Archives for April 2016

Midweek Morsel: Is Rest Calling Your Name?

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Earlier this week when my husband Don headed out the door for work, he groaned and said, “Somebody stop the world. I want to get off.” The semester is winding down for him, and he’s feeling the crunch. I bet many of you can identify for reasons of your own. I know I can.

Do I hear rest calling our names? When stress mounts and demands keep coming, sometimes we just need to step back for a few moments and breathe. Let’s take a breather today and soak in the following thoughts expressed through this REST acrostic:

Retreat and refresh with a whispered prayer and a few moments of silence.

Energize by going outside and drinking in the beauty of nature.

Soothe your body and spirit as you relax with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.

Take time to count your blessings and thank God for being your Rock and Refuge.

Let’s do it, friends. Let’s rest.

“‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

*What are some of your favorite ways to catch a little rest?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in early May. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Simon Matzinger, Creative Commons License

Mother of the Bride Book Coming Soon!

Friends, it’s almost here. Mother of the Bride—Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride releases July 1! Those of you who are on my Life Notes email list (sign-up is free and to the right!) and those of you who follow me on Facebook got your first look at the cover a few days ago, but I wanted to be sure to post it here as well. I absolutely love it!

BroadStreet Publishing has done an amazing job of bringing my vision for the book to life. Last summer when I spoke to them about it, I told them I wanted the book to be beautiful, something that would pamper and minister to MOBs by just holding it in their hands. And I think they hit the ball out of the park. I’m so pleased to be able to offer mothers of the bride a beautiful hardcover book designed especially for them.

Mother of the Bride is at the printer (and is actually available for preorder now), and I am busy with all kinds of marketing preparations. I plan to have a local launch party for the book so if you live anywhere in the vicinity, I’d love to have you join me for that. Closer to time, I’ll create a Facebook event to keep you informed of date, time, and place. Very exciting, huh?!

I can’t tell you how grateful I am to God for the incredible blessing of seeing this book published. My prayer is that it will be a blessing to all who read it and that many, whether mother of the bride or not, will decide to make it their go-to gift for mothers of the bride they know now and in the years to come. Thanks for joining in my joy!

“Come let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving . . .” Psalm 95:1-2a

Here’s a more detailed description of the book for those who are interested:

When women become mothers of the bride, they take on a delightful but demanding new role. While trying to maintain life as they knew it before their daughters’ big announcements, mothers of the bride are also called upon to magically morph into wedding planners, help their daughters navigate the journey to the altar, and establish new and loving relationships with their prospective sons-in-law and their families. With all focus and finances dedicated to the brides and the weddings themselves, the needs of mothers of the bride are often overlooked.

Mother of the Bride helps these special women step away from the hurried pace of daily life complicated by their challenging new role. It offers them the refreshment found in discovering community as they take time for themselves—time to be encouraged, to gain helpful insight and practical tips, and to enjoy the feminine beauty of a book designed just for them.

Through essays featuring relevant quotes or Scriptures, personal stories, nuggets of wisdom, simple suggestions for personal pampering, journaling opportunities, communication aids, and practical tips for wedding planning, Mother of the Bride will nurture the all-important but too often neglected mother of the bride.

*Have you ever been a mother of the bride? Will you be one in the future? Do you know an MOB now?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in early May. Sign-up is free and to the right!

My Mother of the Bride Book Coming Soon!

3D-photo-with-reflection-smallMothers of the Bride, it’s almost here. Mother of the Bride—Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride releases July 1! Those of you who are on my Life Notes email list (sign-up is free and to the right!) and those of you who follow me on Facebook got your first look at the cover a few days ago, but I wanted to be sure to post it here as well. I absolutely love it!

BroadStreet Publishing has done an amazing job of bringing my vision for the book to life. Last summer when I spoke to them about it, I told them I wanted the book to be beautiful, something that would pamper and minister to MOBs by just holding it in their hands. And I think they hit the ball out of the park. I’m so pleased to be able to offer all of you mothers of the bride a beautiful hardcover book designed especially for you.

Mother of the Bride is at the printer (and is actually available for preorder now), and I am busy with all kinds of marketing preparations. I plan to have a local launch party for the book so if you live anywhere in the vicinity, I’d love to have you join me for that. Closer to time, I’ll create a Facebook event to keep you informed of date, time, and place. Very exciting, huh?!

I can’t tell you how grateful I am to God for the incredible blessing of seeing this book published. My prayer is that it will be a blessing to all who read it and that many, whether mother of the bride or not, will decide to make it their go-to gift for mothers of the bride they know now and in the years to come. Thanks for joining in my joy!

“Come let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving . . .” Psalm 95:1-2a

Here’s a more detailed description of the book:

When women become mothers of the bride, they take on a delightful but demanding new role. While trying to maintain life as they knew it before their daughters’ big announcements, mothers of the bride are also called upon to magically morph into wedding planners, help their daughters navigate the journey to the altar, and establish new and loving relationships with their prospective sons-in-law and their families. With all focus and finances dedicated to the brides and the weddings themselves, the needs of mothers of the bride are often overlooked.

Mother of the Bride helps these special women step away from the hurried pace of daily life complicated by their challenging new role. It offers them the refreshment found in discovering community as they take time for themselves—time to be encouraged, to gain helpful insight and practical tips, and to enjoy the feminine beauty of a book designed just for them.

Through essays featuring relevant quotes or Scriptures, personal stories, nuggets of wisdom, simple suggestions for personal pampering, journaling opportunities, communication aids, and practical tips for wedding planning, Mother of the Bride will nurture the all-important but too often neglected mother of the bride.

*Hope it blesses all of you mothers of the brides!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in early May. Sign-up is free and to the right!

Groom’s Cake Idea for the Military Man

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by Cheryl Barker  CherylBarkerWriter

Mother of the Bride, has your future son-in-law given you and the bride any ideas for his groom’s cake yet? If not, why not start the conversation the next time the three of you are together. After all, there’s no better time than the present to talk about cake, right?!

If your daughter’s beloved is a military man, you could suggest the idea of a cake that showcases the branch of the military he serves in. To get more specific ideas flowing, show the above example to the happy couple and see what ideas it sparks.

With a few changes, the cake above could fit any branch of the military. Or the groom might decide to keep the military theme but change the size and shape of the cake. Once you get him thinking, who knows what he’ll come up with, right? Great ideas are often born in brainstorming sessions!

So MOB, get the conversation rolling. If the groom isn’t in the military, talk about what he is interested in and let the ideas start flying. Just be sure to mention chocolate while you’ve got the chance—he might go for it!

*You might also like to read Groom’s Cake Idea for the Wrestling FanGroom’s Cake Idea: His Favorite Set of Wheels, Groom’s Cake Idea: Law Books (or any other books!), Groom’s Cake Idea: Alma Mater Pride, and Groom’s Cake Idea: A Chessboard!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in early May. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Graceful Cake Creations, Creative Commons License

Midweek Morsel: Our Help Is in God

2403346923_be16fd3eee_z“Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8

As believers, think of the mighty help that is available to us through our heavenly Father. The very Maker of heaven and earth loves us and stands ready to help us at all times. No better help can be found.

The Bible is filled with passages that describe our God, our divine Helper, but today let’s look at a few more verses from the Psalms. Read and be blessed by these words that David sang after the Lord had delivered him from his enemies:

“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.

. . . He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.” Psalm 18:28-32

Anyone in need of help today? Why not turn to the Maker of heaven and earth?

*When has God helped you in a mighty way?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in early May. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Paul Weingartz, Creative Commons License