I love the word zeal. It's more than a fun word to say. It's a fun word to LIVE. Are you living with zeal? Let me tell you what that means. Definition of Zeal According to Merriam-Webster, ZEAL is an "eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something." And, in case you're curious, ARDENT means …
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The irony of pride is that it keeps us from talking about pride... which keeps us from letting go of it. For a long time, I didn't think I had a pride issue. As a kid, my extreme shyness and lack of confidence made me feel the opposite of prideful. And, my tendency toward people …
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Years ago, I began recovering from perfectionism. It's a lifelong journey, let me tell you. Or maybe you already know because you're on the very same journey. If so, you are welcome here! Perfectionism is tricky. Just when you think you've eliminated it from one area of your life, it pops up in another—like a …
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Let's start with a story about my peach tree. In 2020, we thought it might be fun to own a fruit tree when we found a tiny, cheap one at a local nursery. Sold. We planted it in 2020 and did all the required watering. When 2021 peach season came and went with only four …
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Do you ever feel like no one understands you? OR, on the flip side… Do you feel that if people knew the real you, they wouldn't understand you? Feeling Misunderstood is Valid Feeling misunderstood is a valid feeling that can spark other feelings. Judgment. Embarrassment. Resentment. Or maybe you feel ignored. Unappreciated. Unloved. I'm sure a …
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Did you know? Straightening your teeth with braces or Invisalign doesn't keep them straight. Teeth are stubborn. Without consistent correction (aka. a retainer) they will shift back to their original, crooked state. I know from experience. I also know from experience that Invisalign is a LOT like having a relationship with God. I'll explain in …
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Have you ever been caught in a storm on the water? Last weekend, John and I took the jet ski out on Fort Loudon Lake here in Knoxville, TN. It wasn't supposed to rain till 6pm, so we had all afternoon. We launched in Farragut to jet around the lake — which, let's be real, …
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Has a dog ever taught you a life lesson? Mine has. Gus, our Old English Bulldog, is full of eclectic personality. He is sweet, stubborn, feisty, dramatic, adventurous, and scared of the most random items (Amazon boxes, chalk drawings, new tile flooring...). He's also super smart. I enjoy observing him when he problem solves. You …
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Last month, God gave me the opportunity to teach a small group of women. Two class sessions. About three hours total. Nothing formal. For the first session, I shared my testimony and general thoughts on what I've learned over the years. Session two, I taught on physical appearance and food. As I prepared to teach …
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Have you ever reflected on a point in your life and thought, "Well that went differently than I ever could have imagined"? For better or for worse. If yes, you aren’t alone. As I sit here at age 40, I can't help but think of all the details in my life thus far that I …
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adventure and the girl 