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Inauguration Day 2013
[Monthly Columnists – Hannah Stovall] – Starting this January, I am introducing a few new monthly columnists who will be guest blogging on a monthly basis. Hannah actually asked me! At first I was hesitant because she didn’t yet know all the details, but once I told her–she was in! I love a brave woman. A woman who asks for what she wants–so Hannah, surprise! I look forward to her sharing monthly about pop culture and events through the eyes of a 20-something and what they can mean to all. Please welcome her! Inauguration Day 2013 was a big day. It was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; my nephew, Caleb,…
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How to Start Journaling
Here are a few tips on how to start journaling daily. First, watch the video and then read the tips! 1. Start with, “Dear God” instead of “Dear Journal” or “Dear Diary.” As I said in the video, life is busy and there isn’t a lot of time to write fluffy things or draw hearts and rainbows in your journal. Use your journal instead to be intentional during your quiet time or devotional time with God. 2. Journaling Brings Healing I didn’t start out to be a writer or published author. In fact, I wanted to be a high school math teacher (algebra). It’s kind of cool to look back…
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Start Writing Now Synchroblog
I’m asking you to share tips on how to start writing now through Thursday the 24th. As a full time writer and published author of three books, I know what it takes to get published. I also know that I didn’t get to be published without the help of writing mentors, encouraging family members, and online friends. I’ve also had the privilege of launching new and promising writers myself. Some old. Some new. My favorite part about being in the writing and publishing business is being able to pass along wisdom. Because no writer is an island. This is where you come in! I am looking for YOUR writing tips.…
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How to Write Devotionals
[Monthly Columnist – Wendy van Eyck] – Starting this January, I am introducing a few new regular contributors who will be guest blogging on a monthly basis. I asked Wendy because we share a common love of devotionals. She runs the site ilovedevotionals.com and lives in South Africa. She has written on my site about facing her husband’s cancer within the first year of marriage. I admire her courage and welcome her to DevotionalDiva.com with open arms. How To Write Devotionals I have always loved writing about God sticking his fingers into our everyday lives. I have loved the way you can look at something in your life – good…
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I Met Tim Tebow
Last night I met Tim Tebow. Well, actually–I met his mom Pam! I had the pleasure of attending the annual fundraising banquet dinner for Alternatives Women’s Center in Escondido, CA. Their main speaker was Pam Tebow, whom we all know as Tim Tebow’s mom. Not only was Pam Tebow gracious, but she accepted an autographed copy of Not Another Dating Book to give to her son, Tim Tebow. Once she heard my story and how I had been single for 12 years, 10 months, and 24 days–and how God used the writing of that book to bring my husband Marc into my life–she asked if she could give it to…
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Reflections on Life and Failure
Tonight, I write to make sense of life and reflect on failure too. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed hosting guest bloggers for the past few months, but I felt a stir in my spirit tonight. So, instead of sleep, I will listen to that still small voice and write. Write aloud. Write to heal. I started a series called Monday Meditations last month and it has not gone well. In fact, it failed. I wouldn’t be surprised if I got more than 30-40 hits per blog. Compared to the almost hundreds (sometimes thousands) of hits I got for previous series including I Survived My 20s or Pre Engagement Questions–this is shocking. Well,…
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Monday Meditations #5 – Your Situational Comedy
[Guest Post by Lindsay Morelli] – I love watching situational comedy on TV. Not because of the great writing, or the relatable characters, or the not-so-relatable characters, but because for 22 minutes I am reminded that it’s entirely normal for our lives to become comical chaos. Each Monday morning the world wakes up to a brand new week; another chance at fulfilling our purpose in life and hopefully avoid any conflict or obstacle that comes our way. If you are smiling after that last sentence, you know that the perfect week is a rare occurrence. You have a great week at work, but your toilet overflowed and flooded your bathroom.…
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Monday Meditations #4 – Ungrateful
[Guest Post by Ashley] – The past couple weeks I have found myself very down and ungrateful. Trying to keep it together on the outside but ready to burst into tears on the inside at any given moment. I moved to Nashville 4 years ago. When I moved here I didn’t see myself working a Monday – Friday 8-4 job. I wanted to do music. Isn’t that why everyone comes to Nashville? Not only that I thought that by now, by 29 I would be married, have a house, maybe talking about a family.. like I see so many of my friends doing… Neither of those things have happened and…
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I Survived My 20s – Fatherless
[Guest Post by Anonymous] – From a very young age, I knew the Lord. I was lucky to have grown up in the church, and was strong in my faith. God knew that he had to prepare me at an early age for what I would be up against. Secrecy. Shame. Pain. I am fatherless. As a teenager I was forced to hold a terrible secret, one I knew when change my life forever if I ever spoke of it. I did all that I could to hide the hurt of what happened to me. I walked through life as if in a dream or a daze, and put a…
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I Survived My 20s – Rape
[Guest Post by Laura] – Finally at the age of twenty six–I was settling into my own apartment in a country that I loved to do the ministry that God had called me to do. With the help of teammates I had successfully managed to purchase a car, appliances, furniture and other necessities. While these are things that most people do earlier in their twenties, my early twenties had been spent moving between countries and ministries, always living in a furnished apartment or at my parents. The next day was a staff meeting, and I was looking forward to suggesting a few ministry ideas that I had. Plus, I had…
