Bree is a recovering perfectionist whose weaknesses include the dollar spot at Target and any pretty office supplies. Though she is an introvert, she has an insatiable craving for community and a desire to bring light to Godโs purpose in the imperfections of life. Read More
Rediscovering Joshua-Ruth & 1 Samuel-1 Kings
“From the very beginning of the creation of the first man, God has shown His desire to be in relationship, in communion, and in partnership.”
Rediscovering Genesis – Deuteronomy
“When we take a closer look into the Hebrew, we uncover multiple amazing meanings tucked into each letter, and we see that God actually explains His whole plan of Salvation, literally, in the beginning of His story.”
Israel Through a Middle Eastern Lens
However, much like finding the hidden image in the graphic, reading the Bible has less to do with โmaturityโ and so much more to do with knowing where and how to look for the message God wants us to see.ย
Jesus, Geography & Our Mission
“โThe Holy Spirit can use our own stories to draw others to Jesus, no matter what we think of ourselves or to whom we are speaking.ย The question is not whether we have a story to share, but whether or not we will.โ
Jesus, Geography & Divine Titles
“It was at this moment that Jesus became so much more than just a traveler, a rabbi, or even a miracle worker. “
Jesus, Geography & Pagan Land Claims
“Jesus intentionally took His disciples on this โfield tripโ to the region of Caesarea Philippi, not to tell them a fictional story like Narnia, Peter Pan, or the Secret Garden, but to make sure that they knew His identity as the One True, real, and Living God!”
Jesus, Geography & Substitution
“Just as we read of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew 3 and 4, water stories and miracles in the Biblical narrative seem to be followed up with wilderness seasons, almost as if weโre called by God to take the thirst-quenching relief of the miracle forward into the difficult season that lay ahead, as a reminder to trust that Heโll provide even long after the water dries up.”
Jesus, Geography & Old Testament Prophecy
“…in our remembrance and telling of this story, do we ever truly consider the geographical context of the Land and how it impacts the narrative we know and love?”
Week Seven | When the Words Catch Fire
“Itโs fascinating to recognize some of the Jewish roots within our modern Christian songs, and yet, weโve been reminded again this week that there is a collective of people who are missing the Jewish roots of Judaismโฆ and, at that right, Christianity.”
Week Six | The Hovering Spirit
“After spending time with my feathered friends, I can’t help but smile in awe and wonder, thinking about God’s Spirit hovering or fluttering.”
Week Five | Reading About the Messiah
โ…the church does not know who she is because she does not know who she was.โ
Week Four | Reading the Bible as a “We”
“When we work to remove ourselves from the center of Scripture, and shift our focus from me (individual) to we (community), we begin to interact with Scripture as God fully intended for us to…”
Week Three | Greek Brain, Hebrew Brain
“It still fascinates me how so often our childrenโs storybook Bibles and even our adult devotional books portray Bible stories as if they were make-believe, like any other fairytale or a story that happened just down the road in your average American neighborhood….”
Week Two | What Does Christ Mean, Anyway?
“Declarations of the coming King, Jesus, are sprinkled throughout all of Scripture.”
Week One | Opening the Bible with Jesus
It is important for us to humble ourselves when we are tempted to believe we โgetโ what we read in the Bible because even Jesusโ closest disciples needed to be instructed on how to see Him in the Scriptures.”
Week Six | Blessed By Living in the New Creation with Jesus
“So, even as we eagerly await the day of Jesusโ return, we must do so with the desire of delay until all are provided the opportunity to turn their hearts toward Him, in repentance and relationship.”
Week Three | Blessed By Being Protected By Jesus
“Not only was David a shepherd-king, but the Lord called him, โa man after Godโs own heartโ. How beautiful is it that the words of the elder, before the throne of God, echo Davidโs psalm, now fulfilled by the Lamb?”
Week Six | The Treasure of the Text
“We donโt have to worry about trying to drink from a fire hose when studying Scripture, but instead, receive an intentional filling of the steady drip of Living Water.”
Week Four | How to Have a Kosher Mouth
“Pointing out othersโ downfalls behind their backs are careless fires that can be stamped out with careful evaluation. We are meant to lift and edify each other up with our speech. To do any less falls short of reflecting Christ in us.”
Week Two | Loving God with Everything You’ve Got
“The number of concordances, commentaries, or different translations we use cannot compare, supplement, or be viewed as a replacement for communal study.”
I Can Do All Things Through a Verse Taken Out of Context
“But it has also been eye-opening to read verses that we’ve come to know by heart and that have been used in a number of capacities out of context with a fresh perspective.”
It’s All Greek to Me: Exploring Biblical Idioms
“When we consider how our English language is littered with idioms, these nonsensical phrases, in the literal sense, it’s crazy that we expect to read our Bibles and take what we read there at face value.”
To Highlight or Not to Highlight: Two Methods for Mark-ups
“There is no right or wrong way to make references for future versions of yourself to be reminded of important lessons learned.”
Biblical Context Matters
“Biblical context matters, because it helps us to reframe our studies, to focus on where we can find God, rather than ourselves, in the stories, as well as how everything points back to Jesus.”
Week Six | Brothers & Sisters Bound Together in Prayer and Fasting
“God comes alongside us, walking step-by-step beside us, facing each wave of emotion, crying each tear, and screaming at each injustice, just as we do. He walks through the muck with us, knee-deep and miserable, but He never leaves our side.”
Week Two | The Kingdom of God is a Mustard Seed
“We often find ourselves in places or situations in life we didnโt expect or plan to be in for our lives.ย But often it is the times like these when we are forced out of our comfort zones, away from โhomeโ so to speak, that the most growth takes place.ย And that growth is our way to bear witness to what God has done in and through us.”
Week One | The Rabbi-Talmid Relationship
“Women tend to shy away from these important roles of โdisciple-makerโ that so many are seeking, simply because they donโt feel equipped… Maybe we’re going about it all wrong?”
Gleaning from the Word of God
“Maybe we don’t find ourselves in quite the same circumstances as Ruth and Naomi, desperate for food to feed our hungry bellies, but our spiritual bellies ache just as much.”
Episode 63: 7 Feasts with Erin Davis
Listen to the episode | 1-hour & 9 minutes “Jesus is telling us that His purpose in coming was not to…
Week Two | The Passover
“There is a word in Hebrew that embodies what God was setting out to do with the 7 Feasts laid out in Leviticus 23.”
Week One | The Cure for Spiritual Amnesia
“What if you could read one chapter of Scripture like you were talking with your best friend about the flashbacks that were shared in your favorite Netflix series that helped you better understand the main character?”
Episode 55: Jennifer Elwood of Refuge Ministry
“It’s that time of year again! ย It’s time to start “Counting Up to Christmas” with Jennifer Elwood.”
Episode 54: Wealth of the Wilderness with Rebekah Joy
Listen to the episode | 49.5-minutes “โฆWe are always close to a wilderness season by way of being in one, emerging…
Week Six | Emerge Into a New Season
“God only knows what we need to walk through or around before we emerge from our global wilderness season. But you can know for certain, no matter what your wilderness season looks like, He will never leave you there.ย Heโs always working to bring you home.”
Week One | What is the Wilderness?
“If you would have asked me about “the wilderness” back in February 2020, I might have told you about the Israelites and their 40 years spent wandering in the wilderness. Or I would have shared about the time that Jesus walked, still dripping wet from His baptism in the Jordan River, into the wilderness to face the devilโs temptations.”
Why is Biblical Context So Important?
“Biblical context is vitally important to the overall understanding of events that are central to our faith.”
Episode 45: Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus with Lois Tverberg
Listen to the episode | 1-hour and 12-minutes “As Christians, we can never forget that the Bible, from Genesis through…
Week Seven | Becoming True Disciples
“We should ask ourselves in what ways we can deepen our relationship with Christ.”
Week Three | Get Yourself Some Haverim
Learn the importance & root of your longing to be surrounded by a strong group of friends, to do life with & learn alongside.
Rooted in the Word – Episode 06: A Bountiful Harvest
Listen to the episode | 10-minutes Welcome back to the Rooted in the Word Series for our sixth and final…
Week One | Joining Mary at the Feet of Jesus
” Maryโs anointing of Jesus would have taken place just days before His triumphant arrival into Jerusalem.”
Rooted in the Word – Episode 05: Pruning and Refining
Listen to the episode | 16.5-minutes Welcome back to the Rooted in the Word Series for our fifth episode! Recently…
Faith-Full Books for Christian Women
Listen to the podcast | Reading-time is 5.5 minutes A friend of mine once told me that the reason I…
Rooted in the Word – Episode 04: Root Yourself in the Word
Listen to the episode | 12.5-minutes Have you ever learned something that made you love someone more? You think you…
When You Let Go, You Grow
Listen to the Podcast Episode | Read Time 7-minutes Letting go of perfectionism to pursue a relationship with God. During…
Episode 33: Jesus and Women with Kristi McLelland
Listen to the episode | 1-hour and 15-minutes “The Bible was given to us that we might know who the…
Rooted in the Word – Episode 03: Living Water
Listen to the episode | 33-minutes Welcome back to the Rooted in the Word series!ย In our first two episodes,…
Rooted in the Word – Episode 02: Digging in the Word
Listen to the episode | 12-minutes Welcome back to the Rooted in the Word series! I hope you enjoyed getting…
Week Five | Woman With Chutzpah
“The Bible was given to us that we might know who the living God is, what He’s like, and what it is like to walk with Him — to know Him.”
Rooted in the Word – Episode 01: Preparing for Growth
Listen to the episode | 12-minutes What is the first thing that you do when you start a garden? You…
Week Three | Jesus and the Woman at the Well
“Jesus turns the detour into the destination.”
Week One | Middle Eastern Jesus
“You need to know that Jesus can handle you.”
Episode 22: Faithstorytellers with Mackenzie Ryan
Listen to the episode | 29-minutes Grow through what you go through, itโs a phrase that Iโve used here on…
Top 5 Tips to Start a Blog in 2021
So you’ve dreamed and schemed about it and now you’re ready to sit down and start blogging. Congratulations, friend! I’m…
I Thought I Was Called to Full-Time Ministry, But God Showed Me a Different Way
Listen to the audio on our Podcast | Read time 7-minutes I wasnโt looking for a new job when I…
How to Find Joy in a Weary World
Listen to the audio on our Podcast | Read time 6-minutes The holidays can be a hard season for many,…
Counting Up to Christmas
Listen to our interview with Jennifer Elwood | Read time 4-minutes Welcome back for the fifth edition of our blog…
Outside of the Box Ways to Connect with God This Advent
Listen to the audio of this post | Read time 7-minutes Welcome back for the fourth edition of our blog…
Context Over Cuteness
Listen to the audio of this post | Read time 6-minutes Hey, bud! Now that we’ve wrapped up our Fall…
Week Seven | Led By Example
Week Seven | Get Out of Your Head Online Book StudyReading Assignments – Ch. 15 & 16Listen to the Audio…
Week Five | Grace Week
Week Five | Get Out of Your Head Online Book StudyReading Assignments – None this weekListen to the Audio version…
Week One | The Lies We Think & Believe
“What we believe and what we think matters, and the enemy knows it…”
Episode 04: Beauty in the Broken
LISTENING TIME: 11:47 Hi, welcome to Episode 04: Beauty in the Broken of the Let’s Grow Podcast with Bree Blum!…
Episode 03: Pour from the Saucer
LISTENING TIME: 16:25 Hi, welcome to Episode 03: Pour from the Saucer of the Let’s Grow Podcast with Bree Blum!…
Episode 02: Mold Me, Make Me
LISTENING TIME: 13:01 Hi, welcome to Episode 02: Mold Me, Make Me of the Let’s Grow Podcast with Bree Blum!…
Episode 01 : In the Garden
LISTENING TIME: 10:52 Hi, welcome to the Let’s Grow Podcast with Bree Blum! In our very first episode of the…
5 Tips to Increase Your Biblical Literacy
I canโt believe Iโm actually going to admit this: I didn’t realize that the promise God made to Adam and…
Grow Your Faith
Let’s address the elephant in the room:ย I only have fake plants in my home. For the longest time, it’s…
Week Seven | Upside Down
Week Four | It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Online Bible Study Reading Assignment – Chapters 11 & Epilogue/Update…
Week Six | Grace Week
Week Six | It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Online Bible Study Reading Assignments – None This Week |…
Week Three | Paintings & People
Week Three | It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Online Bible Study Reading Assignment – Chapters 5 & 6…
Week One | Between Two Gardens
Week One | It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Online Bible Study Reading Assignment – Chapters 1 & 2…
Its Not Supposed to Be This Way
Spring 2020 Online Bible Study | It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way How do you eat an elephant? One…
Week Six | Chasing
Week Six | When Less Becomes More Online Bible Study Reading Assignment – Pages 155-196 | Chasing & Home Since…
Week Five | Grace Week
Week Five | When Less Becomes More Online Bible Study Reading Assignment – None! Participating in and keeping up with…
Week Four | Faith
Week Four | When Less Becomes More Online Bible Study Reading Assignment – Pages 113-152 | Faith & Parenting As…
Week Three | Rest
Week Three | When Less Becomes More Online Bible Study Reading Assignment – Pages 77-111 | Rest & Wellness Last…
Week Two | Noise
Week Two | When Less Becomes More Online Bible Study Reading Assignment – Pages 39-74 | Noise & Social Media…
Week One | Rush
Week One | When Less Becomes More Online Bible Study Reading Assignment – Pages 1-36 | Rush & Technology Still…
How a Ministry Mindset Changes Everything
Growing up, I was always shy and backward. I was (and still am) a true Momma’s girl. I’ve loved Jesus…
Too Busy to Rest
Hi, I’m Bree, and I’m too busy to rest. I work full time and run two small businesses.ย I create…
Living Into Christ’s Victory
Recently I watched an episode of one of my favorite shows that portrayed one of the main characterโs losing his…
Created to LEAD + LIVE + SERVE Well
I was an imaginative child, always putting on plays for my parents and making up dance routines to my favorite…
What is Soul Care?
At the end of the day, no matter what position or title you hold, we could all use a little…
Reflection on Perfection
Have you ever stood in front of the mirror and stared at your reflection until you didn’t recognize yourself anymore?…
35 Ways to Care for Your Soul
I remember laying in bed one night about four months after starting my job as an Executive Director wondering if…
6 Scriptures to Anchor Your Holy Hustle
After returning from a trip to England, where I blogged about my travels with my brother, I decided to start…
Quotes to Lead By
Do you collect quotes? I am pretty certain that even if you donโt claim to collect them, somewhere in your…
Importance of the Holy Huddle
Sundays after church, weโd all hop in the fifteen-passenger van to go stuff our faces with the finest grub at…
This is 35
This is 35. I was greeted at work with the sweetest sentiments of birthday wishes yesterday, complete with gourmet cupcakes…
Preparations for Emmanuel
Have you ever made preparations to go on a trip?ย Did you make a to-do list of all of the…
Dead, But Still Deadly
When I was growing up my dad would tell my brother and me the most elaborate bedtime stories.ย The elaboration…
When He Gives and Takes Away
It has been over a year since fresh words have graced this page.ย I haven’t forgotten.ย In fact, I’ve sat…
Still Waiting?
I moved back into my townhouse after waitingย for seven months, while repairs were being completed after a waterline broke and…
The Place You Chose For Me
Not long before my paternal grandmother passed away at the age of 93, she told my dad that she had…
It’s Time to Get Our Hands Dirty
Have you ever tended to a plant? ย First you have to get your hands dirty, make room for this tiny,…
When Darkness Falls
Every fourth of July, when I was little, my family would pack up a bag with snacks, grabbed our yellow…
Waiting on God
His sandals probably squeaked from theย water pouring off His feet, as He made His way past the crowd that hadย gathered…
Week Six | This is My Song
Week Six Reading Assignments– Pages 171-190 | Perspective Shifts โข Unfinished โข Epilogue: This is My Song [divider type=”solid” color=”black”] My first encounter with…
Week Five | Finding Lovely
Week Five Reading Assignments– Pages 144-170 | A Picture in Tel Aviv โข Gardens โข When You Find Lovely [divider type=”solid” color=”black”] Have you…
Week Four | Everyday Lovely
Week Four Reading Assignments– Pages 110-143 | Sushi โข b.fab.fitness โข Monet’s House โข My People [divider type=”solid” color=”black”] โNow the Lord is the Spirit,…
Yeshua
What’s in a name? ย that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. โ William…
Week Two | Looking for Lovely
Week Two Reading Assignments– Pages 40-76 | Looking for Lovely โข Sunrise โข Ryman Auditorium โข Tragedy [divider type=”solid” color=”black”] Anyone else here so not a…
Week One | Quitter
Week One Reading Assignments– Pages 13-39 | Quitter โข Ugly โข Cocaine Still waiting for your book? Click here to download the…
Moments That Matter
In myย Notes app on my iPhone, I have 184 “notes” that I’ve made for myself. ย Things to remember. ย The credentialsย to…
Jesus as a House Guest
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come…
Shifting Seasons
We live in a day and age where comments and “likes” are welcomed and often encouraged. ย We live for the…
Clearing the Clutter
There’s nothing quite like having all of your earthly possessions placed on your front lawn to humble your heart. When…
Mended by the Cross
Monday was my last pottery class and as I carried my final pieces back to be fired, my platter split…
Struggle Doesn’t Equal Failure
The alarm goes off and you manage to crack open an eyelid far enough to peer at the glaringly bright…
How Understanding History Makes All the Difference
A Modern Girlโs Guide to Bible Study – Ch. 7: How Understanding Relevant History Makes All the Difference (Pg. 113-129) I…
Bible Study Tools You Have to Know About
A Modern Girlโs Guide to Bible Study – ย ย Ch. 6: Bible Study Tools You Have to Know Aboutย (Pg. 93-112) Way,…
Learning to Lean on the Holy Spirit
A Modern Girlโs Guide to Bible StudyCh. 3: Learning to Lean on the Holy Spirit (Pg. 39-51)Ch. 4: Every Mess Can Be Organized (Pg….
Common Insecurities About Studying God’s Word
A Modern Girlโs Guide to Bible Study – Ch. 1: Common Insecurities About Study God’s Word (Pg. 13-24) – Ch….
Car Seat Confessional
The car was idling out front as I left the warmth of our friends’ home after our small group’s first…
Time Management Tips
You sit before a to do list a mile long. ย It calls out task after task that you try to…
Two Kinds of Christmas
When I was growing up, each December my family would pile in the minivan and head off to the shopping…
Deliver Christ Into the World
A dear friend of mine is in the homestretch; eagerly awaiting the arrival of her second child. ย Months of preparations…
All Things New
“Once upon a time” has been in our vocabularies since before many of us could even walk. ย We’ve been fascinated…
Day Nineteen // For the Love
Chapter 26: On Women โ Pages 198-204 Sisters, you were made for more. I am not talking about more stuff, more…
Day Eighteen // For the Love
Chapters 25: Dear Christians, Stop Being Lame โ Pages 189-197 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence…
Day Seventeen // For the Love
Chapter 23: If Social Media Were Around โ Pages 175-184 Dear beloved reader, do you know that you all wouldnโt be…
Day Sixteen // For the Love
Chapters 22: Dear Church โ Pages 161-174 My family is very interested in genealogy. On my father’s side we are…
Day Fifteen // For the Love
Chapter 21: Poverty Tourism โ Pages 153-160 I still remember the moment when we first arrived in Mexico. I still remember…
How Can It Be? // A Redemption Story
Four words. ย Four small, seemingly insignificant words have been uttered from the mouths of seemingly insignificant people throughout the generations….
Day Fourteen // For the Love
Chapters 18: Difficult People โ Pages 130-139 I fully believe in embracing your weird (shout out to Felicia Day) and the…
Day Thirteen // For the Love
Chapter 16: Porches as Altars โ Pages 113-119 Do you want to know what changes a life? Being known. It starts with…
Day Twelve // For the Love
Chapter 15: Supper Club โ Pages 103-112 There was a time in my life when I lived on donations, barely a…
Day Eleven // For the Love
Chapter 13: Jesus Kids โ Pages 86-95 A lot of times as adults we get annoyed by the constant questions that…
Day Ten // For the Love
Chapter 12: Marriage: Have Fun & Stuff โ Pages 77-85 Do you want to know how I thought I’d meet my…
Fairy Tale Faith
This post was written by a friend and brother in Christ, Scott Breiding. [divider] What you were never told about…
Day Nine // For the Love
Chapter 11: Dear Kids โ Pages 70-76 Have you ever gotten lost in the hustle and bustle of things only to…
Day Eight // For the Love
Chapter 10: Surviving School โ Pages 63-69 It was nearly five years ago when I first heard about Pinterest. It was…
Day Seven // For the Love
Chapter 9: Hope for Spicy Families โ Pages 57-62 Authentic families; things in life are not always rainbows and butterflies. Moments…
In All Your Ways
For the past few years I decided against the whole New Years Resolution thing. ย It never sticks and it usually…
Day Six // For the Love
Chapter 7: Tell the Truth โ Pages 43-49 Have you ever choked on your own words? They sit there perched on…
Day Five // For the Love
Chapter 6: Not Buying โ Pages 35-42 I remember recently standing in my bathroom and staring at my reflection after stepping…
Day Four // For the Love
Chapter 5: Run Your Race โ Pages 30-34 When my brother was younger he dreamed of becoming a world famous archaeologist…
Day Three // For the Love
Chapter 3: On Calling And Haitian Moms โ Pages 17-23 The last two years of my life I have been burdened with…
Day Two // For the Love
Chapter 2: On Turning Forty โ Pages 10-16 I’ve always been a bit of a planner and when I was younger, my…
Day One // For the Love
Chapter 1: Worst Beam Ever – Pages 3-9 I’m from West Virginia; the home of pepperoni rolls, the first celebration…
Week One // For the Love
Reading assignment: Introduction Meeting new people is always an adventure. ย The room is crowded, not only with bodies but with…
Love in Flight
Pumpkin spice lattes are flowing from every coffee shop and everything else pumpkin flavored is lining the shelves. ย (Hear me,…
Building Community as an Introvert
The room is filled with sounds; of laughter and chairs scraping across the worn wood floors. Glasses are being drained and filled…
Essential Oils: Fad or Lifestyle?
Just rub a little Peppermint here. ย Diffuse a little Lavender there. Holy moly essential oils, you’re everywhere! Within the last…
Why It’s So Hard to Love Thy Neighbor
If you’ve ever spent any time in the church, I’m sure you’ve heard at least one sermon on the power…
How to Give Thanks in Troubled Times
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to…
Summer Break
The road along this journey has been filled with twists and turns. There have been encounters with potholes, construction, and…
Week Seven In Review // Make It Happen
What does one say when there are no words… but blessings, abundant blessings! I think I’ll use some beautiful words…
Facebook Discussion // Week Seven
How’d we get here already? It was just yesterday that we were flooding Facebook with new members, trying to adjust…
Day Nineteen // Make It Happen
Day Eighteen // Make It Happen
Day Seventeen // Make It Happen
Week Seven // Make It Happen
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. ย Indeed, it is the only thing…
Week Six In Review // Make It Happen
Are you as amazed as I am that we’re ending Week Six of this study!?! ย It has been such a…
Day Sixteen // Make It Happen
Day Fifteen // Make It Happen
Week Six // Make It Happen
Good morning sweet girl. ย Howย was your sleep? ย I pray that where you are the sun is shining and you have…
Week Five In Review // Make It Happen
Where has the time gone? ย Five weeks are just about complete and we’re now heading into our last TWO weeks…
Facebook Discussion // Week Five
โLove is the effort and desire to make someone else everything they were createdย to be.โ โย Timothy Keller And that is…
Day Fourteen // Make It Happen
Day Thirteen // Make It Happen
Week Five // Make It Happen
Good morning sweet girl. ย Did you rest easy? I find it hard to believe that we’re heading into our fifth…
Week Four In Review // Make It Happen
It’s so hard to believe that we’ve completed FOUR WEEKS together already! ย (Five if you count the pre-study connection!) ย But…
Facebook Discussion // Week Four
โIt is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his…
Day Twelve // Make It Happen
Day Eleven // Make It Happen
Day Ten // Make It Happen
Week Four // Make It Happen
Good morning sweet girl. ย Howย was your sleep? ย I pray that where you are the sun is shining and you have…
Week Three In Review // Make It Happen
Wow, what a week! We learned: That taking risks can be downright terrifying, but at the same time we can…
Facebook Discussion // Week Three
Without an opportunity to come together to love on, encourage, support and pray for one another, there would be no…
Day Nine // Make It Happen
Day Eight // Make It Happen
Day Seven // Make It Happen
Week Three // Make It Happen
Good morning sweet girl. ย How was your rest? ย Did you find peace in your sleep or was it fit full,…
A New Creation
In 525,600 minutes this blog has been transformed into a new creation. ย Something bigger and much more meaningful than I…
Week Two In Review // Make It Happen
Week two has come and gone (holy moly!) andย what a week it was! We learned: about finding that one thing…
Facebook Discussion // Week Two
Thursdays have recently become my favorite day of the week! ย Other than leading Zumba classes (where I get to…
Day Six // Make It Happen
Day Five // Make It Happen
Day Four // Make It Happen
Week Two // Make It Happen
How are you doing? ย Did you say, “fine”? ย Oh sweet girl, I know that there’s more to that answer. ย Really,…
Week One In Review // Make It Happen
Wow! ย What a week it has been, full of excitement and lots and lots of information. ย I know some of…
Facebook Discussion // Week One
We’re more than halfway through Week One already! ย Say what? You know the saying, time flies when you’re having fun….
Day Three // Make It Happen
Day Two // Make It Happen
Day One // Make It Happen
Week One // Make It Happen
This is My Story // Becky Honore
Hey, hey! My name is Rebecca, but these past few years I have wanted to be more personable and have…
This is My Story // Staci Payne
Hi ladies! What a joy it is to enter into this new spring season with all of you! My name…
This is My Story // Bree Blum
When I went to church camp many moons ago, I always dreaded those awkward get-to-know-you ice breaker games where you…
Things are Happening
If you are one of my faithful followers on social media you may have seen some of the excitement that…
Week Eight // Facebook Discussion
We’ve reached the home stretch. Can you believe that we’ve been together for eight weeks? That we’ve been journeying together…
Day Nineteen // The Best Yes
We Make Choices. Then Our Choices Make Usย /ย Ch. 19 – Pages 226 toย 231 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Todayโs post comes to…
Day Eighteen // The Best Yes
When My Best Yes Doesn’t Yield What I Expectย /ย Ch. 18 – Pages 217 toย 225 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Todayโs post comes…
Choosing Purpose Over Perfection
Hi, I’m Bree and I’m a perfectionist. I’m a thirty-something that has lived most of my life under the impression…
Week Seven Photo Challenge // The Best Yes
I find it hard to believe that we’re halfway through WEEK SEVEN already! ย Where has the time gone? I am…
Day Seventeen // The Best Yes
The Very Best Yesย /ย Ch. 17 – Pages 204ย toย 216 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Todayโs post comes to us from the host of…
Day Sixteen // The Best Yes
The Panic That Keeps You From Your Best Yesย /ย Ch. 16ย – Pages 190 toย 203 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Todayโs post comes to…
Week Seven // Facebook Discussion
Confidence is a ongoing going battle in my heart. ย How about your’s? ย It’s something that I’ve struggled to maintain for…
Day Fifteen // The Best Yes
The Thrill of an Unrushed Yes /ย Ch. 15 – Pages 179 to 189 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Todayโs post comes to…
Day Fourteen // The Best Yes
A Best Yes Is Seen By Those Who Choose To Seeย / Ch. 14 – Pages 168 to 178 [divider type=”dotted”…
Day Thirteen // The Best Yes
But What If I Say No and They Stop Liking Me?ย / Ch. 13 – Pages 154to 167 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”]…
Week Six // The Best Yes
My sincerest apologies for the delay of this message. ย The weekend, filled with obligations and tasks got away from me,…
Week Five // Facebook Discussion
When I picked up this book, I wasn’t sure that I was going to like it. ย I enjoy Lysa’s easy-going…
Week Five Photo Challenge // Best Yes
Completelyย by Among the Thirsty has been playing on repeat in my heart lately. ย Maybe it’s the upcoming meeting I have…
Day Twelve // The Best Yes
The Awkward Disappointment of Saying No / Ch. 12 – Pages 142 to 153 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Todayโs post comes…
Day Eleven // The Best Yes
The Power of the Small Noย / Ch. 11 – Pages 125ย toย 141 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Todayโs post comes to us from…
Week Five // The Best Yes
This book study is focused on a book entitled,ย The Best Yes, yet we’ve learned over the last few weeks that…
Coming Out of Hiding
Coming out of hiding (or returning to blogging after time away) is like walking out into a winter afternoon; whereย the…
Week Four // Facebook Discussion
Just when you think that Lysa has hit every point on decision making and saying our BEST YES, she blows…
Day Ten // The Best Yes
Managing Demands Means Understanding Expectationsย / Ch. 10ย – Pages 114ย toย 124 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Todayโs post comes to us from the host…
Day Nine // The Best Yes
Show Up to Practiceย / Ch. 9ย – Pagesย 101 to 113 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Today’s post comes to us from guest blogger,…
Day Eight // The Best Yes
Consider the Trade / Ch. 8 – Pages 92 to 100 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Today’s post comes to us from…
Week Four // The Best Yes
I’ve lived in my townhouse for three years this March. ย But before I moved here, I lived on the other…
Week Three // Facebook Discussion
Oh, chapters six and seven, you did not disappoint! ย I must say that this week provided a lot ofย inspiration and…
Week Three Photo Challenge // Best Yes
When I was little I used to pretend to take pictures, bending my thumbs and forefingers so they looked like…
Day Seven // The Best Yes
Analysis Paralysis / Ch. 7 – Pages 62 to 76 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Today’s post comes to us from guest…
Day Six // The Best Yes
Chase Down That Decision /ย Chapter 6 – Pages 63 toย 75 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Today’s post comes to us from the…
Week Three // The Best Yes
How many times have you sat down to a meal only to finish and find that you are left wanting…
Week Two // Facebook Discussion
I can’t believe that it’s that time again. ย This week has FLOWN by! ย But that’s quite alright, because I love…
Week Two Photo Challenge // Best Yes
Do you remember the days where you had to lug around a bulky camera and backup film? ย What about those…
Day Five // The Best Yes
God’s Word, Ways, and Wonderย /Chapter 5ย – Pages 48ย toย 62 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Today’s post comes to us from the host of…
Day Four // The Best Yes
Sometimes I Make It All So Complicated /Chapter 4 – Pages 33 to 47 [divider type=”dotted” color=”gray”] Today’s post comes…
Week Two // The Best Yes
โTo fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the…
Week One // Facebook Discussion
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited to get together with the rest of theย Intentional Filling community to…
Day Three // The Best Yes
Overwhelmed Schedule, Underwhelmed Soulย /Chapter 3ย – Pages 19ย toย 32 Haven’t received your copy ofย The Best Yes yet? Download a sample to get…
Day Two // The Best Yes
The Way of the Best Yesย /Chapter 2ย – Pages 7ย toย 18 Haven’t received your copy ofย The Best Yes yet? Download a sample…
Day One // The Best Yes
Check the Third Boxย /Chapter 1ย – Pages 1ย toย 6 Haven’t received your copy ofย The Best Yes yet? Download a sample to get…
Week One // The Best Yes
Never-ending to do lists, overwhelmed schedules, and running ragged from the side effects of the disease to please; I get it! From…
Some Other Beginning’s End
Lights, camera, action! ย Suddenly I’m standing in the spot light, squinting at whatever is beyond the sudden brightness. ย Fireworks pop…
God Winks and Goosebumps
As you may have heard, I am working hard on getting things ready for the Winter 2015 Book Study (have…
Mountains Move
I’ve missed you. ย I have been wanting to talk with you. ย I’ve wanted to update you. ย I just didn’t have…
Good Bye // Let’s All Be Brave
Goodbyes are hard to say. There have been many tearful farewells in my past, where I did not want to…
Jesus // Let’s All Be Brave
Over the years I’ve been asked to tell my story, how I became a believer and what happened the first…
The Rhythm // Let’s All Be Brave
Routines. We all have them. We wake up, stare at the clock and wonder why we have to pluck ourselves…
Around the World // Let’s All Be Brave
I’m a home body. There I’ve said it. When others are out living it up on Friday nights, where am…
I Am Not Alone
I am alone… I’m single, but unafraid. ย I am confident in who I am. ย I am a blogger and a…
At Home // Let’s All Be BRave
When one of the pastors on staff at my church announced to the congregation that we’d be sending a team…
Single Women Making a Difference
I’m breaking the silence here to share with you such a special project that has been taking place over at…
Let Go // Let’s All Be Brave
My hands are very full. And so is my schedule. My heart is crying out for time to be alone….
Hold On // Let’s All Be Brave
There are days that are uphill climbs. Other days there are hair pin turns and full out stops. This life…
Say No // Let’s All Be Brave
I’m a people-pleaser. The last thing I want to do is to let someone down. If you need a house…
Currently {Volume Thirteen}
If you’ve visited lately you probably heard the sound of crickets… okay not really, but it’s been quiet. ย Too quiet!…
Say Yes // Let’s All Be Brave
Decision making is not one of my strong points. Over the years I’ve learned to trust myself more, but in…
Your Words // Let’s All Be Brave
Words. They can make you or break you. When I was twenty-four, I decided to seek some counseling due to…
Your Talents // Let’s All Be Brave
When I was younger, I loved creating. I drew pictures, formed sculptures out of clay or countless tubs of Play…
Your People // Let’s All Be Brave
I’ve always been a big fan of community. Blame it on me being from a family of five, where there’s…
October Goals
How can it be October 1st already? ย I am definitely grateful for the cooler weather and my ability to dust…
Currently {Volume Twelve}
“A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort…
Edinburgh // Let’s All Be Brave
When I was twelve years old, my parents helped load up the minivan with all of my essentials for a…
Nashville // Let’s All Be Brave
Have you ever asked a question that you really didn’t want the answer to? I was engaged at the age…
We’re More Alike Than You Think + Thought-spirations
Last night I sat in my recliner with my laptop perched upon the arm rest (that sucker gets hot) and…
Masters in Wabi-sabi
For my mom’s birthday, my dad and I signed her up for pottery classes. ย I knew she wouldn’t attend them…
Believe // Let’s All Be Brave
On my blog, I talk a lot about my struggles with perfectionism. It’s a battle that has waged in me since I…
Just Start // Let’s All Be Brave
The opening paragraph to Annie’s letter in Just Start speaks volumes to what I’ve been experiencing lately, especially when it has…
An Honest Moment // Let’s All Be Brave
A few years ago my brother and I packed our bags and jet set across the ocean for a two…
Thought-spirations {nine nineteen}
Just in time for the weekend: here are some great posts to make you think, get your creative juices flowing,…
Why I Turned Down a Fully Funded Mission Trip
Growing up in the church I heard about missionaries quite often.ย To my underdeveloped faith, I considered missionariesย to be “Super-Christians”.ย …
Currently {Volume Eleven}
You made it! ย And so did I! ย Whew! ย This has to have been one of the most trying times for…
Hi lovelies!
I’m taking a giant leap of faith and moving theย blog to another platform. I’ll be honest, I’m scared out of…
Faith Like a Child {Guest Post}
I have a question for you. ย It’s one that I want you to really consider. ย What do you think life…
Thought-spirations {nine five}
Need some reading material for your weekend? ย I’ve got just the stuff!
What’s On My Fall Bucket List
The skies are still blue. ย The grass is still growing like crazy. ย And the humidity still chokes me every time…
Framing Faith by Matt Knisely {Review}
What a racket! ย With Facebook notifications popping up, incoming email chirps, and the artificial sounds of keys tapping away as…
Currently {Volume Nine}
Happy September and Happy Labor Day! ย With a day filled with cookouts and eating too much, I thought I’d share…
Thought-spirations {eight twenty-nine}
Two thought-spriation posts in one week? ย I know, I know. ย But for reals, once you read these incredible posts, you’ll…
Seasonal Book Study
With notifications pinging us to alertness of all that is happening in the world around us, it’s often hard to…
Today I Lost a Friend
Today I lost a friend. ย It was unexpected. ย It was sad, and a part of me hurts.Today my Facebook “friend”…
Jesus Calling {Discounts}
I don’t know about you, but I’ve bought a fair share of devotionals in my day and I’ve placed more…
Thought-spirations {eight twenty-two}
Hey there, Happy Monday! ย Or should I say, “Happy Monday?” Need some thought-spirations to get you going and to help…
Tid Bits of Life {and a Q&A}
Just in case you have a few minutes; are waiting in line at the grocery store, or trying to avoid…
How I Came to be a Recovering Perfectionist
When I started this blog, it wasnโt with the intention of sharing it with the world.ย It was a place…
I’ve Never Been to Vegas But My Luggage Has {Review}
When you feel like you’re the only one going through hell, you’re not. ย When you feel like you’ve abandoned everyone…
Thought-spirations {eight fourteen}
Need some inspiration? ย How about something thought-provoking to get you to the weekend? ย Try these on for size. Thought Provoking…
And the Winner Is…
I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it! ย (are you dancing in your seat now?) ย It’s time to announce…
Currently {volume eight}
— Sunset over the valley — Thinking about…ย Growing up, most of my friendships were ones I made in church. ย Though…
Confessions of a Boy-Crazy Girl {Book Review}
โLet this book take my focus off men and place it more directly on You.ย Help me to surrender the…
Bound Up Pieces of Paper
I have a confession to make.ย I like big books.ย I cannot lie.ย Itโs true.ย I cannot be trusted in…
From the Fire
Do you collect quotes? I am pretty certain that even if you donโt claim to collect them, somewhere in your…
Currently {volume seven}
It’s been quiet around these parts…[cue the crickets]. ย It’s definitely not in my character to abandon ship for an extended…
I Can’t Believe You Said That! Confessions of Singledom
If you’re like me, living life without a metal band encircling your left ring finger, I’m sure you’ve had your…
Currentlyย {Volume Six}
It’s another edition ofย Currently, where I share what’s going on currentlyย (I know, go figure, right?) in this little life of…
Easy Peasy Graphics Using PicMonkey
Looking for a quick fix to your website images or to spruce up your blog? ย Or how about creating some…
QRazy Good Picnic Recipes {and Printable}
It’s officially summer and the biggest weekend for backyard cookouts and picnics is about to be upon us. ย If you’re…
Our Scars Are All The Same
Today is the beginning of a new month. ย I’d like to think it’s the beginning of a new chapter in…
5 Genius Moves For Your Summer Vacation
I don’t know about you and your family, but after the weather that we endured in West Virginia this year,…
Patience is a Virtue (and a downright pain in the butt)
“Good things come to those who wait.” But I’m not good at waiting. ย I never have been. ย I’m an impulse…
Currently {Volume Five}
It’s another edition ofย Currently, where I share what’s going on currentlyย (I know, go figure, right?) in this little life of…
When One Door Closes
It’s been quiet around here. ย It’s not intentional. ย It wasn’t expected. ย And neither was the news that I received last…
Transformation Tuesday {June 2014}
For years I thought that I wanted to lose weight, not only to gain more self-confidence, but also to improve…
Currently {Volume Four}
It’s another edition ofย Currently, where I share what’s going on currently (I know, go figure, right?) in this little life…
10 Things on My Summer Bucket List
Summer, without a doubt, is my favorite season. ย Though I love everything pumpkin flavoredย that comes with fall, I just can’t…
Strung Out on “What Ifs”
My schedule is a wreck. ย In working full time, helping to take care of my elderly grandmother, blogging, and trying…
Speak Truth Even When It Hurts
Life is full of lessons; sometimes good, sometimes bad. ย What is important is how you react to those lessons, especially…
Currently {Volume Three}
It’s another edition ofย Currently, where I share what’s going on currently (I know, go figure, right?) in this little life…
Finding Life’s Purpose
At a young age we’re asked a question and often times our answers change depending on the day, the person…
Currently {Volume Two}
It’s another edition of Currently, where I share what’s going on currently (I know, go figure, right?) in this little…
Messages From Above
It happens so frequently and often without warning. ย It crushes doubts and sweeps away fears. ย And though it occurs on…
