• We See Color…and Grace and Truth Link Up

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    I want to start by letting you know about my new e-book This Was Not on My Bingo Card:  Essays on Cancer and Other Related Surprises.  It is FREE, but the only way to get it is to subscribe to my blog.  Do it today in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  I pray you will be blessed.  Now…on to the post: 

    Over the summer I dedicated a big chunk of my blog real estate to racial inequality and events that rocked our country.  You can read about my thoughts and growth toward becoming a better ally for black brothers and sisters here, here, here, and here.  In some areas of the country, riots and protests rage on.  And while the climate is much calmer here in the Dallas, Texas area, I don’t want the conversation to die.  Because of these:

    My nieces and my grandson deserve a different world.  A better world.  That’s why I’m so excited about the work that Latasha Morrison is doing over at Be The Bridge.  They are working with diverse groups of people to move toward racial healing, equity and reconciliation.  If you haven’t heard of Be The Bridge, head over to their website now to learn more about this ministry.  And read Latasha’s book while you are at it.  The website calls it a clarion call for Christians to move toward relationship and deeper understanding in the midst of a divisive culture.

    I’m thrilled to be co-hosting an online “We See Color Gathering” with Noonday Collection/ Ruth Chiego to benefit Be the Bridge this month!  (Don’t purchase directly from the Noonday link if you want 10% of your purchase donated.  Click on the invite below).  I love that I have the opportunity to share both about this socially responsible business that supports artisans around the world AND a ministry devoted to racial bridge building and equality.  What is even cooler is that both were founded by brilliant and brave women!

    Whether you like beautiful jewelry and accessories or want to learn more about Be the Bridge, it’s a win-win!

    How you can help:

     

    Click on the invite above to join the party over on Facebook.  Buy yourself something pretty, or do your Christmas shopping from the comfort of your own home all while supporting the work of Be The Bridge for racial reconciliation.  Over the next two weeks we will be showcasing these organizations and the gorgeous jewelry, bags, accessories and other gifts available through the facebook group.  You will have an opportunity to purchase and a chance to add to the conversation there.  If you have any questions, please let me know below or on the We See Color Gathering page.  I can’t wait to do this with you!

    And now for this week’s featured post!

     

    The Struggle is Real by Barbara Harper of Stray Thoughts was a burst of truth that hit pretty close to home.  In Western culture, we do everything possible to make ourselves more comfortable.  But this thoughtful piece points out that suffering builds our faith muscles, making us both stronger and more dependent on God.  In a time when we are all suffering to some degree, this perspective shift just might be a life preserver.  Thank you, Barbara!

    Grace and Truth_Rules

    1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

    2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

    3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

     

    Grace Truth_Button

     

    Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

     

    We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

    MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
    Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

    HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
    Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

    LAUREN SPARKS
    Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

    LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
    Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

    Now Let’s Link Up!

     

    You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

    Click here to enter

    Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

     

    To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.

  • Hunger…and Grace and Truth Link Up

    I want to start by letting you know about my new e-book This Was Not on My Bingo Card:  Essays on Cancer and Other Related Surprises.  It is FREE, but the only way to get it is to subscribe to my blog.  Do it today in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  I pray you will be blessed.  Now…on to the post: 

    Hungry I come to You
    For I know You satisfy

     

    So begins one of my favorite songs from Vineyard Worship.  These words resonate with a deep, deep part of me.  You see, I have a long history of trying to fill myself with all the wrong things.

     

    As a young girl, I never felt confident in my personality, my likeability, in my body.  But my intellect never failed me.  I relied on the accolades and applause from teachers and other adults to measure my worth.  And at home I could stuff down boredom, insecurity and shame with food.  Too much of it.  My curves came much earlier to me than most of my friends.  And I felt ashamed of them.  I saw myself as “fat” compared to the flat, lanky bodies of most girls.

     

    As a young woman who took diet pills to finally look the way I wanted, I found my sufficiency in the attention of men.  This only led to a different kind of shame and a dark emptiness when break-ups and rejection still came…

     

    To read the rest of the post, click here.  I have the privilege of contributing to a series called The ABC’s of God’s Love Letter.  25 Weeks.  25 Writers! on instaencouragements.com.  If you have time, read the series and download the free study materials.  I pray it blesses you.

    And now for this week’s featured post!

     

    I was encouraged by Encouragement for Working Through Anxiety by Donna of serenityinsuffering.com.  I definitely need to know more about this subject and was pleasantly surprised to find such a good mix of practical tips and scripture help here.  Thank you, Donna!

     

     

    Grace and Truth_Rules

    1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

    2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

    3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

     

    Grace Truth_Button

     

    Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

     

    We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

    MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
    Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

    HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
    Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

    LAUREN SPARKS
    Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

    LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
    Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

    Now Let’s Link Up!

     

    You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

    Click here to enter

     

     

    Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

     

    To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.