Simplify Christmas Shopping Plus Coupon Codes

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I do not do shopping malls especially during the holidays. And I do not do Black Friday. But I do appreciate a good deal as much as the next girl. So I'm excited to partner with DaySpring, one of my favorite companies, to offer you some discount Black Friday Shopping from the comfort of your own home.

 Here are some of my favorites to give and receive this time of year:

Decor:

This stocking comes in a variety of colors for any decor and can be personalized.

Gift Giving:

This is thee perfect gift for everyone on your list and is a must read for anyone wanting to find joy in all of life.

Art:

This has been on my personal wish list for a long time. Maybe this year?

For the Home:

I love welcome mats. I would have one for each month of the year if I could.

If you want to do your black Friday shopping from the comfort of your couch visit DaySpring here and use the code 30SPECIAL for 30% off your entire order including clearance items or for free shipping on orders over $30 use the code shipping30.

I'd love to hear what DaySpring items are on your list in the comments below. Here's to happy and strees free shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm praying your Thanksgiving finds you celebrating around the table with people you love (and no drama) and enjoying your food as though it has no calories.

As you remember to give thanks today here are some posts that have helped me have a right perspective this week:

• My friend, Brian, on gratitude through both unemployment and under employment: http://bit.ly/1fGGLoP
• Shauna Niequist on the sacredness of meals around the table: http://bit.ly/1excHsO

A Million Little Ways: Giveaway Winner

 

"I loved this book. Emily's words have encouraged me to be more awake to the art God is making with my life, and I'm starting to notice the way others make art, more, too." -Amy

Congratulations, Amy! I send you a direct message on Twitter about receiving your book from me.

A Million Little Ways: A #Giveaway

#AMLW #inBooks

I hope you read my review of A Million Little Ways and went right out and bought yourself a copy. If not I'd like to give you the chance to win a copy or if you already own one this book would make a lovely Christmas gift for a friend.

To enter simply leave a comment below saying whether you're embracing the art you were made to live or running from it and why. (Giveaway open to residents of the continental US only.)

To further enhance your reading experience the Bloom Book Club is currently reading A Million Little Ways. Follow the link here to find all the posts and videos including interviews with the author.

A Million Little Ways: A Must Read

#AMLW #inbooks

"Could it be true that you too are an artist?...Maybe you have a dream or desire to move into the world, something you're always talking yourself out of. Or maybe you wish you had a way to influence others but you don't think you do." -Emily P. Freeman

Emily P. Freeman's A Million Little Ways subtitled Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live is a terrifying and exciting book that everyone should read. I call it terrifying because the truth is most of us have buried our art. If you're a writer, painter, crafter, musician or the like, for most of your life the world has told you that your art doesn't matter. That it's a waste of time. And like me for a season you tried to cover it up and pretend it wasn't there. Or run from it altogether.

And if you don't fall into any of the traditional categories above then you've spent most of your life believing that you have no art to offer the world. Both perspectives are wrong. Emily uncovers the truth that we are all artists and we all have something to offer that the world is desperately in need of.

Emily also tackles the difficult issue of sin and idolatry as we uncover our art:

"When the art others make begins to terrify rather than motivate it means you are normal. But if you want to create art that matters, something has to change...To carry on is to worship the art rather than the Artist..."

Finally Emily will help you release your art. And that, friends, is the most important part.  So whether you're a doctor or a sculptor, a beer brewer or a singer, a designer or a stay-at-home mom, A Million Little Ways is the book you've been longing for whether you know it or not.

A Million Little Ways is available November 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

When You've Lost Your Joy

After a long 31 days of writing I took a step back and it was quiet here the first week of November. And while a break was much needed there was something else. After several months of peace I encountered a wall of depression that I wasn't quite prepared for. Everything in life became joyless. I felt like I had lost myself. And if you've experienced depression before you know how it can suck the joy right out of the most life giving tasks if you can even manage to do them. And the things that could bring you the most healing (for me that includes writing) are the most impossible to do.

Depression is a thief. It steals joy and life and happiness. It is unpredictable and often uncontrollable. During depression one can experience high and lows that leave you feeling like you're on some terrible roller coaster with little knowledge of what's coming next.

I've written about depression and anxiety here before. But today I have no neat way to wrap this up or steps that have worked for me. I'm just sharing in the midst of my journey so that you can know that you're not alone. I hope that bit of knowledge brings you a ray of hope in the darkness.

Today is the Day (Day 31)

#31days of Missional Meals

“We have 21 ready-made opportunities each week.” -Tim Chester

I hope this series has encouraged you on your missional journey. As we move forward lets remind ourselves of the simple truths we've learned:

• Eat with diverse people.
• Share meals in public and in private.
• Authenticity, listening well, and stories, matter.
• There is grace for when you mess up.
• Memorable meals are about "planned spontaneity."  
• The key to Biblical hospitality is simplicity not perfection.
• Do what you're already doing (eating regularly) with intention.

If you missed any part of the Missional Meals series links to each day can be found here.

I'd love to hear how this series helped you on your missional journey and how you're implementing what you've learned in the comments below.