Scattering of Love :: Batch 8

Original picture taken by a dear friend.

I am following Crystal Stine's lead once again and sharing some Friday Favorites, on a Thursday.

Read

My dear friend Dawn writes so beautifully on His grace. And her post, Reflecting His Grace, speaks to how we need to give and receive His grace.

I  so appreciate writers who devote space on their websites to encourage others in their marriage. This past week Jennifer Dukes Lee told a beautiful story on How to Make Your Happily-Ever-After Last and Sheila Kimball writes on how staying in love in marriage takes daily devotion.

Need a reason to take a break from blogging? A friend who I have come to admire for so many reasons shares 5 simply splendid reasons to take a break.

Here was my comment to Linda's post on this semi-blogging break of mine: "While I may appear with a post here and there, it's all as the spirit leads. Seems like the right way for me. It can be a heart struggle as numbers go lower and lower but if I make it about the numbers I'm doing it for the wrong reasons. So day-by-day I'm learning to be okay with whatever God wants blogging to be for now. He's blessing me in so many other ways. His plans are always far greater than we can imagine."

And I'm sending you over to a new friend of mine who shares beautiful poetry. But mostly I share her with you because God bringing her into my life this past month has been such a blessing. It's a "for such a time as this" connection. Come meet Elizabeth. You will love her.

Books I'm reading:

I love the new devotional, Savor, by Shauna Niequist. She stays true to her awesomeness.

Donald Miller is quickly become a favorite author of mine. His new book, Scary Close, is a must read. This quote from page 19 of his book hasn't left me . . . "Because the more we hide, the harder it is to be known. And we have to be known to connect."

Something more:

I am considering a blog series devoted to sharing things about me that I have never openly shared out of shame. Maybe it's time to bring them to the light and then let go. Such as this one thing. . .

Shame: I got a 16 on the ACT = I'm not smart enough. I'm stupid. I'm not capable.

Truth:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." ~ James 1:5

"God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself." ~ 1 Corinthians 1:30a

Thoughts?

Watch

It has been a season of watching our boys deal with hard things. My heart hurts when their hearts hurt. A friend said it so well: "Our boys are our joy and our heartache."  But I also watch God weave His way into their lives. They may not yet see Him but I do.

Life will not always be easy. We have a choice to run from the pain or to run through it. As one runs through the pain, we pray He invites God into the midst of His pain to carry him through toward transformation. (Prayer taken from pg. 86 of Shauna Niequist's new book.)

Thank you, God, for the few days you are giving us to witness such profound growth in these two young men you have blessed us with. We are blessed.

Wear

Oh, how I need to clothe myself this way . . .

"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."

~~ Colossians 3:14-17 (MSG)

Image by Lisa Kerner

Listen

"The King is among us
And His glory surrounds us
And His fire is falling as we sing
The Savior is for us
And His love is victorious
And revival is rising in His name"
By Elevation Worship

I seriously cannot make it through this song without tearing up. And when we sing as part of our worship time at church . . . oh my.



Blessings upon blessings.
Grace upon grace.

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Scattering of Love :: Batch 7

Crystal Stine does a weekly Friday Favorites post which is rather delightful and fun so I thought I would follow her lead with my not-so-consistent Scattering of Love post today. I do love to share with you the things I love and adore.

Read

Making Right Choices by Meredith Bernard. Not only is Meredith a favorite writer of mine but her photography is stunning. Check her out here.

Speaking of photographers, you should also get to know my friend Lisa Kerner of Simply Living Photography. She has agreed to help me with a special project so expect to hear more from me about this lovely lady. I loved a recent post of hers titled "5 things to capture during each season."

Since we are on a roll, here's one more photographer I adore. Come meet June by reading her post, Inspired by . . . the rhythm of the rain.

Why I ate Chicken Spaghetti in the Bathtub by Jennifer Jackson Linck. Jennifer shares with such beauty and authenticity about daily life. It's inspiring. Her recent posts remind me of a quote by Bob Goff: "Your worst day doesn't define you." Thank you, God!

I spend lots of time over at the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics lately. An Invitation to Consider Jesus As Your Constant, Unchanging Source of Confidence As a Leader was a good read.

Creatively and Soggy Celery is an encouraging read by Amy Sullivan for those who create. “Those who create share stories of life, but if we forget to live, there's nothing to create.”

A recent favorite quote: “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” ~ Lao Tzu

Watch

I'm missing my Thursday evenings with the Parenthood clan. With the series now over I am open to recommendations on shows to watch. Basically the only thing being watched these days in our home are car shows {hubs choice, not mine, but I go along for the ride}. Seriously, there are endless options out there.

Wear

A little fact about me . . . most of what I wear comes from The Loft. Quite honestly, I hate to shop (another about me fact). Their is a particular sales lady at my local store whose oh so kind in helping me put outfits together so she makes shopping a little less hateful. And did you know the color of the month is Mint? I think I need to get myself something minty.

Listen

Take in the lyrics of these two songs. Just beautiful. They tend to be on repeat around here.





If you missed my last post, catch up on the one new thing I'm up to these days here.

How about you? Do you have a favorite read? Are you wearing a particular color lately? What are you listening to? And be sure to share any show recommendations. I don't watch much TV but I do enjoy having at least one on my radar.

Happy Friday!

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Scattering of Love :: Batch 6

I am not quite ready to fully return to this place here. The below, which I shared on my blog Facebook page, comes from my heart on where I stand with writing for now.

"Go into the day today with confidence, and with a heart aligned with the One who knew your name before time began. He sings songs over you and quiets you with His love. If you are brave enough to listen, you might hear the sounds of your own name echoing back from the great I Am." @angiesmith19 ‪#‎incourage‬ ‪#‎perpetualcalendar‬

I'm thinking God's asking me to do more listening these days than writing.

This blogging break of mine may last longer. I have grown tired of the wrestle to find the words for all the thoughts twirling around in my head.

On my drive to work this morning I considered taking a stab at yet another post. This attempt would be to tell you how I have always wanted one thing that I am good at. And I thought writing was finally my one thing.

But maybe placing my hopes on one thing I am good at is still me finding my worth in the wrong place. What if the one thing is simply this: to completely embrace that I am His.

He gave up His own life for me by dying on a cross. Shouldn't that alone tell me just how valuable I am to Him?

So yes, I will go into this day with confidence and with a heart aligned with Him. And I will be brave enough to listen..

::

But a desire remains to connect with you, so I thought I'd carry on with the Scattering of Love series I started a while back. And really it goes with a desire I always have to share what others write that so encourages my heart.

Here are a few recent faves:

Courage Is A Heart Voyage (or an Eastern Bluebird) by my dear friend Tammy who has done so much to encourage this heart of mine. I just love her. Don't miss her presence in this beautiful online world.

Let's Lay Down our Swords by Michelle DeRusha. Just Yes and Amen to all of this. And ditto the "Yes and Amen" to A Quiet Appeal to Us, in the Spirit of Matthew 18 by Deidra Riggs

The Golden Rule - Loving Myself?? by Sharon. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Sharon in real life last week while in California. What a delightful time we had. She really truly spoke to my heart with this post because loving myself . . . yes, that's still a wrestle.

Four Choices That Will Improve Any Marriage from Refine Us Blog. I couldn't agree more with these four choices. Especially #4 because I witness it often and it makes me sad.

Grace in the Neighborhood: A Promise, A Dare, and a Turquoise Table from Grace Table which happens to be one of my favorite places to pull up a chair these days. I'm so getting us a picnic table and painting it turquoise before the warmer temps fall upon us.

And this by Denise Hughes because it's truth us bloggers need to remember: How to Blog with Focus via Allume.

::

If we are not "friends" on Facebook or you do not follow me on Instagram (@SimplyBeth3), here are a few pictures from my time in California. God . . . well, He pretty much left me in awe once again of His love and goodness.

::

On Monday we will celebrate this guy's birthday. One of these days I really need to write a post fully devoted to what a delight this youngest child of ours is to the world.

He's rather talented too. Juggling is only one of his many talents. Friends of the hubs call him "the talented one." But he's so much more than that.

::

Watching our sailors ship return home with HIM on board . . . all kinds of goosebumps!

Oh, how my heart continues to burst with joy. There are no words. Just joy. Lots and lots of joy. Praising God for returning him home safely to us.

"For all Your goodness I will keep on singing, 10,000 reasons for my heart to find."

Good and hard things lie ahead for me and my family. But with God as our anchor, we move forward one step at a time knowing He holds all things in His loving hands. He holds us. And this much I know . . . we can trust in Him.

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Scattering of Love :: Batch 5 [Cultivate a Thriving Marriage]

Ever since my husband returned home from his ten month deployment we have taken advantage of the opportunity God has given us to refresh our marriage.

With a conscious attempt to cultivate a thriving marriage, I have found many resources to assist us.

I highly recommend the book You and Me Forever by Francis and Lisa Chan. It will give you a new outlook on marriage and your relationship with God. The seven videos Francis and Lisa created to go along with the book will challenge you in mighty ways. You can even download a PDF of the book for FREE here. If you can afford to purchase a copy 100% of the net proceeds go towards various ministries.

My husband is not much of a reader but every two or three days we watch one of the videos together. As for me . . . my Kindle format of the book has become very colorful.

With my husband's deployment (thankfully now over), he is required to attend several Yellow Ribbon events. The events are held pre-deployment and post-deployment. The spouse is encouraged to attend too. At these events, educational sessions and resources are provided to help the service member and family through each phase of a deployment.

We attended our first post-deployment Yellow Ribbon event this past weekend. (I am much happier to be in the post-deployment phase.)

One of the break-out sessions was called “Making Relationships Work.” The session was based off of the book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work written by John Gottman. In the book Gottman speaks to how positive relationships invest an extra five hours each week in their marriages. He refers to this as the “Magic Five Hours.”

Hubs and I are trying out Gottman’s approach and so far it has proven to add some fun to our days. I thought I would take a moment to share how you too can work the “magic five hours” into your marriage or relationship.

1) Try a six-second kiss at the beginning of the day and learn something interesting about your spouse (Math: 2 minutes x 5 days = 10 minutes)

2) Give another six-second kiss at the end of the day and have a conversation about your day. (Math: 20 minutes x 5 days = 1 hour and 40 minutes)

3) Find ways to compliment your spouse (i.e. use "I admire" or "I appreciate" statements). (Math: 5 minutes x 7 days = 35 minutes)

4) Show physical affection for your spouse, whatever you define this to be, and learn your partner's love language. (Math: 5 minutes x 7 days = 35 minutes)

5)  Set a date night once a week to connect, dream, plan and enjoy each other's company. (Math: 2 hours per week)

These small things can allow for significant changes and growth in your marriage. Why not give them a try? Oh my goodness, holding a kiss for six seconds is pure delight!

Note: I have not read the book by Gottman so this is simply me passing along wisdom from the seminar we attended.

They best way to cultivate a thriving marriage . . . read the Bible together. You could even use Bible Gateway to have a narrator read to you. These ten minutes with my husband every morning (almost every morning) have become my favorite time of the day.

What ways do you cultivate a thriving marriage?

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Scattering of Love :: Batch 4

Photo by Judd Johnson www.leveragephotography.com

What happened to my Scattering of Love series? Friday Randomness became Scattering of Love for a very short period of time and then . . .

Oh yea, hubs came home!

Speaking of hubs being home. I couldn't help myself. Mid-morning I went on YouTube and watched his homecoming video again. It makes me cry happy tears Every. Single. Time. A writing friend told me the video gave her a picture of what our greeting will be like when we enter heaven. Watch the video with that in mind. Goosebumps!

For the month of December I am attempting to spend less time on social media. Last year I celebrated the Christmas season without hubs. This year I am treating his presence for the gift that it is.

And I am high bent on doing a better job of loving others. I need to step away from my computer and be the hands and feet of Jesus more. So many people were that for us during the ten months hubs and I spent apart. Doing the same for others just seems like the right response.

I read two posts today which speak to where my heart's at currently. If I were hanging out on Facebook I would have shared them there. It's always luring me back. Then I remembered my lost upon hubs return Scattering of Love series . . .

Where have I been on the web today:

Choosing Connection Over Competition by Emily P. Freeman of Chatting at the Sky

"When I walk into a room filled with women, I recognize in myself a tendency to ignore what God thinks of them and obsess over what they are thinking of me. Oh, dear."

Oh, my. Me too. But I want to choose connection!

8 Ways to Find the Merry in your Christmas by Lori Harris

"The only way to get the merry back into your Christmas is to give it away."

I totally want to give Christmas away. Like I think I may be driving hubs a little batty with all my ideas to give it away. {smiling}

What I am reading:

If you are looking for an Advent devotional to read pick one of these:

The Greatest Gift by (like I need to tell you) Ann Voskamp
Comfort Ye My People by Kay Bruner

I am reading both (hubs and I are reading Ann's together) and love them so so much. They are doing all sorts of wonderful things to my heart during this time of waiting for His coming.

What am I doing:

God has been calling me outside of my comfort zone and I am doing the very thing He asks us to do. I am obeying. He keeps calling me to the very thing that scares me -- community. Each time I say yes it becomes a little less scary.

Yesterday (Thursday) I hosted a table for a Ladies Tea at my church. I wrote a bit about it here. Isn't our table pretty? I co-hosted the table with a small group friend and we had a delightful time preparing for the evening. The evening with 150+ lovely ladies was fabulous too.

I am also wearing a dress Every. Single. Day. of December. There are only about five for me to choose from throughout the month and most (if not all) of them are summer dresses. This is bigger than the dress though.

The Dressember Mission: A collaborative movement leveraging fashion and creativity to restore dignity to all women.

Dressember is a month of wearing dresses, but it is so much more. At its core, Dressember is an embracing of the inherent freedom and feminity of all women.

So yes, I am bringing awareness to human trafficking by wearing a dress every day in December and I am doing lots of praying for those held in captivity.

I have a fundraising page if you feel led to support. Mostly, I'd love for you to join me by praying too.

And I am linking arms with Outside the City Gate on an exciting dream of theirs that is coming to fruition. Guess what? We want to collaborate with you. Click on link to find out more.

Gotta run, friends. I have a date with hubs tonight! Be on the watch for a sexy picture of him to be posted (somewhere) tomorrow in his dress blue uniform. Be still my beating heart.

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Scattering of Love :: Batch 3

I do strive to limit this post to five links but goodness abounds. And goodness needs to be shared. Be blessed, my friends.

LOVE FOUND IN THE BLOGOSPHERE

1) Billy Graham's Wife's Secret to a Happy Marriage, by LeeAnn G. Taylor of Embracing the Mosaic Life

"A happy marriage is the union of two great forgivers." - Ruth Bell Graham // LeeAnn's post reflects on this quote beautifully.

2) Tell them about the love that doesn't show up in movies and love songs, by Sarah Bessey

"We’re still choosing each other, over and over and over again, this is what we want, this is what I want, this is what we want, you are who I want, still, then, always." // Oh my. Beautiful. Plan for tears.

3) The Truth About Social Media–And How It’s Wrecking Us, by Emily T. Wierenga

"We are free, friends. You, sister, are free, from what Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest tells you. We no longer need to live according to the culture around us. And it’s when culture begins to wrap its tentacles around us that we forget whose we are—Christ’s, set free by his extravagant love to do one thing: love others."

4) 7 Way You Can Love an Introvert, by Holley Gerth

"Recognize the strengths in the introverts in your life. Thank them for listening. Encourage their creativity. Remind them having a soft heart in a hard world is courage not weakness. In other words, support who God created us to be. We deeply love you and we truly need you to love us just as we are too." // Let's just say Holley nails it in this post. Thank you, Holley, from this introvert.

LOVE FOUND IN COMPASSION {video found at Compassion Family}

Our first letter to the child we now sponsor has been mailed.

LOVE FOUND IN A BOOK

My sweet and adorable friend Amy Sullivan wrote a book. It releases September 22nd.

"When More is Not Enough celebrates the idea of more: more prayers cried out, more time spent together, more use of our talents, more interest in strangers, more forgiveness of hurt, more of what Jesus taught us each day of his life."

Amy will share more with us on her book in October. However, don't wait until then to pre-order your copy here.

LOVE FOUND IN DREAMING

If by chance you do not follow me on Instagram I had to share this photo with you. I cannot wait to replace these guys with the real thing. #homecomingsoon #dreaming

LOVE FOUND IN MY JOB

Before my husband returns home I must take a business trip to Hawaii. Yes, I must. It will be hard but I'm up for the challenge. A long-time friend decided to join me too. It took much convincing. He-he. You can expect to see pictures shared here and here.

The view from my hotel. I had to go last year for a site visit. And they are sending me again.

My first draft of this post had a wonderful ending. When I opened up the file again it had mysteriously disappeared. Most of what I had written disappeared. Don't you hate when that happens? Oh well. All is well.

If you skipped a few links along the way, carry on with being blessed.. The last two photos were just for fun!

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A SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST

A dear writing friend will have open heart surgery today at Noon. Please join me in praying for her and also her family. Thank you.

The Night Before Open-Heart Surgery, by Rebekah Hughes of A Soft Gentle Voice

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Scattering of Love :: Batch 2

I share goodness from the past week in no particular order but I promise if you take a few moments to click on each of the links you will walk away encouraged.

Love found from above

Love found in the blogosphere

You might notice a theme...

What I Wish I Would Have Told Him... And Am Now Telling Her by Alecia Simersky

"My worth doesn't come from anything I do or don't do, but from God alone. And that's enough. Regardless of what anyone says."

When It’s Best to Say Yes to Staying in Your Comfort Zone by Kristen Strong

"If you are driven to leave your comfort zone because you see others doing that thing and think you should too, then a word of caution. But if you are urged to leave your comfort zone because you sense God leading you, well then, that is another thing altogether."

How to Be Done with Not Enough by Michelle DeRusha

"I’m done with comparison, done with feeling less-than."

Love found in a book

"I want to cultivate a deep sense of gratitude, of groundedness, of enough, even while I'm longing for something more. The longing and the gratitude, both. I'm practicing believing that God knows more than I know, that he sees what I can't, that he's weaving a future I can't even imagine from where I sit this morning.

Extraordinary, indeed.

More than enough."

Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

Shauna's book is all about her love for gathering around the table. I would so love the opportunity to pull up a chair at her table or to have her join me at mine. Praying for bravery to send her an email. But why do I need bravery? We share a love for Christ . . . which makes us sisters-in-Christ. Send the email, Beth! Maybe she would be willing to sit around the table with several ladies from my church for a ladies night!

Love found in YOU

Monday's are all about YOU because I love YOU.

I am opening up the blog for you to lead our Get to Know You Monday discussions once a month. I have guests scheduled for September, October and November. Let's see how those three months go before we extend beyond but if you are interested email me at simplybeth3(at)gmail(dot)com and we will take it from there. If this is your first time here and you have no idea what I'm talking about, find out more here.

Let this space be the table where we gather, friends. Thank you for pulling up a chair. There is always room for you.

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Scattering of Love :: Batch 1

My last Friday Randomness post appeared right before the new blog makeover which included a new tag line. It seems appropriate to return with a new name for this hopefully weekly post: Scattering of Love . . . the love found on the web (and a few other places quite possibly).

How about we limit the love found to five as to not overwhelm either of us.

Declare Love

Meeting these ladies at the Declare Conference. . . oh, what a delight. No words are needed. I just love them!

Inspiring ladies you should know (from left to right): Rebecca, Karin, and Jana

Hugging this fabulous lady was one of the highlights of the weekend.

Did you know tickets are already on sale for Declare 2015 and they are only $80.00? If the conference wasn't over my birthday weekend I would buy in a heartbeat. My husband and I have spent my past two birthday's apart so I have every intention of being home for the next one.

Decorating Love

My daughter-in-law knows how to shop and decorate. She found the vase at a thrift store and the flowers are from a local farmer's market. Beauty for only a few dollars! And her little Storm in the picture is a sweetheart. I'm off this weekend to find myself a similar vase and plan to stop at the farmer's market for flowers because I want this in my living room. As much as I love Storm, my two pups are enough.

Reading Love

I have several books going at the moment (really hate when I do that). But Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist is pure enjoyment. Did you know Shauna resides in Chicago? Do you think she would meet me for lunch and a glass of wine?

Blog Reading Love

Why I named my Blog "Embracing Grace and Truth" by Denise J. Hughes

I do so hope I reflect His grace, truth and love in all that I think, say, and do too. By the way, I also had the pleasure of meeting Denise at Declare. What a sweet, sweet woman.

Video Love

Good News for Idol-Worshipers by Asheritah of One Thing Alone

Are you studying Jonah with Hello Mornings? Even if you are not, I promise you will enjoy Asheritah's video. And I think anyone who does videos of themselves is super brave so she has won me over.

For more scattering of love visit Kristen and Kristin. I know, that makes it more than five. They are worth the visit though.

Until next time, friends, have a beautiful joy-filled weekend.

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