Ministry Resources

Angela Craig

Articles by: Angela Craig

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Dinner Party vs. Cleaning your House

You can’t host a dinner party and clean your house at the same time. I have tried it.…

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Our Kids: Finding Meaning in a World of Illusion

One of my professors at Gonzaga University has given me a challenge by posing this question: Although every…

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The Shakertown Pledge – Are You in?

Almost forty years ago, a small group of people, moved my the global poverty-ecology crisis they saw around…

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The Power of Women – The Ugly Painting

The ugly painting – Why don’t women believe in themselves? Over Mother’s Day weekend, my Mom and I…

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The Girl factor

Extreme poverty has many dimensions. Topping the list is: income poverty, hunger, disease, inadequate shelter, marginalization, exclusion, and…

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How to Become an Everyday Hero

It is hard to get past the tragedies of this week. I would like to write about something…

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Freefall to Fly – A Book Review

“Freefall to Fly – a breathtaking journey towards a life of meaning” By: Rebekah Lyons What do you…

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What’s Under Your Dirt?

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NIV) A few…

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What’s in Your Trunk?

Sunday on the way to church, the back of our truck was filled with the garbage generated from…

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Watered Down Presence

I am in the middle of reading one of my favorite Biblical Scholars, N.T. Wright’s, latest books, “Simple…

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Getting Outside the Routine – Creating Life With Memories

How are memories created? Think about the past year. What are your fondest memories? Some memories happen in…

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Do You Know Leah?

Today, I had the honor of being a guest blogger on Deep Imprints in their “Coming to your…

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Anticipating the Curve Balls

It is baseball season in the Craig home. That comes with rain or shine cheering sections, grass and…

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Beloved

In his book, Here and Now: Living in the Spirit, Henri Nouwen wrote, “One of the tragedies of…

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When Lightning Strikes

Sometimes, like lightning, life can hit you in an instance and at high voltage. I thought of this…

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When Bad Things Happen – Move Beyond Black and White

Are you living in black and white? Do you believe that if you do something bad, you will…

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What’s Under Your Couch?

I admit it, I like a clean house. Okay, maybe worse than that. If you want to call…

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What’s a Girl to do When Life is Interrupted?

Lately, I have found myself becoming annoyed with delays and obstacles in my schedule. With a to-do list…

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The Practice of Awareness – A Day at the Spa

“The only job you have is to focus on your breathing,” said my massage therapist. His accent was…

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The Power of Your Thoughts

What are you thinking about? What are your goals? Are you worried or anxious? What thoughts are you…

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The Leaf

I always dreamed of myself driving a candy-apple red convertible Porsche down a long tree lined drive to…

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The 13th Disciple – Following Jesus

The Rich Young Ruler came to Jesus and asked what it would take to follow Him and receive…

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Tired of the Seattle Weather?

So you are already tired of the Seattle weather and it’s only November 1st! How quickly we forget…

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Following Jesus in Baptism

I have been baptized three times. The first, as a newborn in the sacrament of the holy church.…

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Embracing the Chaos

Life can be unpredictable, full of surprises and sometimes seem out of control or chaotic. I have recognized…

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March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month

Why is this important? According to the Brain Injury Association of America, each year an estimated 1.7 million…

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Dare to Meet in Person – It’s Still in Vogue!

Researcher, Andrew Shatte has shown us that the resilience to thrive in life is found in the ability…

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Addicted to Productivity

After a lovely weekend trip to a Bed-n-Breakfast with my husband and we decided to take a drive…

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A Heart Shaped Raindrop for You

This morning I vowed to get organized. I am famous for writing reminders, blog ideas, or parts of…

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Nice is Just Another Four Letter Word

I almost quit wearing the dress today, made an appointment to get my hair cut and colored and…

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5 Things I Learned From Wearing the Same Dress

Matthew 7:24-27 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like…

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Recognition and Praise

In my last blog, I asked the question: Do you get enough recognition? The answer was a resounding…

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The Place Between Comfort and Meaning

In a letter to his son, Eduard (1930), Albert Einstein wrote: “People are like bicycles. They can keep…

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Inviting Conflict – Failure and Recovery

Pride blog I believe I work with the best team that ever existed. We champion each other’s strengths,…

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The Cure for my Disillusion

John Maxwell Quote: When God called me to ministry leadership, I knew I had truly found purpose in…

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Spotting the Gorillas in Our Lives

Play a game with me for a moment. Watch the video and count how many times the players…

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Small is Mighty!

Small has big influence One month after having his driver’s license, our 16-year-old son had his first experience…

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Not Just Another Christmas Tea

Over the last few years, leaders in ministry (including myself) have renounced the traditional Women’s Tea. Female leaders,…

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My Crash into Humility

When I was 22, (of course, just a few short years ago) I was running in the wrong…

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Most Read Blogs of 2012- Success and Body Image

Last week on a trip to New York I was reading an article from Alina Tugend’s Shortcuts column…

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Machiavelli’s Principles of Leadership

In the classic book, The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli stated that “Everyone sees what you appear to be, few…

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Landing in the Sand Trap Doesn’t Mean you Failed

It doesn’t matter if you play golf or not, you will understand the frustration a golfer has when…

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Just Do It Now

Everywhere I looked last week, I kept seeing the mantra…Just do it now. It was written on the…

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How Shame is Shaping your Leadership

How is shame shaping your leadership? “No one wants to talk about it. But everyone has it…unless you…

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Having an Arena Sized Vision

If you are a Seattle sports fan, you may be following our future hope. The return of the…

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Giving Up On Teams

The words “team building” was originally based on the age-old metaphor that people are like building blocks (Sibbet,…

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Designing your Avatar – Knowing who you Serve

Last week I watched and listened while Michael Hyatt interviewed twenty-two top presenters at the first Influence and…

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Attention Deficit

Attentiveness takes time and intentionality. Attentiveness with intentional action is what brings healing to the earth, our bodies,…

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Trying to Read Between the Lines

Last week on a walk with my neighbor, we were comparing stories of similar conversations we had been…

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Person of Influence or ‘Future Rock Star Status’?

We all want to have influence in this world. This thought specifically came to my mind at a…

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Your Father and I are Getting a Divorce

I guess it is time we have this conversation… as much as you and I would like to…

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Recognition is More Important than Love

In a 60 minutes interview, Lesley Stahl reported on a new show called “Alive55 + and Kickin” in…

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Waving the White Flag – Mommy Wars

Marissa Mayer is the newest CEO of Yahoo. A woman with two Stanford degrees in computer science, one…

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That Outfit Makes me look Fat

Last night while picking up my son from the ski bus I overheard two moms talking about their…

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Love Dare – Not Just for Married People

Love Dare When my boys were small, people with grown children and even perfect strangers would look at…

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Re-gifting Christmas

We have all done it…or at least pondered the idea – Re-gifting! The act of taking a gift…

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Friday Night Spouse Date

This may be the shortest blog I ever write so let me get right to the point. Are…

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I Get You

I am not sure why people can’t understand and agree with what I am saying. After all, I…

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The Power of Motherhood

Boys and me This year, our oldest son turned 16 years-old. Watching him grow from a child to…

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How I Learned the Meaning of Motherhood

The first time I remember learning the meaning of Motherhood happened at the age of ten when I…

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How I Became a Helicopter Mom

My life and actions as a mom all became clear to me as I read the book, Strategic…

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Finding the Beauty in the Prickles

We all know prickly people. But before we start pointing fingers, isn’t it true that we all act…

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A Father’s Day Note for my Husband

I think my husband deserves a do-over on his Father’s Day. Outside of some good wishes and a…

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You can do Anything you Want – True or False?

In coaching, speaking, and writing I am passionate about helping people find meaning and purpose in life and…

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Why Don’t Most Women Call Themselves Leaders?

In a Gallup research poll only 36% of women in business self-identified with the word “leadership”. What do…

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Why can’t your Story be the one I write for you?

Listening This weekend was my husband’s 30th high school reunion. I have been to all three of his,…

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When to say NO to Good Opportunities

This weekend, I hosted my team for an annual planning retreat at my house. In addition to the…

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What You Can do When the World Falls Around You

I don’t have to tell you that our nation and our world is in turmoil. Terrorism, racial, religious,…

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What Would Jesus Give for Christmas?

We are entering the “giving season”. Our hearts long to give. The core of traditional giving is to…

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What to Do While You Wait?

You have been called for a purpose. Now, all you have to do is figure out what to…

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What is More Important – What you do or Become?

During Spring break, we made our first road trip. The purpose was simple – combine fun with some…

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What is Coaching?

“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” ~…

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What Ground Game are you Playing?

Luke 16:10 This week I listened to Erwin McManus (Mosaic Church, Los Angeles) tell the world he had…

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Father’s Day when Dad’s not Around

Tomorrow we celebrate Father’s Day. As I write this, the celebration is well underway across the USA on…

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Wasted Talent

“It’s so sad.” Said the stranger standing next to me in Washington Square. Leaning into me in a…

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Trying Harder Only Leads to Failure

What are some things you have been trying to achieve? Here are some examples I have heard from…

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Coming Out of Shame

As a Professional Coach and general cheerleader of human potential, I am always curious to what holds us…

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Everyone needs a “Veil Lifter”

Tip of the Day: Everyone needs a “Veil Lifter” in their life. With the sun shining this past…

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A Mouse in a Barbecue!

The weather has been phenomenal here in the Pacific NW. Last week at baseball practice we were having…

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The Year of Broken Christmas Tree Lights

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” – Walt Disney Company,…

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The Value of Coaching in Every Aspect of Life

What is your biggest need in life or in leadership? In my welcome letter to new subscribers I…

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3 Secrets – Standing Out in a Crowd

The secret to standing out in a crowd and influencing others is to make others feel like they…

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The Three Temptations of Leadership

In his book, In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, Henri Nouwen describes the three temptations…

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The Pursuit of Happiness

“You got a dream… You gotta protect it. People can’t do somethin’ themselves, they wanna tell you you…

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The Procrastination Trap – 6 Reasons Why

We have a new word abbreviation in our household – PC. It isn’t what you are thinking. It…

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The Power of Naming our Emotions – 7 Steps

Emotions I could tell when my son walked in the door from school, he was having a bad…

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The Naked Heart of Vulnerability

There are places in our heart that are only revealed when something is striped from us. A relationship,…

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The Impostor Syndrome – Why Women Hide

On a flight from Seattle to New York, my husband and I were sitting in first class. Occasionally…

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The GO-GO Girl Gives Up Control

Selah Selah has been a theme for many people’s lives throughout the last few years. Selah means to…

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The Fire and Ice of my Dreams

Winter Weather There was something evoking about this picture the first time I saw it. I couldn’t take…

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The Evils of Self-promotion and Reframing our Thinking

You have been given gifts and passions to share with the world. God designed you to make a…

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Ten Steps to Being a Great Mentor

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin…

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4 Ways to Never Give up on your Dream

Carnival game Sometimes, life can feel like the carnival game you can never win. You practice your skill,…

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Senior Advice for Those in the Fast Lane

“For it is in giving that we receive.” Francis of Assisi Life can surprise you. The very gift…

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Pivot Leadership – Personal Growth and Team Building

Leadership is a part of every aspect of life. In Work, Family, And Community Maybe you are a…

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Personal Makeover? Michael Hyatt to the Rescue!

As a leader, coach and author, I am a big fan of Michael Hyatt. If you have not…

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My Summer Goal to end Perfectionism

Only a perfectionist makes it her or his summer goal to be better at failing. With perfectionism comes…

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Making Change your Playground of Life

Change She who wants to have right without wrong, Order without disorder, Does not understand the principles Of…

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Love Dare Day 40 – Love has no Regrets

The Love Dare is a 40 day challenge you can take with a spouse, family, or even alone.…

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Living Without Regrets

This week, we step into summer. Every season gives each of us a new opportunity to examine our…

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Let’s Be Better Humans

One of the shop’s owners, Vi, invited me to pick a color and have a seat at the…

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Let Your Strengths Shine!

“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?” — Benjamin Franklin…

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Leadership Reflections from 12,000 Feet

This weekend, I hosted my team for an annual planning retreat at my house. In addition to the…

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Jump into the Deep end of an Extraordinary Life!

Albert Einstein wrote: “The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion…

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Boldness – Parts of Ourselves Remain Hidden

I was waiting to get gas, watching a woman wash her windshield at the pump. She had extra…

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Emotions are Ruling your Life

Emotions Our oldest son will be a senior in High School next year. Over Spring Break our family…

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I am a Quitter

Today’s post was written with love for my friends with God-Sized Dreams! I am a quitter by nature.…

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How will 9.9 Hours a day of Screen Time Define you?

It is time to rethink the obvious. Smartphones and social media are reframing our calendar and defining our…

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How to be a Corporate Hero

Last week my husband, Mark was reading my blogs on Pivot Leader and asked, why I didn’t write…

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Someone Loves you – Different Language

Have you ever wondered why you feel you are not speaking the same language as your spouse, your…

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How an Upside Down Turkey Ended in Success!

It was Mother’s Day, and we were having a thanksgiving feast. The choice of turkey dinner on a…

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Why did Jesus Have to Die on a Cross?

Before I knew Christ, I wondered why Jesus had to die on a cross. Falsely accused, mocked, rejected,…

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Finding the Yes in Every No

YES Do you ever find it hard to ask for what you want or what you need? In…

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Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing

There are few books that will change you forever. Andy Crouch’s book, Strong and Weak: Embracing a life…

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Do you Feel you get Enough Recognition?

The class instructor asked us, “Do you feel you get enough recognition in your job?” Only one out…

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Change – Honest, Open-ended Questions

Ask Questions I am a teacher by nature. As a teacher, my goals are always for a heart…

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Consumer – 5 Steps to Building Strong Ministry Teams

I have been a volunteer and I have been the leader of volunteers (sometimes as a success and…

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Called… 8 Steps to Overcoming a Life of Resignation

#1 Face your shadow side. What have you been avoiding that is holding you back from walking in…

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Broken Perfectionism

“A dangerous leader is one that has great familiarity with their skills and gifts but cursory knowledge of…

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Are You Impatient?

Don’t quit Are you impatient or not? I find people fall into one of two categories when it…

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An Invitation to a Different Kind of Perfect

Where do I start? There is a word I associated with the idea of beauty and purpose for…

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A New Kind of Goal Setting for This Year

When I was learning how to be a leadership coach, my mentor would open our practice sessions with…

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A Kayak, a Duck-taped Paddle, and a Wine Cork…

It was a perfect sunny day on the beaches of Mazatlan. My oldest son wanted to go kayaking…

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10 Steps to Being a Great Mentor

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin…

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Who did you Marry – A Knight or a King?

Knights In her book, Wander Women: Guidance for the goal-driven woman, Marcia Reynolds, Psy, D. identifies how women…

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When Husbands Don’t Lead

I was honored to be a guest with Cherie Zack on the Imperfect Wives Radio Show today. Our…

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Happy in Holidays… 3 Steps to Staying Fully Present

“Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me.…

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Gathering God’s Treasures… Holiday Memories for a Lifetime

Holiday traditions include: Tree cutting, putting up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, BIG family gatherings, holiday…

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Bringing Peace on a Cold Winter’s Night…

It was a cold winter’s night before Christmas. The wind wrestled with the trees as the rain beat…

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Beginnings, Middles, and Finales… Realizing your Dreams!

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY! My book, Pivot Leadership: Small Steps…Big Change will be released in bookstores everywhere!…

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Barbie or Wonder Woman… What do Men Really Want?

Last week on the Imperfect Wives LIVE show we had a great discussion about Knights and Kings –…

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10 Reasons Goal Setting Is Failing You

Achieve I am enamored by athletes who achieve radical goals. Professional athletes; people who quit their jobs to…

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Why is Self-Compassion so important (and Biblical)?

What do you think when you hear the phrase: self-compassion? Was your response positive or negative? Maybe you…

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Why is Being like Jesus so Hard?

My bathroom remodel seems representative of my walk with Jesus. The remodeling process seems endless. Like the new…

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When Tragedy Strikes… What to do When you Feel Helpless

I have spent the weekend trying to make sense out of another mass shooting. But I can’t. I…

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Waiting isn’t a Four Letter Word After All

I am not a patient person. Maybe you understand? Waiting has never been a character trait I have…

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Sometimes You Win but Most of the Time you Learn

I posted a quote to my teenage son’s Instagram page that read: Sometimes you win. Sometime you learn.…

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Reclaimed

The LORD reclaimed you. Isaiah 44:24 (GWT) It has been weeks since I read this verse but it…

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How to Make a Sabbath Box

In one of my favorite books on Sabbath, Wayne Muller writes: “Sabbath requires surrender. If we only stop…

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Are You an Esther or Mordecai?

Are you Esther or Mordecai? The book of Esther is best known for its main character. Esther was…

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25 Scriptures for Intentional Living

Every day is a gift Last week I wrote a blog titled: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow…learning to create…

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