JanuaryNewsletter
As this goes out to each of you, we are entering the last week of 2020. I wanted to send it before January 1st to encourage you to make a plan about how you will begin the new year as a believer. The Bible says that without a vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18). If we want to continue to mature in Christ, we have to have a vision for how to seek it.

From understanding God's word, finding community, and growing in maturity and faith, we need to find resources to help us be intentional. If we need community, how will we go about building and forging friendships? Good things require effort and one of the purposes of my writing is to encourage others to make every effort to pursue a relationship with God and others in the faith, so we can be strengthened to minister to those still without Christ and stand strong in this broken world.

While 2020 has received much negative attention, I know that God has used it for His purposes. Any day He gives us is to be used for His glory. Cursing a year that God has given will not lead to the results we desire. But gratitude and praise will lead us from a place of weariness to a new place of joy. Be hopeful about 2021 and look for ways to grow and draw closer to Christ. I hope some of the resources I share in this newsletter will lead you to a new year of growth and fruitfulness in Christ. Happy New Year!

In case you missed it, here are some links to my latest posts:

If you missed any previous newsletters and want to check them out, you can go to the member archive and view past issues. The archive also holds the Psalm 119 study and Hebrews 10 lesson. If you find anything here that you think would encourage someone else, please consider sharing and inviting them to subscribe. If you read an article on the blog you want to share, just click the social media icons on the right hand corner! This is a great way to support me and hopefully help others!
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My favorite things heading into the New Year!

KnowingGodJournal
  • Knowing God Through the Word is a guided Scripture journal for reading through the Bible. It has space for recording your observations about the text and what it teaches you about God. It also has a resource in the back with basic overview information about each book of the Bible. Easy access while you study. I am excited that I will have one organized way to record all of my notes as I read through the whole Bible in 2021.
  • Creative Pauses by Cathy Baker has been an encouraging source for practical wisdom in living. She writes on her blog, where she offers fresh, creative ways to connect with God through His word, prayer, and community. Love her focus on gratitude and wonder through meaningful pauses in life!
  • I am currently choosing to walk on my treadmill for 30 - 60 minutes 5 days a week. I am not really making a diet/exercise resolution, I am just being purposeful to feel my best in 2021. I love my new treadmill...so much better than walking outside when it's 30 degrees! :) What is one thing you can do to feel good physically this year? Do it for one day and then go from there.
  • I am setting aside two mornings each week to meet with other women to study the Bible and encourage one another in our common struggles. How can you be a Titus 2 woman this year? If you need someone to be this for you, reach out and ask.
  • Taco Soup! Delicious and easy on a cold night. :)

Subscriber Spotlight!

AmberPaynePic
Amber, a certified life coach, helps her clients hush their inner critic, regain focus, define goals, and move towards their dreams. She and her husband love exploring the outdoors, he with a camera and she with a journal. Journaling is a key aspect of her coaching practice because of the way it helps her clients clear mental clutter, release built up worries, and nurture stagnant creativity. She offers group and 1:1 sessions with affordable payment plans at amberpalmerpayne.com. She’d love to see you over on Instagram at AmberPalmerPayne.

Thank you, Amber, for being a subscriber and supporter of my blog/writing! And also for many years of sweet friendship.
***If you would like to be spotlighted in an upcoming issue, send me a short bio and picture to share through e-mail. I would love to connect you to our community of readers!

Best Monthly Read:

BeStillDevotional
Be Still is an invitation from women, for women, to lean into God right where they are—to find freedom and deep, soulful rest even in the midst of unanswered questions, struggle, loss, and disappointment. This e-book offers thirty days of readings from female Christian writers, Scripture meditations, and reflection questions.is to insert text.

Links to Good Things Worth Sharing:

  • A link to Sarah Westfall's book, Not My Story podcast, and blog resources!
  • Bible Recap Podcast. It’s a short daily podcast (~8 minutes) hosted by Tara-Leigh Cobble. This will be her 10th time reading through the Bible chronologically, and she’ll highlight and summarize that day’s Bible reading in a casual, easy to understand way. The Bible Recap will not only help you read scripture but help you love reading it!
  • Speak Up For Hope prison ministry. This is a ministry established by Gene and Carol Kent after their son was sentenced to life in prison. They seek to provide Bible teaching for inmates, support for their families, and support for military missionaries. This would be a great place to donate to.
  • If you have read Jen Wilkin's books, you will enjoy her podcast where she co-hosts with Kyle Worley and JT English. It's called Knowing Faith, and helps you understand Scripture and apply it in practical ways.
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A final note of encouragement:

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31

2021 may have many unknowns, but knowing God is with us gives us the strength to have hope for the future. His plans are good, and we can trust Him with our future.

If you need prayer, please send me a message, and I will be more than happy to intercede on your behalf.
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