February 2023 Header
Today is the day, friends! For what, you say? :0

Today is the day to walk in the Spirit. To draw near. To walk in the good works He has planned for us. To seek to be equipped for service. To lay down our burdens. To pray bold prayers. To hold tight to hope. To overcome by faith. And to love as He has loved.
  • Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
  • For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. Deut. 30:16
I don't know about you, but there is a very real tension between living with wisdom for the future and living as if today is all we have. Because we don't know what the future holds. Only God does. We only know in part. We are to look forward with hope and expectancy but not rigid expectations. A BIG difference between the two can discourage us if we aren't aware. The Bible talks about planning and praying with God's will in mind. We have to remember that He is in control and will guide us where we need to go. By drawing near to Him, we gain clarity and peace in the choices we make.

We are to be humbly dependent while walking confidently with God. We are to work hard for His glory and pursue the flourishing of those our lives intersect with. That requires strategy and intention. But when it feels overwhelming, we have to focus on today and let tomorrow be tomorrow until God gives us another day. He will prepare us to walk in each day.

As a writer, my work today sometimes seems trivial at best -- words typed up on a page, added to more words...hoping they will become a book if the Lord allows one day. It's a long game that requires daily intention and hopeful anticipation for the future. This is the same with parenting, careers, spiritual growth, etc. Hopefully, we have set our trajectory towards Christ, but in the daily rhythms, we honestly don't know how it will look down the road. Sometimes kids make choices parents don't like. Sometimes careers shift with the times. And we don't always walk with God as we should. Sometimes we settle for milk because we grow tired of chewing on the meat.

This is human life: learning to manage the tensions between faith and sight. There's no escaping this reality that Scripture calls "trouble" (John 16:33). But there is a faithful God full of grace, rich in mercy, and greater than anything we can face. Jesus is our hope and strength. This is how we live in this space between.

And, we are to live in this space TOGETHER! Community is designed for our benefit, encouragement, and strength. This is the goal of this ministry, and I appreciate how you have shown up for me over the past two years. You have bought books, sent me encouraging emails, shared my work with others, and lifted me in prayer. I sincerely thank you.

In Case You Missed It!!


It's never too late to use these reflection and planning pages I designed for the new year. This will be the last time I share the link in a newsletter, so be sure to download and save a copy! Here is the link: New Year Reflection/Planning Pages
REMEMBER

A Year to Consider!


A year ago I self-published my first book to encourage other believers to converse with God through the Scriptures we read -- to really look at what God is saying and pray to grow in those things. I have been honored to see copies in your hands and on your coffee tables. It has surpassed any goals I had for it, and I praise God for that!

I know many of you have purchased a paper copy or e-book already, but I also know many have not had the funds. As a special one-year anniversary treat, I'm offering each of you a free download of Consider from this link: https://www.terriprahl.com/wp-content/uploads/prayerbook/Prayer_Book_2023.pdf. Be sure to save the download to your computer so you don't lose it. The free link will expire in 30 days, and I am asking that you don't send the link to non-subscribers. (**Please note that it is a large file and will take time to download.) This is a gift from me to you who so faithfully open my emails and support my online work! And if you like what you see, it really is better in paper form and makes a great gift, so I hope you will consider buying a copy (wink, wink). As always, contact me if you want a signed copy. Otherwise, it's available to purchase on Amazon for a new low price. :)

Thank you for being here! I pray for each of you to know the love of God and experience the fullness of His peace today.

Your sister in Christ,
-Terri
oneyearbookversary

HELP Wanted!

I have one last free offer today, but this one will require some time on your part. :) I am in the process of writing a three-part devotional book series, and I am in the editing and critique stage. I am looking for 5 - 10 people who would be willing to receive 30 days of devotions in the month of February to read and give guided feedback on. It would be 3 brief questions on the content you read. If you are interested, please respond and I will give you further information! Those who finish the 30 days will receive a free physical copy upon publication.
A final note of encouragement:

John 16:33, ESV: "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

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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