Just say "no" to your child! And other words worth pondering!

Mom Heart Own Your Life Conference, Colorado Springs

What do I do after a momentous weekend with hundreds of women at a mom heart conference? I sleep extra late, I take my boys out for a meal, I take a hot bubble bath and then I take a nap and finally end the day watching a spy show while eating chocolate chip cookies. I have taken a sore throat with me from the hotel, so I am pampering myself. Tomorrow, I will begin to get back to normal.

So, a number of sweet friends sent me messages, voxers and texts and I decided to let some of them share with you what most stood out at the conference and thoughts they are going to keep with them in their homes this year.

"Say no to your children. Teach them to honor you now so that they will be able to accept a "no" from God and honor His direction in their lives when they are older. If they learn to obey you now, they will be prepared to obey Him when they are older."

"Your life is not your own, but God wants you to own your life for His glory."

""When a challenge or test comes my way, I will respond out of what I have invested deeply in, all of my life.  I need to constantly refresh myself in the Word so that my well is deep enough for whatever I face.”

"Many mothers are under the illusion that some children do not resist training. All children resist training even when we are doing the right things. This is normal."

Chrystal Hurst, dear friend, powerful speaker.

"If you never take opportunities that might allow you to fail you will never have opportunities that will allow you to grow." Sally

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, not 7 or 15, he will not depart from it."Sally

"“If you are faithful in the hidden places, those places will become the foundation of your story!  The very place you are is where God is building character.”Sally

"You have to give your children a strong foundation of truth, morality, integrity, how to work hard; and then you have to give them a vision focused toward the future-- 'I wonder how God is going to use you in the world? How will He teach you to be strong when you're tempted? How does He want to use you in your generation?' Your job is not to control them or their friends or their circumstances-- it's to teach them to see what God is doing and what He is teaching them in those circumstances to prepare them for their future in serving God and His kingdom." Sally

So much fun to be with Sarah Mae once again!

Comments about the conference:

Sarah Mae: "I was inspired, encouraged and challenged, again! I cannot recommend Sally's Mom Heart conferences enough! They are inspiring and life-giving and they will send you home not only wanting to be holy and wise and walk by faith, but you will have a vision for motherhood that will motivate you and help you persevere through all the seasons of it."

Holly P. I was incredibly blessed by the ‘Own Your Life’  conference.  Sally’s words, “The dreams inside us point to the destiny we were created to fulfill” encouraged me to move forward with a dream to continue to ask the Lord to enlarge my capacity as I step out to lead.  I am confident that every mom— no matter what stage of parenting they are in— will be challenged and encouraged by this conference. Two days well spent!

Misty K. "This year especially, I think, Sally's messages are full of the kinds of questions we really need to be asking ourselves: What will be the legacy of my life? If I know God, does it show? Am I carrying baggage that weighs me down? What might God be asking  of me in the next ten years? What would my children say if the message of my life?"

You will love this great blog post 

 

So much fun to be with all of these wonderful women. We are having 2 more conferences in the next weeks. You can still register.

California: The California conference is filling up quickly. Please be sure to register at the hotel soon as you cannot register to stay in the hotel after Friday, January 30. The price will go from the conference rate of $94 a night to $250 a night after this date. Tell your friends to sign up soon. Heidi St. John and Angela Perritt and several other seasons speakers will be sharing their hearts at this conference, and I will be speaking 3 times. 

Register HERE

TEXAS This conference always fills up quickly. Be sure and register for the conference and then register for a hotel room. The hotel rooms at the Marriott are already filled but we have another hotel very near that also has a direct shuttle to the Marriott for the conference. Go Here for information. 

Hope to see you there!

What messages did you take away from reading the book, Own Your Life,  or attending the conference? Do share your thoughts!

Friday Thoughts: Following the God-given Dreams Bubbling up in your Heart

  So excited to be here in Denver with hundreds of moms at the Mom Heart Conference.

Have a wonderful weekend--and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit to follow God's dreams He has place in your heart. Blessings and blessings to you all this weekend.

No Perfect Mamas Allowed! Owning the Messy Times With Acceptance & Grace!

Truly, I have the most wonderful launch team--sweet moms like you and me, who were willing to put a lot of time into helping me get the message of my new book into the hands of as many women as possible. We all have a heart to encourage and come along beside. I have asked  what some of the issues and convictions are in reading through Own Your Life. Here are three sweet friends sharing their struggles in the midst of life and how they are learning to cope. Enjoy! Sally From Misty, Krasawski, mom, wife and great writer. Hers is the beautiful Heart poster above.

As we passed cups of tea around my living room discussing Chapter One of Own Your Life this week, my sweet friend’s baby lay on the floor, complaining about his new teeth. One of the precious ladies shed tears, too, as she told us she had just finished chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.

Many of us find ourselves without a church home at present, and several were in the middle of the chaos and uncertainty of a move. The stories we shared as we got to know one another told the truth about life: it’s sometimes unpredictable, often messy, and (contrary to popular belief) always just a bit more than we thought we could handle.

So when we read this passage, it jumped off the page:

" ... this is the place I want you to worship Me. Being faithful in these circumstances is where you will find the glory of My favor. This is exactly where I want you. This time of testing will be the making of your faith, the humbling of your heart, the shaping of your character, the writing of your story. You can choose to waste this time with a bad attitude, to leave this situation, or to waste your days in ungratefulness and complaints. And then your life will continue moving through darkness and dim hallways.
You have a choice to make: if you trust Me and live faithfully in this juncture, I will make this a place of favor and honor for you. But if you look for a way out and disqualify yourself from the blessings and favor I had planned to give you, you will find yourself in the midst of a prolonged wilderness."
Sally Clarkson, Own Your Life

Yes! This place, that place, all of these messy and wonderful and hard and holy places, the ones we find our feet smack dab in the middle of—these are the perfectly imperfect places we are called to embrace and offer up to Jesus, one day at a time.
Probably … Imperfectly.
Setting this intention as foundational to our lives—this acceptance of the life God has given us to own—is the only sure basis for the lives of beauty we’re all hoping to build.
Let’s not wait for perfect, or easy, or simple. Let’s own OUR REAL LIFE LIVES this year!

Mary Mays is the mama to the sweet baby above.

"God desires to remove the scars caused by our brokenness, to heal the deformity caused by sin, and to use the ugliness of life to transform us into the beautiful image of Christ we were originally made to bear." - Sally Clarkson, Own Your Life

As people wait in line at Chipotle, they can't help staring at our sweet daughter as she eats her delectable dinner of black beans. With her light blonde hair and big blue eyes, she's the most adorable little girl you've ever seen (and I'm not biased at all). But, cute as she is, there's not much that isn't covered in bean residue and smashed bits of food when she's finished. She's a beautiful mess.

And over the past 11 months, I've come to realize that my life looks an awful lot like my daughter after she enjoys her favorite food.

In 2014 my family struggled with many messy circumstances: two cancer diagnoses, the loss of a dear loved one, financial struggles and depression/anxiety - just to name a few. One crushing blow after another, it was easy to become discouraged and, slowly, my focus became all the imperfections and areas that needed cleaning up. I stopped seeing the beauty and simply couldn't wait until things were nice and neat again.

Oh what a wrong perspective! None of my circumstances were surprising to God, and He wasn't sitting around waiting on me to get it all together so that he could use me (which is a good thing, because just like with my kiddos, as soon as one mess is cleaned up, there's usually another one to be dealt with). No, what I have learned is that, much like the baby and toddler states, life is perpetually messy. However, when we submit to Him and His will for our lives God takes our messes and uses them to make something beautiful. Even in the midst of our imperfections and brokenness, and the hard and ugly parts of life, God sees his beautiful children and He brings purpose and meaning and uses us, before we are even cleaned up.

In 2015 a lot of my circumstances haven't changed. We are still walking through some hard things, but we are not walking alone.

God is with us, and he is using Sally's book to challenge me to own my life and give it to him - messes and all.

Shelly Richardson and her sweet children.

“And the very difficulties we want to escape can be over come when we face them head-on.” Sally Clarkson, Own Your Life. 

On any given day, between special needs kids and chronic health issues, you might just walk into my house and find that toys are strewn across the floor. It is like a scene from Toy Story when Andy walks in the room and all the toys freeze and drop so as not to be seen alive. That’s my living room.

If you were to walk into the kitchen most likely there will be dishes piled high waiting their turn to feel new again.

Do NOT even ask to see the bedroom. That is where the clothes hide. Who knows if they are clean or dirty? The baskets have been pulled through, dumped out and put back so many times there really is no telling.

It’s okay to want to run, most days I want to run, too. But this what I am learning.

This is my beautiful mess.

The beautiful life that God has given me. I am so far from perfect, and I mess up 2,146 times a day, but God…

What are the messes or stresses you struggle with every day? How are you finding God's grace to face them and how do you learn to live with contentment and joy anyway?

A New Year Brings Freedom, Life, Celebration: Own Your Dancing Spirit

Poster by Gretchen Roberts

As I ponder a new year, I want there to be more freedom--more grace--more life, for me and for my sweet friends.

I ask you, humbly today, to bear with a ramble of thoughts and words, for so it is.

Being immersed in beauty, pink sunsets, crisp breezes blowing in the trees, walking in the quiet of my mountains is almost a craving, a necessity of my soul. Free-spirited from birth, I love the wild, the vast color of God in creation. It matches my personality and suits my soul. I have to get away from the grasp that culture sometimes has on me,  to be able to breathe in God's presence.

Now in my 60's, I am reflecting more on what really matters in life and reflect on what is really true.

Today in church, I spent half of my time making faces at the baby in front of me in the arms of a parent to see if I could keep her happy--her little smiles gave me such pleasure.

A few days ago, I came upon an unsuspecting child of mine who was singing at lung-tops and dancing around the living room--I joined in enthusiastically.

As I  survey the landscape of people I have known, very few really seem to have stilled their soul enough before Him to be amazed, and to live in the freedom and generous love He provides every day--to have that excitement bubbling up because of the fun, life, beauty that comes from knowing Him and living fully alive in His creation.

To dance, sing, laugh uncontrollably, to love deeply, to drink from the pleasure of life He has allowed, even in the midst of the fallen places-this is to know Him and His presence every day.

Yet, surrounded by people who know how to be good but who seem uptight and judgmental, kills my soul; who know many rules they live by and talk about them; who pressure their children to behave by forcing themselves upon them because they are bigger--but these parents seem to lose their children's hearts or neglect to enjoy the antics of their childish personalities. The priority, instead, is to have their children fit into the box of their preconceived expectations--and that just does not work.

Some define themselves by the name of their church, but Jesus will define them by how much they loved.

These, who energetically espouse what their brand of Christianity is; or the boxes they live by; or stand in judgment the people that don't live by their rules,

condemning the lost for being lost, when only God can do so--

I have been there, done that--but legalism kills the heart and spirit of life. Rules are broken because we can never be perfect--and neither can anyone that we love, be perfect.

So living by works, and then the circle of disappointment that ensues, only creates more of a sense of failure and hopelessness.

But I long to be with those who live in mystery and have learned a little about it over the years. The mystery of His infinite wisdom, glory, power, and willingness to do miracles through those who are looking and listening for Him. This is what I love, long for and wanted to pass to my own children-

not laws about Him, but the Love, wisdom and beauty that moves Him.

I do not look at limited me--but I live, as His toddler, growing little by little, and knowing He will hold me, protect me, love me, because it is His nature and he is  a good Father who will see to the well-being of his immature toddler.

Religion does not satisfy

But, really, no wonder Christianity has not had an impact in our generation--we are offering a religion but not a person; things to do, but not one who transforms and heals hearts.

What a waste of time. God is not impressed by how well we know the rules or by how hard we try to keep the law. He came so that we did not have to strive so hard, because He knew we would never succeed in life without His power and redemption.

But, when I am in the presence of one who has been with Him, whose life has been changed by His unconditional, gentle, generous love, then my soul is fueled to be in that company. 

When one has walked in the presence of the Servant King and been loved and served by Him, one is different.

When I am in the presence of one who is filled with His life, it causes a burning and excitement in my own soul.

What troubles my heart greatly.......

However, I am deeply troubled by the people I am surrounded by who seem to live in bondage--unnecessary bondage of inadequacy, and always feeling the weight of their own shortcomings and sin upon their own back.

Bondage of fear of what might happen in life, or to children, or to finances.

Bondage to flesh--trying to put more effort into doing it right, striving to achieve a holy life, trying to be a perfect mom or wife or friend and failing again and again.

Bondage of the expectations of others--performing by other's standards and boxes and opinions or the bitterness of others who have wounded them.

Such a waste of energy and life for precious people who do not have to live that way.

And living in the bondage of performance and works makes living through marriage, friendship, mothering children--from young, teens to adulthood, impossibly difficult, because there is no formula that covers all the possibilities, temptations and experiences, so formulas and rules will always disappoint and confuse. 

It is only faith in the One who knows, that gives freedom to live apart from bondage.

Jesus just does not want us to live in defeat.

At 60, I I know more than ever before, I still can't be perfect--but I am more grateful for His provision and love and seek to live in His grace and deep gratitude for what He gives.

All of these things flurry around and create voices in our heads and weigh down souls and leave darkness, unless we choose to live in the light.

But where He is, there is unimaginable splendor and light. He came because the people living in darkness needed a great light.

He is the light and sparkle of the world.

I call the Christians who live by so many rules and isms and pressure, the ones in the Christian Bubble.

My children have laughed at me this week because they noticed so often I say, "I just hate the bubble." and they know what I mean.

So, though I could write volumes and thousands of words some day and be more organized with these thoughts, but I am off to celebrate life with my sweet ones present in my home.

But this year, this new year,  I wish you, and pray for you peace--rest--grace--freedom.

I am going to spend some time today putting my finger on those things that steal my joy, that take from my love, faith and freedom and then make a new plan to be in the mystery and glory of His presence and joy more often every day, so that when people are in my presence, they may draw from Him who is there, alive and fresh and powerful and mysterious.

"It was for freedom that Christ has set us free, therefore keep standing firm that you may not be subject to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

May this new year, mark a beginning of a new time, when you and I invest in Him, and in the reality of His kingdom. And daily may we celebrate His magnificent love, that others may be blessed in the shadow of our lives that crosses their paths

And stand firm in the freedom that we were meant to experience.

Confessions of a Prodigal Son: Believe forward in Your Children's Dreams

"Mom, I really think God wants me to be in the film industry and become an actor, or writer or both and tell great stories that inspire people."

At almost 18, Nathan had been working on dreams since he was a little boy. To me, his dream seemed like a little boy who wanted to be the quarter-back of a professional football team--it would pass, it was not possible.

Yet, the Holy Spirit gently touched my heart and said, "Believe in his heart dreams. He is mine. I may have put them there."

And so I prayed, supported, encouraged, helped, and by faith and trepidation, Clay and I let him go to New York at 19 for a year at the New York Film Academy where he had actually won a partial scholarship.

Now, after many years of being faithful, cultivating his talent, living literally as a starving artist, Nathan is watching God move mountains as his very first attempt to write a screen play, raise finances, gather actors and film makers and photographers, and working and working and praying and praying, his first film is going to be released in March, with 6 theater showings earlier.

I am so excited about this movie. What a perfect time for believers everywhere to support a movie with a timeless story of redemption, hope, and love. I am hoping that thousands of people--including you--will help me spread the word about this movie all over the world!

LIKE THIS PAGE ON FACEBOOK!

Nathan and lovely Rachael, his wife, have seen so many lost youth in Hollywood, many prodigals from homes where their mothers and fathers pray for their return. They star in the main roles with Kevin Sorbo.

 

The Trailer

Confessions of a Prodigal Son is a modern-day retelling of the Prodigal Son story that Jesus told reflecting the Father's love and desire to see His children come home to Him.

It is a coming-of-age tale following Sean (Nathan Clarkson) as he rebels and leaves his home, family and father (Kevin Sorbo) to figure out life on his own. Two years later--while still on the journey to find life's answers--Sean suddenly finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew as he is confronted by a professor (Darwin Harris) who challenges Sean to see his life as a story; a best friend (Azel James) walking a dangerous path; and a strong and beautiful young woman (Rachael Lee) who is on her own journey to answers. Each one of these elements causes Sean to greater examine the choices he is making.

The story is one of drama, laughter, relationships, faith, and redemption, ultimately asking the question "Can broken stories have happy endings?"Appropriate for teens and up. Original music by Nathan Clarkson, Joel Clarkson.

SELECT SHOWINGS FOR SPRING 2015, MORE INFO COMING SOON:

Atlanta, GA     |     Colorado Springs, CO     |     Dallas, TX     |     Nashville, TN     |     Orange County, CA

DVD's will be for purchase March 24. This movie will be shown wherever films are distributed and sold in local stores.

Will you please consider supporting Nathan's film by: 1. Sharing and liking His fan page

2. Share the Home Page (http://www.confessionsofaprodigalson.com/)with your friends.

3. Pray for God to bless this release everywhere it goes to reach prodigals who are longing to come home

4. Leave a comment for Nathan so he can be encouraged!

To read more about the movie and to see the actors in the movie, go HERE

You will see Nathan, Rachael and Kevin Sorbo, from God is not Dead, in a story that will remind you of God's heart to reach and redeem those who are lost and seeking a way home.

Thanks for sharing! Support Faith Based Movies by telling  your friends. And know we appreciate you!

The Grand Prize Giveaway Story--and one more Great giveaway!

Love this poster as our Whole Family loves the story of Aslan!

Poster by Misty Krasowski

What a fun couple of weeks it has been to celebrate the launch of my book with to many. I wanted this book to be an encouragement and inspiration for women all over the world to engage in God, His love, His generous willingness to bless us, and in the story He created you to tell.

Posters have been such a fun part of this launch and I may even have a poster contest as a grand finale for Own Your Life.

Last week, we had almost 28,000 entries for the Grand Prize. My wonderful friend and assistant, Kristen Kill and I picked the winner after midnight on Tuesday and contacted her multiple times over the next two days. For different reasons, we were unable to get a hold of her over three days.

(We have had problematic entries before.) So finally, on Friday, three days later, we picked another name on Rafflecopter, and our new winner responded within a few minutes and accepted and was absolutely thrilled.

That afternoon, I received a communication from the real winner who said she did not think she had won, hadn't even given it a consideration--and  had not seen it in her email. So gracious and sweet was her response and happy to give it to our new winner, that we all decided to give both of them a ticket to the Weekend and the plane tickets, if they were willing to come alone. Both of these sweet women were so wonderful and kind and were happy just to be coming!

I wanted to introduce you to them!

Kathy Hower , from Indiana

  We live in a small town in Indiana.  I have been married for over 11 years (been together for 20 years) and God Blessed us with a son who will be 5 in February.  I have been a stay at home mommy and will return to work in Aug./Sept.  I have loved being home with our son and watching him grow.  He is amazing little boy and such a joy.  I love being a mommy it's the best job in the world!

My passion is working with children.  I taught Head Start for 11 years and loved touching so many lives and watching them grow.

 I am amazed, in shock, excited, that I won, and can't wait for our weekend.  I am looking forward to life changing events this year.  I decided January 1st that I wanted this year to be the year I see what God wants and follow HIS will.  I want to become closer to God and I feel this trip in June will be a big part of that.  I am looking forward to "Lady time" and time with God in such a beautiful place.  Thankful and very Grateful!!!

It feels like a dream to me.  I've never won anything like this or thought I would. 

 Hi, I'm Darlene Collazo and I have 3 children. Born and raised in Pennsylvania. Daughter of the King. Proud wife. Mama. Encourager. Avid Reader. World Help Advocate. Lover of words and all things creative.

Find me writing on {In Pursuit} | darlenecollazo.com, where I point women to Christ. I invite them to be agents of change in their respective spheres of influence, as they step out of their comfort zone and boldly live out the abundant life God ordained for them.

Winning this contest is a dream!

Sally Clarkson's God-given message has served as an example for several years now in my own home. I'm looking forward to growing, learning, and owning my life this year (and always). I couldn't be more excited!!

Darlene was one of the women who volunteered to be on my launch team, even though we had never met!

Sally: (I didn't even know she was hosting an Own Your Life book club! How fun is that--we get to meet and have a weekend together!)

Pray that these two women will truly be inspired and refreshed.

Many have asked if I would be doing any more intensives. I would love to host more in the years ahead. However, with a book deadline each year, my mom conferences, my blog and keeping my family and local ministry going, I just haven't been able to schedule them. However, if you keep checking here, my blog is the place where I will announce them. I promise, I will try to get to another one in the months ahead! And I may just give another ticket to the weekend away if you can find your way here! :)

And as one of the final giveaways, I want to give away something that may not apply to you, but you might be able to give it away.

I have a very dear friend here in the Colorado Springs area who runs several guest stays with Air Bed and Breakfast. She wanted to bless my audience and so she is offering 2 nights at her own rooms in downtown Colorado Springs. Amazing getaway!

If you or someone you know would like to come here for a getaway, then please share my book, with the hashtag: #ownyourlifebook by Sally Clarkson

on facebook, on twitter, in an email to a friend or group, tell them why you like OR want to buy this book, and leave me a comment below about how and where  you shared it! Or copy the Aslan poster and share it in your social media. I will use random to pick the winner!

Come see me in Colorado Springs and have a free place to stay.

AND NOW THE APARTMENT--QUIET AND CLOSE TO ALL THE FUN PLACES IN COLORADO SPRINGS!

Quiet Victorian Home by Downtown in Colorado Springs

Apartment in Colorado Springs, United States. Your home away from home is a totally private apartment with its own separate entrance. It sleeps 4, with a bedroom and separate living room and a crib for a young child. She is offering 2 nights free for anyone visiting Colorado Springs. Because it is a very popular vacation rental, if you win, you will have to negotiate the dates, but Shelley has a back up option of another rental. (for more information about this wonderful complex, write: shelleyrosedan@yahoo.com

HOPE YOU WIN! THANKS FOR SHARING AND HELPING ME WITH THIS LAUNCH WEEK.

Living Your Unique puzzle with Grace! Own Your LIfe in 2015

I have been utterly blessed, encouraged, humbled and delighted to receive so many messages, emails and texts about how much many are enjoying Own Your Life. Thanks for all of you who have taken the time to write.

Many have been asking to see the webcast, the trailer, and some of the posters that they missed. Today, I am sharing some of the highlights of the last couple of weeks about this book. Hope you have an amazing weekend.

Happy Day to you all.

The Trailer

You might enjoy this article from Aholyexperience.com on Ann Voskamp's blog today, where she shared about the Own Your Life book.

Also, if you missed the webcast or would like to share it with your friends, you can watch it here.

If you would like to purchase the book, you can find it here: Own Your Life

I pray your 2015 is a blessed year and seasoned every day with God's wisdom, love and purposes.

Thanks again for helping me get the message of this book out!

Loving Words Open the Pathway to your Child's Heart!

"You remind me of superman! Brave, strong and always wanting to help others."

"You are exactly the child I would have picked if I had a choice of all the children in the world."

"Yes, I do think you will be a wonderful writer. You are so clever with words."

"I just love spending time with you. You delight my heart."

Words have so much power in our lives, over the way we feel about life.

Not long ago, one of my sweet children surprised me with an email that brought thankful tears to my eyes.

"Dear Mama,

"God is doing amazing things in my life and opening doors I never imagined possible. But when I was thinking about my dreams coming true, I thought of you. Throughout all the years, you told me you believed in my impossible dreams. You listened and affirmed and encouraged and supported. I don't know if I would be where I am today, if you had not constantly invested in my life through your many words of love. Thank you, mama, for being my forever cheerleader."

I always believed that words invested forward into what my children could become, in spite of the limitations I could see every day as a mama. I prayed God would give me eyes to see the hidden gifts, the potential of what lay within their hearts, and hoped that I could invest in the future of what I believed they could become.

Words give hope, communicate ideas, inspire movements to fight for freedom, sharpen our minds to know how to think well, inspire heroism and give leadership to those longing for direction. These words are alive and shape life.

Consequently, it is significant that Jesus was called “The Word,” in John. He was the message sent from God’s heart of love, and even calling him that shows such the significance of words to God.

God is a message maker, and a lover who wants us to know His words of love. He is a Father who wants to give us words of wisdom so that we should understand how to live life well. He is the great teacher who would fill our minds with truth so that we could live free from the world’s false messages through our whole lives. God longs is a communicator and longs for our fellowship.

Your children are longing for your sweet words today. What can you tell your children that will fill their souls today?

Since words are our theme today, I am delighted to tell you about a book that shows so clearly the power of words and the danger of the tongue! My friend, Karen, Ehman, has published a book that reminds all of us that words have the power of life or death.

Many years ago, I was taking a day at Glen Eyrie Castle for planning my year. I was walking through the grounds and noticed an open room where a speaker was sharing with a crowd who was very engaged in her words. And then it hit me, that's Karen Ehman, the author of the books we have carried in our catalogue for years.

A lovely heart, a passion for God and all that is beautiful. I know you will love all of her books and especially her newest one.

Got words? Oh yeah, you do! The average women speaks over 20,000 a day—not to mention the ones she types online. Karen Ehman — a woman whose words have often landed her in a heap of trouble — shares from experience the how’s (and how-not-to’s) of dealing with the tongue in her new book Keep It Shut. Using biblical examples, as well as Karen’s own personal (and sometimes painful!) stories, Keep It Shut will equip you to know what to say, how best to say it, and when you’d better just keep your lips zipped!This book will teach you:

• The difference between gossip and properly processing with a trusted friend
• A helpful grid for using our digital tongues as we talk online or on social media
• How to pause before you pounce, attacking the problem but not the person
• How to avoid saying something permanently painful just because you are temporarily ticked off
• What the Bible teaches about making our speech laced with grace, as sweet as honey, and yet seasoned with salt.
• Also available is a six-week DVD Bible study designed for group or individual use

BUY HERE: 

I would like to give away 2 of Karen's books because I know you will be inspired by her words.

a Rafflecopter giveaway So the message of today is, Own Your Words! :)

Don't Let the Critics Get you Down! Vision that Lasts a Lifetime

Vision that Lives for a Lifetime

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. Hebrews 10: 15

The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. Proverbs 29:25

I can still remember when I first had aspirations toward writing as an adult, many years before I wrote my first book. I had worked hard on a short essay, and felt deeply proud of my effort toward creative expression.

Out of an excitement to receive feedback, I approached a family member with experience in creative writing, to see what they thought. After a quick look over my work, this person said without any hesitation, “This is very low quality. You’ll never be a writer of any merit with this kind of rubbish.”

Frustrated but not deterred, I persisted in stating that my writing was worthwhile. In an effort to end the argument, this family member took my writing sample to a professional editor, to prove that they were right in their assessment of my skill.

When the editor finished, he looked up and said, “This is very good! There are several streams of writing styles that contribute to high-quality writing. Sally’s writing is in a very specific style, but it is highly effective in that genre.”

Many years later, after finishing a rough draft of one of my first books, I passed my first chapter of my first book manuscript on to my assigned editor.

I had put my heart and soul into the writing, and felt very passionate about the message of the book. I can so clearly remember our conversation after that person finished my book. She emphatically said, “This is trash. I can’t believe you would think that this is worthwhile. It’s completely useless.”

At first I was tempted to be crushed and believe her, but after some thought, I regained the conviction that what I wrote was worthwhile. I remembered my experience with my family member many years before, and many other such encounters in the interim.

When I wrote her back, I felt confident and resolute in replying, “You simply don’t appreciate either my style, or the content of my message. You don’t like me or my book, and from here on out, I would like to work with a different editor!” (The next editor was amazing, affirming and enthusiastic about my book, so her encouragement actually drew the best writing out of me.

God has given each of us a call upon our lives to trust in him and invest in righteousness, but only a few are able to both listen to His voice, and keep listening throughout all seasons of life.

There are so many voices that speak into our lives that try to establish a sense of authority. Some are worth listening to, those who have earned the right to speak into our lives; but many are simply people who want to have power over our choices and convictions. It takes maturity to understand the balance between receiving input, and knowing our calling well enough to stick with our ideals.

I once had someone walk up to me after a seminar, and say, “You’re such a wonderful writer and speaker! How did you gain that excellence and win such a big audience so quickly?” I laughed when I replied, “It’s easy, it only took 20 years!”

As a mom, your convictions will be challenged by a culture that is permissive. Your children will sin and drive you crazy on a regular basis. You will be exhausted many of your years. There will be times when you think nothing you are doing matters, and that your life is invisible. Yet, the truth is, a child who has a committed mama is the most blessed child in the world.

You are in a very active battle for the souls of your children, the next generation. Of course the world, and Satan would love for you to listen to voices of discouragement. But hold fast, keep going. You are God’s heroine, the one He has designed to civilize nations, And in due time, you will reap the vast reward of all of your faithful work.

I am soooo excited about the Better Mom Book Club, as they are going to be studying Own Your Life. Over 1000 women from all over the world are joining together to discuss the chapters and to share from their own lives. Today, I have recorded a special message just for this club of women. Go Here to sign up and enjoy and be refreshed in great fellowship.

For those of you who have asked, I know you will be challenged, instructed and encouraged very practically about how to make a focussed and intentional and purposeful plan for your life through the upstream field guide at Tsh Oxenrider's blog, theartofsimple.net.  I am speaking there, along with 7 other speakers. You can find this HERE Live with the end in mind!

Lots of great opportunities now to give you a great start for a wonderful new Year. I wish you a beautiful day!

Where there is a will there is a way: Self-Government

"Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls." -Proverbs 25:28

What an amazing person you are! By God's design, you have been invested with incredible potential. You have a heart that has the capacity to show great love, to give hope, truth and wisdom through your words, to create beauty and to bring light to darkness.

You have a charming personality that is uniquely suited to God's plans for you--perhaps a quiet, thoughtful introvert who ponders life deeply, or an extrovert who loves to reach out to people, perhaps you love to make messages and teach truth or maybe you serve others  my perceiving their needs and meeting them.

Whatever personality you have, it is suited to play your role, your part in God's mega-story of history. No one else can play your role--just you. But, to live into God's potential, His love for you, the ways He wants to redeem your life there is one thing required!  It all starts with your heart. Heart is mentioned over 800 times in scripture because it is of vast importance to God.

As we nurture and discipline our children, our goal is to teach them what is true and then train them how to choose to obey what is true. Same for adults!

If you have a heart to pursue Him, to trust Him, to obey Him, then you have all the possibility in the world to complete His design for your life. But, you must choose to rule over your heart, because to engage your whole life in your own great story requires you to rule over life from the commitment of your heart. It starts with self-government.

Self-government is defined this way: a person learns to command himself, his impulses, his work habits, emotions, intellect, and talents, and to rule over his will in a productive way.

Children can begin this at a very early age, and I have found it to also be of utmost importance to adults–as one cannot be a mature believer unless one has mastered self-government, self-control and patience.

The idea behind self-government is that all of us have power and authority over our own lives. This power comes from within, and can help us master problems, surmount obstacles, and use our self-will to achieve great things.

Self-government doesn’t mean working out life in the flesh without the power of God, but affirms that we have a moral character that can be strengthened and undergirded by our will, through practice. Mysteriously, the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of those who have committed their lives to Christ, prompts us to walk in righteousness. But, as we learn to obey His wisdom, to exercise our will, and seek to walk in his ways, our spiritual muscle grows stronger. The person who has cultivated this kind of strong character is useful and productive in every area of life.

To make this commitment today and inspire others to do the same, tweet and/or update your Facebook status today to:

I will own my life today by being self-governed. #ownyourlifebook

 We will be posting the winner to the Grand Prize of my

Own Your Life Book Launch today as soon as we hear

from the winner to make sure she wants to attend our

conference!

My friend, Tsh Oxenrider, who blogs at theartofsimple.net is beginning a course for the new year that will inspire you, give wisdom, provide ideas, help you discover your purpose, and focuses on many of the principles found in Own Your Life: living with deep intention, bold faith and generous love. As a part of her course, you will hear excerpts from her interview with me, and  about what it meant for me to write this book, to figure out how to live intentionally, to engage in a simpler life. There are 7 other contributors, and the course is packed full of helpful resources, challenges for your own planning. I think you will love this course, called The Upstream Field Guide.  Find out more HERE , register for her course and get planning for a purposeful new year.