The Lord quickly made it apparent that I was doing what He wanted me to do – serve, not speak. Lysa and I work extremely well together. I travel with her, book her engagements, work with church event planners, help to write her radio shows, answer a plethora of emails, serve as a safe sounding board, and the list goes on.

I truly feel my involvement with Proverbs 31 was part of God’s plan to move us here. I wouldn’t say that serving is a gift that comes naturally to me. It has taken effort and energy over the past several years, but never have I felt closer to Him in my life. He has equipped me for what He has called me to do.

Earlier this year, Amy and I had the amazing privilege to work with two women we have long admired: Lysa TerKeurst and her sweet and charming friend – and personal assistant – Holly Good. I must say that it was the start of something beautiful.

As we conversed with Holly about Lysa’s speaking topic, online conferencing software and laptops galore, it became apparent that this lady was someone with a niche ministry all of her own. While that ministry doesn’t have a fancy name or a 401C3 tax status, what it does have is a sisterhood that some of us long for. There is complete trust in the relationship between Lysa and Holly and God is glorified through both of them in abundant ways. And to think Holly was one decision away from missing out on this opportunity to bless God and the hearts of women everywhere.

Five and a half years ago, Holly and her high school sweetheart were comfortable and enjoying life with their two kids in beautiful Pennsylvania. But we know that God is never satisfied with our being comfortable, is He girls? He decided to shake things up and began to woo her husband to pursue a transfer within the company he worked for. That transfer, should it go through, would transplant them in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Though Holly was reluctant to move, she had this to say about that time in their lives:

“I can still remember how God clearly spoke to my heart one Saturday afternoon as Dan and I were running an errand together. I quipped up almost faster than I could mentally process it, ‘I will be open minded to the possibility of moving away,’ I said. It came and went with little reaction from either of us at the time.”

I know you already know what happened next. Chosen from 70,000 people, her husband had successfully obtained his dream job in North Carolina. Though Holly prepared herself for this venture she will be the first to admit that she cried through most of the process. She had to learn to let go of everything that was familiar: family, friends, cafes. Do you hear me girls? It wasn’t easy for her to relocate. But, God is a good God He will bless us when we follow Him.

Within days of moving Holly began to feel at peace, relieved really. She began to sense how the Lord had been preparing her physically and spiritually for this new journey. She was in a great place and looking forward to a new start. God sustained her and gave her the strength she needed each day.

After getting settled in their new home, Holly began seeking the Lord fervently. She knew He had brought them there for a reason and she wanted to pursue His plans. She began to teach bible studies at church and God provided her with some wonderful Godly friends. Almost two years after she moved to Charlotte one of those friends invited her to the She Speaks conference and that is where her journey with Lysa began.

During the opening session at She Speaks, Lysa TerKerust spoke about running. Now Lysa and Holly actually lived in the same development so Holly saw Lysa out every morning as went for her morning run. The Lord began to tug on her heart to call Lysa and see if she was up for a running buddy. Not long after the conference Holly gave in and called Lysa. The two began to run together each morning and became fast friends. Just a few months later Lysa asked Holly to come on board at Proverbs 31 Ministries to serve as her personal assistant. After five years of praying for the person God would choose to serve in that position, Holly said yes!

Her days now consist of traveling with Lysa, booking her engagements, working with church event planners, helping to write Lysa’s radio shows, answering a plethora of emails, serving as a safe sounding board, and the list goes on.

In her moments alone with the Lord, Holly reads the word and then when she and Lysa go on their morning runs, they discuss what they have read about. Hebrews, John, Acts, Colossians, and Psalms are all books that they have recently studied and meditated over. Holly also enjoys a good book when she gets the chance!

And how does the family support her? Her husband of 18 years, Dan, and their two children, Hillary (17) and Ethan (14) are very supportive of her job with Lysa and Proverbs 31 Ministries. Of course, they miss her on weekends when she is traveling but she says they have never complained one time. Dan knows and sees that she has been called to this work in this season in her life. Besides, she says, “When I am happy, he is happy!” Her children have also been supportive of what she does. They have many a great conversations about her job – what she is learning and who she has met along the way.

Holly is also regular guest writer at Lysa TerKeurst’s blog. You can find her posts labeled under,”Holly Days!”

Holly Good is a wife, mother, and sold out servant of Christ. On staff with Proverbs 31 Ministries, her executive assistant position finds her ministering to women at conferences, writing radio shows and authoring heart-stirring devotions sent to more than 300,000 subscribers. She is also the author of “Holly-days” a much loved part of Lysa TerKeurst’s daily blog. She enjoys her early morning runs with Lysa and is overwhelmingly humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve Him in this ministry in such an incredible way. You can e-mail Holly@Proverbs31.org to connect with her.

Our first month of marriage, my husband and I were cuddled in bed, doing what all newlyweds do their first few weeks of wedded bliss, I suppose:

Reading our Bibles.

I write as I smile.

Eric, my Man, felt particularly led to read Isaiah 6 – where as my mind felt “led” to drift and dream and wonder through all the books of the prophets. And as usual, landing me right smack in the middle of The Psalms.

As a perpetual student of the Word I often jot down research notes in my Bible’s margins for future reference. It makes it much easier than having to drag out a ten-pound commentary book from under my desk. I am all about immediate results. This you can ask Christ on my behalf. (Hey, we are working on it!)

Anyway, there we were, newly-wedding it up, reading the Word. Eric in the zone and I somewhere in between thinking aloud and loudly thinking – I’m not sure which it was. When I noticed what I thought to be one of my profound, writing research notes in the tab of my Bible, right next to Psalm 84:3.

The verse reads:

“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
LORD Almighty, my King and my God.”

Drawn in to my scribbled handwriting, I read, verbatim, and I kid you not:

“Jesus, if I were a pregnant bird…” followed by an arrow pointing to the above verse.

Hence, my Psalm 84:3 prayer, “Jesus, if I were a pregnant bird I would so make my nest in the presence of your altar.”

You can imagine the fit of laughter this gave birth to as I had expected to read something PROFOUND. Some scholars’ note about the original Hebrew language or a side note learned while studying one of the great 18th century preachers’ commentaries.

Instead I read, “Jesus, if I were a pregnant bird…”

I announced my find to Eric, whom I still think wonders daily how Christ manages to work my quirks (and I) into His kingdom plan. If you guessed Eric’s eyeballs almost fell out of his head and his face turned a cherry-like color from all of the laughter, you have guessed right.

But, you know, I’ve been thinking about my Pregnant Place writing all day.

I will certainly never know what it is like to be a pregnant bird, searching for a place to nest with her young.

At this point in my life I don’t even know what it is like to be pregnant at all.

However, I do know what it is like to be pregnant with emotion. With ambition. With desire. With plans. With determination. With adoration. With awe.

And this Crazy Chick desires nothing more than to bring all of her expectancy and nest it at the feet of Christ.

This Psalm hits me afresh, dripping with holiness as it sings:

“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God…”

I think today Christ whispered something to my heart that is worth sharing.

True, scholars’ notes and academics have their purposed place.

However it is not our drive for knowledge that is going to be our reward when all is said and done. Christ is.

And, this evening, my heart could not be more humbled at the sound of His whisper to my heart, “Kristen, your pregnant place prayer may be the most profound writing you ever pen.”

I invite you to nest with me, with whatever you find yourself “pregnant with” this moment, at the feet of The Savior-King.

May our souls ever yearn, even faint, for His courts. Lovely is His dwelling place.

*All Scripture taken from the New International Version.

As the founder and editor-in-chief of Exemplify Online & Magazine, Kristen (along with her team of writers!) daily ministers to women across the world. Nothing sums up Kristen’s thoughts on life more than, “Keep calm and eat a cupcake.” She adores a great scarf, is always on the hunt for a new pair of heels and believes iMacs make the world a better place. She writes curriculum full time for various Christian ministries and spends her weekends Starbuck’s hopping with her husband. Kristen is also a contributor to The Internet Cafe and writes weekly at Kristen Schiffman Online. Kristen’s passion is getting to know Christ through the study and application of His Word.

God is really into small things. Singular things. Individual things.
He started with one Earth. He placed one man and one woman in one garden. Sin came through one and atonement by One. Salvation is a decision made one at a time. Faith also is singular. He is three in One (unity with diversity). God is excited about the number one. To God, one is a very big number.

Mother Teresa once said, “There are no great things, only small things with great love.” Small is good. Loving your own little family is enough, when done with love and not resentment that you could have done more or been more “if only…”

I don’t think Mrs. Washington knew what her son George would become, but I believe she put her all into his training. I am not sure the mothers of George Mueller, Christopher Columbus or Moses really knew they were destined for great things. I believe they were simply raising their children to the best of their ability. Our children may not go on to so such outwardly great things as these men, but they can be as great in character, nonetheless. A man may not be in the position to birth a nation, but he can be of equal character.

Also Ms. Katherine Dang defines Christianity as “the power of Christ at work in the life of the individual.” When we understand all we are responsible for is our little works, we are free to do those works. And when they are added together, they result in a great work.

Raising one child or twenty, we still pour all our love, all our energy into one child at a time. It is the individual care and attention that makes the difference. Quality time, no matter what number of children you have, is still significant because each child is significant.

Be not weary in well-doing. Hang in there and do your small works with great love. Loving people is no small thing. For in the end there is great reward, here on earth and in the life to come. And when God is in it, a small thing is really not so small after all.

Anna-Marie is a wife and a mother of four using the Biblical Principle Approach in her home education. She is a writer and book binder. It is her joy to teach her children and she plans to continue until the last little chick is out of the nest. She resides in Oklahoma. You can read more of her musings at Principled Mom and The Creative Homeschool.

Recently I visited St. Augustine, Florida with my family and we found the Fountain of youth! Well actually Ponce De Leon did… however it was fun to experience the historical park and drink from the fountain (no, I did not come out looking 20 again).

Even though I did not gain youthful years back from a legendary fountain–you can achieve a youthful glow by following these beauty & health tips. Plus you will see results within 24 hours!

20 Ways to Look Younger Tomorrow:

1. Frownies. These little tape devices work miracles without needles and have been around for a hundred years. Wear them at night or for at least four hours and you will see results. Warning: Your husband may think you look like a mummy.

2. Make a mate latté. Yerba mate tea tastes great and comes in many flavors. Heat water almost to boiling, steep for 10 minutes, strain, and then top it off with steamed, frothy milk (or use almond milk and a dash of cinnamon). Do not drink mate if you are taking an MAO inhibitor, as the combination may raise blood pressure.

3. Positive attitude. Various researches have shown that optimism increases good health. Start with positive self-talk: “I can handle this.” Try to avoid criticizing yourself!

4. Care for hands and feet. Exfoliate and then, before bed, mix avocado oil and primrose oil in equal parts, apply a few drops to hands and feet, cover with gloves and socks, and go to sleep.

5. Detox for a day and drink tea! rooibos (red tea). This South African tea has collagen-building copper, as well as vitamin C and other antioxidants.

6. Dr. Gilbère’s Seaweed Detox Bath. This mineral bath increases blood and lymph flow to circulation-starved areas, breaks down cellulite and moves waste out of your body. You can also use it as a body wrap. Or take some Nori flakes and place in cheesecloth, tie at the top. Place the pouch in the warm bath water, squeeze and rub the pouch in targeted areas.

7. Whiten your teeth. Try whitening strips while reading a book before you doze off.

8. Sleep. Get at least eight hours of sleep. Try to go to bed before 10 p.m. Tip: Listen to calming music for 45 minutes before bedtime. (I’ve heard of a study showing that music helped elderly folks sleep longer and feel less tired the next day. This may be because music decreases a key stress hormone in the body.)

9. Sleep with a contour pillow, the affordable alternative to pricey beauty pillows. The Anti-Wrinkle Pillow made by Eyetopia™ stretches the neck and reduces the pressure of face to pillow (which, in turn, reduces wrinkles!) Visit www.cynthiaboxrudmd.com for more info.

10. Look Younger with a fake tan, use a bronzer or sunless tanning Lotion- it will soften the appearance of imperfections (look for natural ingredients).

11. Use eye-hydrating goggles. Saturate cotton pads with an herbal calming tonic such as argan or neem oil and place in these specially designed, hydrating goggles. Sleep in them or remove after 30 minutes. Visit www.dreamessentials.com to find out more.

12. De-puff. Cut back on white flour and sugar for 24 hours. Refined carbs cause your body to retain water, making your face “puffy.”

13. Pimple zapper. Blend one packet of brewers yeast and a few drops of lemon juice and apply as a mask before bed. As the mixture hardens, it pushes away debris clogging your pores.

14. Throw on another pillow. Fifteen minutes before rising from bed in the morning, place an extra pillow under your head. This will help de-puff your eyes.

15. Cut down on salt. Salt makes you retain water. Avoid fast foods and switch to Spice Hunters, my favorite spices. My mom is now also a believer in these tasty salt-free spices. (Those with high blood pressure should only have 250mg a day; the average person, 3,000mg or less. If you are active and sweat a lot, you may need more.)

16. Pray. Thank God for everything before bed and before you get up. Be grateful!

17. Be joyful. A happy person looks younger because a smile sheds years.

18. Plump away your wrinkles. Drink eight to ten glasses of water with lemon a day.
Your skin will be more hydrated and the appearance of wrinkles less pronounced, while lemon helps with digestion. (Tip, squeeze some lemon on a cotton ball, and pat around eye, this helps to exfoliate as well—be careful of eye area).

19. Avoid sugar. It dries out your skin and promotes wrinkles.

20. Choose an herbal coffee instead of a regular cup of joe. In a coffee/tea press, make Teeccino Vanilla Nut caffeine-free herbal coffee, then mix with unsweetened vanilla almond milk, half a drop of Pure Inventions vanilla cocoa, and 1/2 tsp Xylitol—or add a little organic half-and-half (it’s a vanilla-cocoa delight!).

When all else fails, live by what the wise Man said in Matthew 6:34, You’ve got enough problems for today, so don’t worry about tomorrow. Or as we Italians like to say, “Fuggettabout it!

Excerpted from Beauty by God by Shelly Ballestero (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 2008). Copyright Shelly Ballestero. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Shelly Ballestero is the author of “Beauty by God, Inside Out Secrets for Every Woman” (Regal January 2009) and produced the DVD Behind the Scenes for Beauty by God. Shelly serves as an esthetician/makeup artist, and beauty expert for CBN.com- monthly columnist for Christian Women Online, The Family Groove, and contributor for Beautiful One Magazine, Natural Solutions Magazine, HairCut & Style Magazine, Celebrity Hairstyles; Short Hair Style Guide & OnCourse magazine. She has also appeared as a beauty expert for Better TV New York, NBC Midday Nashville, NBC Morning Show Orlando, Every Day With Marcus & Lisa Atlanta, TBN International- Praise The Lord Show, and CBS Better Mornings Atlanta.

It is not every day a stay-at-home mom gets to participate in a fabulous women’s conference while still managing to get laundry folded, desk cleared, grow spiritually, and be renewed in her call to ministry. The online “A Woman Inspired” ministry conference provided all that and much, much more.

Within the first few sessions, the Lord’s work emerged as I listened to Darcy and Amy speak about blogging and income. I quickly realized I had been sliding down a slippery slope, forsaking my ministry in the pursuit of money. The effort to use my blog to generate an income was spurred on by the longing to help with our family finances, while succumbing to the belief that “working” (proved by income) is more valuable than “ministry” (as evidenced by no income).

During the week following the conference, I attempted to reason with the Lord about my desire to earn money through blogging, only to find less peace and more anxiety over the affect on my ministry and my faith. The Lord slowly opened the eyes of my heart and led me repeatedly to 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” I knew that with each additional income-earning feature I had implemented, I grew further away from the purpose the Lord had put before me. I was eager for money and I was wandering from the faith. It was then the Lord impressed on my heart, “Run, Woman, Run…the Other Way!”

While some people struggle with the desire for money as a means to an end, my struggle with money is in its uncanny way of establishing worth. During my teen years, my hardworking father’s income sky-rocketed. The financial prosperity we experienced left quite an impression on me. Regular shopping sprees, home renovations, exciting vacations, spa beauty treatments, and expensive gifts were normal occurrences.

Fast-forward to my adult life as a wife and mother, and you’ll see that shopping sprees and home renovations are simply a thing of my past. Yet if you walked through our home, or looked in our bank account, you would also notice that the Lord has provided for every need. Thanks to the wise stewardship of my husband we have not faced debt on this financial faith-walk. Our financial life is guided by the musts not the wants. This reality has challenged my core beliefs on the value of money and its ability to define the worth of a person.

The lies I believed about money still sneak into my thoughts, fueling the desire for more money even while I am sincerely grateful for what we have. It is certainly a strange dichotomy. I can be utterly overwhelmed by emptying my entire wallet in order to get into a local festival with my family, and keenly aware that our frivolous spending is equal to two months wages for a family in India. But the emotional roller coaster doesn’t stop there. Once through the gate, I learned that we could only afford one ride for our family. No games. No food. We spent 38 buckaroos not in the budget, but stolen out of our savings account. Sure, the ATM loomed nearby, but was it really necessary?

I left down-trodden and grateful for the rain, which was the main excuse for our quick escape. What happened to having simple, inexpensive fun at a strawberry festival? By the way, where were the strawberries? Yet as I listened to the grateful hearts of our children, each exclaiming “thank you” about a dozen times, I was struck by the bittersweetness of life. You would have thought we gave them the moon. I knew we barely gave them a star compared to what I received at their age. Should a stranger have handed us $100, I would have been reticent to spend it!

Would my children become so spoiled by the experience that a thank you may never pass from their lips again? Do you see my struggle? I want more money so we could do more and have more (and be happier…lie, lie, lie!), all the while knowing we could live with less.

I think this is why the Lord tells us that it is the LOVE of money that is the root of evil, not money in and of itself. Desiring it, wanting it, and pursuing it is the dangerous part. Having it simply becomes the challenge to use it wisely and not abuse it.

So how do we use money without loving money?

My solution is to run in the opposite direction — to keep on working, keep on providing in whatever means the Lord has made available, but also look for ways to serve and to save in order to give. Whether as a home-manager coming up with nifty dollar-saving treats, or as a graphic designer sneaking in an extra feature for a client. It may mean skipping lattes this month to give to World Vision, or only one ride on the ferris wheel instead of indulging in five more.

My mantra to “Run, Woman, Run…the Other Way!” tempers my desire for money and using it to declare my self-worth. Focusing on serving God, finding my identity in Him, and trusting Him to provide for all our needs forces me to search for opportunities to use my gifts for His glory, not my gain. We can all run in the opposite direction of temptation. By doing so, we stage an active fight against the quiet deception that overtakes our hearts, and then our ministries. And that is certainly something worth fighting for, boldly and determinedly.

eLisa Pulliam is passionate about her vocation as wife, mother of four treasures, and as a spiritual mom to a delightful college-bound gal. She considers it a privilege to share about God’s extravagant grace and transforming power with women of all ages, including teen gals, through relationships and speaking engagements as well as teaching and writing at her blog, www.extravagantgrace.net. She especially enjoys spontaneous creativity, being silly with her family, evenings at the beach, and long-lasting friendships.

I have always had a desire to encourage women to pursue their dreams while taking care of the family and to find the good things in even the worst of events. God has His hand in everything. It can be done and it is being done. Rickina is just one example. If you know of another lady who has overcome, pursued her dream or is a shining example to others, please let me know. I will consider all nominations to feature these women here at A Woman Inspired.

How can the discovery of an illness bring with it the desire to found and run a successful at-home business and an opportunity to help others with the same disease? Well let’s ask Rickina Velte, the designer, founder and owner of Stick Me Designs.

Rickina was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes in July ’07 while pregnant with her second son. As you can imagine, a whirlwind full of emotions followed; fear, anxiety, denial. While she had an amazing support team that consisted of her husband, family and friends, Rickina also credits a social network called TuDiabetes for helping her to understand and cope with her diagnosis.

It was during the first month or so of carrying around a simple black nylon bag full of the supplies she needed to treat herself that her creativity began to be stirred up. You see, Rickina is a lady of style and character. And besides, that plain, cold, black bag made her feel sick.

“Not only did it not compliment my style, it made me feel like I was sick, and no body who is dealing with a disease or a sickness wants to ‘feel’ sick” she said in a recent interview.

The lack of appealing options (black or navy blue nylon anyone?) caused Rickina to act on the idea of producing some herself. She browsed through some books on creating handbags and reacquainted herself with the sewing machine, a relationship that is rocky at best, but they were able to get along for just the amount of time it would take for Rickina to create a prototype. She photographed her new creation and uploaded it to the web for opinions and feedback. She said, “The response was fantastic…and the entrepreneurial flicker began.”

Rickina maintains the business’s site, accounting, designing, order fulfillments and customer service. Yes, the whole operation is run from her laptop, at her home, with the exception of the production of the bags. That is done by a contractor. Of course, her favorite part is choosing the fabulous and trendy fabrics. She loves finding fabrics that are hip and retro but she is quick to point out that feel, texture and durability are just as important.

She definitely intends to extend her product line to include more styles that will fit the different lifestyles of people with diabetes. She says, “Because testing your blood sugars is a frequent, daily activity, the bag needs to be able to accommodate that.” She is also considering the suggestions to create a bag for asthmatics and for people who are using an insulin pump.

Rickina is able to maintain her business, her two busy boys and a night job. Her husband is fully supportive of her and her business endeavors. I was excited to learn that they are debt free with the exception of a mortgage and that has allowed them the finances to pursue Rickina’s dream.

Rickina, like many of us, began the college journey only to fall short of the desired diploma. She had difficult pregnancies and chose to care for her body and her baby rather than overworking herself to get a degree. I must say that I totally agree with her way of thinking though. I was all smiles when she told me, “I’ve learned so much about e-commerce, web design, blogs and stuff just from getting out there in the cyber world. No class could ever teach me what I’ve learned from just diving in head-first.” This is so very true. Most of what we learn is what we learn for ourselves.

Here are some suggestions from this savvy business lady:

1. Do your research in that industry or that field.

2. Write down everything you can about your thoughts, your ideas, your product your service. I mean literally write them down, and date your ideas. Keep that notebook(s) with you everywhere you go.

3. Find a company(s) that is/are doing what you want to do, if it applies and see how they run their operation. By understanding what successful companies are doing you can apply those principles to what you want to do too. Or you can even find a way to do an aspect of it better, so you’ll have an advantage in the market.

4. You have to niche yourself. And what I mean by that is, find a little cubby that no one has discovered yet. Something that can sustain your business to where you want to take it, but is still small enough that that industry has forgotten about them. I think that makes it easier to market to them, it makes you unique and stand out and makes what you’re doing more specific.

Rickina and I are in agreement that too many women don’t pursue their dreams and it is a shame because we as women can have such an impact on the world and the people around us and that is something she is experiencing first hand. She is able to help so many others that suffer form this same disease and in some small way she is able to help them ‘feel’ better. Consider it: What gives you a better feeling, black nylon or this:

I was also impressed with her concern for others in the same situation. I asked her what advice she would give to someone who had just been diagnosed with diabetes. She said that she would tell them, “You are not alone! This is not the end of sweets as you know it. Talk about what you’re feeling to people who love you. Join a group, a forum, or a message board; join something, so you can talk to others like you. It makes a world of difference.”

“I grew up in church but I’m really just now learning what it means to have a relationship with Him. But what I can say is this; I think people and circumstance have come in and out of my life for a reason. I’ve always felt that way. Even when the worst of worst situations come around, I still try to see the light at the end of the tunnel that God is pushing me through. My journey to this point has come with, what seemed like then as, disappointments. But I really believe they were preparing me for this time, right now. People I’ve met, things I’ve gone through, all to prepare me.”

I say, “Absolutely, Rickina… absolutely!”

Please go to Rickina’s website, Stick Me Designs and take a look around. Refer her to a friend who may be able to use one of her products. Visit her blog and encourage her and please keep her, the family and the business in prayer.

Don’t give up on your dreams ladies and look for opportunities in even the darkest of times. You never know what God has in store!

When my husband, Chris, used to call me to tell me he’d be home later than expected, I would make sure I let him know of my disappointment. I would muster up everything in me in order to project the biggest and loudest sigh over the telephone followed by a whatever.

Good one, Cindy. That’ll make him rush home.

My first response was never about the strain he must have felt not only having to work longer, but then knowing he’d get the 3rd degree from me when he called to tell me of his plans. It took some time but eventually, I wised up.

I don’t know if it has been the fact that I am getting older or because I don’t want to make him feel bad for something that he usually cannot control or simply due to my desire to make his homecoming pleasant.

And that is what I work so hard to do.

I’ve learned after being in full-time ministry for 14 years that something always comes up. It just does. And instead of working my magic and using every manipulation trick in the box, I simply say, “Okay, baby. Looking forward to seeing you when you get home.”

And boy, if that man of mine, who is singlehandedly bringing sexy back by riding his scooter while saving money on gasoline, doesn’t rush his little self home to lay a nice, juicy kiss on my lips.

A nagging spouse is like the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet; You can’t turn it off, and you can’t get away from it. Proverbs 27:15-16 (MSG)

Turn off the faucet and turn on the understanding.

Trust me.

Cindy is a stay-at-home mom who spends most of her days caring for the men in her life. In addition to that, she loves to write, watch HGTV, enjoys college football and loves to sit on the back porch sipping coffee with her husband. Cindy’s calling is to mentor women and help them walk through difficult times as they seek to follow Christ. She uses her passion for writing and her gift of exhortation to accomplish this on her personal blog, www.cindybeall.com.

Experts say that your Dad will be the single greatest influence in your life…Lucky Boy

I Wish…
I could eat ice cream all day : I could fly like a super hero : I would never have to go to bed : I could go have lunch with Daddy everyday : I could live in the sewer with the Ninja Turtles : Everything in the world was blue : I had all of Batman’s gadgets : I had a real Darth Vader helmet : I could become a Jedi : I never had to have my hair washed : I could fly though space in a tie fighter : I had 4 robot arms : I could meet a nice baby T-Rex

When did you turn from a toddler into a little boy?
When did you start using words like “deflected” & “sensitive”?
When did you stop wanting me to hold your hand?
When did you start preferring your own bed?
When did you stop wanting to ride in a shopping cart?
When did you start wanting to talk on the phone?
When did you learn how to cut up your food?
When did you get tall enough to unlock the deadbolt lock?
When did you become strong enough to open the peanut butter?
When did all this happen?
It happened in the blink of an eye…

Amy is a devoted wife to her husband of 11 years, a Classical homeschooling mom to a seven-year-old Superhero and the co-founder of Heart of the Matter and A Woman Inspired Ministries. She has a passion for genealogy and is aspiring to be a Proverbs 31 lady. Be sure to visit her blog at Milk and Cookies.

Oh my due date for that isn’t for another three days… next!

Sound familiar? If so you are a lot like me and WAIT – dont’ save this post to read until later. You MUST do it now!

Here are just a few techniques that I have been using to keep me on track.

• Seek Accountability. If you have a deadline then tell a friend or family member and ask them to serve as an accountability partner. Tell them what you need to get done and when it must be done by. Give them permission to stalk you until it is done.
• Think Small. If you have a big project to do then take the time now to break it down into little jobs. They are much less daunting and achievable. Use a 15 minute block a day and just do as much as you can.
• Learn to delegate. If you aren’t the only one who can perform the task then enlist help. Oh, and get over the need for perfection. If you wait until you have the time to do it yourself and do it perfectly (because we know that no one will do it as well as you) then you will be waiting a long time. At least if someone else helps then it will get done now and you may even be surprised to see that they did a pretty good job!
• Use bribery. We really are goal oriented people and will work hard to reach a goal. With that in mind you can use little things as a reward for completion of certain things. For example, reward yourself with a bubble bath just as soon as you are done.
• Make the decision now. Remember that we learned a while back that piles were simply unmade decisions. If you decide now what to do with certain things then they won’t add up for a big job later. If you spill milk in the fridge then clean it now and then when you do have to do a fridge cleaning it won’t be that big of a job.

Amy is a true Cajun princess who is on a mission to minister to women via the World Wide Web. She has a heart for encouraging and equipping them and she is a firm believer that a woman’s first ministry should be to her family. Her passionate pursuits saturate such endeavors as A Woman Inspired online conferences and small groups for women; Heart of the Matter Online, and Internet Café Devotions. You can also find her blogging about her online adventures, and beyond, at her personal stomping ground, AmyBayliss.com.

Amy, her husband Ryan, and their three boys live in the heart of Louisiana where they worship and serve under Healing Place Church, the birthplace of Servolution.

I asked my sweet young friend what she thought I should write a girl’s article on and immediately she answered, “Modesty.” So when you think of the word modesty what comes to mind?

Another friend of mine just returned from the beach and told me that, “people sure do look better with their clothes on!” Seriously do you enjoy seeing ladies falling out of their swimsuits or guys in little Speedos? So what are your thoughts on modesty really? Do you think that modest means wearing a turtle neck and a long skirt all through the summer? Or do you think it means a skimpy bikini? What does that look like in your mind?

First, think of what thoughts you have formed and then let’s take a look at what God says about the subject through His word.

The Bible speaks a lot on the topic of clothes all the way from Genesis to Revelation. It must be important to God, right? Culturally, dress is usually determined by the people. In African tribes they are seen to wear little to no clothes. To them this is innocent. In America we have a huge variety of fashion, choices and style. So how do we determine what kind of dress will glorify God and be pleasing in His eyes?

In the beginning clothing was not a big deal. It wasn’t even needed. Nothing impure was even a part of it. We were created in the image of God after all. But Adam and Eve made one bad choice that would have lasting consequences. Immediately they realized they were naked. Shame entered into the world. They sewed together fig leaves to cover themselves up. God then gave them animal skins to wear (Genesis 3).

The clothing you wear really boils down to what is in your heart. It is about motives. If you have a heart that wants to honor and bring glory to God you will just naturally dress in a way that will be pleasing to Him. That is having enough respect for yourself, who was created in the image of God, by keeping yourself covered and not exposed improperly.

1 Timothy 2:19 (Message) states, “And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.”

The idea is not the clothes themselves but rather our affections on the clothes. Our affections belong on God alone. Are you dressing to honor God whom you represent or dressing to represent yourself?

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 states, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”

Guys in our society of media overload are wired visually by God but our culture can be overwhelming. God wired guys to be attracted to women specifically for the purpose of being drawn to the wife he will marry. We should never dress in such a way to catch the eye of a guy which may cause him to think improperly because of our dress. Wouldn’t you want your future husband to only have eyes for you? Help guys out with how you dress and do not cause our brothers in Christ or anyone to stumble in this area.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

I think that explains itself. Christ died for us. If we love Him the least we can do is honor him with our bodies, including dressing appropriately to represent Him well.

Galatians 2:20 states, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Again, we live for Christ. Attention should not be for us but all glory pointed to God instead.

Philippians 1:20, “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Girls, it boils down to exalting Christ in our body. We represent Him. It is not the specific clothing but our hearts. Why do we dress the way we do? Do we have pure motives or do we enjoy the power that can come from turning heads for others to focus on us? Can others around you tell you represent God by how you dress? How about by how you act? This life is not about us but about Him. So live it fully for His glory in everything including your clothing and you cannot go wrong.

Angela Parsley, of the international ministry Refresh My Soul Ministries, is a wife and homeschooling mother to her 2 young daughters. Angela is also a contributing author to a devotional book entitled, “Standing on the Promises of God” and Radical Revolution, a devotional site for teen girls through Proverbs 31 Ministries.