Crank up the music and put your dancin’ shoes on! Or as David said, “… burst into jubilant song with music…” (Psalm 98:4) Don’t you just love the word burst? I’ve been listening to a lot of David Phelps this week – which means there’s a whole lot of emotion, energy, and good ol’ southern gospel music flowing through my heart and my emotions. I’m burstin’! Our last weekend of the summer…let’s go out with celebration…noise…movement…MUSIC. I promise you this… Whatever your heart needs this weekend…you will find Continue Reading

“There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.” Isn’t that the truth? The American writer, Carl Sandburg, won three Pulitzer Prizes. One of them had to have been received for writing that simple statement, don’t you think?  He nailed the daily, internal struggle for many of us. I’ve giggled about and contemplated that description often. And here’s what I’ve discovered… We usually picture that hippo lazily rolling around in that black, slimy, gritty mud hole, with Continue Reading

I am so excited to tell you about my new favorite magazine… WHOA. Women Sharing Real Stories of Truth, Hope & Love. It's definitely a God, Girlfriends, & Chocolate kind of magazine. The magazine’s founder, Laine Lawson Craft, has created a great mix of stories, wisdom shared, lifestyle, food, home, etc.  It's written by women, for women. And it’s all from a faith perspective. As Laine writes in her editor’s note, “Our passion is to be transparent so that together at WHOAwomen we love the life God gave us and give Him all Continue Reading

I love when this happens. My mind and heart have been considering what I must say “No” to, in order to say “Yes” to what’s most important. And since writing Monday’s blog post, this theme keeps popping up! Lysa TerKeurst posted a “People-Pleasing” note on her site, Leading Women in the Adventure of Faith (http://www.lysaterkeurst.com/). The fear of disappointing others sometimes prompts her to say “Yes” when “No” is the appropriate response. I love this statement: “Every “yes” will cost me something. Every “no” carries with it the Continue Reading

This is difficult for me… Saying “No” to good things so I can say “Yes” to the best things. There are only so many hours in a day. And there are a whole lot of good things to do to fill those hours. I’ve learned that that if I say “Yes” to every new idea, volunteer project, or networking luncheon that captures my attention – all good things – I end up tired, crabby, and not much fun to be around. Why? I’m doing good things and trying to then find time to do the best things. It just doesn’t work. The only way to successfully and Continue Reading

Lord Jesus, I give thee my hands to do thy work. I give thee my feet to go thy way. I give thee my eyes to see as thou seest. I give thee my tongue to speak thy words. I give thee my mind that thou mayest think in me. I give thee my spirit that thou mayest pray in me. Above all, I give thee my heart that thou mayest love in me thy Father and all mankind. I give thee my whole self that thou mayest grow in me, so that it is thee, Lord Jesus, who lives and works and prays in me." What a wonderful prayer to begin our week Continue Reading

Thanks so much for stopping by! In this God, Girlfriends, and Chocolate blog, “Chocolate” represents those resources that help me get through life. Sometimes it is a Dove chocolate bar (special splurge!) or a note from a friend. Other times my “chocolate” is laughing with girlfriends or reading a new book that speaks directly to my heart. At all times, “chocolate” represents encouragement. That little nugget that makes life a little easier. I’d love to be a piece of chocolate that nourishes your soul, and the hearts of your Continue Reading

One of my favorite TV moments was when Marlo Thomas (remember her—“That Girl!”) attended a cocktail party. Her boyfriend, Donald, (remember him?!) wasn’t going with her, and she was terrified of mingling alone. So she wove through the other guests in the spacious, elegant living room, murmuring under her breath, “Mingle…mingle…mingle…mingle…mingle…” She didn’t pay attention to what was going on around her; she just kept breathing that little mantra and tried to stay away from engaging in any conversation. It reminds me of me. But I Continue Reading

Dear God, Thank you for creating me with skills, talents, and instincts that belong uniquely to me. Thank you for making me one-of-a-kind. Thank you for the creativity demonstrated in how you've put me all together. Thank you for delighting in me...your daughter...a Daughter of the King. God, thank you for...me. Continue Reading

One of my favorite hymns… Great is Thy Faithfulness. Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father! There is no shadow of turning with thee; Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; As thou hast been thou forever wilt be. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow – Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed thy Continue Reading

Oh, I just love it when a Bible verse leaps off the page, into my heart, at the moment it is needed most. Have you read Lamentations 3:22 lately? (I know, Lamentations isn’t the most popular book in the Bible, but it is quite fascinating!) Here’s what the verse says: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Here’s the deal… It does NOT say, “Because I control the situation…” or “Because I have earned his mercy…” I will get through a dark time.  I have nothing to do with it. (Oh, that Continue Reading

Good grief. I signed up for a Lazyman Triathlon at my YMCA. Seven weeks to Swim 2.5 miles (or row or water exercise), bike 112 miles (or work on the elliptical or group cycle), and run 26.2 miles (walk or step class counts).  It really wasn’t a difficult challenge. But I didn’t complete it. Why?  I didn’t do the work required to get it done. I thought a lot about doing those specific requirements, and I did some activities in each category. (I rediscovered the joy of being in the water!) But I thought more about them than Continue Reading

It’s Monday morning. And perhaps you face the first few hours in a state of overwhelm. “Ooftah. Should have checked emails yesterday…too many in the Inbox.” “Should have gotten up earlier…too much to do today.” “Where’s my list…3 more things to add to it.” “I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to volunteer at that event…don’t have the time this week.” “Is it soon Friday???” In my life, that “overwhelm” doesn’t only appear on Monday mornings. Every once in awhile I enter this place of “What on earth should I do first to get it all Continue Reading

It took one phone call to know I wanted to get to know Steve better. I made notes after that call—writing down what he was reading (“The Russia House”), his interests (baseball, jazz, philosophy, and books), and what was important to him (his faith, family, and social justice). More notes were made after he picked me up for our first date – his life experiences, lessons learned, friendships that were important to him. My sister’s first impressions were quickly scribbled on a scrap of paper—Steve seemed kind, easy-going, courteous, Continue Reading

So many books. So little time. My books were starting to accumulate in little stacks on my office floor. It was time to send some of them to another home. (Ooftah. It’s like saying good-bye to friends. Who wants to do that?) But something refreshing happened as I forced myself to evaluate which books would garner space on my bookshelves and continue to bring me joy, expand my thinking, or make me laugh. I started to feel lighter. As I looked at my “So sorry, you need to be enjoyed by a new reader now” pile, a theme appeared. Continue Reading

What’s my chocolate treat for you today? Since it’s Friday, I’m sharing a resource that will help you live your life more fully. It’s the “chocolate” that will keep you growing and laughing! Today’s piece of chocolate…a children’s song from long ago... “Every Promise in the Book is Mine” Ev’ry promise in the Book is mine, Ev’ry chapter ev’ry verse, ev’ry line; All are blessings of His love divine, Ev’ry promise in the Book is mine. If you know the song, sing it over the weekend. Let it fill you with joy and hope. And take the Continue Reading

Have you had a week when you wonder if there’s a sign plastered on your forehead that says, “Problems…Enter here.”?  Last week was one of those weeks for us. My husband Steve and I felt like we were playing a game of dodge ball, but our hands were tied behind our backs and our feet were glued to the floor! So I texted my sisters with an S.O.S. call.  “Please pray.” Julie texted me back…"Lifting you both up." Aren’t those beautiful words? I could just see Julie taking us in her hands and lifting us up to The One who would know Continue Reading

Hi, Friend. This is on my heart... If you are hurting tonight, wondering when the next disappointment is going to happen... If your life just isn't turning out the way you thought it would... If you aren't sure where to turn and surfing the net is just getting boring... Please remember this... God loves you. And that is a fact. Tell Him about your sadness, frustrations, and anger. He will listen. He cares. He will help. Give Him your heart and all your hurts. He will soothe the pain. I care about you and I love Continue Reading

I have a new Girlfriend. (Love it!) Her name is Monica. Her mom, Lorrie Lievesay, is the Director of Training for Laurie Beth Jones, Inc. We’ve been friends for years. Monica sent me a note last week after I shared a picture of a poster my mom has up in her apartment for encouragement. Monica has a heart for God, for the world, and for loving others to Jesus. She’s only 16 years old—and she’s living out her faith in the real world. Monica has several posters up in her room—Bible verses, world maps, and one with words that really Continue Reading

[A note from Gaye: Thank you for the guest post, Teri Johnson!] Do you believe others need to change? OR do YOU? For years, I thought everyone else needed to change.  I can remember back in 2002 reading Dr. Phil McGraw’s book, Relationship Rescue.  I needed a relationship rescue in a serious way at the time so the book came in handy.  That was the first time it sunk in for me that I NEEDED to change.  Blaming someone else for my "issues" wasn’t the answer and...  ...I was not a victim. I was still in my 20’s, very late 20’s, I had Continue Reading

Children can say some pretty mean things, can’t they? “Oh, you’re stupid.” “You can’t be on our team.” “Nobody likes you.” Unfortunately, we adults say some pretty mean things too.  It just comes out differently.  Sometimes our hurtful words show up in statements of anger.  Other times they show up in gossip, behind-the-back conversations, or simply the sarcastic put-down.  And at other times the words we intend to be funny or witty cross the line, and nobody leaves the conversation feeling good about what was said.  Most of the Continue Reading

[A note from Gaye:  Thank you for the guest post, Kelli Wommack!  Kelli and I are both speaking at The Refine Conference in September in Bloomington, MN.] I couldn’t do anything about it. I was in front of the room being interviewed with the rest of the women retreat speakers.  But, I heard it… …my cell phone. I had forgotten to put it on vibrate when the session started. Now, I was being asked about my family and my hopes for the weekend and all I could hear was my cell phone talking in the back of the room. You see, I have one Continue Reading

My friend Jeanette has had to say good-bye to her brother-in-law, brother, and her mother in the last 18 months.  Illness and death have been frequent visitors. We had a great catch-up conversation a few evenings ago, and she reminded me… “Gaye, remember to appreciate the people you love.  Take time with them.  Be grateful for every moment you share with them. You don’t know how many more conversations you can have.” This morning in church, our friend Tom commented on the beautiful sunny, winter day we’re having.  He reminded us Continue Reading

Isn’t that a powerful promise? The God who loves us more than we can imagine… He is never off His game. He is always…God. Take these words and claim their promise… You will find REST. You will find HOPE. Isaiah 40:28-31 “The Lord is the everlasting God, The Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, And his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary And increases the power of the weak. …those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like Continue Reading

Cooking. One word that makes my palms sweat and my blood pressure rise. I don’t understand why it puts fear in my heart.  It all seems so simple.  You simply read from the cookbook and follow the directions, right?  But it can throw me into a tailspin!  So to break through this fear, I have been working hard to make friends with my kitchen. And…I’m making progress! (May I strut my stuff for just a moment here?) This week my dear friend Jody Lessard gave me a fabulous recipe for a kale salad and another dear friend, Chere Bork, Continue Reading