Worth the Read

The pain in my shoulder was intense. Each movement brought a new wave of discomfort. With four kids, surgery (i.e. incapacitation) wasn't an option but rehab was. When I first visited Dr. Brad of the Cole Pain Therapy Group I could only raise my left arm 45 degrees from my leg. From the first exam, his confidence was clear. He had the skills and tools to correct my frozen shoulder.

Recently, Dr. Brad asked if I'd write a referral for him on Google places and yelp. I could not be more grateful for his professionalism, kindness and care so my answer was a resounding yes! It took mere moments of my time but I pray God uses my meager offering to attract more patients to this quality practice.

Sometimes the greatest acts of service take the least amount of time to complete. I need to remember that.

Carey Scott

Recently one of my friends asked in a comment here on my blog who are some of the blog writers who most inspire me. The list jumped to my mind immediately. Carey, Heatherly, Teri, Patti and Rachel. It surprised me how quickly I knew the answer but another thought followed in moments. I know how much they inspire me but do they?

Patti Hazlett

If I'm willing to write an internet review for my doctor, how much more willing should I be to write a review of the women whose writing most touches my heart. If you've never read these women, allow me to tell you why you want to.

Carey Scott is one of the most authentic women I've ever known. She writes from the deepest places of her heart. Love spills out with every mark of her pen. If you want to walk through life with a real friend, read Carey.

Heatherly Sylvia

Heatherly Sylvia is the friend you wish you'd met in kindergarten. You read even a few paragraphs of her writing and know life would be smoother if you were walking its' road next to her. She gives you encouragement and strength for the journey through humor and emotion.

Teri Johnson is a visionary. She sees life both as it is and as it can be and equips you with the tools to reach your full potential. She is a cheerleader rooting for God's best in your home, life and family. When you read her, you feel empowered and ready to take life head on.

Teri Johnson

Patti Hazlett is a 360 watt lightbulb of God's grace. She delivers wisdom with such clarity it's like reading a passage of scripture with new eyes. Her supercharged personality shines through her words and gives your heart a new level of resolve and purpose.

Rachel Snyder

Rachel Snyder is a living laugh. She calls herself The Lazy Christian but her readers have no chance at laziness as they read. If her writing doesn't exercise your laughing lungs, nothing will. Better every line is laced not just with wit but wisdom. She talks to the parts of you kept hidden and surfaces God's best within.

I strongly urge you to check out these five women. Your life, home, marriage and parenting will be not only enriched but transformed as you do. They are the epitome of God's best and my life is different because they dared to whisper yes to the call of God to write. Won't you join me as their reader?

Can This Be?

I am absolutely thrilled to feature the work of my dear friend Patti Hazlett today. Patti is the kind of person who brings energy with her when she graces a room. Hope and vitality echo in her heart and her writing. I know you will love this post as much as I do and want to visit her blog many times to come.


by Patti Hazlett

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus

because he will save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21.

Oh God, can this really be true?

They have been gone for so long. Bethlehem is a lengthy journey and Mary was nearly ready to give birth. My heart strains to know if they are well. Even more, it yearns to know if this could really be?

Everything rational in me says it cannot be true. Yet, everything in the Scriptures points to it being real. My son. Joseph. It is certain he is of royal lineage, a direct descendant of King David himself. His father, Jacob, and I have raised him to honor God and live his life with integrity. He has grown into a God-honoring, humble man.

When he came to us, telling us of Mary’s pregnancy, we were stunned. Out of love and respect for Mary and her family, Joseph decided to quietly walk away from their engagement. Of course, we supported his decision. But then, he spoke of a dream. A dream in which he was visited by an angel of the Lord. The angel, he said, told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. That the baby should be named Jesus, because he will save the world! Dare we believe this could be the time? What if it is!?

The Scriptures have been part of our lives for generations. We know what they predict. The prophet Isaiah foretold of a coming King. One who would be born of a virgin. Born to reign from David’s throne. Born to save the world. It does seem to fit. Oh, do I dare believe it?

Lord, please calm my anxious heart!

Peace. Yes, peace. That’s what I feel now. As if what I have prayed for really is true! My heart is calm and I have a sense that yes, the baby Mary is about to give birth to truly is the Savior we have waited for for so very long!

With everything inside me, Lord, now I do believe. You have shown me that this really is true. Oh, Father, we are unworthy and yet humbled by your grace and mercy to allow us to watch over the Savior of the world.

My son. The earthly father of the King of Kings. Our grandson. He will be the Grand Son.

Praise be to God!
___________________________

Patti Hazlett is a writer whose blog devotionals have struck a chord with her readers. Her ability to look at life through what she calls her “Jesus filter” has taught many life lessons and practical Biblical application. A later-in-life Christian, Hazlett struggled for years to connect the dots between her life and a life as someone who was saved. Her journey took a radical turn after a cancer scare and a heartfelt, honest cry out to God to use her for more than the life she was living. Today, she approaches every day with the prayer to maximize each moment for His glory.


You can connect with Patti on Twitter, Facebook and her blog. 

Starter or Builder?

Today I have the special privilege of introducing my friend, Patti Hazlett, to you.  There are moments in life when you meet someone and know God is up to something big.  That is what happened in my life when I came to know Patti.

You'll want to read her funny tweets here.  You'll be inspired by her blog here and here.  You'll come to know and love my friend as she facebooks here. 

But today I'm most excited she's here with me.  It is my birthday and her presence here is a present both to me...and to you.  Welcome Patti!
_________________________

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16: 18

I don’t want to be a Simon. I want to be a Peter. But most of the time, I’m a weird combination of both. You, too?

Studying Peter’s life, he was one of Jesus’ closest companions. He was beloved. Jesus saw things in him that Peter could not see for himself.

Can you relate? I sure can.

Peter was a great starter. Peter often spoke before he thought through what to say. Peter dove in with both feet, typically without looking.

So often, that is me. I’m a great “idea person,” but sometimes my follow through stinks. I tend to open my mouth before I connect the dots to my brain – and you can imagine the trouble that causes. I’ll commit to things I should really think about first –overloading and overwhelming myself.

I also have a tendency to beat myself up over this side of my personality. And, yes, while some measure of pause and thinking should become more a part of my life, God can use even these traits for good.

Because even with his faults and failures:

·         Peter was passionate

·         Peter was a natural leader

·         Peter had a “way” about him that naturally drew others to him

·         Peter was a good communicator

You know what, those are also things that I can relate to. I see my passion in how I devote so much energy to the things and people I believe are important. People say I have an ability to lead and help others reach common ground. I’ve been a public relations/marketing person for 20 years, I definitely know how to communicate.

How about you? Can you relate to Peter’s upside?

Jesus told Peter that He would build the church on the Rock – the Rock that was Peter. What is Jesus looking at building through you and me?

If I am too caught up in my failures, I lose sight of the bigger picture.  God will use all of us for His work if we are willing to surrender. He can redeem even the biggest failure for sweet victory. He can draw out of us those areas that are beautiful, meld them with what we think are flaws, and create something unique and perfect for His purpose.

If Peter is any example, I will take the bumps and bruises that go with the personality. I pray He cultivates the new person I am in Christ for His greater purpose. Looking at Peter, I’m certain He can do amazing things through regular people just like you and me.

_______________________

Patti Hazlett is a writer whose blog devotionals have struck a chord with her readers. Her ability to look at life through what she calls her “Jesus filter” has taught many life lessons and practical Biblical application. A later-in-life Christian, Hazlett struggled for years to connect the dots between her life and a life as someone who was saved. Her journey took a radical turn after a cancer scare and a heartfelt, honest cry out to God to use her for more than the life she was living. Today, she approaches every day with the prayer to maximize each moment for His glory.