.
demonstrate your competence instead of announcing your credentials
I used to begin every training session or class I led by saying something like: "So, who is Julie Stiles ...
replying to a comment? forfeit the smackdown and choose influence
A few months ago, I read a LinkedIn post by an HR professional who was conducting a video interview with ...
peace in uncertainty. faith in doubt. trust in fear.
The Holy Spirit nudged me awake before the crack of dawn yesterday and as usual when that happens, I tried ...
you inspire me. no matter what.
you inspire me. yes, I mean YOU. If you are overcoming challenges, you inspire me to persevere. If you are ...
We have more in common than not.
I believe we have more in common than not. It doesn't always seem that way at first or at the ...
no one can do everything but everyone can do something.
You may have seen the following letter written by "This is Us" actor, Lonnie Chavis. These images are from his ...
Don’t forfeit your opportunities to influence others. part 2: doxing and terminating are easy.
Saw a comment by an HR professional in which they condemned someone for posting a link to a story and ...
Don’t forfeit your opportunities to influence others. part 1: Dismissing alternative viewpoints doesn't strengthen your argument or your credibility.
Over and over, I see facebook posts by seemingly kind people instructing friends who [they perceive] believe differently than they ...
Our words and actions, whether online or IRL, reveal something of our true beliefs and character.
As often as I see it, I will never be desensitized to adult bullying. It surprises me every time. Especially ...
To the marginalized and silent 99%: You have something of value to contribute.
I recently snatched up a $1 offer for access to a huge amount of content within an online writers group ...
Stop Talking About What’s Wrong. TAKE ACTION to Help Make it Right.
Working toward positive change is a much more productive use of time and energy than complaining and/or trying to thwart ...
Fine is a Four Letter Word.
Don't listen to condescending voices of marginalization and mediocrity. Voices that say you don’t have to work as hard as ...
maybe they’re not GIVING you a hard time. maybe they’re HAVING a hard time.
The next time someone gives you a hard time, consider the possibility that it has NOTHING to do with you ...
Sometimes, even when it’s not your fault, it’s still your problem.
Some will step up, take ownership and work toward a solution. Some will complain and search for someone to blame ...
If You Want to Recognize Opportunity, Pay Attention.
Notice What Others Overlook and You’ll See Opportunities They Don’t. Seems simple. but you know as well as I do ...
Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn’t Work Hard
When you are talented in some area and doing a job you are overqualified for, it may seem like you ...
You Find What You Look For. What are you missing?
Sometimes with people, you find what you look for. What if you questioned your assumptions? What if you asked questions? ...
Repentance vs. Guilt reACT or reSPOND?
Repentance leads to positive change, but guilt is self-destructive, counter-productive and and a waste of time. Guilt: feelings of deserving ...
When Words and Actions Conflict, Actions Carry the Stronger Message are you duplicitous?
Do you have a friend who you KNOW differs from you with regard to faith, politics, relationships, social issues, etc? ...
the unintentional message behind accepting the status quo.
Check it out. Such a cute video. Encouraging. A great example of optimism. But another thought nags at me. Scroll ...
Looking for a Qualified Teacher or Credible Mentor? 4 Things to Consider:
Recently, in a post entitled "Want to improve? Give people permission to tell you the truth." I wrote: "As scary ...
Memo to Me: Listen more than you talk.
Remember: You can learn a lot about and from others. What they think... How they feel... Something they've learned... maybe ...
Want to improve? Give people permission to tell you the truth. (And don’t punish them for it)
Do you want to improve? To get better at what you do? If the only feedback you are receiving about ...
satan hates potential. if you've got it, he's going to try and sabotage you.
Memo to me: Satan hates potential. If you find yourself under spiritual attack or facing problems that derail or discourage ...
my wish for you.
54. today. Little introspective, gotta admit. With all the birthday wishes, combined with the fact that today is the closing ...
People talking without speaking. People hearing without listening. Why would anyone want to engage in conversation with someone who thinks they are stupid?
January 20th [2017]. I should NOT have gone on facebook. So. much. hate. contemptuous mocking. sarcasm. ridicule. Not just for ...
step outside your comfort zone.
Some of you know I serve as a career coach. Just last week I found myself in a Panera Bread ...
#GoodNews – the Christian faith isn’t about being “good.”
The Christian faith isn't about being "good" and trying not to do anything "wrong." #Jesus wasn't just a good ...
“Are you saying Christians and Jehovah’s Witnesses agree about who Jesus actually is?”
I only opened the door because I thought it was a delivery. I've been doing a bunch of online Christmas ...
and I know things now, many valuable things, that I hadn’t known before.
It was Sunday afternoon. I was in "my" room. The living room. Looking out the window that spans nearly an ...
#IreadthereforeIquote: Jason Boyett ~ faith isn’t the absence of doubt.
the quote: “...faith isn't the absence of doubt. It's believing and acting alongside your doubts... ...faith wouldn't even exist if ...
#memoryverse: Esther 4:14 ~ you were created for such a time as this
#memoryverse "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" Esther ...
#IreadthereforeIquote: Steve Fry ~ the desire to act independent of God
the quote: “I don’t know that Lucifer’s sin was rebellion in the full sense of the word. He did not ...
#memoryverse: John 3:27 ~ I have nothing unless it is given from Heaven
#memoryverse "John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. John 3:27 (ESV) ...
#IreadthereforeIquote: Brother Lawrence ~ on forgetting God
the quote: “That when he had failed in his duty, he only confessed his fault, saying to GOD, I shall ...
#memoryverse: Colossians 3:23 ~ as working for the Lord, not for men
#memoryverse "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" Colossians ...
#IreadthereforeIquote: Philip Yancey ~ We can say anything to God.
the quote: “One bold message in the Book of Job is that you can say anything to God. Throw at ...
Richard Dawkins acknowledges the possibility of Intelligent Design…
How did I not know this? Anti-theist, Richard Dawkins believes in the possibility of intelligent design: "It could come about ...
![[Background Photo Source and Prints Available to Purchase from: http://navitz.deviantart.com/art/Wings-of-a-Broken-Heart-32783712 ]](https://i0.wp.com/pragmaticcompendium.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/justadifferentkindofbroken.jpg?w=400&ssl=1)
Richard Dawkins on Christians: “mock them. ridicule them. in public. with contempt.”
Been thinking about something Richard Dawkins said when he spoke about meeting someone who claims to be religious: "Mock them ...
We can’t trust the Bible. It’s been “re-written” too many times.
Re-written is one way to say it. But the word "re-written" tends to imply the Bible has been edited and ...
#memoryverse Psalm 139:23-24 ~ search me, oh God.
#memoryverse "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in ...
#memoryverse John 15:5 ~ WithOUT God. “nothing” is possible.
#memoryverse "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is ...
#memoryverse John 15:5 ~ I say “nothing” without you.
#memoryverse "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is ...
#memoryverse John 15:5 ~ Lord, please remind me to remember.
#memoryverse "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is ...
![Acts_26_24_Your_great_learning_is_driving_you_insane[1]](https://i0.wp.com/pragmaticcompendium.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/acts_26_24_your_great_learning_is_driving_you_insane1.jpg?w=400&ssl=1)
my life verse?
I literally laughed out loud when I read this. How have I never seen it before? 24 At this point Festus ...
#memoryverse 1 John 4:13 ~ “abiding” in Christ. part 1 of…howevermany.
#memoryverse "By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of ...
#memoryverse Jeremiah 32:17 ~ NOTHING is too hard for God.
#memoryverse "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing ...
#memoryverse Jeremiah 32:17 ~ nothing (nobody) is too hard (headed) for God.
#memoryverse "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing ...
#memoryverse Psalms 121:2 ~ decisions and steps.
#memoryverse "My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2 (NIV) Are you at the ...
#memoryverse Psalms 121:2 ~ muse. shmoose. I need the Holy Spirit.
#memoryverse "My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2 (NIV) In the fall of ...
#memoryverse Psalms 121:2 ~ knowledge and wisdom.
#memoryverse "My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2 (NIV) For as long as ...
#memoryverse Psalms 121:2 ~ providence, provision & protection
#memoryverse "My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2 (NIV) My husband and I ...
#memoryverse Proverbs 16:9 ~ when things go “wrong.”
#memoryverse "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) One of the ...
#memoryverse Proverbs 16:9 ~ give people permission to tell you the truth.
#memoryverse "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) It's January, time ...
#memoryverse Proverbs 16:9 ~ Plan B
#memoryverse "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) I had such ...
#memoryverse Proverbs 16:9 ~ send me.
#memoryverse "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) When I ask ...
#memoryverse Proverbs 16:9 ~ trust or do not trust.
#memoryverse "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) I can pray ...
#memoryverse Proverbs 16:9 ~ plan, prepare, trust, follow & wait.
#memoryverse "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) I can do ...
#memoryverse Proverbs 16:9 ~ God is Sovereign.
#memoryverse "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) Don't stress the ...
#memoryverse Zechariah 4:6 ~ the source of inner strength
#memoryverse "[...this is the Word of the Lord...] 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the ...
#memoryverse Zechariah 4:6 ~ seek, listen, be a witness, plant seeds, pray, trust and wait.
#memoryverse "[...this is the Word of the Lord...] 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the ...
#memoryverse Zechariah 4:6b: pushing a rock.
I've been posting memory verses on facebook for a few weeks now, a new verse starting every Sunday. Every day, ...
speak life.
When PinkGirl and I go to Disney, we often pray and look for opportunities to "speak life" to the people ...
“Not by Might. Not by Power. But by My Spirit” says the Lord
In my previous blog post, practice God’s presence. forget. remember. repent. (repeat, ad infinitum), I talked about practicing the presence ...
practice God’s presence. forget. remember. repent. (repeat, ad infinitum)
In The Risk of Discipleship Practices, the second post in this blog series on the difference Between "a Good Christian ...
doubt assumptions, ask questions, search for answers.
When I work as a computer trainer and consultant, I offer potential or new clients a free "needs analysis." It ...
The Risk of Discipleship Practices.
In The Fallacy of a 'Good Christian Life' (the previous post in this series) I concluded with the statement: "All ...
The Fallacy of a “Good Christian Life”
A few years ago, I was writing a book. The working title was “Pragmatic Practices of an Intentional Christian.” I ...
Happy atheists don’t care if Christians pray. They just don’t.
This morning, I followed a link in my facebook news feed to an article about a family who was praying ...
never underestimate the influence of little things.
I had a horrible, horrible dream a few weeks ago. horrible. In this dream, my daughter was being stalked. And ...
say what you mean, but don’t be mean when you say it.
I've been saying that for years. To my kids, to students and to myself, whenever the situation calls for it ...
where philanthropy falls short.
I was recently part of a discussion about a church supported service project. A number of different ideas were on ...
giving grace.
Both my daughter and my son are having a full and stress filled week. A VERY full and stress filled ...
whatever may pass and whatever lies before me.
Sunday evening. Easter Sunday. I was sitting at the kitchen table, focused on my laptop. PinkGirl came over and turned ...
“churched”
The other day, someone asked me if my kids grew up "churched." The pause before my reply was noticeably long ...
toxic concoction.
I got cocky. I thought I could logically justify my faith in God. You'll find some Christians who'll tell you ...
lessons from the book of Job: you can say anything to God
"One bold message in the Book of Job is that you can say anything to God. Throw at him your ...
four minutes with God: break my heart for what breaks Yours.
a Quote: (Ellen and Genie were best friends when they were kids, but grew apart over the years. Until this ...
The lying tempter would persuade.
Maybe it's the chaos in my house. or the chaos of the last year and a half. or the abundance ...
therefore I quote: overcome? or on the wrong tract?
I read, therefore I quote: “It is hard, when difficulties arise to know whether one is meant to overcome them ...
four minutes with God: in the dark, surrounded by trees.
a Quote: "A friend of mine is a singer. From time to time she goes to record vocal tracks at ...
the positive impact of negative feedback.
I've known for a very long time that I'm different. Not "better" different. Because, really, "better" is relative. Better than ...
the donkey is busy.
It's taken me months to nail down the problem. WHY did I shut down after publishing my "Christ-centered church" series? ...
the dark night.
and no. I'm not talking about Holy DARK KNIGHT, Batman. I had never even heard about the dark night until ...
two steps forward. one step back.
If you read my last post, "growing pains" you know I've been having trouble seeing God's hand in my life ...
parallel lessons.
PinkGirl is at call backs for The Little Mermaid. Ya know she dreams of being cast as Ariel. This was ...
four minutes with God: 2 Chronicles 5:13-14
a Quote: "...what I testify to is the power of visual art, and especially music...They have the potential to awaken ...
![before_and_after_rose_prune[1]](https://i0.wp.com/pragmaticcompendium.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/before_and_after_rose_prune11.jpg?w=400)
ordering my environment.
I wrote a few weeks ago that when my head is a mess, I am compelled to order my environment ...
obedience and blessings. passion and delight.
If you've been following along, you know I've discovered that I desperately want to delight in God more than I ...
I want me to want You.
yes. I did just sing that to the tune of a Cheap Trick song. But I'm talking to God: Lord, ...
four minutes with God: Hebrews 4:15-16
a Quote: "...how did the early Christians pray for joy? First, we may assume that they prayed the prayers of ...
my flesh may fail.
"...how is it possible for a creature to desire and enjoy the creation without committing idolatry? This may seem like ...
how you doin?
it's not infrequent that my husband asks me that question in Joey's voice. I can even hear the voice in ...
Holy Veruca Salt, Batman.
If you've been following along for the last week, you're probably wondering what the heck is wrong with me. yeah ...
reading. thinking. cleaning. painting. purging.
When my head is a mess, I am compelled to order my environment. My husband is scared right now. happy ...
letting go.
God. Four years ago, I was content to sing by myself. in the seclusion of my mini-van. Leading worship never ...
with white knuckled fists.
Clinging to some things. with white knuckled fists. things I love too much. things I want...more than I want what ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: abandoning Santa.
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: some behind the scenes banter
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: the Santa comparison
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: comparing belief in God to belief in Santa. and faires. and WibbleFoo.
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: the “shotgun” email (more reasons why faith is unreasonable, illogical and irrational.)
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: why faith is unreasonable, illogical and irrational.
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
sanctimonious.
This is the 17th post of a series on Christ-centered church. I began writing to work through my personal experience ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: Christianity buried so deep in religion, it’s almost impossible to find.
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
Vertical Church: a clarification. and a survey.
This is the 16th post of a series. In my previous post, entitled "church: THERE. IS. MORE." I drilled down ...
church: THERE. IS. MORE.
This is the 15th post of a series. I started out telling a chronological story, but got derailed before I ...
four minutes with God: Joshua 24:15
a Quote: "Your choice must be a deliberate determination—it is not something into which you will automatically drift. And everything ...
post hoc, ergo propter hoc.
This is the 14th post of a series. I started out telling a chronological story, but got derailed before I ...
The “Visitors”
This is the 13th post of a series. Hopefully, this is the LAST post on the turn or burn evangelism ...
evangelism is like halloween.
yep. You read that right. evangelism is like Halloween. oh, that's bound to get me in trouble. I can hear ...
I made a mistake.
I've been telling a story. My mistake was that I started at the beginning. I should have started by stating ...
F5. How many people like me? F5. How many people like me?
Yesterday I gave something up. I realized it was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. But I didn't give up ...
“Christ-centered Church.” I do not think it means what you think it means.
This is the 9th post of a series. CLICK HERE to view a page listing all the posts in the ...
the gospel is more than evangelism.
I've been telling a story these last 8 blog posts. I got through August of 2012. But I have to ...
a metaphor for awakening.
This is the 7th post of a series. To read the sixth post, entitled "going through the motions" CLICK HERE ...
going through the motions.
This is the 6th post of a series. If you need some context, here are the previous posts in order ...
the wisdom of the wise.
This is the 5th post of a series. If you need some context, here are the previous posts in order ...
desperate prayers. “mean” prayers.
This is the 4th post of a series. If you need some context, here are the previous posts in order ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: an atheist’s testimony (part 2)
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
desperate.
This is the third post in a series. To give context, here's a snippet from "irreconcilable differences." - the first ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: an atheist’s testimony (part 1)
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
the assumption of Christ.
[The first post in this series is entitled "irreconcilable differences." CLICK HERE to read it.] My church is firmly grounded ...
irreconcilable differences.
I opened the pew Bible and searched for folded pages to smooth, a practice stemming from both my compulsion to ...
there’s more to the gospel than evangelism.
"We must diligently and consistently cast the gospel in larger terms than only evangelism. The gospel consumes the Christian life ...
i’ll stay where you send me.
Lord, please give me courage. Bless me with wisdom and words of grace and unflinching honesty. Please Lord, place your ...
the assumption of Christ
Much too often, the people of Christian churches talk about God in such a generic way that we are left ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: gods, God and clarifying the purpose of these talks
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: a few definitions
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: the ground rules
If you're new to the party, HERE are the previous posts in this series. If you want to skip the ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: the first emails
A few days back I posted that I had an opportunity to have a conversation with a born-again atheist. When ...
conversations with a born-again atheist: the beginning
I have to admit. I prayed for this. I think. I asked God to provide an opportunity for a conversation ...
a good Christian life.
Honored to have had the privilege of delivering this message to a group of women at a Brunch this past ...
not more from God, more of God.
[the following is an excerpt from the book I'm writing] Intimate communication with Christ through prayer can be the foundation ...
four minutes with God: Luke 1:37
the Word: "God can do anything." Luke 1:37 (NIV) my Prayer: Lord, I pray for revival, filled with doubt that ...
grace is FREE.
"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the ...
four minutes with God: Luke 24:27, 30-32
the Word: "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the ...
four minutes with God: Exodus 33:15-16
the Word: Then Moses said to Him "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up ...
Lessons from a Whale
The Church Is Full of Hypocrites I have two responses to that: 1. Of course it is and 2. Of ...
one man’s trash.
Every year, on the first weekend of October, my church hosts a huge rummage sale, called the Whale of a ...
the “right” questions.
My friend had asked me to meet her for coffee because she was smack in the middle of unsettling change ...
collateral learning.
I've said before that I'm the friend who prefers coffee and conversation over a couple of hours sitting silently in ...
an ego smackdown. straight from God.
In Kari Jobe's album version of Revelation Song, the fourth verse builds and the word "mystery" is held for about ...
four minutes with God: Ephesians 4:29-32
the Word: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building ...
the hard is what makes it great.
“If it was easy, everyone would do it” is one of my mantras. I say it to my kids when ...
“Fair” is not when everybody gets a turn.
Fair is when hard won preparation and relentless dedication to excellence earns opportunity. When I was in college, one of ...
I. Want. More.
I've described my mother as a "defiant non-compliant diabetic." She ate what she wanted, when she wanted, blood sugar be ...
It’s Not the Least We Can Do, It’s the Best We Can Do.
(a short excerpt from the book I'm writing - and WILL eventually finish) Why is it that when faced with ...
why I’m not your “fun” friend. issue #3: Death.
In a previous post, entitled "I'm not your 'fun' friend." I said I didn't have a lot of patience for ...
tell me your “God story”
Think back over your life. What was something you prayed about that you believed at the time turned out very ...
that fleeting moment . . .
. . . when you realize you have nothing to contribute. When you realize everything that can be said has ...
no further uneasiness.
(this is a re-post from March 2010. writing about seasons of prayerlessness and forgetting God and started thinking about it.) ...
claimed or counterclaimed.
"There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second is claimed by God and counterclaimed ...
everything matters.
When we intentionally strive to view life through God’s eyes, everything we see looks different. Every situation is infused with ...
I don’t want to sing a solo.
This post was originally published on March 9, 2011. I was reminded of it yesterday. Went to bed thinking about ...
Jesus said turn the other cheek. He didn’t say I had to stand within smack radius.
"so, have you spoken to them about their behavior?" That was the question I was asked after publishing my post ...
you see the big hat too . . . right?
Ever try to describe the behavior of a passive-aggressive person to someone else? Inevitably, you come off sounding petty. And ...
I’m not your “fun” friend.
I know I’m not your “fun” friend. I wouldn’t make a good Bunco buddy. I prefer conversation over television. And ...
I feel like I’m starting over.
I met with my writing mentor a just a few months after I began writing my book. She took a ...
shhhhh. I’m listening for the voice of truth.
My pastor asked a question yesterday morning: "Are you standing at the boundary between what you can accomplish on your ...
I didn’t shave my legs for nothin.
Yesterday, I went back to yoga for the first time since tearing my MCL on December 2nd. My knee has ...
stumbling blocks? or stepping stones?
When I published part of my testimony in my last blog post, "I never knew that what I was missing ...
I never knew that what I was missing even existed.
When people asked me if I went to church, I said yes. As a child, I believed all the Bible ...
I’ve decided I’m tenacious. and I’m not budging on that.
Two days ago, I asked if I was tenacious or just stubborn. You decide. I got my miles in yesterday ...
arguing with God before I even get out of bed.
Some of you know I record once a month. The deadline to submit my accompaniment track and lyrics is usually ...
Am I tenacious or just stubborn? (FirstHusband – don’t answer that)
(If you're new to Compendium, he's my FirstHusband, my LastHusband, my OnlyHusband. It's a joke. He gets it.) If anyone ...
identity crisis. part 1.
Eleven year old PinkGirl auditioned for Beauty and the Beast this month. Of course she wanted the part of Belle ...
Dear PinkGirl: don’t copy me.
There’s a certain person in my daughter’s life, who if she allows it, erodes her joy. I’ll call her TheBully ...
a little smack talk for satan. yeah. I’m talking to YOU. loser.
Just took another - this time underhanded - hit from satan, so I'm thinking he deserves a little reality grounded ...
healthy doesn’t just happen.
What I wanted to do: "Sit here curled up on the couch in front of the Christmas tree with a ...
conversations with myself.
(Some of you know I'm writing a book. Most recently I've been focused on accountability. Don't know how much will ...
time’s a wastin.
A family in my church lost their mom to cancer last night. Warning: Death always makes me even more freakishly ...
make the hard choices.
Most of the time, when we say we have no choice, we are wrong. It's just that the choices may ...
bible study. clarified.
I hate that I'm guilty of doing this: "If we study [the Bible] with the assumption that we as readers ...
#thankful: faith and health
I'm a day late on this, so I'll have to do two: I'm thankful: 1. that everyone in my immediate ...
the things I cling to.
Lord, I submit to you my heart, my soul, my mind, my time, my service and my voice, whether written, ...
does God “send” trials or just “allow” them?
In my post entitled "an unextraordinary life" I wrote: "When I’ve experienced trials in my life, sure God might have ...
an unextraordinary life.
"Here's what you do," said Elisha. "Go up and down the street and borrow jugs and bowls from all your ...
If it’s not about the elements, could we use oreos and milk?
As I watched someone pour Welches grape juice into a goblet, it occurred to me - not for the first ...
because she can’t.
I'm blessed. Today, I'm specifically reminded that I'm blessed because God has revealed to me - not through my OWN ...
song? or seed?
I recorded my version of "Waiting Here for You" last month. Here's what I wrote on my facebook page earlier ...
even a princess tapestry needs dark threads.
A few months ago, 10 year old PinkGirl and a friend were talking about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan ...
decision time. a loving mother’s straight-arm? or trust in God?
Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They ...
word-filled Wednesday: Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever ...
four minutes with God: Philippians 4:8
a Quote: "An intellectual is one who loves ideas, is dedicated to clarifying them, developing them, criticizing them, turning them ...
word-filled Wednesday: 1st Thessalonians 5:17
“pray continually” 1st Thessalonians 5:17 (NAS) (CLICK HERE to read a short devotion/prayer that goes with this verse and photo) ...
four minutes with God: 1st Thessalonians 5:17
a Quote: "O my God, since Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply ...
note to self: STOP IT.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy ...
Hey JC, JC won’t you smile at me die for me?
I have musical traditions. Our family has to listen to Nat King Cole sing "the chestnut song" (The Christmas Song) ...
Word-Filled Wednesday: Psalms 42:5
"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet ...
tracking the drift.
"These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God ...
in the dark. surrounded by trees.
an analogy. no. an allegory. When I first began recording, the studio I sang in was separated from its control ...
four minutes with God: 1 Kings 19:10-15
a Quote: "Sometimes we experience a terrible dryness in our spiritual lives. We feel no desire to pray, don’t experience ...
please let this be a shared blessing.
I had another mountaintop recording experience last night. So profoundly thankful to the Lord for equipping me to do what ...
four minutes with God: Deuteronomy 16:17
a Quote: "...understanding ownership was half of my lesson. If God was the owner, I was the manager. I needed ...
I don’t want to sing a solo.
Something’s been on my mind. While rehearsing a song for praise team, someone referred to it as a “solo.” solo ...
and that’s all I have to say about that: Charlie Sheen
So far, I haven't seen or heard any Charlie Sheen interviews. I haven't read any of his quotes. I've only ...
God’s perfect timing? or my sad, sorry time management?
OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Two weeks ago, my client sent me an updated training packet from their software vendor ...
therefore I quote: John Grisham
(It's been a loooong time since I've published a "therefore I quote" post, I almost forgot the format...) I read, ...
it’s the little things.
PinkGirl dropped our binoculars a few months ago while jumping on the trampoline. I know, I have no idea how ...
four minutes with God: Proverbs 27:17
a Quote: "We all need someone in our lives at times to coach us to greater and greater levels of ...
crazy woman singing in the van singing what? “Salvation is HERE”
This is what I'll be singing in the van this week . . . For more beautiful music, check out ...
crazy woman singing in the van singing what? “mighty to save”
Love this version of Mighty to Save. . . For more beautiful music, check out Then Sings My Soul Saturday ...
Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirt. or the spirit of a large black woman.
YESTERDAY, I agreed to sing this song with someone TONIGHT at a Bethune-Cookman Gospel Choir concert at First United Methodist ...
let go of your darlings, John Piper
I watched a replay of John Piper's message at Passion 2011 last week and he began by saying that he ...
best. recording. session. EVAH!
I had a recording session tonight to record my interpretation of Jesus Messiah. I sang it twice through and stopped ...
four minutes with God: 2nd Corinthians 3:4-5
a Quote: "God can be our source of confidence because our adequacy is from Him." (from Thriving as an Artist ...
four minutes with God: 1 Samuel 14:8-10
a Quote: "Is it possible you have been fleecing your divine moments rather than seizing them? That you've said to ...
four minutes with God: Romans 8:37-39
a Quote: ". . . somehow he [Paul] had the faith to believe that these "things" - surely not good ...
four minutes with God: Psalm 103:7-12
a Quote: "Over the years Moses has learned something so sweet and strange and mysterious that only one word can ...
four minutes with God: Proverbs 25:11
a Quote: "You are a guardian of the human spirit. You have the power to manipulate and coerce if you ...
grace in a tire.
Thank you Lord for the tiny little screw that embedded itself in my tire. Without that impetus, I wouldn't have ...
four minutes with God: 1 Corinthians 2:1-4
a Quote: ". . . joining the church is supposed to make us automatically god-centered and not self-centered people. Consequently, ...
four minutes with God: Proverbs 2:2-3,8-9
a Quote: "And just like Abraham, we may not know where we are going or what the journey may bring, ...
four minutes with God: Psalm 63:1-4
a Quote: "Christian Hedonism is aware that self-consciousness kills joy and therefore kills worship. As soon as you turn your ...
four minutes with God: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
a Quote: "My Life is but a weaving between my Lord and me; I cannot choose the colours, He worketh ...
four minutes with God: Psalm 86:1-12
a Quote: "I can't tell you how much energy and determination and prayer it takes for me to keep making ...
four minutes with God: Matthew 25:21
a Quote: "The basic issue for the Christian, it seems to me, is whether we believe we are stewards or ...
four minutes with God: James 1:19
a Quote: "It is ironic that we try to impress people by saying clever or funny things, yet nothing binds ...
four minutes with God: Jude 1:20-21
a Quote: ". . . daily prayer and religious readings and churchgoing are necessary parts of the Christian life. We ...
four minutes with God: 1 Corinthians 1:10
a Quote: "Instead, make it your goal to love those who disagree with you. Go for the love, not the ...
four minutes with God: Proverbs 31:15
a Quote: "People who think big picture recognize that there are a thousand different efforts to which thy might make ...
four minutes with God: 1 Corinthians 14:22
a Quote: We want to know what extraordinary deed we can perform for God sometime in the future - the ...
four minutes with God: Ephesians 3:17-19
a Quote: "One of the most important life-changing prayers we can pray for other people is that they will really ...
four minutes with God: Philippians 2:15
a Quote: "Moral authority is the credibility you earn by walking your talk. It is the relationship other people see ...
crazy woman singing in the van singing WHAT? “Glory to God Forever”
Loving the new praise song this week: "Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to God Forever. Take my life ...
four minutes with God: 1 Peter 4:10-11
a Quote: "Where is God leading today? What are the priorities that need to be addressed? Who needs my attention? ...
four minutes with God: Ephesians 4:12
a Quote: "What if power comes from empowering others rather than dominating them?" The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest ...
four minutes with God: Colossians 3:12
a Quote: "Jesus understood that the deadliest sins - resentment, arrogance, judgmentalism, lovelessness - are ones we can commit without ...
consistent intentional solitude.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Summer is over. The ...
Objection #4: God isn’t Worthy of Worship if He Kills Innocent Children.
I don't understand suffering. It's going to be the first thing I ask the Lord about when I finally see ...
this life lesson brought to you for the bargain price of $6.61.
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little ...
hot pocket relationships.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing . . . And ...
Prayer is INTEGRATION not SEPARATION.
Summer equals FRAGMENTATION. Fragmented tasks evidenced by piles of stuff in multiple locations waiting for returned attention. Fragmented thoughts evidenced ...
oil and water. anxiety and faith.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any ...
who of you by worrying . . .
Who of you by worrying can add a single day to his life? Luke 12:25 There's something I pray about ...
empathy. compassion. kindess.
Lord, please bless me with empathy and compassion and kindness. "Mahatma Gandhi said, "I like their Christ, I don't like ...
Word-Filled Wednesday: Ephesians 4:29
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to ...
Word-Filled Wednesday: John 15:1-8
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears ...
pruning produces “much fruit”
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears ...
revisit: a loving God. evil and suffering.
Revisiting an old post today, prompted by a conversation with my sister after a co-worker took his own life: a ...
pragmatic communion: God has a desire for my affirmation of His love?
Below is an excerpt from a devotion I posted over at Pragmatic Communion. Read the entire devotion HERE. When they ...
pragmatic communion: no further uneasiness.
Below is an excerpt from a devotion I posted over at Pragmatic Communion. Read the entire devotion HERE. "Therefore, there ...
visioncasting.
“If God is developing in you a picture of what could and should be, you will be called upon to ...
communication and communion
Not many who visit Compendium realize I have other blogs - probably because I don't post on them as often ...
Word-Filled Wednesday: Treasure
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, ...
thankful. 11.27-30.09
11.27.09 I'm thankful for soup. I know that sounds strange, but FirstHusband can make some seriously good soup. This past ...
thankful. 11.25.09
I'm so thankful . . . Working full+ days recently has reminded me that I am SO thankful that I ...
thankful. 11.23.09
I'm so thankful . . . I'm thankful that FirstHusband is off this week and is picking up my slack ...
thankful. 11.20.09 Happy Birthday PinkGirl!!!!
I'm so thankful . . . For my daughter today on her 9th birthday! Today, I'm revisiting a Pragmatic Communion ...
thankful. 11.19.09
I'm so thankful . . . FavoriteSon made the JV basketball team! I'm DOUBLY thankful that football season is OVER ...
thankful. 11.18.09
I'm so thankful . . . For compensated work and a great client! My favorite client is upgrading their computers ...
thankful. 11.16.09
I'm so thankful . . . I'm thankful for the technology that makes my life easier, more efficient and just ...
thankful. 11.13.09
I'm so thankful . . . I'm thankful that I don't have to work full-time and that I have a ...
thankful. 11.12.09
I'm so thankful . . . For the fact that everyone in my immediate family professes faith in Christ and ...
thankful. 11.11.09
I'm so thankful . . . For BOOKS. I read so many books at the "same time." Authors are like ...
thankful. 11.10.09
I'm so thankful . . . For my ability to write without pain or numbness in my hand. I'm thankful ...
thankful. 11.06.09
I'm so thankful . . . So very, Very, VERY thankful that FirstHusband helps FavoriteSon with his math homework. Here's ...
thankful. 11.05.09
I'm so thankful . . . No one in my immediate family has ever suffered from a life-threatening illness. I'm ...
Rachel Barkey is Home.
Rachel Barkey went home to her Lord on July 2, 2009 at 37 years of age. I wrote about her ...
55 minutes.
In the last few weeks, I've spent hours reading much on the paradox of evil and suffering vs. a loving ...
huh? what? rewind.
I've been reading C.S. Lewis, so that's what I've been saying to myself the last few days. He's no easy ...
7 Quick Takes: 06.01.09
Kristen emailed me to make sure I was okay and I realized I hadn't blogged in over a week! Over ...
Dude, where’s my car?
FirstHusband took my car. Because he knows I can't physically climb into his truck, a Ford F250. Or drive it ...
faith in a vacuum is easy. (a loving God. evil and suffering. part 2.)
I'm not worthy. How can I reply to you? I'm putting my hand over my mouth. I'll stop talking. Job ...
a loving God. evil and suffering.
I'll be thinking via my fingertips today. Given the extent of the topic, I'm sure I'll rinse and repeat so ...
Word-Filled Wednesday: Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge ...
nosebleed.
This post, entitled nosebleed, was originally posted on Pragmatic Communion on October 14, 2005. Trust in the Lord with all ...
i hate flux.
I'm in transition. again. I think. I've got a decision to make about God's will, service, direction, music, time, commitment, ...
Word-Filled Wednesday: Romans 8:1-4
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of ...
never going to stop trying
This post, entitled never going to stop trying, was originally published on Pragmatic Commotion on February 19, 2009. The comment ...
reputations and consequences
Jules over at Everyday Mommy has begun Devout Devotions, a weekly exchange where "women encourage one another to: 1. Grow ...
freedom to be different.
Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest ...
ch ch ch changes.
I've decided to make some changes here at Pragmatic Compendium. I'm going to make it more of a compendium. Here ...
Word-Filled Wednesday: Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD ...
“. . . therefore I quote” Anna Quinland
I read, therefore I quote. And eventually being perfect became like carrying a backpack filled with bricks every single day ...
Word-Filled Wednesday: Romans & 1st Timothy
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established ...
“. . . therefore I quote” Pausch & Hartman
I read, therefore I quote. "Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. " — Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture) There's a ...
a response to Ms. CornRefiner’s comment
Last week, I wrote a Works for Me Wednesday post on my family's reduction of high fructose corn syrup in ...
defining “honor thy mother”
My blogging has been light in substance the last few weeks. I've had some stuff happening. On Monday, October 13th, ...
freakish kitchen organization
Shannon, over at Rocks in My Dryer is hosting a themed edition of Works for Me Wednesday. Today is all ...
Word-Filled Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend ...
Word-Filled Wednesday: Matthew 7:24-27
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built ...
cookies and fries.
We don't have snow days. We have hurricane days. Well, in this case, tropical storm days. The kids started school ...
Word Filled Wednesday: Genesis 1:31-2:3
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the ...
will campbell on “community”
Reading Lisa's post immediately brought this to my mind. “I guess what I really believe is that neighborhoods get reissued ...
am I thinner when I’m invisible?
I believe my kids will really "see" me when they are parents themselves. For now, I'm going for the highest ...
a jar & 2 cups of coffee
Thanks to my longtime friend, Renee for the following reminder. This is what I was feeling and talking about when ...
freedom to be different
I've been reading Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel. Chapter 7, The Freedom to Be Different really resonated with ...
demonstrate your competence instead of announcing your credentials - I used to begin every training session or class I led by saying something like: “So, who is Julie Stiles Mills and why should you listen to anything she has to say?” Then I would give a brief intro to establish my credibility, sharing my education, experience, and sometimes a little bit about my teaching/learning…
replying to a comment? forfeit the smackdown and choose influence - A few months ago, I read a LinkedIn post by an HR professional who was conducting a video interview with a mom who said she had expected her baby to be asleep at the time of the interview, but it didn’t work out that way. The HR professional told the mom to hold the baby…
peace in uncertainty. faith in doubt. trust in fear. - The Holy Spirit nudged me awake before the crack of dawn yesterday and as usual when that happens, I tried to ignore Him and go back to sleep. It was 4:12am, fercryinoutloud. But keeping my eyes closed doesn’t prevent me from hearing the persistent invitation of the Holy Spirit and in the silence of a…
you inspire me. no matter what. - you inspire me. no matter what. whether you recognize your actions on this list or whether I've missed noting them. you inspire me. because everyone is #justadifferentkindofbroken and even when... We have more in common than not. - I believe we have more in common than not. It doesn't always seem that way at first or at the surface, but in my experience, when I get to know someone more deeply, we find
The Fallacy of a “Good Christian Life” - A few years ago, I was writing a book. The working title was “Pragmatic Practices of an Intentional Christian.” I say “was writing” because about halfway through the first draft, I had a conversation with Charlie, a long time client and friend, about my concept and my title. His immediate response? “That’s a terrible title.…
where philanthropy falls short. - I was recently part of a discussion about a church supported service project. A number of different ideas were on the table, none of them mine. The project itself wasn't my priority. They were all good ideas. All needed. All would "do good."
My concern, what I had been thinking and praying about for over a week prior to this meeting was that whatever service project we decided upon, it would track back to Jesus Christ . . . serving those in need without tracking back to Christ is just philanthropy, not Christian mission. I feel a metaphor coming on.
The lying tempter would persuade. (2/26/2014) - Maybe it’s the chaos in my house. or the chaos of the last year and a half. or the abundance of time I’ve had to think about the chaos of the last year and a half while I’m attending to the mindless task of shoveling the chaos in my house… maybe I’m just tired. or…
idences. (8/20/2013) - specifically, providence and coincidence. providence: capitalized : God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny coincidence: the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection I can’t ever remember believing in coincidences. My husband on the other hand, is a big believer in them.…