Friday, February 12, 2021

Mid-Winter Browsing * On the Porch

a snowy view from the porch door

Last time I looked, the temperature on the porch was maybe in the mid-thirties.  Needless to say, I'm not sitting out there with my feet up mid-February.  But tradition has it that around here, any little weekend offering is called On the Porch.

Anyway ... there's so much super writing and beneficial reading going on these days.  Is it the frigid cold?  The yearning to create?  The need to relax and chill out?

I don't know, but here's a whole slew of links for you to browse through this weekend.  From soup to nuts, I'm guessing you'll find something that will float your boat.  Or warm your heart.  Or give you cause for pause.

I do believe I could do with a mug of hot chocolate while I curl up and enjoy.  Extra whipped cream on that, please!  You too?

How to Live in the Face of Fear: Lessons From a Cancer Survivor

Kate Bowler

'Why forcing yourself to stay positive is not always best, the human longing to love and be loved and why living in constant fear makes it important to have two different routines: one for the day and one for the night.'


Hope and Expectation

Linda Hoye

'Two things.  That’s all I have to do. Love God and love people.  And, yeah, neither of these is particularly easy all the time, but they are my better work ...'


3 Ways to Maximize Your Written Words: They're Doing the Heavy Lifting

Lisa Burgess

'The less we interact face-to-face, the more our written communications have to do the heavy lifting.'


Being Single on Valentine's Day

Lynn Simpson

''There is absolutely nothing wrong with you.  Your marital status does not determine your worth ...'


Truth or Trash

Nancy Ruegg

'Attend a graduation ceremony, participate in a work-related seminar, or just join in a break room conversation, and you might hear one of these statements ...'


Do You Want More Prayer in Your Life?

Rebecca Hastings

'When we realize we can release the pressure to arrive, we learn there is great freedom in being in process ...'


January 2021 Christian Book Picks

Sarah Geringer

'This is a great group of books for spiritual growth.'


Depression, Denial, And The Therapists's Couch

Katie Blackburn

'Once there are no words that your husband cannot say to you, no feeling that he cannot confess, the level of intimacy and trust feels so much deeper ...'


Here's how I finally got myself to start exercising

Christine Carter, Ph.D

'All you need is to be willing to be wildly unambitious — to settle for doing something that’s just a smidge better than nothing ...'


Amid Covid deaths, schools aren't prepared to support students through grief and trauma

Sarah John

'In a nationwide survey of school social workers last summer, more than 3 in 4 reported most students at their schools needed serious mental health support ...'


Survival strategies for winter, my least favorite season

Anne Bogel

'I desperately miss sunshine and warmth during these months.  But winter does have its charms, and I’m doing my best to embrace them.'


3 Spiritual Phrases Christian Leaders Should Stop Saying

Carey Nieuwhof

'Maybe you’ve fallen for a leadership cop-out too—dodging the real issue by putting a spiritual mask over it.  Can it be that something that sounds so spiritual can actually stop some very spiritual work?'

Bloggers - Please share a link to your own cream-of-the-crop mid-winter writing! 

Up next?  DOZENS of books.  Yes, DOZENS!

Linda 

<<  Of flowers, chocolate, and relationships on Valentine's Day

Your 38 Gifts of Inspiration  >>

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visiting with

Richella  .  Lisa  .  Jeanne

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39 comments:

  1. I love your front porch, Linda. The colour of your door is beautiful! So much good reading to explore here today! Thank you for gathering these and I'm honoured to be part of it!

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    1. Your writing, yet again, touched a tender spot in my heart, Lynn. I am so delighted to share your piece here this Valentine's Weekend, friend.

      I so appreciate your tender vulnerability and deep wisdom.

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  2. Thanks for giving us these links, Linda.
    Stay warm in these cold days!

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    1. You, too, Martha!

      I think I'm off for an early afternoon snooze under a very cozy blanket!

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  3. Hello, sweet friend! So good to have the time to visit with you today. I wanted to tell you that we worked through your dear mom's book slowly, and we have finished it now. It was such a blessing to us! Please pass along our gratitude to her, and we thank YOU for being such a blessing in our lives! I think of you each time I see the book and am grateful for your presence and kindness. Thank you for always keeping the beacon of hope alive here on your blog and for reaching out to so many in encouragement and love. You are a gift and blessing to us all. Much love to you today!

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    1. It warms my heart to hear from you and to know that a blogging friend treasures a volume that was Mom's! Thank you for letting me know, Cheryl ...

      Mom is slowly recovering from a mild bout of covid. She's one incredible lady.

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  4. Thank you, Linda. "Truth or Trash" is so good. And the one about depression and denial is, too. And I know Lynn's and Lisa's are, too. I was not yet able to get to the rest. Have a warm and cozy weekend snuggled up under your blanket! Love and blessings to you!

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    1. I just awoke from a long and lovely nap ... I highly recommend!

      Sometimes you just know what your body is whispering to you. I try to oblige!

      Enjoy your weekend, friend ...

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    2. Thank you, Trudy, and praise God for his inspiration!

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  5. We were in the 50s earlier this week, but now we're back down to the 30s. The post about exercise was good and realistic. The one about spiritual phrases was thought-provoking, too. It's so easy to rattle off something well-meaning without thinking. Since you asked...:-)...I had a post this week about loving like Jesus. I've struggled with that ever since becoming a Christian, but I suppose we won't get it down perfectly until we get to heaven: https://barbaraleeharper.com/2021/02/07/how-can-we-love-like-jesus/.

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    1. Loving like Jesus?

      Heading over there right now, Barbara.

      Happy Valentine's Weekend!

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  6. Thank you SO much, Linda, for the link to my blog! What a happy surprise today! Happy Valentine's Day to you, my friend!

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    1. Nancy, hi! I'm so enjoying the richness of your posts. So grateful that God has allowed our paths to cross in this season.

      Happy Valentine's Weekend ...

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  7. Thanks so much for sharing these Linda. I have read several and will try to read more. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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    1. I hope you had a fun day with your little peeps!

      ;-}

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  8. So many books and so many choices.

    God bless.

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  9. When we realize we can release the pressure to arrive, we learn there is great freedom in being in process ..love this one. The older I get the less pressure I feel and the more freedom comes into my life. Maybe this is cause I am getting closer to heaven God is giving me a little slice of it here on earth.

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    1. So true, Betty! That pressure to have somehow arrived or to people please is long gone and not too soon. Maybe it comes from life experience or a more tender walk with our Savior ... or both.

      A gift of grace and peace.

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  10. I’m off to check them out. Thank you for sharing them.

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    1. Good morning! I hope you found something meaningful to start your day, friend ...

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  11. Um, I'm not sure where to begin, Linda! You've really curated some great articles here. Bookmarking this page so I can scroll through these one by one. Thanks for including mine in the list. It's an honor.

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    1. Enjoy the scrolling when you have a bit of time, friend. You are writing up a storm these days ... I don't know how you find the hours but you always do!

      So impressed.

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  12. You generate the best lists!
    It's up to 33 here today, but I understand there is snow in the forecast. I'm consoling myself with the fact that it's school vacation so we don't have to go anywhere...

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    1. Don't you just love being snowed in with nowhere to go?

      Unless you have to shovel. Or plow.

      * sigh *

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  13. Love your porch door's pretty colour!

    I look forward to checking out the links...with a mug of tea or tea-infused hot chocolate!

    Thanks for the visit!

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    1. Ah ... tea-infused hot chocolate. I bet you know the perfect one, Margie!

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  14. I love your pic and thank you for the links! I'm going to browse with my hot tea or hot choc :)

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  15. Good reads to start off my week. I am especially thinking about my words and what they mean as I get ready to do some writing.

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    1. Oh yes, TJ! How deeply our words matter, how they can belittle and mock and wound, or esteem and build up and edify. And once they're in writing, they remain forever.

      Kindness matters. Respect matters. Truth matters.

      Proverbs is a great book that helps us get this all straight ...

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  16. Thanks so much for the feature! You always put together such great lists. I can't wait to read more!

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    1. I love lists! Here or {almost} anywhere! Glad you do, too!

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  17. Thanks for the great list of posts Linda, I will be sure to check them out. Blessings.

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    1. You've come to this community at the right time if you love lists, Paula! Don't worry, we do more than that around here ...

      ;-}

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  18. Thank you for the wonderful list of books, Linda!

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  19. I just finished a book by Carey's wife! It was excellent. And Lisa B. has been doing a series on bias that is incredible.

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    1. So much fabulous reading awaits!

      Now ... to find the time ...

      ;-}

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