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Part II: Grace and Gratitude Series. Adapted from an article that first appeared in CBE’s blog, Mutuality, on 10/15/2020 (www.cbeinternational.org). Grace. That supernatural favor, help, or enablement. We can receive it and we can extend it. I’d like to begin this Women’s History Month with an eye towards grace. Because ladies, let’s be honest, we don’t give ourselves enough grace. We have embraced the societal, generational, and cultural LIE that demands that we swoop in and

Part I: Grace & Gratitude Series As 2020 was winding down, I was preparing for a speaking engagement that focused on embracing grace & gratitude. These particular topics are near and dear to me. However, when we think of 2020, being grateful may be the last thing that comes to mind. The above picture lists a few of the crazy things that happened last year. We were isolated, scared, having to learn new ways of working and living, all while reassuring our spouses, kids, co-work

By Chayanne Conley Today we welcome Guest Blogger, Chayanne Conley to the pursuit! She is a Sophomore at Ohio Wesleyan University. Chayanne is pursuing a Psychology major and a minor in Spanish. She is a loving older sister, an amazing graphic artist, has the heart of a worshipper, and is my eldest niece! If you’d like to find out more about her, her contact information is at the end of the blog. Happy July!! 2020. In the future, everyone will feel some type of way when they

by Carol F. Burton, CEO, Jeweld Legacy Group Today we welcome Guest Blogger, Carol F. Burton to the pursuit! She is the CEO of Jeweld Legacy Group, a consulting firm that focuses on building relationships that create equitable and transformative change in communities. She is also a wonderful travel companion, shoe diva, and my aunt! If you’d like to find out more about her, her contact information is at the end of the blog. Happy July!! Last weekend, I celebrated my 60th birt

This is an article I wrote for CBE after a restless night. PLEASE SHARE with your circle of influence. THIS IS AN SOS call to all “mothers & women who mother”!! HELP! Our Babies are Dying #justice #callingallmothers #mothersofzion #womenaschangeagents #shalom

I don’t know. These three anxiety producing words are ringing loudly in the stratosphere right now. I-DON’T-KNOW when it will be safe to travel. I-DON’T -KNOW when we will physically be able to worship together in a church building. I-DON’T-KNOW when we will be able to go outside without a mask. I-DON’T-KNOW when I’ll be able to sit in a restaurant and enjoy a nice meal with friends. I-DON’T-KNOW when I will receive a steady paycheck again. I DON’T KNOW. These three words req

The death toll is rising. Rising in the United States and rising among my community. The numbers are staggering. It is no longer far away. It’s close to home. People I know are dying. Not just people I know, but people who look like me. People who have pre-existing conditions. High blood pressure, overweight, history of heart disease and diabetes in the family. Wait . . . that’s me – check, check, check. We entered holy week with these harsh realities. Much like a certain Je

The bible is full of ordinary people being asked to do extraordinary things by God. Page after page of utter ridiculousness. Build a huge boat that holds two of every kind of animal AND my family? Cross over the Red Sea? Kill a giant? March around a wall? Hang out in a pit with lions? Virginal birth? Just Utter Ridiculousness! Yet, there it is, the Word of God to the people of God. Have you ever had God ask you to do something that seemed utterly ridiculous? I have. On multip

Oftentimes when we receive instructions from God it is difficult to know where to begin. With God, there is typically no blueprint and no carefully laid out 5-year strategic plan. It’s usually just one word, phrase, image, or scripture. As I’ve said before: THIS CAN BE FRUSTRATING! However, if you understand that the sovereign God wants you to trust Her in all things than you learn to accept the instructions willingly and obey (don’t miss next week’s post on Build: Willingnes

Hello to everyone in the blogosphere! Thanks for staying engaged with me in my pursuit of shalom! 2019 was an AMAZING year. There were times when I was overwhelmed at the depth of Gods love towards me. He allowed me space and time to heal and grieve. Not only that, but He did it through the outlets of travel and writing. The fact that I never lacked one thing is a testament to the One who provides all things. WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE! So naturally, when you come out of a

Carillon Park, Dayton, Ohio Have you ever missed something that was right in front of you? You were searching for something grand and majestic, yet missing the beauty that was right there all along. Recently, this occurred to me during Thanksgiving weekend. The family decided to ride around looking at Christmas lights. Like any place, there are some famous spots for “light peeping”. Well, it was cold and rainy that night and the usual locations were not very impressive. So, s

Once again we embark on another holiday season. Coincidentally, I, along with many of my family and friends, am in a season of transition. We are standing at the precipice of change. We are searching for new jobs, new directions, waiting for news of a promotion, or coming to the end of a sabbatical. Not knowing what comes next can be a highly uncomfortable and downright scary place to be in. Years ago, God’s people found themselves in a similar situation. They knew the promis

Have you ever met a person who is a dreamer? They can envision a certain idea, concept, event, future that is absolutely INCREDIBLE! Most dreamers are able to convey their dream to others in ways that spark excitement and passion in the hearer. I love dreamers! They are essential to any team or organization. However, dreamers are not necessarily doers. In fact, planning and execution are generally not strong characteristics for most dreamers (in my experience). Of course, thi

Remember Her? She is daddy’s little girl and her mom’s pride and joy. Her smile lit up the room and her laugh was contagious. Sometimes I have to be reminded that I am her and she is me. She was full of hope and looked at the world with child-like wonder. Every day was an adventure and even when that adventure ended in tears, a hug would make it better. Sometimes I have to be reminded that I am her and she is me. She embraced play and had a vivid imagination. She was Wonder W

If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, you know that I love fall. September, October, and November hold a special place in my heart. It’s not just because of the changing of the leaves, the chance to wear warmer clothes and/or consume all things pumpkin related. It’s also because I feel a noticeable shift in the atmosphere. It is the fourth quarter and the end of the year is approaching. It is a season of thankfulness leading into a season of celebration. Ch

My car was making this weird noise. It was a grinding, annoying noise that made me cringe when I heard it. It was the kind of noise that made me immediately think LOTS of dollar signs. I was five months into my year sabbatical. Translation – I DIDN’T HAVE A JOB! I was living off of savings. So, you can imagine the anxiety I was feeling as this unexpected expense stared me in the face. Biting the bullet, I headed to the Ford dealership. Normally, I would take it to a local mec

Have you ever wished for a do-over? For a chance to take back a harsh word, re-do a botched assignment, or completely start all over again. I have. In fact, I have entire weeks that I’d like to “do-over”. Weeks where I completely dropped the ball. Weeks where I walked through life in a fog and missed important moments. Just plain AWFUL weeks. Yep, I’d love to be able to push a button and rewind time like that movie “Groundhog day”. But, life doesn’t work like that. Or does it