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Living Fearlessly in 2010

“Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
~ Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

2009 marked a year of reflection for me personally. It was a little quiet around this blog. I felt like that I didn’t belong in any of the ‘groups’ that formed around the Christian blogging community. What did I have to add? Who would read what I had to say? Yes, a lot of fear sat in; fear that my thoughts did not matter…

Oh, but there is so much to share. Yes, I am much older than most of the bloggers out there, but I can attest to His faithfulness. I can encourage lonely hearts, overwhelmed moms, discouraged married women. God has giving me a new purpose — living fearlessly!!!!

“Fear creates a form of spiritual amnesia. It dulls our miracle memory. It makes us forget what Jesus has done and how good God is” ~ Max Lucado (Fearless)

On January 11th I would like you to join me on a journey of fearless living. How will it work? I will post a couple of Scripture passages and a question or two. You can join in on this bi-weekly series by writing your thoughts on the question(s) on your personal blog and then link up here on Grace Alone. If you don’t blog, but would like to participate in the journey, journal your thoughts. This series is here to encourage you; to step out in faith without fear.

Since this new blogging series was inspired by Max Lucado’s book “Fearless“, I would like to give away a copy of the book along with a copy of the “Promise Book” (which is packed full of encouraging Scripture passages — thank you Lori for the gift). How can you win the books? Share with your friends about the fearless journey. Blog (you can pick up a button in my sidebar), twitter, or Facebook about this series. Each mentioning of this series will enter your name in the drawing (please leave separate comments)…

I am looking forward you joining me in this journey of fearless living…

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Testing the Market – Bookmarks

I got a little creative — again. Last night I was working on some bookmarks. These bookmarks are a little larger than the ones you can usually buy in bookstores. I have used my photography and added Scriptures passages from the ESV Bible.

The first one is my personal favorite bookmark. The Scripture passage is Isaiah 41:10 – ‘my’ passage for 2010 (the passage also adorns my desktop at the moment). The photo is a shot of the Superstition Mountains (our ‘backyard’ mountain)…

The second bookmark I am sharing with you has 2 Corinthians 4:7. The pots I photographed at a local gift shop. I think the Scripture passage works very well with the clay-pots…

Tomorrow I will share the last two I made for this set of 4. I am wondering if someone would buy these bookmarks. What do you think?

At any rate, tomorrow I will giveaway 2 sets of 4. So stop by to sign up for the giveaway.

Also, I am working on a new series that will start January 11th. I will post every other Monday and I pray that you will join in. The topic? Living fearlessly in 2010! Yes, this topic is based on Max Lucado’s book “Fearless“, and I will giveaway a copy of the book in the first week of January. BUT you do not have to read the book to join in on the discussion or take away some encouragement from this series.

Thanks for stopping by today. May our Lord give you courage and peace today and always…

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Excuse the Dust…

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
~ Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)

I think I need to ‘undust’ (maybe that is not a word 😆 ) my little corner of the blogging world. I have been away for little while…needed to figure out where I am going with life in general; and blogging in specific.

You see, I wanted always be real on my blog. I wanted to be an encouragement to others. But how could I encourage others, if I myself was discouraged. I think my biggest discouragement came that I couldn’t keep up with all the demands that blogging brings. Due to my job-change in 2006, I was unable to keep up with all the wonderful women bloggers out there…

I also looked at the success of others in the blogging world. That was just plain wrong…I should have just looked at who I am in Him. I totally lost focus on what this blog suppose to be about. About Him and making Him know to a hurting world…If I was to encourage some of my sisters along the way…Praise to Him!!!!

As some of you might know, Max Lucado is my all-time favorite Christian writer. I have quoted Him often here and elsewhere. Currently I am reading some of his books that were republished in one volume – just marvelous! One quote that really stuck from one of the books is my new motto:

“Changing direction in life is not tragic. Losing passion in life is…”
~ Max Lucado, ‘When God Whispers Your Name‘

Yes, I lost passion in life for a little while. I forgot my purpose…Lord, thank you for the not-so-gentle reminder…

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What else is new? My wonderful friend Lori is hosting a Bible study 😛 …Please check it out every Friday (just click on the button above — it will take you there). Ezekiel you are wondering? Heavy, but also encouraging to the ones who put their trust in Him…

Oh, and this week I will be reviling something that I have been working on over the last couple of months…So, stay tuned. I am very excited about it 😀 …

Okay, I better up-date my sidebar with a couple of things…Thanks for stopping by today (and thank you for not forgetting about me)…Until next time…

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