How Burnout Led to a Book

November 10, 2009

Someone recently asked me why I wrote my new devotional book, It’s A Wonderful (Imperfect) Life. So here’s the reason in a nutshell.

I remember the day I sat in my office, surrounded by the ever-present piles of papers and files. When the phone rang and the caller asked for the name, address, and purpose [...]

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Imperfection Rock

November 3, 2009

Look what I found among the rocks as I worked in our front yard! Hey, we live in Arizona. We spray off our dusty rocks and water our bushes & potted flowers. No grass to cut here. And no snow to shovel, either. Yes!
(I heard your collective groan just now, “Oh, I’d [...]

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Hushing the Inner Bully

October 30, 2009

Recently a young woman admitted to me that she was often “mean” to herself.  That morning her internal bully–the one in charge of exercise and diet–berated her for sleeping in and missing a workout: You Jerk! Can’t you do anything right?
This was supposed to motivate her. It didn’t. Perhaps you, too, have noticed that such [...]

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Guest Blogger, Author Cec Murphey

October 23, 2009

What to Do When the Lights Go Out
by Cec Murphey
When God Turned Off the Lights is a book for those of us who ask, “What’s wrong with me? Why are others living in the sunlight while nothing but dark clouds and darkness envelop me?”
If you sincerely desire to follow Jesus [...]

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To Be or Not to Be?

October 18, 2009

Lord, what do you want me to do? is a valid question, but sometimes we emphasize this query more than the essential one: Lord, who do you want me to be? When concentrating primarily on doing without allowing time to consider who I’m becoming, I can get over-tired and agitated. It’s a vicious cycle. I [...]

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The Intentional Woman Dares to Dream

October 7, 2009

Good morning, Friends!
Today I’ve invited a guest blogger to share with you. Pastor Gayelee Reynolds of Carlsbad Christian Assembly wrote a poem titled “The Intentional Woman” for her church’s recent women’s retreat. As many of you know, the Women’s Ministries of the Assemblies of God chose The Intentional Woman as their 2009 theme. Check [...]

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Relief for Our Over-Whatevered Lives

October 2, 2009

In our over-scheduled, over-worried, over-whatevered lives, it’s difficult to practice the patience required to process personal and spiritual change.
Yesterday a coaching partner moaned, “I should be ‘fixed’ by now. Yet I still struggle. A mentor told me that God usually heals instantly. Not happening here. I’m confused.”
Together, we brainstormed examples of how God approves of [...]

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Laughter

September 16, 2009

Laughter is good medicine!

Just the other day our oldest grandchild, Annika, lifted up our youngest Calissa and as she did Baby Calissa squealed with delight. Click here to hear the giggles.

Guaranteed to make you chuckle. Now go find some laughter for yourself today.
“A cheerful disposition is good for your health.” Proverbs [...]

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Is It Burnout?

September 11, 2009

Caring, conscientious, goal-oriented and over-achieving women (and men, too!) are candidates for burnout. In case you think only executives who work too late and too hard can experience burnout, read the following definition. Burnout is the type of stress and emotional fatigue, frustration, and exhaustion that occurs when a series of (or combination of) events [...]

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What Do a Personal Retreat, Julie Papievis, and The 700 Club Have in Common?

August 29, 2009

Joan’s Personal Retreat: How I looked forward to my personal retreat at a cabin in the woods. I planned to take walks among the tall pines, read on the patio, answer to no other person, journal, relax, nap, rest and pray.
After unloading the car and putting away my food for the next few days, I [...]

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