Interview on Alive in Christ Radio Network

It was so much fun to be a guest on the Alive in Christ Radio Network. I was super nervous, but was grateful for the opportunity to share about my magazine, Christian Women's Voice. 

Alive in Christ has excellent programming and Toni and Lynn Marino were a blast to work with!

If you'd like to listen to the entire show, here's the link:

http://www.aliveinchristradio.com/alive-in-christ-radio-liner-notes/alive-in-christ-radio-112712.html

Transformed

I lit the candle on the buffet by the front door. Lit the one in the kitchen, too.

I fluffed the pillows on the couch and folded the throw blanket over the arm rest.

I checked the bread baking in the oven and adjusted the music from Classical to Christmas carols.

The lights and festive decorations across the fireplace mantle cast a warm glow to the living room and instantly my mood changed from hurried and distracted to centered and settled.

It’s amazing the impact just a few simple elements

can have on my mood and my whole outlook.

Sometimes, to bring real transformation about, you have to change your surroundings, or perhaps just a few simple, though important, elements – the ones that reach beneath the skin.

When we fill our lives with things that are not of the Lord…we become something other than what He desires for us.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

Real transformation takes place in the heart…right there where the Lord lives. Only He will make sense out of the chaos. Only He will bring about real transformation.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  (2 Cor. 5:17)

Many Blessings,

Debbie

Celebrate the Season With Our Nov/Dec Issue!

Can you feel it in the air? That certain chill? That certain fragrance of the most special time of year? It’s got me breaking out the candles and fluffy throw blankets. I’m stocking up on firewood, my baking supplies and favorite coffees, and starting my secret shopping list; all the necessary items in shining up a season of joy and celebration.

Speaking of joy and celebration: now is the time to check out the new November/December issue of Christian Women’s Voice Magazine. Our contributors have shared their favorite holiday recipes and special family traditions. You’ll find great articles, contest winners, special features and SO much more! Let our brand new issue awaken your holiday spirit and…

Join us as we welcome the glorious season of Christmas!

Give the gift of hope and encouragement this Christmas with a 1-year subscription to Christian Women’s Voice Magazine!

Visit christianwomensvoice.org today!

Wishing you many blessings,

Debbie

Rise Up!

It’s when joy dissolves into frustration and simple happiness into worry. When the fears of this world seem larger than the hands that created it and words of love and truth give way to bickering ….

When my mind clouds over and I shake to find my breath. When the knotting starts and it’s a fight for air…

It’s me in a crowded room yet alone and unheard, standing invisible on weak legs. It’s the enemy who invades my sleep and sends me falling, reaching for a light in the darkness…

And when I shake my head and shout ENOUGH, my soul cries,

Rise Up!

In the name of Jesus, rise up to the enemy who taunts and whose only mission is to hurt and cast guilt and shame.

Rise Up!

By the blood of the lamb, rise up in His strength and remember who you are! Your validation does not lie in the hands of man, but in the heart of your Creator! He has prepared a place for you.

Rise Up!

Hallelujah to the Savior! When you’ve given enough days over to the things that are not of Him, rise up and speak His name. Rise up and give glory and praise to the One who continues to hold you through it all.

Rise Up!

Yes, today, even now, especially now rise up against it all because you’re worth fighting for. You will never embarrass or disappoint the Father when you seek Him with all your heart…so, rise up in His name!

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” 

(1 Chron. 16:31) NIV

Rise up and be joyful!

Debbie

You Can’t Do it Alone! (Revisited)

My little voice of negativity is a roaring lioness these days. She wakes me somewhere around 4am growling as I fight for sleep, snarling me awake with fears and doubts until I rise to begin the day already beaten and deep into worry.

Somewhere in the dark, I find my praise; mutter my faith in the One who casts light on my dark morning. But my whisper is no match for the strength of the beast when she’s determined to claim my joy and win over my dreams.

She breathes hot across my neck words of failure, disappointment… discouragement. I deflect her negative jabs and rub my eyes as I walk the cold tile floor to the coffee pot. She’s relentless in her pursuit, stalking, stirring up emotions and old memories, all the reasons to stop and retreat, to take cover and hide beneath the shelter of my insecurities.

My cup clangs to the counter and I give in to the hunt.

“I can’t do this!” I cry out. “This is too much for me – the task is too big…too great. Who in the world do I think I am, anyway? I just can’t…”

But the lioness is a coward and I am humbled as we’re both silenced there…in the very presence of Him.

And I hear, “You’re right – YOU alone can’t do it.”

So, it’s time to live out what I profess. It turns out the challenge is mine, as suddenly “The Courage to Fly” is a pretty steep mountain to conquer.

But if my God can tame the lioness and send her running, He surely has the power that equips and strengthens – the power that guides me forward and fills me with the joy of knowing Him.

I’m praising God today for opportunities that grow us. I’m thanking Him for moments such as these where our faith rises up larger than we are and sends our lioness running back to her dark cave. His strength in my weakness. More of Him – less of me.The Way, the Truth and the Life that fuels our courage to fly!

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) NIV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10) NIV

Many Blessings to you, sweet sister,

Debbie

christianwomensvoice.org

Like the Evergreen

I make the drive several times a week.

Through horse country.

Through farmland and workers with hats dipped low and the sun sinking in my rear-view mirror.

Past barns and rolling hills, large estates proud and secure behind iron gates.

Up and over the ridge I drive past trees blushing autumn color, some with leaves spent and falling in amber pools.

But I marvel at those who refuse to give in to the rest; the stoic evergreens maintaining life, color, presence. They sway and glisten in afternoon sun and hold their place firm among the others.

They don’t give in or change their purpose depending on the seasons….don’t toss away spent leaves like one would toss away used up faith and prayers that seem lost in the wind. 

I want to be like the evergreen.

Standing firm in my faith, my beliefs and my God.

With true joy and trust unshaken.

To grow where I’m planted, tall with life and strength, determination and love for the One who makes all things possible – the One who made me.

I want to be like the evergreen.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. (Matthew 5:14-15) NIV

Many Blessings,

Debbie

Spots of Light

Just when the clouds move in. When every door closes and you’re left there in the dark, the spots of light appear, there in the cracks. It may not seem like much to others, but it’s just enough to remind you that you weren’t meant to live in the darkness, deep in your discouragement and despair. You were meant to keep looking for the tiny cracks of light. They’re there and they appear at just the right moment. You see them when you’re second guessing and doubting. 

When you’re questioning your efforts and your motives. 

He reminds us of the mission set before us and makes the path a little straighter. When we realize that what lies beyond those tiny cracks is abundant Son light and we see Him waiting there and quickly realize He’s been there all along.

May the Lord of all creation bless you today with His peace, His presence and His strength to continue watching for those spots of light.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) NIV