Grow

"Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up." -James Baldwin

What if…

instead of asking how you are doing, we began to ask each other

what are you learning?

instead of seeking comfortable, easy and status quo, we picked

vulnerable and hard?

And what if life–life with God, life with others, life with purpose–isn’t about much more than growth?

Do what makes you grow. Accept from God’s hand what makes you grow. Make 2012 a year to look back and say “God shaped me there.”

 

In book-related news, I’m all around the web and radio this week. I’d love for you to join me, especially if it will help you grow. :)

On Ed’s Women in Ministry series: I share the most I’ve ever shared on the winding road of ministry:

although I thought I was on the slow track, the mommy track, the wrong track, he was only shaping my path, using the twists and turns to smooth out the rough edges of my soul, to embrace myself as a leader and a follower, a challenger and a nurturer, a teacher and a listener.

On Connie’s blog Culture Rebel: I get real about how scared I am.

When we lose ourselves in fear, we don’t allow the winds of change to blow in and through us. We close ourselves off and those winds begin to swirl around and around in our own souls, creating a funnel cloud of worry. We begin to believe that life moves from one pain to the next, that dreams do not come true.

Over with Laura Polk and Moms Together on Facebook: read the post here and join the conversation all day today!

When I’m looking for that perfect job, I’m striving to find purpose and belonging— and Jesus wants to meet me there. When I’m trying to figure out this relationship, I’m striving to feel loved—and Jesus wants to meet me there. When I stress about my appearance or body, I am striving to feel beautiful—Jesus wants to meet me there.

On Drew Marshall’s Radio Show: I’ll be featured at 3pm EST on Saturday talking about ALL KINDS of my issues!

And TONIGHT: I’ll be whooping it up with all the women in Richmond (and at least my mom from North Carolina!) who are excited about the message of She’s Got Issues. I am so darn blessed by these people. You should really come meet them. 7-9pm at Hope.

Jump in with some of these great bloggers websites, share away, and come tonight!

 


The Becoming Podcast


The Becoming Podcast
is a new venture for Hope and frankly, it’s a blast. Every Wednesday, join my senior pastor David Dwight and myself as we dialog about the intersection of real life and real faith. Topics the Becoming Cast has covered so far include:

  • How People Grow
  • Managing Expectations
  • Criticism and the Leader
  • Coming up this month, we’ll be covering:
  • Being a Real “Seeker”
  • Needle in a Haystack Theology
  • “How Do I know if he’s the ‘One’?”
  • The Deception and Opportunity of Wealth

Each episode is 15 minutes long and I’d love for you to check it out. Suggestions for the podcast? Contact me at nicole AT takeheartministry DOT com, or tweet us using #becomingcast!

 


A “She’s Got Issues” Preview

She’s Got Issues “>She’s Got Issues is available for pre-order now using any of the lovely retailers listed here on the site.

Even cooler? The book is full of links to videos like this one, discussing each of the issues talked about. The book even has QR codes, so as you read you can scan the code with your smart phone and I’ll be the little wizard in your phone journeying along WITH YOU. How’s THAT for modern?!?


Moved by Joy (Audio)

The following is a recording from a high school retreat focused on understanding the Kingdom of God, entitled “Moved by Joy.”

Part One :

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Part Two:

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Divine Pursuit Videos

Introduction:

Week One:

Week Two:

Week Three:


Abundance Video