You will be happy to know that half-way into our cardio class, I escaped. The instructor started jumping up in the air like a kangaroo, and my pathetic thimble sized mom-bladder was my excuse to flee. I have never had a strong desire to bounce a quarter off of my bum anyhow. I tried to hide from Gina upstairs, and hopped onto a treadmill to throw her off my scent. Thirty minutes on that contraption and I'd only burned calories equivalent to three grapes. She must have smelled my disgust, because she found me.

God, why did you give me a work-out crazy Stalker-Walker for a friend?


I guess some things we just won't know this side of Heaven.

Jesus - Lite

Come to a church that's FUN. We have a great band and entertaining worship. Make a friend. We only share God's love - no words like "sin" or "hell" used here, ever! Network potential! Your children will win prizes and play in bounce houses! The best coffee and donuts in town! Fulfill your Sunday church obligation in less than an hour.

Jesus-Lite, tastes great - less filling, right?

I am still reeling from a recent church visit last Sunday. (If you don't care to listen to the ramblings of a very sad believer, then now would be the time to move along to another blog.) From the outside it was beautiful. The parking lot was packed. The children's ministry was decorated perfectly. Even I was tempted to hang out in the kids' sanctuary!

When worship began the music was awesome - what gifted and talented people. I almost expected Celine Dion to walk onstage and belt out a few numbers. Not to mention, the plush stadium-seating was fantastic! "Lord, could this be our church home?" I wondered. Then I began to look around. Hundreds of people hearing the same songs of worship I was hearing, yet almost in a trance, they stood up and sat down- like zombies. I have attended women's home Bible studies with more voices lifted up in praise. After almost every song the congregation clapped. Yes. Clapped. It made sense now, few were singing because they thought they were at a concert.

After the fog cleared and I was no longer in my free-donut trance, I began to look around closely. No one had Bibles. Seriously. I counted maybe five people in a crowd of at least a thousand. I leaned over to my husband and whispered, "Paul, no no around us has a Bible, no one." Even my seven-year-old comes to church with his Bible. My heart began to physically hurt for these people. Communion was passed out after a video. No scripture was shared with the people to explain the holy act of taking bread and juice in remembrance of my Jesus.

Even with a very entertaining pastor, I could see through the smoke and mirrors. He shared lots of funny stories. Lots. Of. Them. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE FUNNY, but this was ridiculous. Where was God's Word? Later, he encouraged us to abide in Christ, to draw near to God. Dying of spiritual thirst, I kept my lips pressed together, for fear I would scream out loud, "Tell these precious people HOW to abide in Christ, how to draw near to God! TELL THEM!"

But, he didn't.

There has never been a time I have felt a greater burden to contact a pastor before. This shepherd had the perfect opportunity to feed his flock a bounty of God's Word. Instead, he fed son's and daughter's of our King the spiritual equivalent of a pop-tart and diet-coke. Tears still come to my eyes when I think of the faces of so many malnourished sheep. They gathered on Sunday to hear His Word, to be filled with living water, with His daily bread, and walked away with little more than a concert and a donut.

There is a saying, "What we draw them with, we will draw them to." After experiencing quite a few churches recently, it seems to me that their focus is on numbers and not on the Lord. What is happening? Why do some feel they need to add to God's Word, to fun-up our faith and dumb-down the good news? How many believers are being lulled into spiritual mediocrity as the enemy of our souls wickedly laughs in triumph?

Jesus Christ is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I want everyone to know the saving grace that has made me whole again. He is the lover of my soul, my comforter, my rock, my redeemer. He is my ONE and ONLY, my most precious friend and the overwhelming, unexplainable, indescribable joy of my heart.

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes--Jews first and also Gentiles. Romans 1:16 NLT

Warning: Fellowship Required

We are in the process of searching for a church home. It hasn't been the funnest experience we've had this year. But, as believers in Jesus Christ, we know the importance of fellowship with other Christians. God's Word mentions many times, the benefits of encouraging and growing from one another. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

One of the arguments I hear from people is that they don't need to go to church, they can worship God just fine on their own. Sure, that's possible. But seriously, how many of these people are taking time out to read the Bible? How many are truly digging deep to unearth the treasures of His truths and apply them in their life? Most of the time it's their excuse. These people might stay away because they've been hurt by church-going folk. I can understand that. I've been hurt before too. There is a saying that pierces my heart, “A person may not become a Christian for two reasons, 1) Because they never knew a Christian. Or, 2) Because they did.”

Friends, sheep bite and the body has body odor. We are flesh and bones, created with a sinful nature. Lets not be surprised when a hurt happens. No church is perfect. Our eyes are to be on Jesus, not on people who are poor examples. The Lord tells us not to give up meeting together. His Word encourages us to continue, and no matter what, to assemble together. Don't tie God's hands. He wants to bless you with the fellowship of other Christians. And in turn, maybe you can be the one to encourage future believers, all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Easy Ways to Build Blog-Traffic

Building your blog traffic, one reader at a time.

So, you want to start your own blog? Did you know that there are more than 150,000 blogs created every day? But don't be intimidated by the competition. If you have something to say and can say it well, your blog will do just fine. I have written my own blog since August 2007, that's about ten-years-old in blog-years. So, my friend, I have a few tips for you. Lets begin at the beginning...

1. What is the purpose of your blog?
This defines your blog, sets it apart from millions of others. Are you a mom wanting to vent- or, maybe a writer hoping for publishers to take notice of your quick wit and redemptive prose? You can make this little spot on the world wide web anything you want it to be. The more defined and specific the message, the easier it is to retain traffic.

2. Comments
Commenting is HUGE. People want to hear from you and you want to hear from others. The more you make nice and play along by encouraging others or just making witty small talk, the more blog-friends you will make - and faithful they will be! Plus, there are others out there that we bloggers like to call lurkers, they may never comment, but are reading blogs and comments as well. Often times, the comment you have left on another blog is what will bring readers and lurkers over to your site.

3. Participate in blog carnivals.
This is a pretty big deal. Very often, blogs will offer a giveaway, or will have a weekly link of participation, like Thankful Thursday (www.eph2810.com)or Wordless Wednesday (www.wordlesswednesday.com). Take advantage of these. And when you do, make sure to post on your blog about it with a link back to the host blog.

4. Have blog carnivals of your own.
There are readers out there that live for these giveaways. I don't use this to my advantage like I should. But each year I do offer a blog-design giveaway. You don't have to spend lots on a blog carnival. You can give away something small like a Starbucks gift card...everyone loves them, and they are easy to send through the mail.

5. LINK-LINK-LINK
The more you blog, the more you will discover others with gifts you want to share. From recipes, to household tips, there are lots of things your readers will love to experience right along side you.

And don't underestimate those opportunities for praying for one another. It won't be long before you find other bloggers who are hurting or crying out for prayer. Take the time to leave them a prayer in their comments and a link back to your site. This tip may not grow your traffic, but it will surely grow your prayer life. Praise the Lord!


6. Write Well!
There is no substitute for good writing. Just don't be long-winded about it. If your message is a long one, break it up into two parts and publish it over two days. Keep your posts short, a minimum of 250-500 words. It doesn't matter how much you desire to get your message out, if you don't write it well your readership will suffer.

Whether your message is short or long, I am praying your blog will change lives for His glory, one reader at a time.

How do you create blog traffic?

Ok friends, this is my question of the day. How do you create blog traffic for your site? I am teaching this lesson at my writers group's blog workshop on Saturday.

And, just so you know, this is the second time this question has come up for me this week. I am working hard at getting a book proposal ready for the Mt. Hermon writers conference and I read that publishers want to see 1,000 visitors a day on a new writer's site. Seriously, are they for real? I want to scream, "I don't have traffic, I have blog-friends!" Who would all fit comfortably around my kitchen table by the way...yeesh.

Now, here I am having to teach on this subject. God has a sense of humor, doesn't He? After spending almost an hour looking up this question online, I thought I would pose it to my faithful blog-friends out there.

After you comment, I'll be waiting at my kitchen table for ya!

*** Come back tomorrow, I will have the answers to building blog-traffic!***

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY...80's Style!

I thought I'd give you a blast from my 80's past. One guess as to which one I am.


The big open mouth was a dead giveaway, wasn't it?

Help! They talk too much.

No one ever warned me before I had kids, how mentally exhausting it would be. Where was that bit of advice during my four baby showers? Yes, I admit it, quite often when my kids are chattering like a bunch of wild parakeets, I push the ignore button. Cmon' ladies, you moms know exactly what I'm talking about. The ignore button is a safety mechanism that all mothers receive after giving birth.

I made the mistake of paying close attention to what my children were saying the other day. I thought I would share a few snippets of what I heard.

"Whose spoon is in the bathtub?"

"Don't burp in my face!"

"What if Dad were small enough to fit in the grooves under my shoes?"

"Why is there an orange in my purse?"

"When smoke starts coming out of that hole, turn it off."

Pardon me, while I hit the ignore button and go back to my happy place.

???911 Bathroom Question???

Some blog posts are timeless. If you have been blogging for more than a day or two, I'm sure you could find a few treasures in your archives.

With this in mind, I have included one below, originally posted here in December 2007. Hand picked just for you, as I experienced something along these same lines, yet again, this afternoon.

I'd love to tell you that it was my youngest who interrupted my time alone, though he did drop by later to knock and run. No...this was my oldest, my seventeen year old. Her emergency bathroom question hollered through the door jam...

"Mom, can I borrow your eyelash curler?"

I am so grateful that I have had 911/emergency training so I can remain calm while I answer such a life or death question.



***************************************************************************

In my opinion, the U.S. Postal Service has overlooked what could possibly be a very profitable mode of mail delivery, bathroom-mail.

I am surprised that our government would clearly miss such a golden opportunity with overwhelming cash cow potential.

After many inquiries, I have discovered that moms all across America frequently use this form of communication with their family.

Just like the Loch Ness monster and Big Foot, I had heard rumors about a bathroom mail carrier when I had my first child. I had even been warned by many expert mothers - not only would my alone time in the bathroom become a distant memory,I would also experience bathroom-mail from time to time.

So why was I surprised when my first delivery arrived, slipped under the door by a dimpled, blond haired, four year old little girl in 1995?

Since then my mail carriers have been both male and female, some cute and some not so cute (those would be my teenage mail carriers). I have had letters, homework, permission slips, report cards, birthday invitations and even notes of affection delivered under my bathroom door.

I have begged, pleaded, cried and even screamed at them, “RETURN TO SENDER!”

From one expert mom to any newbie moms out there, listen up. Your alone time in the bathroom is now a thing of the past - a distant memory, like having an uninterrupted conversation, or thighs without cellulite. As long as you have children living in your home it's guaranteed you will receive bathroom-mail.

Count on it.

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor the shrill screams of an exasperated mother can keep away a bathroom-mail carrier. Not now. Not ever.

A bookcase by any other name...

Words are magical. It's no surprise that most writers love to read. Good readers are good writers and great readers are great writers. Or so I've been told. If you are a faithful blogger, you may not realize this yet, but you are a writer too! The only difference is that your words are typed onto a computer screen, not onto the pages of a book

Not yet anyway.

Books transport me to other worlds, comfort me when I am hurting, and make me laugh out loud when my day needs a little pizazz. We all know that God is the creator and originator of the Word. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

The Word of God put on flesh and came down on earth to walk around and show us just what God looks like, acts like, and most especially, loves like. I am so grateful for Jesus and His precious Word in my life.

I am also very grateful for my talented woodworking father-in-law, who built me these gorgeous, two-sided, built-in bookcases.




Just as my arms have held my four precious babies, these bookcases will be holding millions of words penned by authors around the world. By far, the greatest story this man-made book sanctuary will hold will be the one penned by my precious savior.

The greatest story ever written. When His Word came down and dwelt among us.

p.s. And yes, I am wearing my red slippers in this picture. Doesn't every fashionista mom have a pair?

P31 Woman Magazine- A Promise Given - A Promise Fulfilled

Last Monday I hurried home. No, not to clean my kitchen, and no, not to get dinner ready. I couldn't wait to check my mailbox to see if my one precious copy of P31 Woman magazine had arrived for February.

My magazine article is out this month, See Jane Run. For those of you who get it, just a hint, don't let my grandma know you threw it away. She doesn't have a copy. You could probably make your mortgage payment selling her a copy or two.

Even though the Lord had given me promises of publishing my work, and even after editors had confirmed the Lord's promises by publication, I still struggle with unbelief. Seeing the tangible promise of God to me, in the form of a magazine, brought unexplainable joy to my heart. Once again confirming that He has begun a good work in me (in you too!) and He is going to complete it.

Have you ever felt God tell you something? Has He whispered a precious promise in your ear and confirmed it to your heart - through His word?

Sisters, if you have been given a promise from God, hold on to it with every bit of strength you have.

If you begin to lose sight of what He has told you, it is not because He is unfaithful and it is not because He has forgotten you. Maybe, just maybe, you are trying to see His promise to you fulfilled in your time, with human eyes. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.

Get in His word and stay in His word until He speaks. Then, pray His promise back to the very one who has promised you eternity. We have such an awesome, loving, forgiving God as our father. He loves you so very much. He wants to pour out His promises in your life. Sweet sisters, lets begin taking God at His word.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:6