Thursday, September 28, 2017

September ~ Blogging * Paintbrush * Giveaways * Podcasts * Resources

I hear bloggers aren't doing their thing like they used to.  That email newsletters, Instagram feeds, and private Facebook chat rooms are replacing old fashioned published posts.

That might be true ... or not.

After a decade of blogging, I see my online home as a combo newsletter / Instagram / chat room.  I'm crazy about being writer-at-large, executive photographer, creative director, and publisher.  Deciding what to write and when to write ... or not?  Works for me like a hand in a glove.

Bottom line?  I love serving THE Editor-in-Chief this way.   

I've been delighted {and occasionally surprised!} at those who've casually mentioned that they often come by to visit.  And even though you might never breathe a word after dropping in, it's kind of comforting to know that you're silently present.

And it's no secret that I'm especially grateful for those who jump into the ongoing dialogues on a regular basis, complete with gusto, wisdom, and a hefty sense of humor.

'Cause that's what blogging's all about.  Kindred spirits.  Building a community of encouragement, back and forth, one conversation at a time.  

At your place ... and mine.

* * *  During the May 2016 Creating a Haven Series, I talked about the need to update the paint on our outside doors.  That, my friends, was 16 long months ago.  I'm here to tell you I finally got around to choosing a color.

The moral of the story is this:  If you can't decide what shade to paint the entrance ways to your home, look no further than your go-to pedicure polish. For it's there that you'll spy your favorite color.  And it'll make you smile every time you look at it.

FYI - it wasn't until after my husband began wielding the paintbrush that this profound reality dawned on me.  Go figure.

Doorways - Benjamin Moore Caribbean Blue Water 2055-30
Toes - Essie Naughty Nautical


* * * Ever behind the times, I've only recently started listening to podcasts.  My favorite time and place to do so?  During a brisk early morning walk ... or while {ugh} cleaning the bathrooms or tidying the bedrooms.  It makes these tasks go by in a flash and there's usually time when the podcast is over to quietly reflect on what I've learned even as I'm hitting the home stretch.

My favorites?  Emily Freeman {The Next Right Thing}, Anne Bogel {What Should I Read Next?}, and Ruth Haley Barton {Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership}.


* * *  Speaking of growth opportunities, one of Christian counseling's preeminent leaders has kicked off a website specifically for counselors, pastors, church leaders, and people helpers who work with victims of abuse.  When it comes to biblically based straight talk on tough issues, I highly recommend Leslie Vernick.

Visit Leslie's new site here and be sure to sign up for her free newsletter.  This is a resource you can't pass up.  And her blog's a must read for anyone who's struggling in an emotionally destructive marriage.


* * *  Christmas is less than three {gasp} months away and I'm all about helping you stuff those awaiting stockings!  The winner of this week's giveaway of the Matt Redman CD, Glory Song, is Lulu James, fearless adventurer and avid blogger.

Coming soon - A giveaway of Jeremy Camp's new CD, The Answer.  Preview it here ... and be sure to subscribe there so you won't miss out.

















* * * 

visiting 

34 comments:

  1. I love that colour! We also need to do ours soon... I don't do my nails ever so I will have to come up with a different method!

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    1. I know you'll take some fabulous pictures of that door when you're done, Jandi! Can't wait to see what color you choose!

      ;-}

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  2. Love this, Linda, and the pictures are great.

    There was a book published in the 80s called "Caribbean Style", and it gave me wonderful ideas for structure and decor...none of which I ever got the chance to implement, but it was fun to think about.

    https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/09/your-dying-spouse-368-my-hero-hiroo-fm.html

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    1. Sometimes it's fun just to dream, isn't it ...

      Looks like you've put your energies into writing, inspiring, and motivating, Andrew. What a life-altering choice.

      I, for one, am grateful that your legacy won't be structure and decor, but something a million times more priceless.

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  3. Your photos are awesome, Linda, and I love, love, love the color of the door. Beautiful!
    Have a great weekend, my friend!

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  4. I love that color on your door, Linda. :) We've always wanted to paint our front door, but condo rules here say they all have to be white. :( Two things in this post especially grab my heart - how we serve our Editor-In-Chief and how we're here to build up a community of encouragement. Yes! Blessings and hugs!

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    1. mmm ... white, huh?

      Most of my house is white. I love it.

      Can you paint the inside of the door?

      ;-}

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  5. I have been blogging for 11 years and feel the same way - I love just blogging and being, I hope and trust, used of God in this way. I have wondered how many people sign up for newsletters for bloggers. I never do - I always think..."Just put it on the blog." I think I actually did once or twice, now that I think of it, but a lot of it was "In case you missed it on the blog..." and links to their posts, which I had already seen since I was following the blog.

    I like your door color! I don't polish either any nails, so I'd have to find a different method for choosing paint colors. But my go-to favorites have been the same for eons.

    I tend to listen to audiobooks rather than podcasts at the times you mentioned, but I keep hearing about good podcasts, so I might have to give some a try.

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    1. I get a few monthly email newsletters that I really enjoy but otherwise I prefer reading all the blogs I subscribe to on Bloglovin'. I got a thing about keeping my email inbox fairly clean and empty.

      Quirky, I know ...

      ;-}

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  6. Linda, LOVE those blue toes! I was stepping out just painting my toe nails red. ;) Blue? I'm still working up to that kind of brave. ;)

    I listen to some podcasts, but I need to listen to more. Thanks for sharing some of your faves. I'm going to check them out.

    Have a great weekend!

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    1. It's about as brave as I get!

      ;-}

      Would love to hear your take on the podcasts, Jeanne ...

      Enjoy the weekend!

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  7. Linda, I'm here to tell you that I LOVE reading blogs! Especially faith-based ones like yours and "Stray Thoughts" by Barbara, and card-making, rubber-stamping blogs. I've been reading blogs online since they started and have no plans on stopping! I've decided to not be on Facebook (not that I'm not a techie - I just have no interest in it, for a variety of reasons). I participate in a forum for papercrafters and that's my "social media", except for my comments on various blog posts.

    I've often enjoyed your blog, but then I forget about it, so I need to do something about that so I visit often! I think I got directed here from Barbara. And yes, doing what our Editor-in-Chief tells us to is important! I'm also very interested in journaling, and I started writing almost every day in 1999. I just wish I had started sooner, since my daughters were 16, 18 and 20 at that point, and I would love to read the reflections of when they were little!

    Now I'm writing reflections about my grandchildren, but I find myself journaling less and I'm not sure WHY, and I think it's important to get back to almost-daily journaling and meeting with the Lord.

    Thank you for posting your music give-aways, it helps me keep up on what's "popular' in Christian music. When my girls were high school and college age, we were HUGELY into CCM and went to concerts (Steven Curtis Chapman, MW Smith, Sandi Patty, 4Him, and many more) and I always had a current selection of CDs. While I still love that music, I want to know what's out there NOW that's current and that's GOOD in terms of lyrics and the music. And I would prefer to be able to understand the lyrics when I listen, but I'm not opposed to looking them up online. I used to listen to a new CD with liner notes in hand for the first few times til I had them memorized. Christian music had a HUGE impact on my faith and indeed, the Lord used it to draw me, and then our whole family, closer to Himself. Long story... I'm also interested in any book recommendations you have - devotional books, Christian living books, spiritual formation books, etc. These used to be the bulk of my reading and now I'm reading more widely and I'm not up on what's good that's been released in the past 10 years or so!

    And thanks for the heads-up on the podcasts! I didn't know about Emily Freeman's or Ruth Haley Barton's (though I've read books by both of them). I already listen to Anne Bogel's (she's the reason that my reading has increased and I'm reading more widely, although there are subjects and situations I choose to not read about, and I'll abandon an occasional book that I haven't properly figured out ahead of time. Through Anne's podcast, I also found "The Happpy Hour with Jamie Ivey", which is a wonderful, faith-based podcast.

    I'd be interested in more good podcast recommendations as I enjoy listening while I do my stamping.

    Anyway, that's probably a long enough comment for a first time how-do-you-do!! Thanks for what you do here on the blog, and in your counseling practice. I've often found myself on the listening end of friends' situations and I admire people who do it for real!

    Your sister in Christ,
    Susan, aka Soozie4Him
    moot96 AT aol DOT com (I don't use my gmail address)

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    1. Well, WELCOME! I'm pretty sure that in a decade of blogging, I've never received such a lengthy comment. Thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself, to let me know you're there, to sit and chat.

      I'm absolutely honored to do community with you, Susan. Your enthusiasm has made me smile this evening. I look forward to getting to know you better in the days ahead.

      Blessings to you, girl ...

      P.S. And be sure to thank Barbara for sending you my way.

      ;-}

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  8. Good choice of door color and I bet it makes for great curb appeal. So sorry I am not able to view in person this week...some day.

    My condo association does not let us change door colors but I would go plum..that is what I usually tend toward on my toes

    Miss you, friend.

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    1. I miss you, too. I'm glad you came to visit to my online home, even though you couldn't come in person.

      * sigh *

      This month was like that. Disappointing.

      I hope you're well.

      Hugs.

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  9. I've recently started listening to podcasts too, Linda! Also during household chores or cooking. I'll have to check out Emily Freeman's. Like your door color.

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    1. Cooking. Yes, yes. I could use a bit of distraction during dinner prep, I think!

      I'd love to hear what you're listening, to, Betsy!

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  10. I love the colour you decided on for your door, and that it's the same as your nail polish! Maybe I'm old-fashioned but I prefer blogging over all the other things you mention. I've noticed a few bloggers recently who have no option to leave a comment and that frustrates me because I want to encourage them and, like you, I feel the community is the best part.

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    1. I'm with you ... I hate wandering around looking for the comment button. Unless it's an exceptional blog, I probably won't go back ...

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  11. Love the door color....and evidently your toe polish as well. ;-)

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  12. I love your door (we just painted ours cranberry) and your taste in podcasts. I"m a fairly new listener as well. And it always makes me feel a bit sad when I read about the demise of blogging, because I feel as if I'm barely getting started!
    Always fun to find you here at Leigh's place -- or anywhere!

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    1. Oh ... I love a cranberry door! So warm and welcoming! And very New England, yes?

      Let's keep on proving those blogging naysayers wrong, ok, Michele?

      ;-}

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  13. What a beautiful colour you chose for your new door. And a great tip to look at for favourite pedicure colours as home paints too! Although I've been away for a month from blogging, I do still pick it as my favourite of all the SM platforms and you now have given me words why. I am my own Editor in Chief. Somehow blogging just seems so much more realistic to me as well than other platform. Thanks for showing up here on a regular basis Linda!

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    1. Welcome back, Lynn! A break from all this incessant connection is good for mind and soul, isn't it. Looking forward to all you'll be sharing in the days ahead ...

      ;-)

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  14. Thanks for the podcast recommendations! My default pods are true crime and the world is just getting a little too dark to keep putting that into my brain. I'm downloading a few episodes of Anne Bogel's podcasts to my phone right now!

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    1. You're absolutely right, Jen. With all the darkness in our world, more than ever we need to choose to focus on what is 'true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable' {Philippians 4:8}.

      Thanks for being here with us today!

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  15. Linda,
    I just love you slipped in a photo of a luscious dessert in among the blue observations! :) And your words about serving the Editor-in-Chief -- brilliant! :) I've just taken note of Anne Bogel and am deciding if her new book is worth a read - -have you read it? I figured you might have since it has to do with personalities and as a counselor, that's right up your alley! xo

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    1. Oh that was yummy! My sister was very patient as I played around with my phone ... and then we dug into the most luscious cheesecake with chocolate AND caramel sauce AND nuts.

      Decadent. Delightfully so!

      Nope, I haven't read Anne's new book ... I don't do alot with personality assessments but I am a big fan of hers, so maybe I'll give it a go!

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  16. I love the color of your door... so welcoming, just like you. <3 I need to check out that leadership podcast you recommended too. Podcasts are something I've started to listen to more too.
    Hope you are doing well, friend. Waving hello!! Life is full, but good, here. Our youngest got married last weekend so that meant the family was together. YAY! The home-makeover is in full force (help me, Lord). Crazy but fun in a way.
    Somewhat miss writing and occasionally think I may make a surprise appearance with a new post. Hubs will be leaving again so who knows... maybe that's what I'll work on while he's away.
    Miss you and really do think of you often, which is why I stopped to say hello.
    Much love,
    SimplyBeth

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    1. Dear Beth ... how very enchanting that we've been thinking of each other this week. Don't you just love when God does something like that in our lives? It's a serendipitous gift for sure.

      Please know that you are missed ... but I am so happy to hear that your family is well and celebrating.

      God is good ...

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  17. I love coming here and hope to continue to do so for years to come. My blogging friends have become my real friends, and that is precious to me!

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    1. Yes, friends. Whether far away or face to face, that's who we've become ...

      I'm thankful!

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