I've moved! Please visit my new site, Hope Splashes, for continued Gold from God in Life's Puddles.

Does Collaborating on A Book Work?

Lisa Buske invited Beth and I to share our experiences on her podcast, Keeping it Real with Lisa.

We chatted about our experiences collaborating on our recent book, Hello, Beautiful!, talked about how we hate housework, and other fun topics I hope you enjoy listening! 

P.S. I will be taking a blogging break for a few weeks. See you at the end of the summer!

Why Trading Places Never Works

Trading Places or Problems?

“Would you like to trade places with Sandra?”

I knew that Voice. Had heard it many times, deep in my heart where secrets hid from everyone but Him. This time, it was a wish that I could make money as quick and deftly as my friend, Sandra did. And the Lord was not buying it as an excuse for jealousy.

I thought of Sandra, nearing forty and still unmarried. Although she lived in a lovely home, she had few friends due to her bossy nature, and her family was 12 states away.  

Never Mind

I reconsidered my longing to be like her.

“I’m sorry, Lord. I really don’t want Sandra’s life. I’ll keep my own, thank you. But could you please give us a raise, or help us find other ways to make ends meet on our dinky pastor’s salary?”

“That’s better, honey. Of course, I’ll help you. All you had to do was ask. I have plenty to go around for all My kids.”

 

Sufficient Grace

That little conversation between God and me was many years ago. At times, I am still tempted to think someone else has fewer problems or an easier life than I do do. Then He reminds me that I don’t want to trade places and problems with anyone else.

His grace is sufficient for me, where I’m at today. And He has plenty to go around for all His kids.

Even YOU.

Are you ever tempted ask to trade with someone for their seemingly problem-free life?

Why You Need to Be Careful What You Pray for

Be Careful What You Pray for

“Yes—he wants to meet my parents!” My heart spun in circles. A secret crush, Ethan, had asked to accompany me home from college Easter weekend. Kevin Levellie, another friend of Ethan’s, pastored a small church in Fresno, where my folks lived. After Sunday evening worship, Ethan and I popped over to Kevin’s house, visiting into the night. Driving back to school the next morning, Ethan suggested we pray for Kevin. Seems he thought a wife would cure Kevin’s loneliness.

Eager to Impress

Eager to impress Ethan I nearly sang, “All right! I’ll go first.”

“Dear Lord, please lead a woman into Kevin’s life who will stand beside him, offering hope in the darkness and laughter in the bright times, who will help him pastor your sheep with tenderness, bringing out the best in him and them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Shortly after my show-offy prayer, Ethan lost interest in me. Although confused and hurt, I accepted his explanation that he felt inferior because I had wheels and he didn’t.

The Diamond Bikini

That spring, Kevin and I started writing. This old-fashioned custom requires use of a pen and paper to tell someone what’s been going on in your life, and ask them about theirs. After finishing the letter, you fold the paper, place it in an envelope, attach a stamp, and mail it. Archaic, I know, but effective.

When I returned home for the summer, our friendship soared. By August, my ring finger danced in the Fresno sun, clad in a diamond bikini.

God Smiles

Do God’s methods of answering prayer baffle you? Although I consider myself creative, I did not have me in mind when I asked God to send Kevin a wife. In fact, I had insisted since childhood that a preacher was my last choice as a spouse because I wanted to be rich.

Yet thinking back over the last forty-plus years (I was five when this story took place), who am I to look the Great I Am in the face and say, “You bungled it the day you called me, Lord. I’m too silly, loud, impulsive, and messy to make a decent pastor’s wife.”

He would only smile and say, “You asked for a wife for Kevin, didn’t you?”

The above is an excerpt from my book, Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top: 72 Stories Sprinkled with Laughter to Help You Discover The Sweetness of God's Heart for You. 

Have you ever been surprised at an answer to a prayer? 

Simple Flag Cake Recipe

Yankee Doodle Dandy Flag Cake recipe

I'm all about simple. 

This Yankee Doodle Dandy cake recipe for your Memorial Day or 4th of July celebration only has seven ingredients, and one is water! Isn't it lovely?

Prepare a boxed cake mix--I like to use Red Velvet for this recipe.

Pour into a 9 x 13 pan and bake as directed.

Frost with white icing.

For stars, use blueberries or navy blue M & M's; for stripes, cut fresh strawberries into slivers.

Enjoy!

It's a Small(er) World.

I noticed the other night at supper how napkins are shrinking. It’s bad enough that they fluff them with air pockets to make them look plump; now they are decreasing their dimensions.  One used to cover my whole lap; now it barely fits on the top third of one thigh. If they keep this up, I’ll need half a package at each meal. It's a small(er) world. 

Candy bars have also been shrinking with the times.  It used to take me five bites to eat my 100 Grand bar; now I have to get out Grandma’s magnifying glass to see it before I pop it into my mouth in one nibble.

And have you seen how the ice cream containers went from half a gallon to 1.5 quarts? We used to serve ice cream with our birthday cake; now we simply wave the carton over each plate as a sweet remembrance of the way things were.

 

Coffee can shrinkage is another travesty.  Remember when coffee was sold by the pound? Now it comes in  12 or 13 oz. packages, for the same price.  Soon they’ll be selling it by the cup, and charging $3.50. Oh, they’re already doing that!

TV shows now take up only forty-five minutes instead of fifty-two. Today's cars are the size of my grandchild's scooter. Even Band-aids barely cover a boo-boo anymore. 

I'm so relieved that Jesus' love never shrinks or diminishes in strength. Jesus stays the same year after year, century after century, forever--even if my favorite pants shrink to the size of a dinner napkin. 

The above is an excerpt from my second book, The Heart of Humor: Sixty Helpings of Hilarity to Nourish Your Soul.

What have you noticed shrinking in your world? 

When You Need Joy

An excerpt from my prayer journal on a day I needed joy…

“Lord, I need encouragement today. I really don’t want to go by my feelings, or I wouldn’t have a good day at all. I know I have to choose joy and choose to have peace rather than turmoil, but I need Your help even in the choosing. I need you to show me what to do and how to think in order to choose joy rather than sorrow. And I need You to send me encouragement, because right now I just don’t care about anything. To care would mean work, and I’d rather rest and sleep and escape.”

“Jeanette, I don’t want you to CARE. I will care for you. When you TAKE CARE, it means you aren’t giving me a chance to help you and care for you. You are trying to do it yourself and that’s pride. When you let go and relax, My spirit takes over and gets the job done in an almost effortless way. You know it’s Me when you don’t have to struggle to get it and struggle to keep it. For Me to carry you, you need to simply relax and not wiggle down and run off. Trusting Me means allowing Me to carry you. JUST QUIT TRYING SO HARD.” 

I am forever amazed at the timelessness of God’s words. I hope His shepherding of my heart spoke to yours today. May you rest in Him, allowing Him to care for you. 

The above prayer journal excerpt is now a chapter in my new book, Hello, Beautiful! Finally Love Yourself Just as You Are, co-authored with Beth Gormong. 

Too Busy? Here's a Prayer for You

     A Prayer for When You Are Too Busy

Lord, my friend is choking on responsibilities. She is trying to do too much, to be all things to all people. I know this is not Your plan for her.

Because she loves people and fears disappointing them, she says yes more than she says no. Her schedule is crammed to bursting. Because she accomplishes tasks with excellence, she’s a magnet to people who need things done.

And all this responsibility is causing her light to dim.

She was once so bright and eager to spend time with You, study Your life, tell others about Your love. Then she started working for You. And working. And working. The Devil knew he couldn’t tempt her with robbing jewelry stores or murdering her neighbors, so he dangled the fruit of the business of the Lord in front of her. He convinced her that to be a worthy Christian, she had to stay busy, and that to say no was unholy.

Silence his lies to her, Lord. Woo her back to the place of rest and sweet contentment in Your presence, where the beam of Your smile is enough. Return the light to her eyes and the spring to her step.

Please help her find the balance You lived in when You walked on earth. You knew when to say “Okay, I’ll do that,” and when to say “Not interested,” without worrying what others might think of You. You were secure in the Father’s plan for You, not needing to please others in order to feel that Your light was bright enough.

Teach my friend Your ways, dear Lord. She doesn’t want to burn out; she wants to sparkle and blaze with Your life, to do only those things You’ve called her to do. Then, when You come to take her home, she’ll shine in heaven with You.

In Jesus’ name, so be it.

References to Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, John 6:38

The above is an excerpt from my fourth book, Touchable God: Finding the Lord's Friendship Through Prayer. It is a combination of personal stories about my prayer journey with Jesus and prayers for friends in crisis. It would make an excellent gift for someone you are praying for!

12 Ways to Love and Care for Extroverts

  

photo by giselafotografie

Either you are an extrovert, married to one, or have one as a best friend. I love extroverts. Their joy splashes on me, and helps me remain optimistic. I appreciate and enjoy them. Last week we talked about loving and caring for introverts. 

Today we're going to tackle 12 Ways to Love and Care for the extroverts in your life:

1.      RESPECT their need for INDEPENDENCE.

2.      COMPLIMENT them in PUBLIC.

3.      ACCEPT and ENCOURAGE their ZEST for life.

4.      Allow them to EXPLORE and DIALOG.

5.      SURPRISE them in non-embarrassing ways.

6.      Give them SPACE when they are busy.

7.      Let them hit the ground RUNNING.

8.      Give them CHOICES.

9.      LAUGH AT their jokes. Don’t try to hush them up.

photo by pezibear

10.  Show them AFFECTION, both physically and verbally.

11.  Rejoice with them when they SHINE.

12.  PRAISE every attempt at listening and calmness.

If you are an extrovert, I can hear your loud "amen!" 

If not, did you learn anything new that may help you love and care for the extroverts in your life?

12 Ways to Love and Care for An Introvert

My best friend, husband, and favorite introvert

Either you are an introvert, married to one, or have one as a best friend. I love introverts. They balance my zany, impulsive nature and bring me down to earth. I appreciate and admire them.

Here are 12 ways to love and care for the introverts in your life:

1.      RESPECT their privacy and need for alone time.

2.      NEVER reprimand them IN PUBLIC.

3.      Let them VIEW first in new situations, before requiring them to act.

4.      Allow them TIME TO THINK. Don’t demand quick answers.

5.      Don’t INTERRUPT them.

6.      Give them ADVANCE NOTICE of changes to their environment and lives.

7.      Give them 15 MINUTE WARNINGS to finish whatever they’re doing.

8.      Teach them new skills PRIVATELY.

9.      Enable them to find ONE BEST FRIEND who shares their interests.

10.  DON’T PUSH them to make many friends.

11.  RESPECT their quiet souls. Don’t try to make them EXTROVERTS.

12.  PRAISE every attempt at spontaneity and friendliness.

Next week, we'll talk about extroverts. That should be FUN!

If you are an introvert, which item(s) in the above list most resonated with you? If you are an extrovert, which items do you need to work  on?

Why Should I Love Myself?

In case you've ever wondered, "Why Should I love myself?" my friend Beth Gormong and I wrote Hello, Beautiful! This interactive devotional journal for women contains 40 stories from Beth's and my own journey--not an easy one--to finally love ourselves just as we are. At the end of each chapter is a journaling prompt or a coloring page.

Here is an excerpt from the introduction:

Our parents and church leaders taught us when we were children that we could find the secret to fulfillment in the acrostic JOY (Jesus, others, yourself). If you put Jesus first, others next, and yourself last, your life would brim with happiness. In theory, this sounds like the humility and servanthood Jesus taught and practiced. Yet we’ve all known women who’ve put their husbands, children, and friends ahead of their own genuine need for value and love, only to end up mentally burned out, physically beaten up, or emotionally bruised.

There is a better way to a life of joy: love yourself.

Jesus told us in Luke 10:27 that one of the greatest commandments is to love your neighbor as yourself. The writers of Romans, Galatians, and James reiterate Jesus’s truth by telling us that if we love our neighbor as ourselves, we are fulfilling the law and doing right. (Romans 5:14, Galatians 13:9, James 2:8). So, the principle to love ourselves in order to love others comes from God’s Word.

Yet we see low self-esteem and even self-hatred around us every day. Women who can find something good to say about anyone but themselves. Women who mistakenly think they’re acting in sinful pride if they say, “I’m happy that I refused to gossip today when I had the opportunity.” Women who even starve themselves to look like the latest fashion model or to fit into a smaller size of pants. Women beaten down by society—and even by well-meaning but mistaken church leaders—that they like very little about themselves.

That’s why we wrote 

this book.

We want to see women take Jesus’s words seriously enough that they are set free from erroneously thinking they are never good enough, that they must be perfect to be loved, and that skinny equals pretty. We want to help women break free of faulty teaching and bask in the reality of God’s high esteem and deep love for them. To love themselves without guilt or shame. If women catch the Master’s meaning of true love—starting with themselves—as precious ones made in God’s image, they’ll hold their heads up high. The gleam in their eyes will reflect the love they’ve willingly received from God. And there will be no end to what they can achieve to make this world a lovelier place.

Because once women realize a truth and act on it, no power on earth or in hell can stop them.

Are you ready to start an adventure that will shake up the old ideas you’ve had about how God sees you and how you should see yourself? Are you ready to find out how greatly you are valued by your heavenly Father? Are you brave enough to learn that you’re allowed to finally look in the mirror and say—regardless of your size, shape, or social standing—“Hello,Beautiful!”?

Why Does God Take So Long?

           

image by gerait

Did you ever wonder why God takes so long to answer some of your prayers, while others—mighty few, if you ask me—get answers right away? Me too. 

            According Psalm 138:3, the Lord answered David on the very day he called. “On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul” Psalm 138:3 (NRSV).

God’s answer was to increase David’s boldness and strengthen his soul. He didn’t immediately rescue David from his enemies, but the fresh courage he gave David provided an answer in itself. God took away David’s fears so that he could confidently say, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.” 

           

I always want God to fix every problem in my or my loved one’s lives immediately.Heal the disease right now—no more pain or suffering, please. Open a door for a new job today—no more living from paycheck to paycheck, barely making ends meet. Fix the relationships that are broken this minute—make us understand and accept each other and act like adults.

            He rarely comes through that fast. I often say to myself or others, “Why does God take so long?” I generally have to stand fast in faith for days, weeks, even years before I see the changes I want. 

            But he does answer me on the day I call. By offering me his supernatural courage and strength, He makes me bold. He causes me to stand up on the inside, rather than crumpling in defeat. I know he loves me. I know he listens when I call. That assurance gives me the confidence I need to say, with David, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.”

image by Alexas fotos

            Father, please increase your strength in my soul. Help me believe you’re at work even when it doesn’t look like circumstances are changing for the better. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Are you standing in faith for something today that makes you wonder, "Why does God take so long?"  How can I agree in prayer with you?

Why Random Thoughts? God's way of shouting "Surprise!"

Randomness intrigues me. I believe it’s God’s way of jumping from behind a bush and shouting “surprise!” with a fresh idea. Here are a few random thoughts for a lovely Spring day:

• Ever since we took a trip to Colorado, I’ve been disappointed in the almost-blue sky of Illinois. The sky in CO. is azure, brilliant, striking. Ours looks anemic in comparison to this azure expanse in the Rocky Mountains. Is it the difference in altitude, or what?

• I think the ideal age for a kid is five. They can communicate with you, can feed themselves, even do a few chores. Yet they still possess a fresh innocence from God that makes them say clever and cute things you want to write down. Do you have any kids in your life? Any five-year-olds? May I borrow them?

• I love gazing at trees as they clap their hands to the Lord. Never embarrassed at the thought of someone watching them—they simply delight in the gift of saying, “Thanks” to God for life and sunshine. May I be more tree-like in my worship.

Do you like random thoughts? Will you share one today, please?

Why Spring?

Why Spring? Because . . . 

Blue skies....

Baby animals..

Butterflies...

Blooms...

What do YOU love about Spring?