Greater Courage To Speak Truth

"Joy sometimes needs pain to give birth. Fanny Crosby could never have written her beautiful hymn, 'I Shall See Him Face-to-Face,' were it not for the fact that she had never looked upon the green fields nor the evening sunset nor the kindly twinkle in her mother's eye. It was the loss of her own vision that helped her to gain her remarkable spiritual discernment." - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, Streams In The Desert

My book, Not Really A Princess deals with going through adversity and finding joy then in turn helping others through their own trials and struggles. When we realize that many things we go through can be beneficial to help others, it opens up a world of possibilities.

Last night I was reading Philippians 1:12 and I totally understand Paul's feelings as he pens this letter. "Now I want you to know brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the LORD and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear." NIV

When we have perseverance and a willing heart we can reach out to those around us and not wallow in a puddle of despair. I have spent so much time in my life questioning why things happened. This just breeds negativity.

Have the courage to push forward and share God's grace with others. Paul shared his joy while in prison. He is one of the most influential men in history.

Leave a legacy of mercy and grace. Courage and perseverance. Break the chains. Live life fearlessly.

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What Goes Around, Comes Around

Yesterday was an interesting travel day. I am attending a conference in the lovely Pocano Mountains in Pennsylvania. My husband was asking why they would have it in PA in January. I think he was hoping for warm weather. That is partly because we are from the west and the mountains are big and the passes are more difficult. It was an easy drive on highway the entire way though and the mountains are more like hills. You are gradually climbing. I kept thinking how gorgeous it must be in the fall with all the colorful leaves on the many, many trees.

My husband, Craig was returning from a business trip and was going to meet me at Newark airport. His flight would get in about an hour before mine and then he would be able to come with me. Yay!

I got up at 4am Boise time and went to the airport and had no issues getting on my flight. I benefit from Craig's air miles and am a lifetime 1K so I am able to get on the plane first. I got on the plane, found my seat and put my briefcase in the …

Did I Mention Food?

Writing a book on Hospitality encompasses far more than I ever thought it would. I mean I began with the idea that we should all invite others into our home and make them feel welcome. Like they can come any time and put their feet up and have no worries. I wanted to convey somehow that we can also be helpful to our neighbors and friends especially in a time of need.

So I began writing. I had my chapters planned. HA. I had no idea what this project would entail. I decided that it would be a good idea to add a few recipes and home ideas to help people who struggle with having people over. Maybe it would make them more at ease inviting people. Wow, it just exploded. The more things I added...the more I wanted to add. Now there are over 35 recipes, how to's, testimonies of people telling how others helped them in hard times and quotes and Bible verses encouraging us to show hospitality to those around us.

The photography for such a project has been amazing. I hav…

Slaying Goliath

David slays Goliath. One of the very favorite Sunday school stories for kids. I am sure there were some great flannel graphs for this. What kid wouldn't want to hear a story of a young lad killing a giant with a sling shot?! I did not go to church when I was young but even I had heard the story.

Now, as an adult, having read through the book of 1 Samuel a few times (it is a fav), I read through that story and think its great, yeah but the other night I was reading and other aspects of the story really hit me. In chapter 16 the Lord tells Samuel to go to Bethlehem, that he has chosen one of Jesse's sons to be king over Israel. Samuel looks at the oldest and thinks he is the one but then the Lord says in verse 7, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Now David was the youngest of Jesse's sons and a shepherd.…

From the Heart of Nicki Corinne

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