Love Archives - Rising Above Real Life | Joy P. DahlRising Above Real Life

The Last Mile of Life

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Joy

Everyone faces life and death crossroads. And everyone’s experiences differ. This year in particular has impacted many of us as we or a loved one walk the last mile of life. Today my emotions remain raw while this season of incredible loss for me and my family wears on. I don’t have facts and figures to try to make sense of it all. Instead, I’d like to share a few thoughts from my heart. Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged advocate, afterlife, assurance, Comfort, Death, die, glory, Heaven, Hope, hospice, Jesus, kindness, Loss, Love, Mourn, Peace, Pray, stand, Struggle, suffering
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Sheroes of the Bible

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Joy

The last two months unfolded like an archeological dig. Week after week, I joined a group of women to unlock stories of the past, dust off musty translations, and peer into golden lives of unlikely sheroes. Who are these sheroes? Women easily overlooked, discounted, and even scorned. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Bible, broken, Courage, Deborah, Do what I can do, El Roi, Encourage, Faith, God, Hagar, Jesus, Love, Mary, Mourn, ordinary, Pray, Rahab, Shero, Sheroes of the Faith, stand, support, Tamar, trial
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How Not to Hate the Wait

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Joy

In our world of one-click shopping and on-demand streaming, much of life no longer unfolds over time. We want what we want when we want it. We require instantaneous life. Unfortunately, God often asks us to wait. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Be still, Courage, grow, hard, Hope, Love, Mount Up On Wings, New Beginning, New Life, Patience, Power, Praise, Renewal, Strength, Wait, Walk With God, wings like eagles
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Unanswered Prayers

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Joy

When someone dies, we struggle with the “why”. Why didn’t God answer our prayers? As Easter approaches, the “why” questions of the disciples mirror our own. How can we continue to trust God? Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged confusion, Cross, Death, Easter, God the Father, good work, grace, Grief, Heaven, Hope, Jesus, Jesus Save Me, Love, New Life, Power, Savior, Strength, Sufficient, Weakness, Why, work on earth
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Better to Have Loved & Lost?

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Joy

As human beings, we cannot live healthy, abundant, prolonged lives without love. We are created to love. We long for love. We will do crazy things to show our love. But at some point in our lives, we will all lose love. What then? Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged Alfred Lord Tennyson, Breakup, Dark, Death, Divorce, Eternal Life, Forever, Fully Known, Grief, Loss, Love, Love Never Fails, Loved and Lost, Memories, Mourning, Pain, Regret, Relationship, Sorrow, Unconditional Love, Widow
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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? Continue reading →

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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Cross the Starting Line - Just Start!

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Joy

Is it harder to cross the starting line or the finish line? We often don’t move forward because we’re too afraid of the unknown. Just start! Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing | Tagged Dream, Faith, Fear, Finish Line, Hope Just Start, Just Do It, Love, New Beginning, New Life, Pray, Purpose, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Starting Line, Step of Faith, Unknown, What If
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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? Continue reading →

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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I Am Second

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Joy

We push hard to be first but we’re broadsided by reality. Life can stink! New life is possible once we stop trying to control our destiny. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged Broken Dreams, Brokenness, Dreams, Fear, Help Me Jesus, Hope, I Am Second, Loneliness, Love, New Beginning, New Life, Pray, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood
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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! Continue reading →

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! Continue reading →

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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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! Continue reading →

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. Continue reading →

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. Continue reading →

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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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. Continue reading →

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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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! Continue reading →

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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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. Continue reading →

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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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. Continue reading →

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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Why “Do Good” For No Reason?

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Joy

We genuinely want to help others without expecting anything in return. But it’s hurtful when there’s no response or, worse yet, a bad response to our good efforts. So why keep trying? Continue reading →

Unexpected | 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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Cross the Starting Line - Just Start!

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Joy

Is it harder to cross the starting line or the finish line? Many of us never move forward because we’re more afraid of the unknown than the known. Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Dream, Faith, Fear, Finish Line, Hope, Just Start, Love, New Beginning, New Life, Pray, Purpose, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Starting Line, Step of Faith, Unknown, What If
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Getting What You Ask For and More

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Joy

If a fairy godmother was standing in front of you right now with sparks flying off her glittery wand as she tapped it in her hand, what would you ask for? What’s your #1 wish? Continue reading →

Unexpected | 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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I Am Second

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Joy

Most people are pushing to come out on top. We expect life to turn out one way but are broadsided by reality. New life is still possible, but not if we try to control our destiny. Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Brokenness, Dreams, Fear, Forgiveness, Help Me Jesus, Hope, I Am Second, Loneliness, Love, New Beginning, New Life, Prayer, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood
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Want to be Happy? Practice “Happy”!

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Joy

Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” We can practice being happy. And it works! Continue reading →

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

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Joy

Instead of being afraid or ashamed of our past, we find purpose as we realize our past struggles allow us to help others who are struggling in similar ways. Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Find Purpose, Healing, Heaven, Help Me Jesus, Hope, Life Purpose, Love, New Beginning, New Life, Past Scars, Purpose-Filled Life, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood, Stepping Stones
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Your Life Story in Six Words

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Joy

Ernest Hemingway’s legendary shortest story “For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.” Sad and emotional. What if in six words you could spark hope in someone’s life? Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Brokenness, Ernest Hemingway, Forgiveness, Hope, Jesus, Life Story in Six Words, Love, New Life, Oprah, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood, Six Word Mini-Memoir
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On the Road to New Beginnings

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Joy

No matter where you’ve been, no matter where you are, know that you too can experience the fullness of new life! I’m living proof. Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged God's Power, Hope, Jesus, Joy, Love, Miracles, New Beginning, New Life, Overcome, Real Life, Resurrection, Rise Above
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Sweet Friendship Refreshes the Soul

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Joy

Our sense of smell engages our brain and emotions as memories warm our heart. Like these beautiful aromas, friends refresh our spirit, even if we’ve been apart. Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Aromas, Encouragement, Friendship, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Real Life, Refresh, Rise Above, Sense of Smell, Sisterhood, Soul
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Church: Hospital or Country Club?

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Joy

Church is for those seeking truth on the journey of life. It’s for people like me who want to turn from the brokenness of our past and walk forward to new life. Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Acceptance, Church, Fear, Friendship, God's Love, God's Word, Hospital, Hospitality, Love, New Life, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood
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This Changes Everything!

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Joy

We’re stuck. In real life, past hurts, loneliness, dead relationships, debt, depression… But don’t despair, there’s something that changes everything! Continue reading →

Unexpected | 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, Sisterhood, Stuck
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God Loves You Because…

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Joy

Our lives will transform if we embrace God’s love and grow our relationship with Him. The first step to believing God’s love is to understand why He loves us. Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Believe, God's Love, Hope, Love, New Beginning, New Life, Real Life, Rise Above, Trust, Truth
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The Last Big Gift

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Joy

At Christmas we’re like kids again hoping for that one special present. Eyeing the boxes. Noticing there’s one over in the corner. It’s big. Is that for us? Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Christmas, Disappointment, Gifts, God's Love, Hope, Jesus, Joy, Love, New Life, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood
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Favorite Christmas Cards

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Joy

In the happy moments, praise God. In the difficult moments, seek God. In the quiet moments, trust God. In every moment, thank God. God is part of our real life. Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Christmas, Eternal Life, Forgiveness, Gift, God's Love, Help, Jesus, Love, New Beginning, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood
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A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Joy

I pray this will be a different kind of Thanksgiving for all of us. One where we stand in the gap for others and lift them up to God. Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Brokenness, Freedom, God, Help Me Jesus, Joy, Loneliness, Love, Prayer, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood, Stand in the Gap, Thanksgiving
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Pumpkins in our Patch of Real Life

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Joy

Many of us are called to be gardeners. Our children and friends are the pumpkins in our patch of real life. Here are 4 ways to nurture our pumpkin patch kids. Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Friendship, Happiness, Help, Hope, Love, Opportunity, Pumpkin Patch Kids, Real Life, Sisterhood
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Help v. Hinder: 3 Ways to Equip Others

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Joy

We help others by equipping and teaching them to fish in their pond of life. We hinder others by buying a fish and expecting that they won’t go hungry again. Continue reading →

Unexpected | Tagged Encourage, Forgiveness, Friendship, Help, Love, New Beginning, Prayer, Real Life, Rise Above, Sisterhood, Teach
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