emotions of all sorts.

May 15, 2012

If you would like a FREE copy of my NEWEST eBook Giving Up Normal, please click this link to sign up.

First, thank you friends and readers for missing me. I’ve loved your sweet words and I will be back to a daily routine with renewed focus soon. 

I wanted to take a moment and just let you in on a few of the emotions this mom is experiencing. This post is a little out of the ordinary, but I didn’t want to forget this moment. This is just a snapshot of my Saturday. My heart is so full of emotion and blessing.

The cake that couldn’t say it all, but tried with Congratulations! 

The card where I tried to say it all – but couldn’t. So proud of Blake’s perseverance in finishing in four years while working and leading a ministry.

The sisters and his wife-to-be so excited to cheer him on. Thankful for all the friends and family that came to show love on his big day.

Celebrating after graduation with cousins, aunts, uncles, nanny, and family!

Had to come back to the house and all the cousins pitched in and made cookies for the bachelorette party that evening. Fun times and memories.

We all went to the Mother’s Day service at church Saturday night so we could be together. Sunday we all serve in different churches and ministries. I cried from the moment I walked in as my son sang and led us in worship. The best Mother’s Day gift ever!

The flowers and bracelet from my son. Beautiful!

So while I’m off schedule, forgive me as I’m just trying to soak up my own emotions and savor each moment. The wedding is this Friday so there are more emotions to come.

What a beautiful week full of all sorts of emotions.

Are you full of emotions today? I’d love to hear about them.

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when you fall get back up – guest post amy bayliss.

May 10, 2012

I’m so excited to share a great friend with you today. You will love her words and new book. Check it out!

Let’s face it: we’re gonna fall. It’s a part of life we need to learn to embrace. Falling isn’t what causes failure; it’s refusing to get back up again that can be dangerous. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall, just never fail to get back up again.

I can recall a day that wasn’t going so well. I had been stumbling through darkness all morning. I realized this after I read John 8:12. My day began to replay in my mind just like scenes from a bad movie. I heard the alarm go off. I remember the phone ringing. I saw the mess I needed to clean. I felt
the aggravation of the overflowing commode and the absence of toothpaste.
I sensed the urgency of getting something to eat for the kids and
getting their daily lessons started. I heard the clanging of breakfast bowls right before I turned around and paused. Suddenly I heard Him say something to my spirit that I will never forget.

“Amy, as long as you follow Me, it is impossible that I did not walk before you and prepare the way.”

Wow! How profound is that? As I began to absorb this into my spirit and my intellect I realized how true it is. It would be impossible! If I am following Him then He has to be in front of me. My eyes must be on Him. If He is walking before me then He has to be preparing the way. He is lighting the path for me. He is showing me how to avoid the obstacles. He is guiding
me through the day.

How do I follow Him? I keep Him as my number one priority in everything.
I go to Him every day before I do anything else. I must always be aware of
His presence. I acknowledge Him everywhere I go and in everything that
I do.

“Falling” according to the world’s standard and definition is going to be very different from “falling” in God’s standards. Sometimes I think the world’s standards carry much more weight than that of God’s. The standard is there, but the lie that we need to please everyone melts away. There is only One we need to focus on.

If you’ve ever wanted to tear the 31st chapter of Proverbs out of your bible this book is for you.

She is a wife, mom, business owner, seamstress, she serves the needy, speaks life and wisdom, and seems to be quite the major overachiever, perfectionist type.

Except that…she’s not.


Come along and journey with Amy and take a look at the real woman of Proverbs 31. She isn’t as perfect as she seems. In fact, I think she is a lot like you and me.


If you want the Kindle version, get it here: Pursuit of Proverbs 31 for Kindle. You can also download the free Kindle app on your PC, iPad, iPhone, or many other devices.

For the downloadable, printable PDF version, get it here: Pursuit of Proverbs 31

 

Amy Bayliss

Amy is a small town Cajun girl living life in the big city. She and her husband Ryan have four children, all boys, ranging in age from toddler to teen! Amy is a full-time blogger and WP designer at My Southern Media. You can visit her at her personal blog, Cajun Joie de Vivre or you can follow her ramblings on Twitter and keep up with her mischief on Facebook.

 

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stop for the one tuesday. {holding on loosely}

May 8, 2012

Have you ever taken a whole day just for yourself? Chances are probably not, and if so not many!

I confess, I haven’t in ages. My mind has been continually thinking of ways to stop and reach others lately and this weekend as I got up I just felt drained. There didn’t seem to be any energy brewing in me, even after cups and cups of coffee. I eventually hopped on to twitter and saw some friends tweeting about a book called Holding On Loosely.

I clicked over to check it out and landed on the website where you could read the first two chapters FREE. I couldn’t resist.

Oh. My. Heavens. It was just what the doctor and Great Physician had ordered for my day. A day for me to rest and be refreshed.

Reading the first two chapters I was so engrossed, I quickly downloaded the book to my Kindle for more. I admit I read and read and read and read and read that day until that book was complete! I needed that. And mostly, I needed that book!

Holding On Loosely, by Pablo Giacopelli, is about finding life in the beautiful tension, which is where I had been seeming to find myself.

How about you? Do any of these scenario’s seem familiar to you? 

*You feel you need to control situations to create the action and conquer the goals you are striving to achieve.

*You grow more frustrated by the day realizing you are not in control and you want to give up and quit.

*You continually wonder where God is in your plans, situations, and frustrations.

*You sense that others have too much control over your circumstances and emotions.

*Your mind is continually thinking about the future or past and you can not unwind to enjoy the moment you are in.

*You feel you’ve lost the heart and passion for doing what you do.

If any of those situations stir anywhere close to home, I beg you to read this book. Get it HERE.

Don’t believe me, download and read the first two chapters for FREE here. I guarantee you will be hooked and you will begin the process of holding on loosely!

After you read the first two chapters, let me know if you are hooked! Read and you will quickly see why you are frustrated and overwhelmed. You will also realize that what you so desire is a deeper meaningful relationship with God.  You will walk away longing to live your life “holding on loosely!”

When was the last time you took a day for yourself to rest and be refreshed?

 

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hear the music.

May 7, 2012

Have you ever had those moments, days, or even weeks where the world seems to stand still? It’s as if you are living life, but you can’t hear the sound of the world around you.

When life’s twists and turns throw you and I off course it is as if we long to hear something. Maybe a word from God, from a friend, or a loved one, but all seems silent. You turn your ear to hear, but all you can make out is static.

Remember the old record players (yep, I’m dating myself here) where you’d put on the vinyl 45 and slowly, but cautiously, put that big needle down on the album in hopes of hearing the music.

I remember day after day wanting to hear and come alive to the beat of my favorite song, but yet when the needle was worn out all there was to hear was static. No melody. No words. No song.

Recently, while I craved to hear a focused word, I received songs. Not songs with static, but songs with messages.

If you are here today and are longing for a word or song to fill you while your world stands still, I will lend you the songs speaking to my heart. May you hear a word and be blessed.

song – Background by Lacrae

song – I Refuse by Josh Wilson

song – Hold Me by Jamie Grace

What songs are speaking to you?

 

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bible study expo 2012.

May 4, 2012

If you’re a ministry leader, do you ever wonder what to teach? Maybe you’ve been thinking about what’s out there. If so, you will love this Fall, because there are great studies coming on the horizon!

Yesterday, I was honored to spend time on the phone with Marnie Swedberg, the founder of Bible Study Expo 2012 as we shared fun tips about teaching.

I met Marnie a few years ago when I had just published my first Bible study, Dirty Laundry Secrets. She has been a huge encourager of mine and helped promote I’m a Fixer-Upper when it released, as well. This year I’m proud of announce that I am one of the Facebook and Twitter hostesses for this years event on May 17th. DON’T MISS THIS!

What is Bible Study Expo?

It’s a day where Women’s Bible Study enthusiasts meet online to hear from the authors of 2012’s most popular Women’s Bible Study books. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend the live, free, online event, Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 1-5 PM Central Time, at www.BibleStudyExpo.com. 

The Bible Study Expo features Women’s Bible Study authors Sheila Walsh, Pam Farrel, Cindy Jacobs, Mary Kassian, Renee Swope, Babbie Mason and many more from publishers including Harvest House, Thomas Nelson, Multnomah, Baker, Bethany House, Moody and others.

“It’s a great way for Bible Study leaders to get to know the authors and to learn more about the newest Bible study books available to them this year,” explains Expo Hostess, Marnie Swedberg.

It’s 100% free to attend and anyone is welcome to pre-register now at www.BibleStudyExpo.com.

“It’s such a fun format, because there is no need to travel, to find childcare or to spend money,” says Swedberg. “It’s just a great time online getting to know the Bible Study book authors as well as other Bible Study leaders from all over the world.”

Bible Study Expo is a subsite of www.Marnie.com, providing encouragement, practical help and God-focus to women since 1996. In addition to her role as Expo Hostess, Marnie is the online mentor to thousands of leaders from over 30 countries, the manager of the family restaurant and retail store, the author of 12 books and the host of a weekly radio talk show.

Join in the fun! It’s sure to be a hoot connecting with these women.

 

If you would like a FREE copy of my NEWEST eBook Giving Up Normal, please click this link to sign up.

By the way, what’s your favorite Bible study?

 

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