100 DAYS OF PRAISE & POSTIVITY {GIVEAWAY}

Over the last couple of years I have faced anxiety and depression in ways I never thought I could. My beautiful and joyful life was changing in so many ways. Some really good changes, some necessary changes, and some not so good changes. (I will be sharing more about this journey in the weeks to come!)

I also lost loved ones and faced deep grief. After the loss of my grandfather I struggled to find anything good in life. Then one day, I read one of my favorite quotes ever. It says, "Every day may not be good, but there is good in every day." I determined to find something good in every day. Even on the really hard days there is something I can grab ahold of and give thanks for.

In her new devotional journal 100 Days of Praise & Positivity, Maghon Taylor helps us to see that no matter what our current circumstance is, we can look for hope and a reason to praise, and when we look for good things, we find more good things.

100 Days of Praise & Positivity is a bright and beautiful devotional journal! The bright colors and cute design will bring a smile to your face before you even read the words. Each of the 100 days includes a Bible verse, uplifting devotion, hand-lettering exercise, and reflection space to praise God for something good.

Maghon brings inspiration, encouragement, and joy through each devotion. She helps you to really see Jesus and find hope for the hard days.

Maghon says, "Just because I'm happy now doesn't mean I'm immune to suffering. I'm not; I just don't do it alone. The joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10), so every time I'm down, I actively choose to get back up, dust myself off, and praise God in the storm. I'm on a mission to spread happiness, to lift you up and help you find joy. It's not always easy to have a positive outlook, but it's absolutely worth fighting for. By looking for good things, you'll find more good things. Your eyes will be opened to the blessings that surround you and your soul and mind will be refreshed. If you're hopeful for some hope, you've come to the right place. Let's get this party started!"

I am loving 100 Days of Praise & Positivity! I haven't written inside yet, I have been practicing the handlettering words on paper as I go through the devotions. But I plan to go back through the devotional a little slower and, as Maghon says, aim for joy not perfection!

I am excited to partner with Dayspring and offer five readers a chance to win 100 Days of Praise & Positivity! To enter to win, complete each task in the rafflecopter below.

Don't want to wait for the giveaway? You can order 100 Days of Praise & Positivity today! Just click the image below.

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WRITE THE WORD, PSALM

If you've been around here awhile, you know how much I love Write the Word journals. These beautiful journals are a daily part of my quiet time. I have also given journals to my adult daughters and gifted them to others, that is how much I love them!

There is something powerful about writing something down in your own messy handwriting. It is like you are etching it into your heart and mind. Many people, me included, learn better when they write something out instead of just reading it. That is what Write the Word journals do. They help you write out God's Word as you etch it into your heart and mind.

Cultivate What Matters just launched new Write the Word journals in a brand new collection: Psalm! The Psalm collection is broken down into five different journals. Psalm chapters 1-41, chapters 42-82, chapters 83-118, chapter 119, and chapters 120-150. 

Each journal has beautiful gold foil detail on the cover. The covers of the Psalm collection are slightly different from the regular Write the Word journals, while the cover is very strong and thick, it is not the board covered in vegan leather. Inside is a two page spread for each day that includes a place to put the date, something you are thankful for, a preselected verse from the chapters in Psalm, space to write out the verse, a space to write out thoughts or a prayer, and finally a space to write a word or thought for the day. At the back you will also find four Scripture cards to punch out. These are perfect for keeping in your wallet or on a mirror so that you will see them often! 

You can order each journal on its own, or my favorite way is to order the bundle of all five! When you order the bundle, you save $31 and qualify for free shipping! The bundle is definitely worth it! Please keep in mind this is a presale and journals will ship in mid-July.

Another difference with the Psalm collection and regular Write the Word journals is there isn't a ribbon page marker. But that's ok! Cultivate What Matters has beautiful magnetic page markers that match perfectly! You can also get the faith sticker pack to add pops of color to your journal pages.

I love using Write the Word journals and I know you will too!

To order your Write the Word Psalm journals, click the banner below!

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!

MY PRAYER JOURNAL

Prayer doesn't always come easy. At times the words may freely flow. Yet other times, you may struggle to find the words or feel inadequate. Many people even battle with consistency in their prayer life.

The My Prayer Journal by Ink and Willow Gifts is a wonderful tool to help you with your prayer life. This guided journal will help you dive deep into your prayer life. My Prayer Journal is both a practical tool and a source of inspiration.

My Prayer Journal contains 52 weekly pages with inviting prompts to spark honest reflection and heartfelt prayer requests, this resource also includes quotations about prayer, devotional thoughts, and insights on prayer practices. A prayer log at the front of the book provides a simple, organized way to keep track of specific concerns and requests, along with God's surprising answers. Additional bonus features include an inspirational music playlist (available on Spotify), stories behind beloved prayers and hymns, and additional open journaling space.

My Prayer Journal is a wonderful tool that not only inspires you to pray but helps you track your requests so that you can later go back and mark the answers to prayers. This is a wonderful way to remember to give God praise for answered prayers and see God working in your life.

2020 was a hard year on all of us. Start 2021 out with the My Prayer Journal and watch your prayer life grow!

To purchase the My Prayer Journal, click below.

Disclaimer: I received this product in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

THERE IS GOOD IN EVERY DAY

When my grandfather passed away on Christmas morning, my world shattered. I still, one day short of three months later, feel very broken. There has still not been a day that I haven’t broken down and cried. With all that is going on in the world right now, I just have this deep, urgent need to talk to him. To hug him. Yet, I can’t.

About two weeks after we lost Papa, I remember walking through my house feeling like every single day has been horrible since losing him. That nothing felt right, nothing was going right, there was just nothing good. While walking into my dining room feeling this awful burden, I walked past my letter board. The quote that had been on my board for probably six months, maybe more, is one of my favorites. I kept thinking I needed to change it but just never did. Now I know why.

Every day may not be good, but there is good in every day.

Every day may not be full of good. It may not be considered a good day. It may be a really hard day even. But, each day does have something good in it.

As a tear slid down my check, I went to my bookshelf and picked up a brand new journal that I hadn’t been sure what to use it for. I wrote the quote in the front cover and dedicated it to my Papa. Then. I wrote three things in that day that were good. Now I keep the journal by my bedside and at the end of the day I think back and find three things that were good. Some days it’s easy to find three things. Some days I struggle. But they are always there, we just have to dig.

This practice has been a blessing to me, especially on the bad days. It makes me pause and think. It makes me reflect. It makes me realize there is still something good. And it makes me thankful.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
Psalm 107:1

This world is going through a very difficult time. Things I never, ever thought I would see happen are happening. Like schools closed, lack of food and supplies, churches only able to have online services, and being told we can’t leave our homes. It feels like a movie, not real life.

If you are struggling, whether from the pandemic going on, the loss of a loved one, dealing with a health crisis, a broken relationship, or any other struggle, I challenge you to begin to find the good. Find the little blessings. Some days it may just be that you woke up or that you heard a bird chirping. Whatever it is, find it. Write it down and reflect on God’s goodness. It may not change your situation but it will put your focus on God and remind you that every day may not be good, but there is good in every day.

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The journal that I am using is the Legacy Journal from Cultivate What Matters. I absolutely love this journal! It is the perfect size, has a linen hard cover that will last, there is a ribbon to mark your page, and beautiful gold details. This journal is absolutely perfect!

I love that it is called a Legacy Journal because I feel like that is what I am doing. Leaving a legacy for my kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and so on. One day they will look at this journal and see that even through hard circumstances I was finding God’s sweet blessings.

Cultivate What Matters and I want to bless three of you with a Legacy Journal. And since I am all about matching accessories, I am adding a beautiful matching pen to each journal from Well Watered Women. To enter to win, complete each task in the rafflecopter below. Can’t wait? To get your Legacy Journal, click here or the image below.

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WRITE THE WORD {GIVEAWAY}

Intentional time with Abba Father is so important. Yet, not always easy. We struggle to find the time, we don't know where to begin, and we often become intimidated by posts we see on social media. Cultivate What Matters understands the struggle and has an incredible tool to help.

Write the Word journals are the perfect tool to help you get focused and organized in having time with God. Write the Word journals, with a beautiful vegan soft leather cover, include:

• Today is - a place to write the date or something significant to that day
• I'm Grateful for - document something you are thankful for
• A Scripture reference - followed by blank space to write out the Scripture verse, writing God's Word helps us to really get it into our heart and head
• On My Heart - a place to write out a prayer, something God placed on your heart, something you are dealing with, really, whatever your heart desires
• My Word For Today - write a word on your heart that you'd like to focus on for the day

While the prompts are there for you, make Write the Word yours! There is no wrong way to do it. They don't have to look perfect. They don't have to follow a strict order. Make it you.

Journaling is something very near and dear to my heart. One reason is because it helps me to focus on what I am doing, in this case reading God's Word, and to linger there awhile longer. Instead of rushing through the reading, I read, then write the verses out, then write out something God spoke to me during reading or a prayer about what I read. The lingering is so beautiful. I also love journaling for the legacy. I imagine one day, many years from now, my children and my grandchildren (who do not yet exist) finding my journals and reading them. Discovering that I was in God's Word and what it meant to me. Seeing what I was thankful for each day, finding their own name in there at some point, and seeing what word I was focusing on. These journals are a precious legacy to leave our families.

Write the Word journals come in seven different options.

Cultivate Gratitude - pink

Cultivate Joy - yellow

Cultivate Forgiveness - cantelope

Cultivate Prayer - blue

Cultivate Hope - spring water blue

Cultivate Renewal - spring green

Cultivate Faith - lavender

Each journal is the same inside with verses to focus on gratitude, joy, forgiveness, prayer, hope, renewal, or faith. You can focus on one thing at a time, or if you are facing multiple seasons of life, you can do more than one, alternating days, weeks, or one in the morning and one at night. Gratitude and counting my blessings is very important to me so I am doing Write the Word Gratitude. Yet, joy is my One Word for 2018 so I am also doing Write the Word Joy.

Cultivate What Matters also offers stickers. I love stickers! They add a great pop to my Write the Word journals, my morning quiet time journal, and my daily planner. You can get Cultivate Faith Sticker Book or Goal Setting Sticker Book.

Cultivate What Matters has blessed me with a Write the Word Gratitude journal to give to one blessed reader. To enter to win, complete each task in the rafflecopter below. Don't want to wait, ready to get your Write the Word journal now? Click any of the links above, or click HERE.

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*Disclosure: I received a Write the Word Gratitude journal free in exchange for my honest opinion. Links on this page may be affiliate links. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using the affiliate links.

Journaling Through Your Quiet Time

Have you ever journaled? I journaled my Bible reading and prayers as a teenager and loved it. When I became a wife and mom, I got out of the habit. Several years ago I began to miss it so I picked up a journal and remembered why I loved it so much.

Journaling your Bible reading and prayers is an incredible practice. Here are 4 things to journal and the benefits:

1. Journal what you read. I always write down where I read in the Bible and then I write a verse that really hit me or maybe something that just stuck out to me. I have a bad memory so when I think of the verse later on but can't remember where I read it, I can go back to my journal. It also helps me to slow down as I read the Bible. Instead of rushing through the chapters, I am mediating on them as I write them out.
2. Journal a gratitude list. I always write down a few things I am thankful for. Sometimes it's something big that God is doing in my life, sometimes it's just remembering to be thankful for God's provisions like my husband's job or our home and sometimes it's being thankful for scented candles or ice cream. This is a great practice because when I feel like my life has been void of blessings, I can go back and see that God is indeed blessing me each day. It also helps me be intentional about thanking God for each and every blessing.
3. Journal a prayer request list. I always write out my prayer requests. I love doing this because then when God has answers my prayer, I can go back to the written request and mark the date that God answered. This is a great way to see how God is moving in my life.
4. Journal your prayers. I write out my prayers. I don't write out every single word. Sometimes there are things that I don't want on paper so I pray them out loud or in my heart. But I do write out a good deal of my prayers. It is a great way to slow down and really think about my prayers. The first few months of journaling, I realized my prayers were mostly asking God for things and very little praising Him. There have also been times I wanted to pray but the words just wouldn't leave my lips, yet they flowed easily from my pen.

Do you journal? If so, what is your favorite thing about it? If not, have you ever considered journaling? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Today through Sunday, August 21st, Dayspring is having an incredible $5 Journal Flash Sale! With over 28 different journals to choose from for only $5, there is something for each person. Dayspring journals make not only a great treat for yourself, but they also make a great gift. Give a journal to your child's new school teacher, your pastor's wife as a 'thank you' for her work at the church, your neighbor, sister, friend, hair dresser, anyone! You can even stock up for Christmas gifts!

To shop the flash sale, click: $5 Journal Flash Sale.