Gateways to Joy

Are you vulnerable, transparent or do you have a wall of protection around you? Today, we will look at another Women of Faith Conference speaker, author and child actress Lisa Welchel. Lisa has authored numerous books,  Her latest being, "Friendships for Grown-Ups: What I missed and learned along the way." Here are a few practical steps, Lisa gives, in developing and growing friendships: Drive to see an old friend or reconnect with a childhood buddy. Dare to share a doubt or question about life you have with an old friend. The next time someone calls to connect with you, unless it is simply not possible, try to make time for this. Make a list of your three really close friends and twelve close friends.  Don't attempt to have twelve really close friends.  It really isn't possible, and it will only frustrate you and them. Keep in touch with old friends.  Facebook is a great way to do this. Pay attention when you start thinking of ...

I feel really silly and embarrassed to share part of what I'm about to share with you all today. I share much about myself on this blog: the good, the bad and the very ugly. In writing and sharing, I find help.  I find help in ways that better me.  I find it in ways where I learn more about me, and in finding these things, I am able to make some conclusions about myself which helps me work on me. Yes.  I am a work in progress. Knowing how I am "wretched" and knowing that God loves "even me anyway" causes me to love Him back. Knowing that God loves me anyway makes me wanna give myself to Him more, to keep getting up even though I fall. Knowing God loves me makes me want to live my whole life for Him. Yes.  Today I can say that Nancy Leigh DeMoss' ministry blog "Revive our hearts" is one of my favorite, but I couldn't always say that. Once upon a time I was upset with Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Back to the Bible , but neither knew...

{Please scroll down to the bottom of the blog to pause the music} Yesterday I listened to Nick Vujici  and Ann Voskamp's interviews on CBN Interactive. Both interviews hold valuable nuggets. I highly encourage you to listen. Today I'm sharing the words of Ann Voskamp with you, not only via the video, but through the summation of this post.  I decided to use her words, and her voice because if you've read this blog for any length of time, you know that her words and voice is one that God uses to speak to me.  Angela talks participates weekly in the interaction of community with Ann, blogging about gratitude and spiritual disciplines, not to mention that A Holy Experience is a daily staple of bread for me. In this interview, via Skype, Ann shares three points in Finding God in tragedy.  Tragedy comes in various forms, shapes, and sizes.  When it comes we usually don't care the form, shape or size— we only care about finding relief.  We want reli...

I 'm bended, fragile knees on pillow.  Head resting in palms and my thoughts are on Him, for a while anyway.  At this moment all I hear are the breaths of my husband.  I watch him.  Inhale.  Exhale.  I focus.  I remember our first meeting.  I give thanks: eucharisteo.   How more so now than ever do I know the brevity of life.   "Life is loss."   So I remind God that regardless of the struggles that Husband and I endure.  Regardless of the frustration of lack...  I rather be with him then to be without him.  I pray for him.  He's tired.  His eatery opens today.  He was up all night at the restaurant preparing. My prayers are interrupted with yet other things.  I hear the melodic chorus of birds. Gracing me in beautiful song early morning.  I see  "all is grace" this morning.   This too is a gift from His hand.  I want to see them, but I'm still o...

H ere are a few things you can do if you are interested in waking up to your blessings...awaken from your daily slumber.  Starting your One thousand gift lists.  Awakening...really waking up to your senses helps you experience beauty...His beauty all around you. Interested in getting started counting gifts? 1.  Ask God to open your eyes and make your heart sensitive to your surroundings, your world so that you begin to see your gifts—your life, through a new perspective. 2.  Thank Him for what He shows you and write it down. Gift Lists # 86-99 Letting God lead my blog and do what He wants with it.  Follow His lead. Rubbing & massaging husbands aching back The writing down of poems audio Bible preparing to juice fruit for family in the mornings.  Peeling oranges. sun shining...glare so bright listening to birds listening to chattering children quaint coffee shops cooking, listening to Bible reading while kids play outside ...

G ive Him thanks! Giving thanks for all things is making a tremendous difference in my life. I wrote this article sometime ago, way before I learned about Ann Voskamp's blog: A Holy Experience and her Gratitude Community.  Maybe, now, some of you understand why I'm so drawn to her.  She speaks my heart—my language, and she has a lot of kids just like me! I thank God for giving me the opportunity to blog and to share with you my heart-felt and most convicting thoughts.  One thing that has really drawn me to participate in this Gratitude Community  is that as I go about visiting your blogs I see a lot of me in you.  We are like minded you and me.  I'm beginning to think of you all as friends—my "kinfolk."  Realizing this makes me feel comfortable, and relax in your midst, ready to share. Today, I share a piece of my heart with you, and I thank you in advance for allowing me to be so...

T oday we're going to look at part 2, of the video Beyond The Gates of Splendor . I hope you were blessed, last week, by the story of the five missionary men who gave their lives for their faith.  It is my hope, too, that you were inspired to make your ordinary life an (extra) ordinary life—just by doing whatever it is He's called you to. Wherever you are—yes, wherever,be all there and let Him work through you. These men and their families were no different from you and me.  If there is a difference, the only difference is they were obedient where some of us may not be.  I don't know.  What I do know is just like God used these men to impact lives in their time and season, He means for us to do the same.  And who knows 40 plus years later...someone may be reading or writing your story.  Sharing how you in your "ordinary" way impacted them extraordinary.  Remember— "What makes our labor holy, what makes it eternal...

J esus what can I say to you that you don't already know? First, I want to tell you what I'm taking part in with Ann & Holley (and some other lady bloggers).  We're calling ourselves "Word Girls." Each Tuesday each of us Word Girls are linking up to Ann's blog: a holy experience and sharing our series of letters about loving you with our words. So dear Lord, how do I love you? INSTANTLY sadness befalls my heart.  My heart knows that I don't love you like I should. BUT ... You love me— even still. The next question that comes to mind is ... Do people see your love displayed through me? Not often enough. Last week Holley's letter to Ann was titled: "Why You and Your Words are More than Enough." I've been thinking about that—pondering on the truth of that statement.  Is it true Lord?  Are me and my words enough? It is true.  "Just offer what you have.  I will make up the difference."   That's wha...