Archives for August 2014

Wedding Day Photo Idea: Bouquets in a Bunch

August 28, 2014 by 2 Comments

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Today’s wedding day photo idea is a real winner—super simple to set up but provides a colorful and gorgeous reminder of the day. Easy plus amazing. You can’t beat that, can you, Mother of the Bride?

I call this dynamite photo idea bouquets in a bunch. Simply have the bride hold her star-of-the-day bridal bouquet waist-high and then ask the bridesmaids to hold their bouquets all around hers. The effect is stunning as the bridesmaids’ bouquets encircle the bridal bouquet, showing off in glorious fashion not only the colors of the wedding, but the bride’s choice in flowers as well.

What a perfect shot of a beautiful part of the day! Why not suggest this wedding day photo idea to your daughter, MOB? Then jot it down on the list of photos you’d like the photographer to take on her big day. You’ll be glad you did!

*You might also like to read Cute Idea for the Bride: Shoes to Match the Bouquet.

*Flickr photo by theinvinciblemom, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: bride, bridesmaids, flowers, memories, Mother of the Bride, photo fun

Midweek Morsel: A Winner Plus Lighthouse Thoughts

August 28, 2014 by Leave a Comment

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We have a “Back At It” Giveaway winner! The lucky recipient of the Barnes & Noble gift card is Kay! Congratulations, Kay! I’ll get it in the mail to you as soon as you send me your mailing address. Enjoy your new book—or whatever you choose at good ole B&N. Remember, they usually have chocolate near the check-out :)

For the rest of us, I have a food-for-thought quote about lighthouses and how we might be a lighthouse for someone in need. I read this recently in Lisa Wingate’s The Prayer Box. The character Iola is speaking. Let’s listen and see if she’s speaking to us:

“What does a lighthouse do? . . . It never moves. It cannot hike up its rocky skirt and dash into the ocean to rescue the foundering ship. It cannot calm the waters or clear the shoals. It can only cast light into darkness. It can only point the way. Yet through one lighthouse you guide many ships. Show this old lighthouse the way.”

“The light of the righteous shines brightly . . .” Proverbs 13:9a

*How can we shine light for others?

*Flickr photo by kaddisudhi, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: books, giveaway, help, leadership, light, protection, salvation

Will: Little Word, Big Promise from God

August 25, 2014 by 4 Comments

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“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Psalm 46:10 is best known for its first half. Almost all of us who have been exposed to the Bible for very long can recite the phrase “Be still and know that I am God”—and well we should. It’s a powerful reminder of who God is, who we are, and where all power, provision, wisdom, justice, love, and everything else we’ll ever need lies. He is ever worthy of our worship and trust.

Today let’s look at the second half of the verse, though—and in particular, the little word will. Let’s look at the implication and power of this mighty little word.

With this one short word, God tells us that he will be exalted among the nations, that he will be exalted in the earth. No mights, no maybes, no ifs, ands, or buts. It’s going to happen. He will be exalted. He will be lifted high, glorified, and praised in our world. And where it’s not currently happening? It one day will.

The events that have unfolded in Iraq over the past few weeks have left us reeling as terrorists have persecuted and killed Christians and other innocents. Many may wonder where God is when these kinds of things take place, but we can rest assured that God has been and will continue to be exalted and glorified in the midst of these horrific events. He will be praised today by many, and will one day be victorious over every evil force in every corner of the world. He will indeed be exalted throughout the earth.

Let’s not think of the world stage only, though—let’s bring it home. What about our own lives? Are we exalting him in personal worship? Are we exalting him in our churches? Are we glorifying him in our marriages, our parenting, our friendships, our work, our play? Do others glorify and praise God because of us?

Let’s help fulfill the promise of the little word will. May God be able to say that he has been and will continue to be exalted through us and our lives. May we ever be found praising him!

“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3

*How might we lift God high today and in the days to come?

*My photo

*Be sure to enter the “Back At It” Giveaway. See post for details. Deadline to enter is 6 p.m. (CST) this Wednesday.

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, little, praise, unfailing, victory, Word of God

Wedding Day Emotion: Father-Daughter Dance Songs

August 25, 2014 by Leave a Comment

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Mother of the Bride, can you guess what one of your most emotional moments will be on your daughter’s big day? If you guessed the Father-Daughter dance, you guessed right.

If you’re like me, when your little- girl-turned-bride and her daddy take to the dance floor on Wedding Day, you may come undone. Years of memories will flood your heart, and you’ll feel like you’re out there on the dance floor with them giving her away yet one more time. It may feel like your last hurrah as the most important family members in her life, but instead try to see it as a wonderful tribute to all the love you’ve shared over the years.

Here’s a list of great song possibilities for this special tribute dance. Run them past your husband and daughter and see which ones they’re drawn to. They may want to find the songs online and listen to them together. Another great memory in the making. Enjoy!

“In My Life” – the Beatles
“You Send Me” – Sam Cooke
“The Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra or Steve Tyrell
“Come Fly With Me” – Frank Sinatra
“My Girl” – The Temptations
“Isn’t She Lovely” – Stevie Wonder
“Unforgettable” – Natalie Cole with Nat King Cole
“Cinderella” – Steven Curtis Chapman
“My Wish” – Rascal Flatts
“What a Wonderful Life” – Louis Armstrong
“Butterfly Kisses” – Bob Carlisle
“How Sweet It Is” – James Taylor
“My Little Girl” – Tim McGraw
“Times of Your Life” – Paul Anka
“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” – Stevie Wonder
“I Loved Her First” – Heartland
“It Had to Be You” – Ray Charles
“Daughters” – John Mayer
“You Are So Beautiful” – Joe Cocker

*Which is your favorite, MOB? Did you dance to any of these with your dad at your wedding?

*Photo by Chris Humphrey Photography

*Find details for the “Back At It” Giveaway on my home page! (Deadline to enter is 6 p.m. CST this Wednesday.)

Filed Under: bride, celebrate, family, love, memories, Mother of the Bride, music

Midweek Morsel: God’s Throne of Grace

August 21, 2014 by 4 Comments

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I have a tendency to approach God at times like He is a disapproving parent or some other harsh authority figure—a boss or a teacher, etc. I forget how much he loves me. I feel like he’s thinking instead of all my faults.

As a result, instead of running into his open arms with the abandon of a dearly loved child as I pray, I enter his presence with eyes downcast, weighed down by a load of guilt and feelings of failure.

But when that happens, I have it all wrong. This is how scripture tells us we can approach God:

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

What will we find at God’s throne? Grace, mercy, help. God wants us to approach him with confidence so he can freely give us his unconditional love. So let’s lift up our heads and eagerly run to the One who loves us like no other.

*How can we remind ourselves of God’s great love, mercy, and grace?

*Flickr photo by adwriter, Creative Commons License

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Be sure to enter the “Back At It” Giveaway. See post for details!

Filed Under: free, giving, grace, help, love, mercy, prayer
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