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It starts as a thought, and there it begins... Every first and last battle that's ever been fought. A dream to a cloud To the rain pouring down, It can happen so quickly... it makes your head pound. It starts as a lie, but deep down you know The truth runs much deeper and the truth will not die. It comes to a choice. So, how will you take action? For to act on a thought... is to give it a voice. And when you take action, you always choose... Therefore being responsible for your every reaction. Take every thought captive; don't give sin the last say. We must always remember, the truth, Living and Active. __________________ "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." ~ Hebrews 4:12  

Hi, Friends! I'm excited to announce Wordspread's new partnership with a Christian women's apparel organization. I'm passionate about health, and part of that passion stems from the need to know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139). When what you wear reflects the truth you know in your heart, you're able to live out even more passionately the purpose that God has for you. That's why I'm partnering with "She Who Is," an organization passionate about literally... wearing the gospel. Click here to check out the site, and use the code WORDSPREAD15 to get 15% off your order. __________________ "Do not let your adorning be external - the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear - but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." ~ 1 Peter 3:3-4

  A Wordspread logo is in the works. Exciting stuff. That's all. Happy Monday, friends!

Today's post is brought to you by my procrastination of applying for a parking permit at the hospital I work at. I was thinking about driving. Parking. Cars. That sort of stuff. And so, here goes. Enjoy the drive (insert winking emoji and lame pun eye-roll) through this post. __________________ First, a serious question: *What is a missionary's favorite type of car?* *A convertible.* __________________ Shameless plug for Love Africa Mission , because the humor is almost as good as the mission teams are solid. Go check them out. #jokecreds When you drive your car, you drive by faith. Right?  You have faith in your battery - that it will start. You have faith in your engine - that it will run.  You have faith in your tires - that they won't explode or go flat. You have faith in your seatbelt - that it will hold you to your seat and keep you safe should anything go awry (or else you wouldn't wear it, right?). You have faith in other drivers, that they won't be running ...

Today I start my first official job as an RN. I have an app that gives me a "verse of the day" each morning, and this morning's verse was Matthew 28:19. Coincidence? I'd say providence. It's the little things, sometimes.  __________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." ~ Matthew 28:19 __________________ As I commision my work to the Lord this morning, I know that He is the one who is commissioning ME. This is a pretty big command: Go. Make Disciples. Baptize. Teach. Obey.  God says I'm capable. Therefore, I go. I can assure you that if I were doing this on my own strength I wouldn't get past the "g" in "go." __________________ "We don't serve God to gain acceptance; we are accepted, so we follow Him.  We don't follow God to be loved; we are loved, so we follow Him." ~ Niel T. Anderson __________________ Who we...

It has been another week of altered plans, surrender of my desires, and the need for submission to God's will. You'd think I would learn my lesson at some point... but clearly, God has more to teach me. And, I have more to learn. So, here I sit. Details aside, as I was once quoted by my friend Kirsten, "oh, the tune of life!!" Sometimes you just have to roll with the "tune." Keep singing. Continue to praise God for his unfailing goodness. He's got the best plan, and He writes the coolest stories.  I moved back to Michigan this week, and I praise God for His faithfulness in this current endeavor. Very rarely is life what (or where) I expected it to be, but always, God is good. It has been 15 years since I lived here, but there are still parts of this state that feel like home. As I drove the 10 hours from Minnesota to Michigan, I hit 5 states in one day. MN, WI, IN, IL, and MI. For a girl who is used to the wonderful chaos of a big family and always havin...

Spiritual health is important. But, so is physical health. __________________ So, who doesn't like a good pumpkin muffin recipe? Everything in your life is connected: your physical health, spiritual health, and your emotional health. I challenge you to eat WITH other people! Fellowship is important while you eat. This is a "big" recipe... because food is meant to be shared. If you don't come from a big family like I do, however, you can cut the recipe in half. But even still, make an effort to set your table not only with good food, but also with good conversation and fellowship. Let your good cooking be a gateway to good conversation and fellowship!  __________________ Pumpkin Muffins 1 can pumpkin puree (about 15oz) 1 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt 1/2 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup olive oil 4 eggs 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt 4 cups oats ~ preheat oven to 375 degrees F ~ put oats in blender or food processor. blend until smooth. ~ mix in baking soda, c...

Burdens to  blessings . Lament to  laughter .  Covetousness to contentment .  Sorrow to singing . Pride to prudence .  The list could go on, and on, and on.  __________________ "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." ~ Philippians 1:6 __________________ We serve a God who USES our insecurities, inconveniences, and incapacities for His glory. He turns what is ugly into what is lovely, and this is the most beautifully joyous gift we've ever been given.  Think about it for a moment. Jesus endured the most horrific form of punishment on the cross - a punishment he did not deserve. The pinnacle of human suffering. The cross. The nails. The whip. The shame. The rejection. The cutting words. He endured it all.  Yet, God takes this moment, and somehow, turns the most horrific moment in all of history into the greatest story, the greatest testimony, and the most beautiful gift ...

"There's no such thing as bad weather, only poor clothing choices."  ~ Dad __________________ In every season, we must be prepared for the weather. Especially when it is extremely cold outside, we must think ahead, bringing warm clothing sufficient to keep our bodies warm in frigid temperatures. This post is simply a reminder to dress for the weather.  In the same way, we must be prepared for the "spiritual weather" of our lives. When our spiritual lives seem cold, are we prepared to get through those seasons? Have we dressed ourselves sufficiently for the weather?  Put on your hat. Pull on your gloves. Find your snow boots. Zip your coat. Each layer counts, right?  __________________ "Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish al...