2018: The Year of Open Doors

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Joy

As we approach the mid-point of the year, most New Year’s resolutions are a faint and distant memory. But what if 2018 could still become “The Year of Open Doors” for you?

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Chinese New Year, Community, Corporate, Intercession, New Doors, New Year's Resolution, Prayer, Sabbatical Year, Year of Jubilee, Year of Open Doors
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Bluebonnets are to Texas what tulips are to Holland, azaleas are to Augusta, and cherry blossoms are to Washington DC. But what makes bluebonnets so remarkable is that they’re WILD. These words came to mind: “Consider how the wildflowers grow…”

Fun, Growth, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Bluebonnets, Bristol, Ennis, Faith, God's Love, Hope, Jesus, Relationship With Jesus, Savior, wildflowers, Worry
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A Promise from God

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Joy

Whether our requests are big or small, at some point we all wonder if God hears us. Does the Creator of the universe care about our prayers for a new job, loneliness, a persistent cough, or help paying bills? In a word: Yes! Not only does He care, He promises so much more.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Child of God, God's Love, God's Power, God's Presence, God's Promise, God's Word, Hope, Jesus Save Me, New Life, Overcome, Real Life, Rise Above, Where Is God
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The Intersection of Faith and Work

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Joy

We all work. Our workplaces may look different, but they share a commonality: intrinsic value to God’s Kingdom. Your work has eternal value.

Fun, Growth, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Ambassadors, Faith, Faith and Work, God, Work, Workplace, Your Work Matters
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Why “Do Good” For No Reason?

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Joy

We genuinely want to help others. But it hurts when there’s no response or, worse, a bad response to our good efforts. So why keep trying?

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Anyway, Do Good, Doing Good, Help, Hope, Love, Martina McBride, Mother Teresa, New Life, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood
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Getting What You Ask For and More

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Joy

If a fairy godmother was standing in front of you right now tapping her glittery wand, what would you ask for? What’s your #1 wish?

Fun, Growth, Sisterhood | Tagged #1 Wish, David, Desire, Fairy godmother, Gifts, Heavenly Father, Life Changing, Love, Need, Pinterest, Prayer, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Solomon, Want, Wisdom
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What Would Your Last Words Be?

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Joy

If you knew you were going to die and you could speak to a group of people, what would you say? This is the story of Rachel Barkey, age 37.

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Death, Death is not Dying, Faith, Fear, Happiness, Heaven, Hope, Last Words, New Life, Peace, Rachel Barkey, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Salvation, Sisterhood, Strength, Truth
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Treasures in the Lost and Found

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Joy

Have you lost something you loved and couldn’t replace? Favorite things are too precious to easily let go. That’s how God feels about you.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Angels, Celebrate, Fear, Found, God's Love, Guilt, Healing, Heaven, Hope, Lost, Lost and Found, New Life, Party, Prayer, Prodigal Daughter, Prodigal Son, Real Life, Regret, Rise Above, Rising Above, Share, Sisterhood, Treasure
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Want to be Happy? Practice “Happy”!

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Joy

Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do.” So do this: Practice being happy this holiday season – and it will carry on to next year!

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged 10 year 10000 hour rule, Aristotle, Christmas, Excellence, Faith, Forgiveness, Generosity, Habit, Happy, Happy Holidays, Hope, Joy, Love, Patience, Peace, Perfect 10, Practice Makes Perfect, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Smile, Thankfulness
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Past Scars: Stepping Stones to Purpose

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Joy

We can find purpose if we realize our past struggles allow us to help others who are struggling. No shame and no fear of our past in Christ!

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Find Purpose, Healing, Heaven, Help Me Jesus, Hope, Life of Purpose, Love, New Beginning, New Life, Past Scars, Purpose-Filled Life, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Stepping Stones
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What Are You Doing With Your Dash?

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Joy

When we die there will be 2 numbers: the date we were born & the date we died. Neither matters as much as the dash––our life––in between.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Dash, Emptiness, Epitaph, God's Love, Happiness, Hope, Joy, Life Purpose, New Life, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Striving
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Your Life Story in 6 Words

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Joy

Ernest Hemingway’s shortest story- “For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.” Wow! In 6 words can you spark hope? Yes! Tell us your 6 word story!

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged 6 Words, Brokenness, Earnest Hemingway, Forgiveness, Hope, Jesus, Life Story in 6 Words, Life Story in Six Words, Love, New Life, Oprah, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Six Word Mini-Memoir
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Sweet Friendship Refreshes the Soul

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Joy

Sweet friendship refreshes our soul, like beautiful aromas that engage our emotions and warm our heart with good memories.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Aromas, Encouragement, Friendship, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Real Life, Refresh, Rise Above, Senses, Sisterhood, Soul, Sweet
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On the Road to New Beginnings

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Joy

No matter where we’ve been, no matter where we are, we all can experience the joy and richness of new life! I’m living proof.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged God's Power, Hope, Jesus, Joy, Love, Miracles, New Beginning, New Life, Overcome, Real Life, Resurrection, Rise Above, Rising Above
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Eye of the Storm

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Joy

Eye of the storm: Place of peace where truth & courage meet. No matter what storm we’re in, we can survive & be stronger on the other side.

Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Believe, Courage, Eye of the Storm, Help, Help Me Jesus, Hope, New Life, Prayer, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood, Storms Of Life, Strength
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Church: Hospital or Country Club?

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Joy

A healthy church community is for people like you and me – who want to turn from the brokenness of our past as we walk forward to new life.

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Acceptance, Church, Fear, Friendship, God's Love, God's Word, Help Me Jesus, Hospital, Hospitality, Love, New Life, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood
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Mud Puddles of Life

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Joy

Where are you stuck? Fear? Isolation? Shame? Depression? Worry? Mud puddles of life bring hopelessness. But one new step leads to new life!

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Bad Choices, Brokenness, Depression, Emptiness, Guilt, Help Me Jesus, Hope, Loneliness, New Life, Real Life, Regret, Rise Above, Rising Above, Shame, Sisterhood, Strength, Washed Clean
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This Changes Everything!

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Joy

We’re stuck. In past hurts, loneliness, dead relationships, debt, no hope… But don’t despair, there’s something that changes everything!

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Change, Freedom, God Who Sets Us Free, God's Power, Jesus, Jesus Save Me, Loneliness, Love, More than Conquerors, New Beginning, New Life, Overcome, Path of Life, Real Life, Resurrection, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Stuck
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Take Your Stand

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Joy

No one wants to be attacked, but we are. Self-worth cracks. Shame and regret haunt us. But God gives us armor and weapons to take our stand!

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Armor of God, Battle, God's Power, God's Word, New Life, Overcome, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Strength, Sword, Sword of the Spirit, Temptation, Truth, Warrior
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Breaking Free and Staying Free

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Joy

We’re stuck in circumstances or bound by guilt, regrets and wounds of the past. We don’t believe we can break free. But we can! Here’s how.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Believe, Break Free, Breaking Free, Chains, Freedom, God's Word, Help Me Jesus, Hope, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Set Free, Sisterhood, Stay Free, Stuck
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5 Steps On the Right Path Forward

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Joy

When it comes to life, most of us aren’t where we think we should be. But there’s a path of life marked out for you – and you can find it.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged GPS, Help Me Jesus, Move Forward, New Beginning, New Life, Overcome, Path of Life, Perseverance, Persevere, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Run The Race, Sisterhood, Temptation
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What Will God Really Do For You?

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Joy

Does God care? If the creator of the universe is busy with wars, famine, asteroids, floods and tragedies, how can He have time for us?

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Child of God, Does God Care, God's Love, God's Power, God's Word, Hope, Jesus Save Me, New Life, Overcome, Real Life, Relationship With God, Rise Above, Rising Above, Where Is God
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Celebrating Small Victories

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Joy

When was the last time you celebrated a victory? Sometimes we don’t feel like we have much to celebrate. But that can change!

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Celebrate, Emptiness, Help Me Jesus, Joy, Loneliness, New Beginning, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Storms Of Life, Strength, Victory
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When the Road Gets Tough

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Joy

Keep moving forward! We can’t let fear, doubt, or any other feelings hold us in bondage. We are survivors, given strength to overcome.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Faith, Hard Times, Heaven, Hope, Jesus, New Life, Overcome, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood, Strength
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3 Remedies for Spiritual Dehydration

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Joy

Ever feel wilted, like you’re thirsting for more in life? We get weary and need renewal. But we can’t quench our soul-deep thirsts by ourselves.

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Brokenness, Confidence, Dehydration, Hope, Jesus, Living Water, New Beginning, New Life, Overcome, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Spiritual Renewal, Truth, Weary, Wilted, Woman at the Well
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God Loves You Because…

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Joy

The first step to believing God loves you is to understand why He loves you. That’s where transformed lives begin.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Believe, God's Love, Hope, Love, New Beginning, New Life, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood, Sisters, Trust, Truth
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3 Steps Toward Good Life

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Joy

We may not be where we want to be or thought we’d be. How can we make the most of new opportunities? Here are 3 steps toward good life.

Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Bad Choices, Brokenness, God's Love, Hope, New Beginning, New Life, Opportunity, Overcome, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Turmoil
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Encouragement For The New Year

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Joy

Whether the holidays were exciting or hard, we can be in the pits as a new year dawns. Here’s where we can find encouragement.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Encouragement, Friendship, God's Love, Happiness, Hope, Laughter, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Strength
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A Time to Mourn

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Joy

Some of the darkest hours on this earth are the ones when Heaven is rejoicing, because our loved ones are now in Paradise.

Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Brokenness, Death, Faith, Heaven, Help Me Jesus, Hope, Mourn, New Life, Paradise, Promises, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Sorrow
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Friends Who Break Wind

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Joy

We will all face obstacles we can’t overcome alone. So let’s run the race of life together and strengthen each other.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Help, Hope, Love, Overcome, Real Life, Rise Above, Run The Race, Running, Sisterhood, Strength, Struggle
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Are You The One?

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Joy

Many of us go through life feeling alone and empty because we never found that elusive “one”. God also is in search of the “one”. But God’s “one” is different.

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Bent Tree Bible, Faith, Forgiveness, God's Love, Happiness, Hope, Michael Frost, New Beginning, New Life, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood, Storms Of Life, Strength
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Faith Over Fear: Beyond Life’s Pits

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Joy

I was honored to guest blog in Remade Ministries’ “Faith Over Fear” series (#justdoitafraid). God can remake anyone…

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged #justdoitafraid, Believe, Brokenness, Faith Over Fear, God's Love, God's Power, Help Me Jesus, Hope, Joy Dahl, New Life, Real Life, Remade Ministries, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Storms Of Life
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Celebrating Small Victories

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Joy

When was the last time you celebrated a victory? We often go through everyday life without feeling like we have much to celebrate. But that can change.

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Celebrate, Emptiness, Help Me Jesus, Joy, Loneliness, New Beginning, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood, Storms Of Life, Strength, Super Bowl, Victory
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No Bibles in New York City

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Joy

The hotel was beautiful. But on the first morning I made a grim discovery: there were no Bibles in the room. Gideon had not been allowed in.

Fun, Growth, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Bibles in New York, Christmas in New York, God's Word, Hotel Stories, New York City, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood, Truth
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In Her Own Words… Angela B

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Joy

My mom was an alcoholic and I was taken away from her. My uncle and adopted mom abused me. I felt trapped and was told I was stupid. Now my life has changed.

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Brokenness, Forgiveness, God's Love, God's Power, God's Word, Healing, Help Me Jesus, Hope, New Life, Overcome, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood
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