From the category archives:

spiritual things

Financial Update – Needs vs. Wants

March 7, 2010

Welcome! If you’re new to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, you may like to subscribe for free updates. Subscribe via RSS to read updates in your favorite feed reader, or via email to have new posts delivered directly to your inbox. Thanks for visiting!
Last week, we celebrated the one year anniversary of our God Watch – [...]

Read the full article →

Rebelling…against New Year’s Resolutions

December 31, 2009

Stowed away in the attic for decades, dust floats from the diary that I kept from ages 14-18. Paging through memories of old, I’m instantly transported.

Transported to pivotal successes that were so quickly forgotten, while years of insecurity surface in a heartbeat.

The diary leers, ” I need to lose weight and stop snacking. I need to get more organized for class. I need to talk softer (the whole gentle and quiet spirit thing).”

That list was the bane of my existence for years.

Read the full article →

The Five Languages of Apology

December 28, 2009

The days after Christmas tend to release a plethora of emotions for many people. Often, expectations have been dashed, family relationships have been strained and feelings have been hurt. Yet we don’t hear too many Christmas songs that address this aspect of “The most wonderful time of the year,” do we?

I know, I know, I’m getting deep on you while you’re still in holiday mode, but I ask you to spend some minutes pondering and learning how this crutial topic may impact your day to day life. I’m pretty passionate about open communication; understanding forgiveness and apologies play a huge part in that.

I’ve asked my sweet friend, Dr. Jennifer Thomas, to share some essentials about forgiveness and apologies. As the co-author (with Gary Chapman) of “The Five Languages of Apology” her insight is pivotal to digging deeper into more meaningful relationships.

Read the full article →

Why Adopt a Special Need’s Child?

December 3, 2009

His name is Edison. We met two weeks ago. He has changed my life forever.

Bringing my new nephew home from Ecuador to his forever family in the U.S. has been one of the greatest privileges I have been granted. This adoption journey, for which I have had a front row seat, has been a four year fight. A fight not just against political red tape and legislation, but a literal battle against the powers of good and evil.

Read the full article →

A Sunday Moment

November 15, 2009

Few receive the calling to adopt, but what can you share in the mandate to look after orphans and widows?James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…

Read the full article →

This picture says it all

November 10, 2009

Update from Ecuador
Informed that my sister-in-love and I would not get to see my nephew until Wednesday when the official paperwork was completed, we were blown away when our host asked us first thing this morning, “Would you like to go see Edison?”
Absolutely -  tears began to fill our eyes at the thought.
She warned us [...]

Read the full article →

A Sunday Reminder – Prayer

October 31, 2009

Yesterday, October 31, marked the 492nd anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting his 95 theses to the door of Wittenberg Church (Reformation Day). This faithful man of God declared, “I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three-hours daily in prayer.” Ouch! That hit home. Luther was definitely more of a multi-tasker than I am, and yet I’m finding it difficult to make this part of my daily disciplines?
This week, I was moved by the genuine simple obedience of my daughter. Jesus taught us to come like children to a Father, and she modeled that for her little sister and me.
She made up her own personal sized fruit salad, relishing in the beauty and creative colors of the various fruits.

Read the full article →

Unveiling the masks

October 28, 2009

When you look in the mirror, do you don a mask of perfection and performance? Or maybe you hide behind a mask for fear of reaction? Lies whisper shame and accusation, “You’ll never measure up – if only they knew!”

And then we listen…we listen and embrace lies!

Do you need someone to tell you how special you are, to affirm the role you are doing in your family, marriage, workforce, or ministry?

I may not know your circumstances, nor understand your background personally, but I do know ONE thing…you were uniquely created by God for an amazing purpose.

95% of teen girls believe the lie that they “must perform to be loved and accepted.” Did you read that correctly? 95%!! And the statistic for adult women is not much less.

Precious Ladies, our worth is not based on what others think of us, or what we do. Our value is determined by how God views us and He loves us more than we can ever fathom…warts and all. :)

Read the full article →

A Choice of Hope

October 1, 2009

Terrified and torn, a young woman girl, seventeen, sacrificed so that her firstborn
could have life.
Please continue reading a small excerpt of my adoption story

Read the full article →

A Sunday Moment

August 9, 2009

Watching the sunrise this morning, I was reminded by the simple truth…He is the same yesterday, today and forever.No matter what…He knows it. He hears our cries. He answers…in His time. Always!
**********************************************************************************
Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering…. The love of God [...]

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Read the full article →
lifetimedigital_150x60