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#100 ~ Live a Spirit-Filled Life

What's the goal of living a grace-filled, grace-laced, intentional life? Why have we pursued one hundred ways to cultivate an intentionally grace-laced life? . . .But more than any call to "living our best life" or "being the best version of ourselves" is the call to be filled with the Spirit. To find out lives literally laced and saturated and compelled by the grace of God.

#86 ~ Welcome Interruptions

God orders our days, friend. We're never in control, no matter how much we plan and try to strategize otherwise. So let's not miss the magic in unplanned moments. Our Father knows better than we do, and he's always in control.

#83 ~ Engage the Senses

We all have an impression of the homes we visit and the people we spend time with. That impression mostly has to do with the way someone feels loved when they're in our homes, how they feel seen, or the way stress melts away just by staying awhile. More than anything you can do to your home, or any experience you can add, you can make all the difference in how your home is remembered.

#63 ~ Get Some Rest

Every time we choose to rest, we are affirming what's true:

⚜ Everything does not depend on me.

⚜ Perfection is a form of control.

⚜ There's power in being present.

⚜ God is God, and I am not.

#54 ~ Take the Guesswork Out of Gift-giving

Give books. We love to choose an impactful book or two that we keep stocked at home for special occasions. We sometimes add a personal inscription or a letter about why the book is so significant. . . (Shameless plug. I create all my books with gift-giving in mind!)

There it is! The day I saw Dolly in concert at The Sprint Center. July 29, 2016!🎸💃

#45 Declutter Your Heart

Decluttering isn't just an issue of management; it's a matter of discernment, of waging war against worry and fear and taking thoughts captive in obedience to Christ (see 2 Cor. 10:5). It's choosing to let go of lesser things to make room for the best things. . . The Lord of our lives enthroned at the center, trusted as the anchor, embraced as the answer, and lifted up as the standard.

#41 ~ Know Your Why

When you know your why, it gets to boss you around instead of your feelings. And wisely choosing and knowing your why simplifies your life. It can help you manage your feelings, your priorities, and your schedule. It can help you say yes--or no--more readily and confidently.

#33~ Grow Things

There's something about tending and propagating plants that is a wonder. You get to participate in God's design for multiplying growth. It's a reminder to pay attention, to take part, and to share the wonder of God's creation.

Embrace Weakness

Feeling powerless today? Rejoice, He is omnipotent!
Lacking wisdom? Hallelujah, He is omniscient!
Walking a lonely road? Rejoice, He is omnipresent!

Wildflower Prayers

🪻Columbine: The name of the flower comes from the Latin words for "dove" and "eagle." God, help me to know that you are the source of both peace and strength. Please fill me with both.

🌼 Larkspur: Lord, like these open flower petals, help me live open hearted toward you and your will and live for your glory.

05: Scriptures to Preach to Yourself

Ephesians 2:1-10 ~ For by grace you have been saved by faith.
Psalm 139:13-16 ~ Fearfully and wonderfully made.
Romans 8:31-39 ~ More than conquerors.

Coram Deo - Before the Face of God

Living one's entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, with the people of God, to the glory of God.

I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever

Here is a sheep so utterly satisfied with its lot in life, so fully contented with the care it receives, so much "at home" with the shepherd that there is not a shred of desire for a change.

Surely Goodness and Love Shall Follow Me . . .

He looks on my life in tenderness, for He loves me deeply. He sees the long years during which His goodness and mercy have followed me without slackening. He longs to see some measure of that same goodness and mercy not only passed on to others by me but also passed back to Him with joy.

You Annoint My Head With Oil. . .

It is this daily annointing of God's gracious Spirit upon my mind, which produces in my life such personality traits as joy, contentment, love, patience, gentleness, and peace. What a contrast this is to the tempers, frustration, and irritableness that mar the daily conduct of so many of God's children.

You Prepare a Table Before Me . . .

Jesus told us Himself that He had come that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Just as the sheepman is thrilled beyond words to see his sheep thriving on the high, rich summer range (it is one of the highlights of his whole year), so my Shepherd is immensely pleased when He sees me flourish on the tablelands of a noble, lofty life that He has made possible for me.

Your Rod and Your Staff, They Comfort Me. . .

Just as the rod of God is emblematic of the Word of God, so the staff of God is symbolic of the Spirit of God. In Christ's dealings with us as individuals, there is the essence of the sweetness, the comfort and consolation, the gentle correction brought about by the work of His gracious Spirit.

Even Though I Walk Through the Valley. . .

It is a most reassuring and reinforcing experience to the child of God to discover that there is, even in the dark valley, a source of strength and courage to be found in God. It is when he can look back over life and see how the Shepherd's hand has guided and sustained him in the darkest hours that renewed faith is engendered.

He Leads Me in Paths of Righteousness for His Name's Sake

The difficult point is that most of us don't want to come. We don't want to follow. We don't want to be led in the paths of righteousness. Somehow it goes against our grain. We actually prefer to turn to our own way even though it may take us straight into trouble.

He Restores My Soul

When I read the life story of Jesus Christ and examine carefully His conduct in coping with human need, I see Him again and again as the Good Shepherd picking up cast sheep. The tenderness, the love, the patience that He used to restore Peter's soul after the terrible tragedy of his temptations is a classic picture of the Christ coming to restore one of His own.

He Leads Me Beside Quiet Waters

He [The Holy Spirit] would make us see that the life in Christ was the only truly satisfying life. We would discover the delight of having our souls satisfied with His presence. It would be He who would become to us very meat and drink--that at His resurrection, overcoming life was imparted to me by His Spirit each day I would be refreshed and satisfied.

He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures

This life of quiet overcoming, of happy repose, of rest in His presence, of confidence in His management is something few Christians ever fully enjoy. . . But the Good Shepherd has supplied green pastures for those who care to move in onto them and there find peace and plenty.

I Shall Not Be In Want

Contentment should be the hallmark of the man or woman who has put his or her affairs in the hands of God. This especially applies in our affluent age. But the outstanding paradox is the intense fever of discontent among people who are ever speaking of security.

The Lord is my Shepherd

For the man or woman who recognizes the claim of Christ and gives allegiance to His absolute ownership, there comes the question of bearing His mark. The mark of the cross is that which should identify us with Him for all time. The question is--does it?

Jesus: God Is With Us

When God says "I am with you," He really can be, because He satisfied the debt that separated us with His own blood. This doesn't mean we'll always be happy, or never face difficulty--Jesus was always in close communion with the Father but still felt sorrow and still suffered. But it does mean that we will never, ever be alone. Jesus is the presence of God. Immanuel.

Elijah's Discouragement

Elijah was never actually alone, but God was sensitive to his irrational fears and needs as a human vessel. He equipped Elijah to go on both physically and spiritually. Elijah overcame his isolation and despair, going boldly into situations that could have cost him his life. And don't forget--he never really died.

Joshua's Obedience

They were surrounded by doubters who allowed their fear to drown out the promises of God Almighty had made to the people. It took repeated acts of courage, over many decades, before the victory Joshua and Caleb believed in actually came to be. May we also be ready to hear--and follow--the One Voice that matters--buoyed by His Command: "Be strong and courageous."

Noah's Patience

We can learn from Noah that it is possible to stand up for the truth when no one else will, if we do as he did: trust in God's call, obey even when we look foolish, hold to the hope set before us, and remember the cross.

Nehemiah's Wisdom

Nehemiah didn't shy away from difficult assignments, and his story reminds us that we are all prone to wander--even after genuine spiritual revival. So while Nehemiah's repeated attempts to restore the Jewish people's spiritual connection with God were likely never finished, the One who would come centuries later would finally restore the people's hearts to God once and for all. . .