Category Archives: Success

Top 10 Posts of 2015

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Happy, Healthy & Prosperous Top 10 Posts of 2015

Top 10 Posts of 2015

“Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered” Psalms 105:5 (ESV)

This week I’m sharing the Top 10 Posts of 2015.  I like to take the first of the year to recount some of the top or most popular posts of the previous year.  I like to share them for a couple of reasons…

First, there are several new subscribers/followers who may not have seen or read these posts and might find some of them to be helpful.

Secondly, looking back also helps me to remember what God has done and is still doing through this website (that I oh-so-reluctantly started…and sometimes still reluctantly continue!).

Lastly, it helps me (and hopefully you too) know how to pray based on what the current need or demand is, and when I know that I know how to continue to pray for others.  For example, 3 of the most popular posts have to do with leading someone to Christ or praying for someone to come to Christ.  For starters this makes me SUPER excited to know that people are actively seeking these types of websites out.  To me this means that the body of Christ is continuing to grow, and I know to continue to pray for the people who have come across these posts to have boldness to lead someone to the Lord and to agree in prayer with them that their unsaved loved ones will be saved and grow in their relationship with God.  Another example, is that the posts about being unloved and unwanted are overwhelmingly popular…which makes me so sad to know that there are so many people feeling unloved and unwanted.  I continue to pray that they will know and fully experience the love of God and of others.

Take Some Practical Steps:

  • As you look through this list of most popular posts, please take a minute to pray for one or more of the topics that stand out to you (like my examples above).
  • Please click on and read or re-read one or more of the posts from which you feel you may be able to receive some benefit or of which you might need some reminding.
  • Pay it forward…if one or more of the following posts has benefited you, please forward it/them to others you feel they may benefit (you might prayerfully consider who to share them with), or consider sharing them on your social media channels (sharing links are available at the end of each post).
  • Lastly, please pray for me this year to #1-continue to help others, #2-for me to have to right words at the right time, and #3-for the right people to be directed to my site for God to help them.
    Remember what God has done for you and pay it forward!

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Top 10 Posts of 2015

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Things I Discovered From Being Annoyed by Cheerleaders

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Things I Discovered From Being Annoyed by Cheerleaders

Things I Discovered From Being Annoyed by Cheerleaders

Okay.  I’m going to open up and be vulnerable and honest with you for a bit.  Cheerleaders get on my nerves.  There I said it.  Let me clarify.  I don’t mean the cheerleaders themselves.  I’m talking about the actual cheerleading during the game.  For some reason, they seem to start cheering right as the next play is starting or right when they are announcing something over the intercom.  Some of the cheers seem never-ending.  A few of the cheers don’t even match what’s happening on the field.  I find it to be annoying and distracting.  I mean, after all, I’m here to watch my son play football not the cheerleaders!  Sometimes I just want to yell, “Shut up!”

Now that you all think I’m a horrible person… 🙂

I think I should give you an explanation and some background information.  In my younger years, I actually used to be a cheerleader.  I cheered for five years, two of those serving as Captain of the cheer squad.  Looking back to when I cheered as a young middle schooler and high schooler, I can now see that I was completely unqualified.  I had no business cheering, let alone acting as Captain!  I didn’t know anything about football.  I think I may have learned maybe a handful of basics.  Offense means our team has the ball.  Defense means their team has the ball.  A touchdown is when we score.  That was about the extent of my knowledge back then.

Currently as a wife of an avid football fan and the mom of a young football player, I’ve learned quite a bit more about the game.  I’ve especially learned more also as a participant of a fantasy football team (more on that story here).  Understanding the game has actually enabled me to enjoy it more.  If I were being honest, I think when I cheered in school it wasn’t so much because I loved the game of football but probably more the idea of it.  I loved the games and the exciting atmosphere.  I loved the comradery.  I loved the competition.  I loved getting up in front of people cheering and the attention I got.

Senior Cheer-Tracy

This is me…the cheerleader that didn’t know football!

I’m a little bit embarrassed now after the fact because I can see areas where I may have been more of a hindrance than a help as a cheerleader.  Continue reading →

Why Losing Doesn’t Make You a Loser—Part 2

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Learn why losing doesn't make you a loser...

Why Losing Doesn’t Make You a Loser—Part 2

Last week we discussed how sometimes we learn more in losing and how sometimes a win is disguised as a loss.  I shared some personal examples of situations where it seemed like I was losing, but it ended up being a “win” in the end.  There were so many times in my life where I actually won from losing.  Thankfully, I’ve been able to recognize those wins by taking some of the practical steps that I shared last week.  This week I’d like to share some examples from the bible of winning from losing, and I will share some more practical steps that have helped me to realize that losing doesn’t make you a loser and how not to lose hope.

There are examples throughout the bible where God turned losing into a win.  My pastor calls it “turning the tables on the devil”.  There are stories in scripture where it looked like they lost but they really won—a bigger “win” than if they never “lost”. 

There are examples throughout the bible where God turned losing into a win.

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Starting in Genesis 37, you can read the story of Joseph (this is one of my favorite bible stories!) and his circumstances of seemingly losing over and over.  First his brothers were jealous of him and hated him.  They originally made plans to kill him but ended up selling him into slavery instead (telling their father that he had been killed by wild animals).  He then worked as a slave in Egypt (Genesis 39) and was eventually put in charge of the entire household, but he was later falsely accused of rape and sent to prison.  There he was favored and put in charge of all the other prisoners.  Ultimately he ended up interpreting some dreams for Pharaoh and ended up being made ruler of Egypt only being outranked by the Pharaoh (Genesis 41).  His brothers who had first meant him harm wound up humbling themselves and bowing before him.  In the end, Joseph was in a higher position than he could have ever achieved without “losing”, and he was able to save his family and the lives of many others through the process.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

Have you had someone hate you, betray you, falsely accuse you or forget you?  Remember Joseph.

In Daniel 3 you can read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and what appeared to be “losing” for them.  Continue reading →

Why Losing Doesn’t Make You a Loser—Part 1

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Learn why losing doesn't make you a loser...

Why Losing Doesn’t Make You a Loser—Part 1

This past weekend my son’s baseball team played in the end-of-season championship tournament.  They made it to the final championship game.  Those little guys played one of the best games they’ve ever played, and their competition was tough.  Boy, was it a nail-biter!  It was actually a bit stressful to watch.  Anytime a mistake was made, there were gasps because we knew every move mattered, and every play counted.  It was a very tight, close game.  My husband, Eric, is one of the assistant coaches.  At one point nearing the end of the game I asked Eric, “Are you nervous?”  His reply kind of surprised me (especially since he’s such a competitive spirit!).  He said, “No.  It really doesn’t matter if they win or lose.  Either way, I’m already really proud of them.  They’ve played a great game.  I couldn’t ask for more.”  My friend sitting next to me leaned over and said “Good answer!”  Eric knew that losing wouldn’t make them losers.

In the end, our boys did end up winning. 🙂 The final score was 5-4.  Ball caps were flying in the air.  Parents were jumping out of the stands.  It was very exciting.  However, I remembered my husband saying “it really doesn’t matter if they win or lose”, and even though they won, I completely agreed.  We were all so proud of how they played the game.  Even if they lost, I think it still would have been a win in a way.  Winning is good but maybe losing is sometimes okay too.  You see, not everybody who loses is a loser.  Sometimes it’s the game or the process, not the outcome, that matters.  Sometimes we learn more in losing.  Sometimes a win is disguised as a loss. 

Losing ≠ loser. Sometimes we learn more in losing. Sometimes a win is disguised as a loss.

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Senior Cheer-Tracy

Tracy-HS Junior/Senior Cheer

It reminds me of times in my life where I experienced losing, but in the end it was really a win.  I can think of examples throughout my life where this has proven to be true.  I remember trying out for the cheerleading squad when I was in junior high.  I didn’t make the cut.  I was devastated about losing, and I felt like a loser.  I will never forget something that happened that day though.  Continue reading →

What’s the Meaning Behind the Wings?

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What’s the Meaning Behind the Wings?

What’s the Meaning Behind the Wings?

This past weekend we celebrated my sister Shawna’s birthday.  I absolutely loved her theme and decorations centered somewhat around wings (she had a movie-on-the-lawn watching Maleficent).  She’s so talented and gifted at that (as I’ve written about before).  However, my favorite part of her birthday was that in lieu of gifts this year, she hosted a fundraiser instead.  She joined A21 in the fight against human trafficking.  A21 informs that “Human trafficking is modern day slavery that fuels the growth of organized crime, undermining health, safety, security, and the basic needs of humanity. It is the fastest growing crime in the world.”  Shawna used a wonderful and brilliant analogy about wings that fit right in with her Maleficent theme.  Here was her message:

Hi friends,
I have decided to join A21 in the fight against human trafficking by hosting a small fundraiser for my birthday (in lieu of birthday gifts).
Please note that your gift may have just been a card or kind word (which I love!). And you can still donate that as well! A21 has a “how you can give” page and one of the ways to give is to write letters, make a card, or just send a small craft or something to brighten up the day of those who were rescued! Please check out A21’s page for all the ways you can donate!!
A21 aims to rescue and rebuild lives that have been affected by human trafficking and actively operate with ten offices in nine countries.
THANK YOU for choosing to support me as I work to raise funds that will free victims and restore lives.  If you would like to learn more about the issue of human trafficking globally, please check out the Human Trafficking page on the A21 website.
My theme for my birthday is Maleficent. In that movie her wings were stolen and she could no longer fly and she lost hope. She regained her hope (and her wings) through seeing the kindness, grace, and love in another.
Those who have been trafficked have also had their wings stolen. I ask that you partner with me in showing those in need kindness, grace, and love. Help me give them back their wings!!
~ Shawna

I absolutely loved her wings analogy!  Wings hold special meaning for me too because Continue reading →

How to Overcome Insecurity Caused by Fear Part 2

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How to Overcome Insecurity Caused by Fear Part 2

How to Overcome Insecurity Caused by Fear Part 2

**Please read Part 1 here if you have done so already.

Last week we talked about how fear can be a major factor in insecurity and how sometimes our fears can cause us to see ourselves differently than we really are (click on the post link above to get caught up).  I, myself, have dealt with a number of fears that have caused me to feel insecure.  Growing up I said I would never have kids, but I honestly think that stemmed from some fear.  I feared that I didn’t have what it took to be a good mom.  I feared what it would do to my body.  I also feared the pain of childbirth.  After having 2 kiddos, I now know that those fears were unfounded—although somewhat true, they were nothing to truly fear.  I was able to fight through and overcome each of them.  I also used to have a fear of teaching (again…I always said I would NEVER be a teacher).  I had so much self-doubt in that area that I made excuses about why I shouldn’t teach others (read more about it in this post here).  It’s kind of funny about how the devil often plants fears right smack in the middle of God’s plan and calling on our life.

Previously, we discussed a couple of practical steps to fight fear in order to overcome insecurities in these areas.  A couple of the steps included just facing the fear head-on and going ahead and doing whatever it is that is causing us fear.  This in turn builds our confidence and those insecurities will start to slowly fade in that area.  We also discussed the step of trusting in God and in His abilities more than our own.  We are not alone, and we don’t have to face the fears of life as if we are.  We have so much strength available to us if we will just lean on it.

Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real

A long time ago I heard an acronym for “fear” that I really liked.  You may have heard it as well.  It is that fear stands for False Evidence Appearing Real.  The idea is that a lot of times (not always), those things that we fear don’t even exist.  It makes me think of those times when I’ve been afraid of Continue reading →

How to Overcome Insecurity Caused by Fear-Part 1

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Learn how to overcome insecurities caused by fear-Part 1

How to Overcome Insecurity Caused by Fear-Part 1

Many of our self-esteem issues are rooted in fear—fear is a very common cause of insecurity.  We often shy away from things that cause us fear.  We are hesitant to put ourselves out there because we fear what will happen.  These insecurities hold us back from accomplishing great things.  In the bible, ten of the twelve Israelite spies were afraid to enter the land that God had promised them, and because of their fear they remained in the desert for another 40 years.  They didn’t see themselves as God saw them—as formidable conquerors who had God on their side.  Fear kept them from continuing on toward what God had already promised them.

“But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!”” Numbers 13:31 (NLT)

Any fear that we allow to take hold of us can actually alter our identity and prevent us from seeing ourselves the way God sees us.  Fear will cause us to see ourselves as flawed and imperfect—which we are, BUT fear allows that image of ourselves to limit what God wants to do through us.  God wants to use us in spite of our flaws, imperfections and mistakes (see this post here for more).  If we will allow Him, God can push us through circumstances that seem impossible, and He can even do it in a way to where those things that cause us fear can actually work to our advantage!

Any fear we allow in can prevent us from seeing ourselves the way God sees us.

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God can overcome any fear—Here are a few examples (click reference to read a related verse): Continue reading →

Do Others Have a Gift You Wish You Had?

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Do you ever look at another's gift or talent and wish you could do what they do? Learn more about your gifts and how they can complement others' gifts.

Do Others Have a Gift You Wish You Had?

I didn’t get the creative genes gift in my family, at least not when it comes to decorating, crafting, sewing, etc.  My mom and my sister Shawna probably possess the creative prowess in these areas of a hundred people.  Not me.  Nope.  Give me something to write, teach or stick me in front of a crowd of people to speak any day!  But put me in a room of kids to pull off a birthday party, and I’m toast.  That is utter torture to me.

Thank goodness my kids have their aunt and grandma!  Without them my kids’ birthdays would consist of some really sad decorations (or none at all), maybe a really ugly but yummy cake (I can cook even if it doesn’t look pretty), maybe a few family members over to our house (or better yet a restaurant, that way I don’t have to clean up after everyone), and probably some pretty cool presents (I AM really good at shopping 🙂 ).  I guess I’m somewhat of a minimalist.  I typically like to keep things simple—probably more because I’m not very good at the creative stuff.  It’s not one of my gifts or talents.  I am so very thankful that God made us so that our gifts complement one another.

I’ve learned that that keeping things simple is not all bad.  I’ve also learned that my kids can have the really cool birthday parties, and it’s STILL simple.  It’s simple because I’ve learned the art of delegation.  I simply delegate those tasks that I’m not good at or that seem torturous to me to others who actually enjoy doing them and are quite good at them to boot.  In other words, it’s their gift to do those tasks that I despise.

Take this past weekend for example. Continue reading →