WHY I HIRED A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER by Lois Williams

As a writer and a speaker I was extremely frustrated with my lack of technical know-how, and as a result, I felt left out of the marketplace that is defined as Social Media. It is difficult to market oneself, I find, and when someone who loves me and wants to see my work "out there" offered to help me, I jumped at the opportunity. That friend is LouAnn Miller, and she is doing a wonderful job of building and running my Facebook Author page! Frustration has eased; I am much more free to create and write. She has helped me enormously and I highly recommend her services to anyone who is, like me, unable to advertise in his or her own behalf. She is clever and imaginative, and faithful. She has given me a new lease on my ministry. Give her a try. She can be found on Facebook, LouAnn Wennerberg Miller, or by email at louannmiller1@gmail.com

Hold on to Hope!

There was a day … many days actually, when I felt I was done dreaming. Not by choice, really. I was just out of passion for anything and I felt it was over for me. It was just all about survival. Always trying to measure up, but always feeling let down. It was like a gray, cloudy day that never ended, with no hope of blue sky emerging. I didn’t even want to hope, because I felt hope let you down harder. Then one day, the sun broke through! It came after a dark night. But the sky was so blue and the sun so bright! Since that day, life began to feel “alive” again. Dreams started to fashion in my heart. Hope flourished! Dare to hope. Sometimes the wilderness is dark, lonely and long. But hold on to hope! Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

"Who Do You Think You Are" #3

I finished reading "Who Do You Think You Are?" by Mark Driscoll. I find myself considering the truths written in this book often. When the old tapes play, I remember who I am "in Christ". It's not what I do, or how I'm treated, or if I am doing all the right things... it's WHO I AM IN CHRIST. I keep the book handy at my bedside along with my Bible open to the book of Ephesians, to grab if I begin to question my worth or my identity. If I need to make a decision, I remember "who I (you are) am in Christ determines what I (you) do". Chpt 1 pg 2 I am- in Christ, I am a Saint, I am Blessed, I am Appreciated, I am Saved, I am Reconciled, I am Afflicted (for God's Glory), I am Heard, I am Gifted, I am New, I am Forgiven, I am Adopted, I am Loved, I am Rewarded, and I am Victorious. I am looking forward to hearing the full Ephesians sermon series as well.

Mark Driscoll's Who Do You Think You Are?"

"Who Do You Think You Are ?" #2

"Who Do You Think You Are?" is definitely a book you will read more than once. My copy is already filled with underlinings (and if wasn't for the fact that I owned a book store filled with pre-owned Christian books, (and it bugs me to see writings in books), there would be stars, arrows, circles etc. all over this book! There are many sections and quotes that I intend to internalize. I plan to read it along with an open Bible on my next read-through. I recommend getting the Study Guide as well. It is filled with guided studies and daily devotions. One of my favorite chapters is "I Am Appreciated". Here's a quote: "...no matter how famous or rich we become, we all want to be appreciated- and the feelings that come from feeling unappreciated can be devastating, crippling us and crushing our desire to move forward. When we feel this way, we're faced with a choice. Do we believe what the world says about us? Or do we believe what God says about us?" "Who Do You Think You Are?" chpt. 5 I Am Appreciated.

Who Do You Think You Are?

I was thrilled to have been chosen to be on the Street Team for the launch of Mark Driscoll's new book, Who Do You Think You Are?!!

After feeling so grateful to be a part of this Group, I rolled up my sleeves and dove in! Who Do You Think You Are? is a detailed study in the book of Ephesians.

In Ephesians we find our true identity! Who we really are in Christ.  The Table of Contents drew me in immediately! Here are some of the chapter titles that may draw your interest as well:

I am in Christ
I am Appreciated
I am Heard
I am Loved

 There are 16 chapters in all.... the above being ones that intrigued me the most. Which ones intrigue you?

As I read through this great book I will be posting some of the highlights I glean as I go along. Stay tuned!

Happy New Year!

It's the eve of 2013. To me this New Year is significant. Most years just meld into the next with nothing much changing. This year; BIG CHANGES!

The reason is because the past 2 years were a like fog. A heavy, gray mist in the woods of life. I spent it trying to find my way out. Often wondering if there was a way out. I tried to make a nest in my woods, but there seemed to be no tree available. It was a lonely woods with lots of other birds, but our songs didn't blend. It was a discordant symphony.
Amazingly, there came an opening in the haze. A ray of sunshine! Freedom! I flew through it, light as a feather. What did I see? HOME! A beautifully, humble structure of great promise. Rooms of potential beauty and growth.
And there were birds too! But they flew in the sunshine! They made harmonious songs blending with my own! I was home!

I have asked myself, what did I learn from this time of seemingly aimless flight? I think my main lesson was this: God is always there, even when you don't feel Him. He's always at the other side of the woods, showing the way. He alone brings the opening in the gray clouds and give us true freedom.

And another thing..... I will always appreciate what I have! It's much more than I ever thought possible!