Walk With Me

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And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me (Luke 9:23) Some might not connect this verse with joy, but it is actually the path to true joy.  In Discovering Joy in Philippians: A Creative Bible Study Experience, we look at a key verse that connects denying our selves, picking up the cross and joy. If you look at some of the key words in Greek, you gain the HOW of walking toward Jess and toward joy. Deny means to say “No” or…

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Guard Our Minds, Lord

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If I am lost in a city, I like to go to a map so I can see the “big picture.” The same thing is true of discerning God’s will. Having an overall general understanding of God’s book, character, actions and words helps us to understand God and to understand how He works. In 7 Simple Skills for Every Woman: Success in Keeping It All Together, I suggest one of these  ideas to layer God’s Word into your life: Read the Bible through in a year. The One-Year Bible or one of Tyndale’s One Year Bible Devotionals, like Devotions for Women…

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Sunday Reflection: A Great Mother

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Jesus had a great mother. She said “Yes!” to the angel when it was explained that the Spirit would overshadow her and she would conceive. (She was a very young mother) “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). She endured social ridicule because she was seen as a woman who became pregnant while still engaged. (People didn’t get the emaculate conception yet) She rode a donkey in travel the days leading up to his birth. (This would be a sacrifice even if she was not expecting) “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths…

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Sunday Reflection: A Heart after God

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It is all about the heart: “the LORD looks at the heart.“ (1 Sam. 16:7) David was called “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam 13:14) And we pray with the Psalmist,  “Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11) A few of the Psalms in my Discovering Hope in the Psalms Bible study captures the kind of heart God is looking for: God is looking for thirsty hearts. As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O…

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Sunday Reflection : Green Pastures

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I am a Bo Peep. Yes, I grew up on a Suffolk sheep farm– so Psalm 23 is very personal to this Shepherdess’ heart. Let’s just glimpse at the first few verses: The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,  he refreshes my soul. One of the common heart cries of the human race is for greener pastures- a life better, brighter, quieter or calmer. God knows this is dream is on our hearts. When I read, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside…

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Editing Tip #59

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Hi! I’m Kathy Ide. In addition to being a published author, I’m a full-time professional freelance editor. For CAN, I’m blogging about tips for writers based on the manuscripts I edit.            

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Together, We Are Stronger: The Power of Co-Authoring

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  This week, I signed a contract with Harvest House Publishers for my 45th book.  This one is a wonderful collaboration between myself and a wonderful Bible study teacher, Jean Jones and a very talented artist in Karla Dornacher  (see Karla on Etsy). We each bring our strengths to the book and we also pull our platforms together for greater reach and influence. I have had the joy of co-authoring with some amazing people: Jill Savage,  the founder and President of Hearts at Home  for Got Teens?  (Harvest House) Doreen Hanna, the founder and President of Modern Day Princess ministry…

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Sailing to the Shore of Success

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“Did you want a four or a seven-day Caribbean cruise?” the travel agent asked. What a choice. Even one day on that luxurious cruise ship is enough to make me salivate with excitement. But recently, unfortunate cruising events broadcasted by the media brought that thrill a notch down. Many feel pity for those passengers who found a nice cruise turn to a crazy nightmare. But when sailing in our own ship to success, the fate isn’t much different.

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