POWERSHEETS & ONE WORD 2026

I have been excitedly working on my Powersheets Goal Planner and Seasons by Seasons Weekly Planner all week. Working on these things always gets me excited for the year to come. In fact, I have always shared my Powersheets Goals and One Word for the year in January. But after working on everything this week, I decided to share now!

First up, my One Word for 2026...

In 2011, after failing at New Year's Resolutions for years, I joined the One Word movement and chose just one word to focus on for the year. I have smaller goals and things I work toward, but one big word to really focus on and grow in. The first year, I didn't take it serious and don't even remember what my word was. The next year my word was intentional, the next year was heart, then pray, water, me, marriage, joy, progress, less, rooted, peace, draw near, thrive, and for 2025 it was abide. All such great words!

I have never finished a year thinking that I have mastered my word. However, I finish each year knowing I made progress in that area. I learn things about my word and create habits that help me to grow and become a better version of myself.

The other night while working on my Powersheets, I told my husband that I didn't think I was going to set a One Word for 2026. That I just wanted to focus on my five main Powersheets goals -goals that I set for every year. He looked at me for awhile, then said, "Discover." I had no idea what he was talking about so I asked him and he said, "Your word should be discover." Then he elaborated to how the word discover fits into my goals. I immediately felt a connection and became so excited to make discover my word for 2026. I'll share more below when I share my Powersheets Goals.

Now for my Powersheets Goals for 2026...

I've been using Powersheets for, I believe, ten years now. Powersheets have helped me with big picture goals like writing my devotionals and more, and Powersheets have helped me cultivate every day habits that I want to grow in. I say it every year and I'll say it again, I am a Powersheets user for life!

Each year I set five main goals that are important areas for me to grow in. Areas that I won't ever "arrive" in, but will always be able to grow in. Most years I also set a couple more goals of things I want to do, but this year I decided to stick to my five main goals. These areas are so important to me and the last six years have been full of change and even some hardship, that I just want to focus on these areas, giving them my full attention and energy.

My five Powersheets goals for 2026 are:

Faith, discover more about God.

- continue daily quiet time
- read through the entire Bible
- do in depth Bible study
- journal, using the Quiet Time Companion
- use Write the Word journals each evening
- cultivate a passionate prayer life
- work on Scripture memory

Marriage, discover more about my husband.

- pray daily for my husband
- quality time weekly
- serve my husband with joy
- love him well
- communicate clearly
- phone down, eyes up
- (my husband's idea) take each other on our dream date

Family, discover more about my family.

- pray daily for our kids and grandbabies
- get together with all of our adult kids at least once a month for something fun
- make birthdays special
- when together, phone down, eyes up
- pray daily for extended family

Health, discover more about ways to live healthy.

- drink at least 80 ounces of water a day
- walk at least 9,000 steps a day
- take vitamins and prescriptions every day
- walk or workout three times a week
- less sugar

Ministry, discover more ways to reach people for the Kingdom.

- pray over ministries
- keep up with ministries at church
- keep up with blog ministries
- write

So for 2026 I am going to discover more about God, my husband, my family, my health, and my ministries and I am so excited! 2026 is my year of discovery!

If you are ready to make 2026 an intentional year and cultivate all those things that matter most to you, I highly recommend the Powersheets Goal Planner! This goal planner helps you realize what matters most to you; set goals that you will actually reach; and set daily, weekly, and monthly action steps to get there. Right now when you order, you can get up to 60% off and pick a free gift! Just click the image below!

Do you have a One Word or goals you are going to work on? Share in the comments! Let's make 2026 a year to remember!

He Is Working

O Lord, how long shall I cry

for help, and You will not hear?

Habakkuk 1:2 ESV

How many times have we cried this same thing that Habakkuk cried? Oh Lord, help me! Why aren't You doing anything? We don't understand why our prayer hasn't been answered or our needs met.

We've been praying for something for weeks, months, or even years on end, yet we don't see the request answered by God. We are suffering with an unmet need, yet God still hasn't helped. We see the chaos, evil, and injustices in the world and wonder where God is.

Habakkuk saw injustice and idolatry everywhere he looked. He went to God lamenting, asking why God was allowing this to happen and why He hadn't done anything yet. God responds to Habakkuk telling him that He sees everything and knows all. And assures Habakkuk that He is doing a work. 

Look among the nations, and see;

wonder and be astounded.

For I am doing a work in your days

that you would not believe if told.

Habakkuk 1:5 ESV

God was working. Habakkuk just couldn't see it, he didn't know. God was at work, doing a mighty work. God is at work in our situations too. He is doing a mighty work, we just don't always see it or understand it.

God is working even when we can't see it. He has a plan even when we don't know what it is. Habakkuk had to learn to trust and obey, we too have to learn to trust God and obey Him.

APRIL WELLNESS CHALLENGE

This year one of my Powersheets goals is my health. This is actually something that has been a Powersheets goal for me for a couple of years, however, I bounce around with doing great and not doing good at all. In the fall of 2022 I started going to the gym five days a week. I felt stronger and better than ever. I kept up with this habit for an entire year.

Then in November of 2023, I started watching my youngest grandson and the times conflicted with going to the gym so I fell out of the habit. By December, when I set my Powersheets goals, I was ready get back to it. I was determined to make the time work. Except, I found out our gym closed its doors. Just great.

I was still trying to figure out what to do -do I get a membership to another gym, do I workout at home, do I take walks, what do I do- when I started the year very sick. Y'all, by March 5th, I had been sick four different times. So sick I missed church four different times, and I hate missing church. With all the sickness, focusing on my health was hit or miss. I drank water, took my vitamins, and did all those good things. But I was also consuming a lot of sugar and not working out at all, I also never hit my step goal.

Don’t you know that your body is a

temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,

whom you have from God? You are not

your own, for you were bought at a

price. So glorify God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 CSB

We are now nearing April and I am ready to work on my overall wellness!

Megs from She Lives Loved did 75 Hard last year. A challenge that focuses on overall wellbeing. She is doing the challenge again beginning in April and I asked her about it. When she first sent me the information, my jaw dropped. It is intense! I decided I wanted to give it a try anyway. But the more I thought about it, the more I thought that I needed something more tailored to my life and my season. Something with just a little more grace. (If you are looking for a good, strict challenge, follow Megs on Instagram and ask her about 75 Hard!)

I decided to do an April Wellness Challenge and want to invite you to join me!

I want to make this clear, this is not about losing weight. This is not a diet. And I am not a medical professional nor a dietitian. This is simply what I am doing to focus on overall wellness for the month.

So here it is! This is what I am doing for an April Wellness Challenge:

1. A 20 minute walk outside every day. Rain or shine, get outside and walk for at least 20 minutes. It doesn't have to be a powerwalk or intense. It can be a powerwalk, but it can also be a prayer walk, a worship walk, or just a leisurely walk. The idea is to just move, get those steps in, and get fresh air.

2. Drink 100 ounces of water every day. I love using a good tumbler for my water. This 40oz Swig Life Tumbler is my favorite. I also love this 50oz Reduce Tumbler. I need a tumbler that has a handle and straw, and will keep my water cold. Knowing I only need to fill it up twice (or two and a half times if I am using my Swig Life) makes it so easy to get my water in. I fill it up in the morning and again in the afternoon and sip on it all day.

3. Do an off screen activity for 20 minutes every day. This could be reading a book, doing a puzzle, playing a game, gardening, calling a friend, anything off screen. No social media, no TV, no computer, no device games, no texting, no screens! (Bible study doesn't count, we want extra time off screen.)

4. Make healthy choices six days a week. I could say the word diet, but truthfully, I am not a fan of this word. Making healthy choices for our body shouldn't be considered a diet. I suggest choosing one area to focusing on this month. This could be no sugar, no soda, no gluten, hitting a protein goal, just some kind healthy choice for six of the seven days a week. We don't need to do all these things at one time, we just need to do something. I say six days because it is okay to indulge once in a while. For me, I will be doing no ice cream and no soda Saturday through Thursday. I enjoy having a Pepsi on Fridays when I go to the lake, and I enjoy ice cream so I don't want to completely deprive myself. So Fridays will be my treat day (notice I didn't say cheat day, that has a negative feel to me)! In addition to making healthy choices, if you take medication or vitamins, stay consistent with those all seven days. If you don't currently, consider starting a multivitamin or taking a greens supplement, this Teami Greens blend is the best one I've found. I mix it with orange juice and even though it's green, it tastes just like the orange juice. It isn't gritty or grainy. I would also encourage you to have no alcohol of any kind during this time if that is normal for you.

And most important, give yourself grace. If you mess up one day, don't give up or beat yourself up. Just jump back to it.

So why am I doing this instead of a full on diet? I already mentioned, I don't like that word. Eating good shouldn't be considered a diet. But, for one, I don't care about the number on a scale or the number on the tags of my clothes. I care about how I feel. I want to feel good. Two, in the past when I have dieted, I feel restricted and deprived. It ends up with me getting upset and quitting. And three, wellness isn't just about your weight. It's about your overall health. To be overall healthy. we need to make sure we are moving our body, drinking water, and spending time off screen just as much as we need to watch what we consume.

With 75 Hard, one of the steps is to take a progress selfie every day. To me, that sounds annoying. I do not want to take 75 (or more if I mess up) selfies. However, I do thinking taking a picture at the beginning, on April 1st, and at the end, on April 30th, is a good way to see if you notice a difference. That said, the best way to notice progress is by how you feel!

To help you keep track of your April Wellness Challenge, I created a calendar tracker. You can use this to track your progress, your water intake, and mark your treat day. To download the calendar tracker, click HERE.

Will you be joining me for the April Wellness Challenge?

WHEN TRUSTING YOUR HUSBAND'S DECISIONS IS HARD

As painful as it is to admit, sometimes I have a hard time trusting my husband to make decisions. It's not that I am controlling, because I'm not at all. I tend to be a very indecisive person. Mostly I am indecisive because I am always afraid of making the wrong choice or letting someone down. When my husband has to make the big decisions, I worry about what if he makes the wrong choice or we let someone down because of his choice.

Our husbands have a lot weighing on their shoulders. We say we want them to lead our family and home, and that's a big responsibility. At times it might be scary for us to watch them lead and wonder what will happen. Yet it can also be scary for them. If work is slow, our husbands worry about supporting their family. If you are in the middle of a crisis, your husband worries about protecting his family. It's a lot to have resting on your shoulders.

Our husbands want to lead and provide and they want to do a good job of it. So how can we trust them to do a good job and make good choices? By trusting God.

God promises to be with us and never leave us. Therefore we can place our husband in His hands and know that God is leading him.

The Lord Himself goes before
you and will be with you;

He will never leave you nor
forsake you. Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 31:8

Never will I leave you,

never will I forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5

Lift your husband in prayer each day. Pray that God would guide him in all his decisions and lead him to make good choices. Whether it is finances, a career path, how to protect the family, relationships with others, or any decision he makes, ask God to guide him.

When we understand that God is leading our husband and when we lift him in prayer regularly, we feel at peace about letting him lead as God has called him to.

ONE WORD 2021 & 2022

After failing at New Year's Resolutions for years, in 2011 I joined the One Word movement and chose just one word to focus on for the year. I have smaller goals and things I work toward, but one big word to really focus on and grow in. The first year, I didn't take it serious and don't even remember what my word was. The next year my word was intentional, then heart, pray, water, me, marriage, joy, progress, less, and rooted. All such great words!

I have never finished a year thinking that I have mastered my word. I never will. However, I finish each year knowing I made progress in that area. I learn things about my word and create habits that help me to grow and become a better version of myself.

In 2021 my One Word was ROOTED. I wanted to end the year rooted deeply into the Word of God. To work towards this, I continued with my daily Bible reading and prayer time, but I also worked on being more consistent with using my Write the Word journals daily, reading a Scripture verse and devotional before bed, and worked on some in-depth Bible studies. I have learned to start and finish my day with Jesus, as well as meet Him in pockets throughout the day. I haven't mastered this or "arrived" but I know my roots have grown deeper and deeper. For this, I am grateful.

That leads us to 2022! So what is my word for 2022?

My focus word for 2022 is PEACE!

The past couple of years have been difficult for me. There has been so much change in my life -some good, some indifferent, and some bad. There has also been so much loss. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for the first time in my life (this is something I will share more about in the coming months). I am ready for peace.

If you had asked me what peace was when my kids were little, or even just a year ago, I would have said peace was a quite and clean house with candles burning while I snuggle with a blanket and good book. I would also say peace was basking in the sun with sand between my toes while I listen to nothing but the waves crashing on the shore. Those both sound glorious right? However, today I wouldn't say this is peace.

After struggling with such a hard season, I know that peace has nothing to my location, the state of my home, or even the noise level. Instead, peace has to do with my heart. And the only way my heart will be at peace is by seeking true peace from the Lord.

Yes, snuggling in with a blanket and good book with a clean house and candle burning is wonderful and relaxing. Yes, lounging on the beach watching the waves race in and out is heavenly. Yes, swaying in a hammock as the birds quietly chirp around is incredible. However, the peace that comes from these things only lasts a moment. My soul yearns for true and lasting peace, peace from God.

How will I focus on peace in 2022? Simple. I will seek Jesus.

Continue to dig my roots in deep. I will continue with my daily Bible reading and prayer. I will continue to do my Write the Word journal each day. And I will continue to read a Scripture verse and devotion before bed. I want to continue to start and end my day with Jesus as well as meet Him in pockets throughout my day. If He is my true peace, I must be with Him.

Scripture memory. Each month I will choose a new Scripture verse about peace to memorize. For the entire month I will focus on that verse as I let it sink deep into my heart and mind.

Go to God. In those moments when fear, anxiety, and depression try to sneak in -and they do- I will work on not giving in and instead go to God.

Seek Him in creation. I love nature, I love God's creation. I can always feel God's presence when I am in nature. I started walking last year and love it, especially when I get to walk near the lake. The key is to make sure I am enjoying being in His presence and not trying to find peace from the world. This means I need to put my phone away and invite Him to be with me.

What is your One Word for 2022? Share in the comments!

Come back tomorrow! I am sharing my 2022 Powersheets goals!

Thank you to Michelle Rabon at Displaying Grace for my Word Girl!.

REVIVED & RENOVATED

We've all at some point done some renovating in our homes. Over the last twelve years, my husband and I have done quite a bit of improvements to our home. This fall we transformed a bedroom into an office and our son's old room into my grandmother's room and then, when she passed away, into a spare bedroom.

But let me tell you what happened this past weekend...

My husband was watching HGTV, we love so many of the shows! I was doing some writing while I listened to a kitchen reno in the background. During the demo process, my husband says, "I want to tear apart our kitchen." Absentmindedly, I replied, "You do you." Next thing I know, I hear hammers. Oh mercy!

After tearing out a part of the wall he wanted gone, my husband stood back and took stock in all that was going on. What needed to be removed. What needed removed, what needed to stay, what supplies he would need, etc. 

In their new book Revived & Renovated, Victoria Duerstock and Paige Rien say, "When we refurbish, we often take stock of the parts of something - the parts of a piece of furniture, or a house. We also take stock of ourselves when we need God's healing hand on us."

Victoria and Paige both have a passion for reviving, renovating, restoring, and refreshing. They also have a passion for Jesus. In Revived & Renovated they show the parallels between home renovation and our walk with God.

Whether just a fresh coat of paint or a full on renovation, getting that revived and updated look makes us feel good. Sometimes our spiritual walk needs to be revived and renovated too. Pick up a copy of Revived & Renovated today! Click below.

To enter to win a copy, click HERE.

JERICHO MARCH ~DAY 7~ LET THE WALLS FALL DOWN

Jericho March ~Day 1

Jericho March ~Day 2

Jericho March ~Day 3

Jericho March ~Day 4

Jericho March ~Day 5

Jericho March ~Day 6

If you are just joining us, we are doing a week long Jericho March around our homes covering our homes in prayer and believing God for miracles. You can click the links above for days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Today we are going to cover our family in prayer! As the Israelites did around the walls of Jericho, walk the perimeter of your home seven times, praying as you walk at the end of the seventh time, shout! Pray the prayer below but also pray specifically to your family and your needs. Add to the prayer as you feel led.

What if my walls didn’t fall? First, were you faithful in praying? Did you pray every day? Second, were you praying in faith? Did you believe that God can move in your situation? Third, did you pray the Word? Did you pray according to God’s Word or your own agenda? And fourth, don’t give up! Keep praying, keep believing! 

Day 7 ~ Let the walls fall down!

Father, I come to You again today to lift my family to You again. Lord, I am asking You to move mightily in my home. I ask You to touch my family. Draw them to You. Let them see You and feel You more powerful than ever before. Let my family come into a personal relationship with You. Let them know You and live for You.

I pray that my family would be blessed in their walk with You, their health, their relationships, their education/career, their finances, and their ministries. Help us remember to praise You in our blessings.

I pray that Bible reading and prayer become an intentional priority for my family. That we would be drawn to Your Word every day. That we would desire to talk to You throughout our day. Help the Bible to become not just a book on a shelf, but a part of who we are.

I pray that while we live in this world we are not of this world. Help us to live heaven minded. Help us to walk in the freedom and love of You.

I pray chains broken in Jesus name! Chains of addiction, chains of depression, chains of fear, chains of anger, chains of discontentment, chains of bitterness chains of hatred, chains of anxiety, all chains broken in Jesus name!

I ask You Father to help my family connect closer to one another as we grow closer to You. Help us to be there for one another, support one another, and pray for one another.

Help us to share the Good News of You with our world. Help us desire to see the lost saved and be part of reaching out to bring You to our world. Help our light to shine so that all will see You in us.

Lord I believe for miracles, broken chains, healing, and restoration in Jesus name. I believe for Your touch on my household in Jesus name. I believe my family for You in Jesus name!

I pray all of this in Jesus name, AMEN AMEN AMEN.

JERICHO MARCH ~DAY 6

Jericho March ~Day 1

Jericho March ~Day 2

Jericho March ~Day 3

Jericho March ~Day 4

Jericho March ~Day 5

If you are just joining us, we are doing a week long Jericho March around our homes covering our homes in prayer and believing God for miracles. You can click the links above for days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Today we are going to be praying for the health of those in our household. Walk the perimeter of your house one time and pray specifically for your people. If there is someone in your home dealing with a health issue, go to their room and touch the door frame, their bed, etc, as you pray over them.

Day 6

Father, I come before You today and lift my family to You. I pray that You will touch my family’s health, physical and mental.

I ask You to heal their bodies and make them strong. You created our bodies so intricately. I ask that You help our bodies work the way You created them to. We know that by Your stripes we are healed so I ask You to heal any illness or disease.

I ask You to heal any mental or emotional issues. Give us a sound mind and help us to live with Your peace that passes all understanding. Help us to trust in You and remember that we have no reason to worry or fear.

I pray all of this in Jesus name, amen.

Amen and amen! Come back tomorrow for day 7!

JERICHO MARCH ~DAY 5

Jericho March ~Day 1

Jericho March ~Day 2

Jericho March ~Day 3

Jericho March ~Day 4

If you are just joining us, we are doing a week long Jericho March around our homes covering our homes in prayer and believing God for miracles. You can click the links above for days 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Today walk the perimeter of your home one time as you pray. We will be praying for the relationships of the people in our home. Be specific and add to the prayer as you feel led.

Day 5

Father, I come to You today lifting up the relationship of my people. In Your Word You talk about the importance of relationships. I ask God that You would create a bond between my family. Let us always be there for one another and cover one another in prayer.

I pray that we would be close and grow together as we place You at the center of our home and life. Help us to laugh and enjoy life together, but also help us to always have each other's backs and always lift one another to You.

I also ask You to touch the friendships of my family. Help each member of my house to have a Godly friend who they can turn to, who encourages them, who prays for them, and who speaks Truth to them. Help my family to be that friend to others as well. 

I pray all of this in Jesus name, amen.

Amen and amen! Come back tomorrow for day 6!

JERICHO MARCH ~DAY 4

Jericho March ~Day 1

Jericho March ~Day 2

Jericho March ~Day 3

If you are just joining us, we are doing a week long Jericho March around our homes covering our homes in prayer and believing God for miracles. You can click the links above for days 1, 2, and 3.

Today walk the perimeter of your home one time and pray. We are going to cover our home by praying over the attitudes of those in our household. One sour or negative attitude can affect the entire family. As you pray this prayer, add to it personalizing it to your family and needs.

Day 4

Father, I pray right now for the attitudes of those in my home. I know this world is full of evil and negativity and it can be easy to let that seep into our hearts and minds and homes, sometimes without even realizing it. 

I pray against any evil influences that come against my family. Help us to be mindful of what we watch and listen to through devices, tv, movies, and music.

I pray that we keep our hearts and minds on things above. Help us to be positive and uplifting. Help us to encourage one another in how we speak and treat each other. Let kindness be on our lips and let our actions reflect You.

I pray all of this in Jesus name, amen.

Amen and amen! Come back tomorrow for day 5!

JERICHO MARCH ~DAY 3

Jericho March ~Day 1

Jericho March ~Day 2

If you are just joining us for our one week Jericho March prayers, you can click the links above for days 1 and 2. Today we are going to pray over addictions. It could be your addiction or the addiction of someone in your household. It may be addiction to alcohol, drugs, smoking, p*rn, food, tv, social media, anything that has a hold and separates us from God.

Today walk around the perimeter of your home one time as you pray. As you pray this prayer, I encourage you to add your owns words making the prayer specific to your family and your needs. Because addiction is a stronghold, I encourage you that if you have someone in your household with an addiction, after walking the perimeter of your home, go to the bedroom of the person struggling with addiction and pray specifically over their room. Touch their door frame, their pillow, their walls, their hairbrush, etc. Pray the chains are broken in Jesus name.

Day 3

Father, I pray right now for addictions. I ask You to touch (say their name) and deliver them. Break the chains of addiction in Jesus name! Help them to realize their problem and realize their need for a Savior.

I pray Lord that You would wash their body, mind, and spirit. Cleanse their heart and mind. Every time they go to (list addiction specifically) I pray that You would quicken their heart and put a road block in their way!

Father, any damage they have done to their mind or body, I pray a cleansing and renewing in the name of Jesus. I pray that You would renew (say their name) and bring them to You in Jesus name. I pray they are able to look back one day with gratitude and see just how far You brought them.

I pray all of this in Jesus name, amen.

Amen and amen! Come back tomorrow for day 4!

JERICHO MARCH ~DAY 2

 Jericho March ~Day 1

Yesterday we talked about fighting our enemy in prayer as we started a Jericho March. For one week, seven days, we will march around the perimeter of our home as we pray and believe God to work in our lives.

Today walk around the perimeter of your home one time as you pray. As you pray this prayer, I encourage you to add your owns words making the prayer specific to your family and your needs.

Day 2

Father, I pray salvation over my household. I pray that You would remove any scales on their eyes stopping them from seeing Truth. Open their eyes and hearts and let them understand their need for a Savior and seek salvation through You.

Give my family a heart to know that You are Lord and may they return to You with all their heart. I ask You to speak to my family and draw them close to You. Help them to feel Your presence in a way they never have.

Overwhelm my family with Your love and Your presence. Help our household to be a Godly household, seeking You in all we do and say. Let our home be a beacon of Light to all who enter.

I pray all of this in Jesus name, amen.

Amen and amen! Come back tomorrow for day 3!

JERICHO MARCH ~DAY 1

Christians often forget that we have a very real enemy. This enemy has one purpose: to destroy us (John 10:10). He sets out to do whatever he possibly can to get us to walk away from God. He attacks our marriages, our families, our finances, our health, our peace of mind, he attacks all areas of our life. When he thinks he's losing his battle, he regroups and this time, instead of trying to take us away from God, he tries to make us too busy or too tired to spend time with God through prayer and Bible reading.

Friends, this enemy is on the move. he (yes I did a lowercase h at the beginning of the sentence because satan is not worthy of a capitol letter) is attacking Christians right now. Christians, we must fight back! We must stand up and fight through prayer for our marriage, our family, our finances, our health, our peace, our friends, our church, and our country. We must fight!

In my own life, there is a specific need I have that is going to take some serious fighting through prayer. I have felt God calling me to do a Jericho March this week. I want to invite you to join me.

What is a Jericho March?

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into

your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around

the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have

seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On

the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests

blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the

trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of

the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”

Joshua 6:2-5

In the book of Joshua, God gave the Israelites the land within the walls of Jericho. But the walls were big and the people were evil. So God instructed Joshua to take the people and march around the perimeter of the city once a day for six days. Then, on the seventh day, they were to march around the perimeter of the city seven times. At the end of the seventh time around on day seven, they were to give a loud shout.

So, they did as instructed and for six days they marched around one time each day. On the seventh day they marched around seven times. At the end of the seventh time, Joshua gave the command and they shouted. At their shout, the walls of the city fell down!

I don't know about you friend, but I am ready for some walls to come down! I am ready to take back what the enemy has stolen from me. What is your need? Is it a marriage struggling? An addiction? A child running from God? Whatever the need is, it is time we fight with prayer.

Over the next seven days, I invite you to do a Jericho March with me right in your own home. Each day I will post a prayer for you. Please add to the prayer as the Holy Spirit guides you! I don't know your specific need, you do. If you have the gift of speaking in tongues, use it! What you will do is walk the perimeter of your home, touch the walls even, and pray the prayer posted each day. Pray over your home, marriage, family, and specific needs. We will do this for six days. On day seven, walk the perimeter of your home seven times, praying the whole time. At the end of the seventh time, declare it done with a shout of AMEN! Amen means "so be it" and we are declaring it done in Jesus name!

I am excited to see what God is going to do in my need and in yours. So friend, let's march!

Day 1

Father, I come to You right now. I ask You to forgive me for any unconfessed sin in my life. Forgive me and wash me clean. Help me to live fully for You in all that I do, say, and think. He me to live and speak like a child of God.

Lord, I ask You right now to move in   (speak your specific need)  . I am commiting this to You because You are the only one who can do it. You are all powerful and You have plans for me. I know the plans You have will not bring me or my family harm.

Help me to have a heart fixed on You and to move as You say move and stay when You say stay. Help me to trust that You will work and help me to be obedient to You. Help me to remember that I have the power through You to put the enemy under my feet.

I pray all of this in Jesus name, amen.

Amen and amen! Come back tomorrow for day 2!

WRITE THE WORD WEDNESDAY

My word for 2021 is rooted, I want to become deeply rooted in Jesus. To me, this means cultivating a more passionate and consistent prayer life, reading the Bible more, studying the Bible, striving to obey God, and exercising my faith in Him. One of tools I am using is a Write the Word journal from Cultivate What Matters.

I have been using Write the Word journals off and on for a couple of years now. In the past ten or so months I have been using my journals daily. Write the Word journals help me to do more than just read the Bible; they help me to slow down and linger. I read the given Scripture, then write in out in my own messy handwriting, think about it, and finally I pray over it. This practice has blessed me and transformed my quiet time.

With my 2021 word being rooted, I started 2021 using Write the Word Cultivate Faith: Grow Roots in the Word. I am loving this journal! To me, there is something so special and refreshing with starting the Bible from the beginning on January 1st. Going through the Woman to Woman Bible reading plan, that is what we are doing. Cultivate Faith takes it even further. It starts in Genesis and goes through the basics, getting back to the roots of faith. It helps me to not only read the Bible, but write it out. This practice helps me to really think about what I am reading and get it into my heart.

Today's Write the Word Scripture was Genesis 17:7. This verse was God confirming His promise to Abraham that He would be Abraham's God and his descendant's God. As I read and wrote this verse out, I thought of how God always keeps His promises. We can trust Him because He never lies and never backs down from His promises. I am so thankful for that!

Do you need a special Write the Word journal to write out Scripture? Of course not! Grab any journal or notebook! For me, I love having something that is "special." Write the Word journals are hardback covered with a soft vegan leather and super thick paper. They are strong and sturdy to hold up to whatever life throws my way. The thick pages save it from bleed through with pen, markers, highlighters, and even tears! And my favorite part, because they are so well made, they will last for many, many years to come, which means I am leaving a legacy for my kids and grandkids to one day read through.

Write the Word journals come in Cultivate Faith, Cultivate Contentment, Cultivate Forgiveness, Cultivate Hope, Cultivate Joy, Cultivate Renewal, and a blank journal for you to choose your own theme and Scriptures. To purchase a Write the Word journal, click HERE or the banner below.

Will you join me for Write the Word Wednesday? If you are using a Write the Word journal, which edition? If you are choosing your own verses to write out, what did you write today? Share in the comments and let's cheer each other on!

ONE WORD 2021

For the past 10 years, I have chosen One Word to focus on for the year. I have smaller goals and things I work toward, but one big word to really focus on and grow in. The first year, I didn't take it serious and don't even remember what my word was. The next year my word was intentional, then heart, pray, water, me, marriage, joy, progress, and last year was less. All such great words! I didn't perfect my words, but I definitely grew and learned in those areas.

For 2020, my word, less, really came true! Due to COVID19 and quarantines, we had less busyness, less noise, and less spending. I cut my social media use way down and I decluttered much of my home. Less was a great help! I didn't master less in everything. I wanted to consume less sugar, that didn't happen! I wanted to work on my attitude, have less of a bad attitude, that didn't always happen either. So while I didn't master less, I did work on it and feel great about how my year with less went.

On to my One Word for 2021....

As I thought ahead to what I wanted for 2021, it was simple: I want to be rooted in Jesus. With all of the struggles 2020 brought, it was my faith in Jesus that kept me. So for 2021, I want to deepen my roots in Jesus.

A tree's roots grow deep. When you see a tree, often the roots underground are just as big as the tree. Sometimes bigger. Those strong, deep roots are what hold the tree. They help the tree bend in the wind, yet stand strong. I want to grow my roots so when the wind (life's struggles) blow, I can can stand strong.

In order to dig my roots into Jesus, I have set some daily action plans. Some of my action plans I have been doing for quite some time and some are new.

In the morning
1. I start and end my time each morning with prayer.
2. Next, I read one chapter in the Bible,  following the Woman to Woman Bible reading plan.
3. Then, I use my Write the Word journal from Cultivate What Matters. I started this year with Cultivate Faith, Grow Roots in the Word.
4. Finally, I read a daily devotional. I started this year with Take Heart: 100 Devotions to Seeing God When Life's Not Okay.

It sounds like a lot, but depending on my prayer time, it only takes thirty minutes to an hour so it really isn't long at all!

At bedtime
1. I write down two or three things from my day that I can praise God about. This is a practice I started when my grandfather passed away a year ago to help me find the good even on bad days.
2. Then I read a daily devotion from God Sees Her: 365 Devotions for Women.

Additionally
1. I joined Chrystal Evans Hurst for a 28 day prayer journey. This is an online study to help grow my prayer life. I am so excited about this!
2. I got the Search the Word collection from the Daily Grace Co. Search the Word is an in-depth study on the Bible. This study is a six week study, however I want to take my time. If it takes me six months or even the whole year, that is totally fine.

These are the things I am doing to deepen my roots in Jesus. As the year progresses, I may add other resources and tools. I am so excited to work on my faith and roots this year.

So tell me friend, what is your word for 2021? If you don't pick just one word, what are your goals or resolutions?

FIERCE FAITH

I don't remember being a fearful child. Maybe there was fear and I just don't recall it. I only remember living without a care. I knew God and my parents would always be there. I didn't worry about my safety, my next meal, or a roof over my head, nothing worried me.

And then I had kids.

Once I became a mother, I worried about everything. For years I couldn't sleep without the baby monitor on the highest volume and right next to my ear. I am talking years, not just when they were babies, but even as older kids. I put the loudest toys I could find under their window in fear of someone breaking in. I feared going places alone because what if something happened to me and left my babies without a mom. I feared my husband's dangerous job that could leave me without my best friend and children's father. I feared the balconies at hotels where my children could fall to their deaths. I feared every single noise I heard in the night. I feared everything.

In her new book, Fierce Faith, Alli Worthington says, "Fear is a liar. It speaks over us so convincingly, we believe that something terrible is certain to happen, even in the absence of any evidence whatsoever. Fear turns our what-ifs into certainties, freezing our faith and flipping our world upside down."

The thing is, fear doesn't come from God. Fear, the liar it is, is straight from the enemy. Alli says, "Fear is the most effective tool the enemy has in this world, and Jesus knew that would be the case. That's why He tells us 121 times in the Gospels alone to 'fear not.' And that's why He taught about fear on twenty -one different occasion. He knew this would be our struggle!"

Now, there is some fear, more of a healthy respect, that keeps us safe. While my fear of balconies and children was crippling, the fear was good to a point. It helped me to put safe rules in place, such as telling the kids they could never be on the balcony alone, only with an adult, and they couldn't push a chair to the railing. But keeping me up at night in a panic isn't healthy. Alli tells us, "Healthy fear can keep us out of painful situations, like shark attacks or Brazilian bikini waxes. But we aren't talking about God-given, healthy fear here. We're talking about fear of the future, the what-if situations that keep us up at night worrying, the anxiety that keeps us from living with confidence. We are talking about the God-distracting fear that steals our joy and keeps us off the path we are meant to follow."

Do you struggle with fear, worry, or anxiety? Fierce Faith is a must read! Alli knows fear. She is right there with us and walks us through how to fight fear and overcome anxiety with a deep, fierce faith. "By worshiping, trusting, and praising God, you are telling the enemy loud and clear that you are not a woman to be messed with."

To pick up your copy of Fierce Faith, click HERE.












*Disclosure: I received this product in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own. Links on this page may be affiliate links. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using the affiliate links.