Motivational Minutes
Deanna’s Motivational Minutes
Morning WOLK with God: Be Bold. Be Brave. Be You.
As a woman of faith, do you think about being bold and brave in being you? Do you ever use the words “bold” and “brave” to describe yourself? I’m going to be so bold and so brave as to say the answer needs to be a resounding YES
Morning WOLK with God: Shining His Light
This is often that special time of year when we ring in the new year and put away the Christmas decorations. But even after the lights come down, God’s light continues on—not in the light of things, but in His light in us. God’s Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope are a part of each one of us. And that means we show up differently—whether we’re on a virtual call or in an emergency room. Yes, even in an emergency room!
Morning WOLK with God: Finding Our Shinier Moments
Feeling challenged by 2020? God continues to shine His light on us, so we can shine His light on others–even on those days when we’re “over it.”
Morning WOLK with God: Finding Joy
There are times when God’s there for us so we can be there for others. There are also times when God’s there for us so we’re not there for others. Sounds surprising until you hear about my plans for a pity party last week. Yep, a pity party.
Morning WOLK with God: The Ins and Outs of God’s Loving Kindness
Here’s a link to yesterday’s “Morning WOLK with God” where I talk about the Ins and Outs of God’s Loving Faithfulness. The video is inside Fave Lifestyles Women’s Group. You may need to join the group to view.
At Fave we get to do life together. Fave provides a community and tips for inspired living. I come along and share antics and vulnerabilities, praying they’ll connect to God’s much bigger, more important lessons in life. Praying!
Say It with Flowers
Enjoy the wonderful bouquets about you. Stand tall in your vase. You’re beautiful!
Finding Joy in the Moment
Too often I’m not treasuring the moment. It’s easy to look past “now” to what’s next. The writing assignments that need to be completed, the calls that need to be returned, the plans that need to be made. At other times, I can find myself worrying about yesterday, words said, words left unsaid, steps taken, steps not taken. All are important, but sometimes we just need to be and to be in the moment.
Growing through the Challenges of Change
We can all be change-makers–in the middle of a pandemic, in the middle of important discussions about race, in the middle of an election cycle.
Celebrating Love
As I celebrate my 39th wedding anniversary, I thank God for the dearest man!
Stories Matter
Our stories connect us in big ways, in profound ways.
Listening and Learning
I don’t know what I don’t know, so I listen and learn.
8 Minutes and 46 Seconds
https://youtu.be/OQ1sfGJw_5M
Let There Be Peace on Earth! And Let It Begin with Me!!
I know that if there is to be peace on earth, it has to begin with me. With God as our Father, it can begin with me. It can begin with us.
I forgot the words!
During these pandemic times, I’ve faltered in ways not expected, never imagined! Monday night I forgot the words to the Lord’s Prayer. Yes, the Lord’s Prayer.
Laughter!
Got laughter? Got loud? Got loud laughter? “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad.” (Psalm 118:24)
Celebrating May Day and Those Weedy Moments in Life
Happy May! As I enjoy beautiful spring flowers, I can’t help but remember some of life’s weedier moments. Some I’ve wanted to toss and pull like Dad did the dandelions in his gardens. But those weedier moments were often the times when I learned the biggest lessons. Yep, the biggest.
Real Life with “Background Noise”
Real life comes with “background noise.” And in the middle of these unreal pandemic times is a new “realness.”
Finding Gratitude
Life’s uncertainties and unknowns will continue–even after the pandemic. What is certain is God’s love and faithfulness, His insistence on being with us, His attention to the details of our life.
The Today Show and Easter
This Easter video takes us from The Today Show to the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, from Studio 1A to the streets of life.
Learning a New Normal
Any panic-buying moments? Any “ferry boat” toilet paper in your life? Even when we’re not at our finest, God’s able to use us in the most remarkable ways.
Finding God in the Details (when life gets very challenging!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fSgkhgAaBE&t=9s Today we're in the middle of a very challenging time, a pandemic, and I'm determined to find God in the details.
Walking Together: Story by Story
Your story is so very important. Sharing your own walk of faith inspires others. Your own real-life adventures serve as a wonderful witness to an awesome God.
Walk the W.O.L.K.
So how do we “walk the W.O.L.K.”? How do we plant seeds of loving kindness? How do we share God’s light? Sometimes it’s just a small moment in the day.
How My Grandson Outsmarted His Grandma!
Getting ready to read a bedtime story, my grandson shook off suggestion after suggestion. I finally figured out he was asking for Alexa!
Our ordinary words can share God’s extraordinary loving kindness!
I wasn’t expecting an ordinary bike ride to lead to an extraordinary discovery. God surprised me with three water line caps surrounded by a heart of sealant. Yep, water caps! Yep, heart-shaped sealant! Yep, a very special message!
God treasures the beauty that is you!
When life finds you drooping, continue to water your spirit.
Say it with flowers!
Words and acts of loving kindness are small bouquets in the day. And with God, there are so many possibilities! Inspire. Encourage. Bring about meaningful change.
Super Bowl Inspiration!
I’m a writer and speaker who’s also a Seahawk fan. As we huddle up for this weekend’s game, Seattle-ites can’t help but remember the “one that didn’t work out for us” as Coach Carroll would say in a 2015 post-game eulogy. Quarterback Russell Wilson would follow up with “one inch too far.” Yep, that was the game we lost to a goal line interception—against the Patriots. Yep, those guys.
Saying Goodbye
The past few weeks and months have been challenging with recent deaths among our older members at church. Yes, three long-time, very special members. Saying goodbye is hard.
Celebrating the Unexpected
Celebrating relationships not imagined, not expected!
Labor Day Encouragement
At times I’ve been in the wrong place at the wrong time! You and I are uniquely gifted with unique opportunities to serve God and His people. And should we get off track, we have a God of love and faithfulness Who is always there to help us get back on track!
What I Know for Sure (after filming 8 of 21 videos)
After filming eight videos, here’s what I know for sure. It’s not just about the editing, the blush, and the length!
Remembering High School (and the weight of it all!)
This is Part 2 of a Motivational Minute in which I remember high school. I talked about wanting to be taller, smarter, and more engaging. What I didn’t say? I really just wanted to be skinnier. At a formative time I used a number on the scale to measure my self worth, a struggle to this very day.
Remembering High School (a few years later!)
I just wanted to be taller, smarter, more engaging, more accomplished, not realizing my missteps would make me stronger, my challenges would make me wiser, and my faith would get me through it all.
Morning Walks with God
I need to walk every day. It’s a time to disconnect. It’s a time to walk and talk with God.
Babies, Stroller Rides, and Beautiful Young Mothers
How can we support and encourage young mothers in their unique and blessed journey?
Learning to Speak Up
Sitting in the middle of women of faith, women who delight in supporting other women, I was unable to say out loud what I wanted and what I needed in the moment.
Making a Joyful Noise
King David said we should make a joyful noise to the Lord, that we should serve the Lord with gladness, that we should come into His presence with great joy. May you find yourself among God’s people in God’s church this day! Our God is worthy of our praise!
Lessons about the Social Media Popularity Contest
There is not a photo on FB that I haven’t edited, cropped, changed in some way. The videos, too. That’s hard for me to say, because I still struggle with that perfectionist thing.
A Lesson in Trust
My husband is not only a believer, but he walks the talk. In a word, he trusts. He is unwavering in his belief that God will be there for him, for his family, for those around him. He trusts in God’s timing, God’s way of doing life, God’s will to be done ~ lessons I’m still working on!
The “Colour” of Our World
We all “colour” this world, paraphrasing a great Chicago hit. Where is God taking you today? How is your light shining before others?
Raising Sons
Our family was bless my extended family who surrounded us with love and encouragement, support and guidance.
Sunday Praise
Too many times I’ve used Sunday mornings, not only to worship, but to get answers, make arrangements, follow up on To-Do’s, making it all about Deanna, not all about God.
Livin’ the Dream
I like my days to unfold evenly. I’d rather life didn’t get too hot or too cold. And if things do warm up a bit, I’d like to know that I can return to a climate-controlled life quickly, very quickly. Unrealistic, isn’t it?
Talkin’ Politics
I don’t care who you voted for. I don’t care where you stand on the issues. But I do care about our ability to talk about important subjects, our ability to think through difficult issues, issues with no easy answers.
Special Encouragement amidst Disaster
The disasters we see on the nightly news can overwhelm us. But we all have “two fish and five loaves of bread,” small lunches that God can use to bless many.
Life in a Gray Yoga Shirt and Chipped Nail Polish
How do you stay encouraged? How do you turn off that little voice in your head that challenges what you do? And why you’re doing it?
That Weekly Cup of Coffee or Tea
On Saturdays I get together with a small group of women for coffee. For an hour ~ a mere 60 minutes ~ we solve the world’s problems. We laugh til our sides hurt; we talk through challenges.
A Little Football ~ A Lot of God
Many, many, many of us in the Seattle area are Seattle Seahawk fans. We’re everywhere. We’re 12’s! Jesus had twelve men also!
About Deanna
Before my father died, he reminded me that Mom had asked me to write a book. At the time the boys were in college, and the notion of writing was unfathomable. Writers write books. By the time my boys were adults, I’d run out of excuses. I was also at that age when I could pause and reflect.
Fruit of My Spirit: Reframing Life in God’s Grace was my first publishing endeavor. My second was Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels with God. Both are collections of stories that tell of God’s love and faithfulness. Both tell of His remarkable grace and mercy.
Contact Deanna
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