Blessed Aroma

Wanna encourage someone who blesses you with their blog on a regular basis? If so, you might want to check this out and SOON. I'm about to head over myself and do the same. What a delicious idea to encourage other bloggers for Jesus Christ!  Click on the button below to nominate and to find out more details (which I've included below as well).

Internet Cafe Devotions introduces Blessed Aroma ~ 2008!


As a Christian Women Devotional site, we passionately want to encourage and inspire women all over the world. We know that an ounce of encouragement goes a long way and that is why we are introducing Blessed Aroma ~ 2008. It's a way to showcase some of your favorite blogs who have encouraged you with their written words and examples of faith in 2008. This is a chance to showcase some of the most encouraging and inspiring blogs, and an opportunity to introduce our readers to some new and exciting ladies.

This is not a contest. There are no prizes. We firmly believe that there is no competition in ministry and we are to support and encourage each other as the body of Christ.

Our vision for this is to simply add a page to the Cafe with a fresh list of wonderful blogs that others can enjoy. We will obtain this list through nominations by you, the readers, and not simply based on our own opinion. No one will know who was nominated or how many people nominated each blog but the top ten of those who receive the most nominations in a category will be included on our website. In random order, of course.

We will accept nominees through Jan. 30th, 2009 and shortly after the top 10 blogs in each category will be announced when our new web design is revealed.

You can vote once in each of the following categories:

Cup Overfloweth Blog
This is a woman who is following hard after Him. Her words, her heart and her passion for her Savior is evident with every click of the mouse. She inspires you to have a closer relationship with Him.

Cup of the Day Blog
This blogger is the "cup" you couldn't do without. You find yourself daily drawn in to sit a spell. You leave inspired and encouraged.

Most Joyful Among Us Blog
This gal always sees her coffee cup "half full" and the joy just pours out of her site. Her joyful attitude is what keeps you coming back for more.

Beautiful Cup Blog
This blog is unique and artistic. It's the blog that you are drawn to because of it's beauty and design. Maybe she is into interiors or photography. Maybe she creates one of a kind art. Maybe she is a blog designer with an eye for detail.

Gathered Together Blog
This is a group blog category. This blog is a team of writers who inspire you with their words of encouragement.

Pouring Proverbs 31 Blog
This blog exemplifies the principles of a Proverbs 31 woman and it comes through on her blog.

Caffeinated Blog
This is a high energy blog! Perhaps she is a mom to a dozen or a woman who is wearing many hats. Her energy and enthusiasm shine through on her blog.

Learn A-Latte Blog
This is a lady who loves to see others learn. She might teach her kids at home or maybe she teaches you about: scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, crafts, photography, or anything of the like. The truth is you learn something almost everytime you visit her blog.

My Cup of Tea Blog
This is a lady who loves her family and friends and is always pouring out thoughts and ways that you can love your family more. She is a woman after God's own heart.

All New Flavor Blog
This blog is less than a year old but already shows such a tremendous capacity to bless. You just can't wait to see where she'll go from here!

The rules are:
Each household may only nominate once.
The nominator must be at least 18 years of age.
You cannot nominate your own blog.
You must provide all information requested for your nomination to count.
You must provide the URL of the blogs you nominate in order for them to count.
You must submit all of your nominations at one time.
Blogs must be written by a Christian author. We reserve the right to refuse to include any blog we feel is not supportive of our biblical, Christian beliefs.

Remember to head on over to the Internet Cafe to nominate your favorite blog in each category.

In the Key of HE,

Five Ways Blogging Has Affected My Life

Well, Bill, I don't know whether to curse you or to kiss your cheek, so I'll do neither. ;) Thank you for tagging me, I think, and I'll follow your lead and say that this is a worthy post, because, let's face it: I am a blogger. If I can't express how it has affected my life, then what's the point?

For those of you who have not visited Bill's blog, The Spiritual Oasis, you're truly missing out on some spiritual refreshment and admonishment. He knows all kinds of things about theology and the deeper stuff of the Bible that I wouldn't even attempt to blog about, so I enjoy going over there to learn and grow.

So, he tagged me, and I'm supposed to write "Five Ways Blogging Has Affected My Life." Seems easy enough, right?
Rrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiight. It's the way it's worded. It's not "Five Things I Like About Blogging." It's, how has it affected my life? That is a tough one, because since my blog is based on my LIFEsong, I need to express my feelings just so...

In all honesty, four out of the five are positive. Number five, not as much so...so I'm going to start with number five, and work my way down to number one, just so I can end with the positive...lol. Sorry folks, it's the way my brain works.

5. Blogging has affected my life in one not-so-good way. It has eaten up a little more of my time than I care to admit. At times, I have chosen posting a blog or commenting on someone else's over getting in the floor with my children or spending time with my spouse. God has had to create some balance in my lifesong here, because it was beginning to fall a little flat on the main melody. Isn't it just like God, though, to use something we are passionate about to continue to transform us. This isn't the first time He's used something I love to shape me and conform me more to His heart and way of thinking. So even though #5 has been the not-so-good, it is ending up a positive as I go along. AS LONG AS I STAY FOCUSED ON HIM, KEEPING HIS BALANCE AND HIS PRIORITIES, #5 WILL NOT HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON ME. And just because I can't help myself, have any of you reading this thought about the same...let's all of us bloggers remember that the people, places and things the Lord puts around us take precedent over that which is virtual. As we keep our priorities lined up, it will only make this other a better thing.

Okay then, that said.
#4. Blogging has led me to some really interesting people. New friends. People I know that I would not have met otherwise, who enrich me and challenge me in ways that only they can. I love that.

#3. Blogging has brought about an awareness of how, as Christians, we really are all in this life together. The whole blog I did awhile back about The Body and its parts all working together called One Body, Many Blogs came about from the numerous blogs I visited as I began in the world of blogging. I am still amazed as I look around this virtual world, how many of us are trying to say the same thing, and yet we all have a different way of doing it. When my voice doesn't ring a tune with someone, another's does. And visa versa. So all together, we make each other strong. I don't know about you, but I think that is wayyyyyyy cool. Beyond cool.

#2. My life as a writer has been incredibly impacted by blogging. I've been forced to stay in tune with God's mission for my blog, which is to admonish and encourage the life of believers in Jesus Christ. I'm learning how to use my own voice, and my own personality to speak and teach what I know best, and how to do so more effectively with each post. This is priceless experience.

#1. Much to my surprise, blogging has affected me in a huge way spiritually. It forces me to think through my beliefs, pray through my convictions, and allow the Spirit to put it in a form that will minister to others. Just like David, as I express my heart to the King, He does a work in me (and hopefully in others at the same time). Each time I blog, it becomes less about me and more about Him. I am surprised and amazed by that. I consider this a ministry, an education and a hobby, and how blessed am I with this three-in-one.

So how about you? Any of you care to post about the five ways blogging has affected your life? If so, lemme know in the comment section, and I would love to hear your side of the story on the subject. Thanks for dropping by...


In the Key of HE,

For My Friends, Family and Fellow Bloggers

Yes, a post just for you. And the reason is because no one else would care, but I KNOW you do (wink, smirk), so here's all my random stuff to say, tell, share, sing, forward, promote, etc...

First of all, I WON A BLOG GIVEAWAY TODAY!!!! I've never won a giveaway, ever never ever, so I'm so excited! I thought for sure after I offered to bribe Kim from Homesteader's Heart, that I would be immediately disqualified. But she left me in the mix, and her husband drew my name. Isn't that cool? She is making me one of her fabulous purses, and I even get to choose my color and my fabric. She showed some of the gorgeous designs on her blog, so go check it out if you get a chance. Thank you so much, Kim. What a neat way to make someone's day.

And because it was so fun to do AND I think it is an incredible thing that CWO does for bloggers, I want to show you my interview with Christian Women online.
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And while you're there, look right above me and see my friend Patty's. Her testimony always blows my mind. We didn't even know we were doing the interview at the same time. Isn't that cool? Had to share that.

A couple of other cool dealies. Did you know that there is a blogging network on Facebook? You can actually list your blog there and find some other great ones as well. I found a couple this morning through my search of Christian blog networks that I had never seen before. LOVE them. They are the following:

One is Daily Writing Tips, and wow, do they have a good post on there about the importance of blogging for writers.

Oh, and this one: Light for the Writer's Soul--Definitely will be visiting this one frequently from now on...

What an incredible opportunity to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in a place where thousands may go to look for answers. THAT is the reason I joined Facebook in the first place. Though I enjoy keeping track of friends and tossing a line back and forth from time to time, I'm wayyyy more excited about the potential of Jesus's face being seen when people come to look for answers. Believers and non-believers alike. If you want to check out my Facebook blog network, click here:

Blog Network:

Name:
LauraLee's Lifesong

Topics:
christianity, religion, family

Join my network

Blog Networks

***One exciting thing in the world of writing for me is that I was published in Just Between Us magazine this month for the Fall 2008 issue. This incredible publication started by Jill Briscoe with Shelly Esser as Editor is a valuable resource for women serving in ministry leadership of any kind. I highly recommend it, and not just this current edition, but all of them to follow. I have been blown away by the wisdom and depth of its contents.

AND ONE LAST ANNOUNCEMENT:
On Monday, I will be hosting the "At the Well" meme from Joyfully Living (listed on my sidebar). If you want to think ahead in terms of topic, here is the info:

Discussion Questions:

A “Call to Worship” is usually at the beginning of a church service to prepare hearts and minds for worship together. What do you do or think you should do at the start of each day to prepare your heart and mind as a woman living a life of worship?

If you were to gather at the well with women younger than you in the faith, what would your call to worship be for them?

(optional question) If your life, worship-wise, could be defined or with a song, which one would it be (or which one would you wish it to be)?

Give it some thought, and maybe even join us At the Well if the Lord leads you...


Okay, so that's a bunch crossed off my to-tell list, but I hope you learned a bit or two of something useful. Keep your eyes open for a giveaway announcement from me very very soon. Love to all of you, and thank you for all the ways you love me, challenge me and help me be a more Godly daughter of the King.

In the Key of HE,

I Love Your Blog Too!

What an honor to be given such a colorful and lovely award. Thank you, Stacy, from "Impressions of A Ribbon Addict" for thinking of me, and especially the way you did so on a week when I needed encouragement. That must be one of your love languages.

Anyway, I stumbled upon a really incredible site this evening that I immediately fell into love with, so I thought this would be an appropriate blog to pass the "I LOVE YOUR BLOG" award on to. This corner of heaven on the world wide web is centered around praying for our children. Each week, a prayer is posted to do just that. I can't wait to implement these prayers into my daily life. Click here if you would like to do the same:

I wish I knew who to thank for this ministry, but since the name on the blog reads "It's not about me," I'll just thank the Lord for it instead. My guess is that's just what she wants me to do. What a beautiful person.

One Body--Many Blogs

I have to tell you, there are SO many incredible blogs out there. God has inspired so many people in special and personal ways to help change the world through the power of words. Whether bits of humor, touches of light sarcasm, or deep slices of life, the variety is awesome.

I know this is long, but read it carefully. Consider this well-worded passage from The Message translation on all the parts of the Body working together for His cause:

1 Corinthians 12:14-24 (The Message, emphasis mine)

I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn't just a single part blown up into something huge. It's all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together. If Foot said, "I'm not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don't belong to this body," would that make it so? If Ear said, "I'm not beautiful like Eye, limpid and expressive; I don't deserve a place on the head," would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell? As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it.

But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn't be a body, but a monster. What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own. Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, "Get lost; I don't need you"? Or, Head telling Foot, "You're fired; your job has been phased out"? As a matter of fact, in practice it works the other way—the "lower" the part, the more basic, and therefore necessary. You can live without an eye, for instance, but not without a stomach. When it's a part of your own body you are concerned with, it makes no difference whether the part is visible or clothed, higher or lower. You give it dignity and honor just as it is, without comparisons. If anything, you have more concern for the lower parts than the higher. If you had to choose, wouldn't you prefer good digestion to full-bodied hair?

All of this to say, that as a blogger of God's Word, I've learned not to compare but to appreciate instead. All of us blogging together about whatever God lays on our hearts makes a difference. So, I've found some blogs that I wanted to recognize and pass my blog awards onto. Please forgive me for combining them, AND for trying to pick blogs that are unique in some way, shape or form. I've also purposefully chosen not to recognize blogs that I know have already received these awards (which I'm sure they'll thank me for.) If I've repeated anyone, I apologize, but here I go.

On behalf of the Arte y Pico blog award. and the Brilliante Weblog Premio 2008 award, these are the ones God has laid on my heart to recognize:

1. A Spiritual Oasis ministers to me so much. Bill Williams has not only put together a beautiful blog to look at, but the content is outstanding. He has incredible book recommendations on the side, as well as easy access to order them. I highly recommend this blog for frequent thirst-quenching spiritually speaking.

2. Notes In The Key of Life was an incredible find for me. Though the titles of our blog are similar, the themes could not be more different. As someone who doesn't have the time to watch the news or keep up with current events, I love going over there to see what she has highlighted. As a matter of fact, I spent a great deal of time over there this morning bawling my head off over the Steven Curtis Chapman interview video she posted. A few weeks ago, I was laughing my head off at another post. Trust me, you will enjoy Cindy's posts as much as I do.

3. I AM (not) will not leave you disappointed. Natalie has an distinct "voice" in all of her posts that paints a picture of what she is describing to a tee. She says things like "I puffy heart you," and other phrases that put a smile on my face. She can reach to spiritual depth like I've never seen in one post, and then the next day take the most trivial thing and entertain me. Her subtitle alone tells you all about Natalie's heart: "He's God. I'm not. It works." Love it!

4. Josh Janoski's Just Joshin' blog is AMAzing. But don't let the title fool you. He's funny, he's witty, he has a creative way with words, but at the same time...deep, relevant, authentic. I cannot remember a single post that did not minister to my spirit in some way. God has only begun to do ministry through Josh. Many more great things are to come from this Godly man (who, by the way, is one of the biggest encouragers I've ever known--that ought'a tell you something about his heart). His series on the book of James is amazing and is going on right now.

5. I Will Take It, Lord, All I Have to Give Okay, STOP RIGHT HERE. REad that title again, outloud. I will take it, Lord, all I have to give... Wowzer. The title alone admonishes me, challenges me, causes me to worship. What a brave title, and the content of the posts lives up to it. And let me just tell you, I don't know Lori, but I would venture to say that she is a visual worshipper, because her blog has enough visual worship candy to keep me satisfied for hours. Beautiful scripture stamps, quotes, sayings--and without being too loud or busy. I was introduced to the sight through the At The Well Monday Meme we are both involved in and was immediately captivated. When you click over there, you will be too.

6. Meditations and Confessions of A Homemaker could almost be the name of a televesion series, couldn't it? Love it. Oh, and her subtitle: "Meeting Jesus in the most unlikely places: making meals, cleaning toilets, loving my husband and children." Gotta smile over that. Isn't that what it's like as a homemaker, though? Sheila, who prefers to be called "A Woman Found," (wow) has captured the secret of a maturing spiritual life--to minister with joy even in the ordinary tasks we are called to. If all of us did that, my friends, this world would be quite a different place. She has brought dignity back to the homemaker. Her posts are deep, thought-provoking and filled with God's truth. Her blog admonishes me to live out my faith to the fullest each day, and I'll betcha you'll feel the same way when you visit her blog.

7. My Heart's Dee-Light is just that: a true delight to visit. I have no idea if Dee has won any awards or not, (because she's not the type to want to mention it), but lemme just tell you, her heart is pure gold. I know this because she is a friend, but it is also evident on everything you see on her blog. The graphics, the colors, the music, and especially the content. Her words of wisdom are extremely well-written and poignant. It's like each word was chosen deliberately, either to teach, admonish, tickle or emphasize what she is trying to convey. One highlight on Dee's site is her talent for fiction writing. She is a regular contributor and a master writer at Faithwriters, and her work is brilliant in every aspect. I hope Dee's blog brings your heart as much delight as it has mine.


I could go on and on, because as you can see, my Blog List on the window to the right => is quite lengthy. That is because I truly believe what I wrote in the opening. All of us together are making a difference for the Kingdom. May the work of our hands be to His glory, to Him alone. Forever and ever, Lord. All to You. Amen.

Walking Blogs

“There was never yet an uninteresting life.
Such a thing is an impossibility.
Inside of the dullest exterior
there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy…”
Mark Twain

Do you know what power there is in your life story?

Powerful power.

When I started my devo ministry to eight drama girls just three or so years ago, I had no idea what God was doing. As the list has grown, I’ve learned an important lesson: It’s not about me. It’s about His story written through me. People love a good story.

So imagine my excitement this afternoon as I’m reading through a passage of Scripture in Acts. I did a little research and noticed a common theme throughout Paul’s ministry. His ministry was built upon telling his story.

He was arrested in Acts 21, and the first thing he asks to do is share his salvation testimony in front of the crowd. He then goes from trial to trial under various leaders and continues to tell Tell TELL his story. He preaches and teaches and shares under arrest all the way to Rome at the end of the book of Acts. He shared in prison, he shared with guards, he wrote letters to share with the believers.

Why? Because there’s powerful power in a person’s story.

I received a response from a reader of one of my devos a few weeks ago that truly ministered to me. My husband’s aunt shared something personal about how it touched her and how it applied to her. She shared her heart so beautifully that I responded back and told her that she needed to start a blog because she expressed herself so well. Her reply back to me has stuck with me ever since. She wrote, “I’m a walking blog.”

“I’m a walking blog.”

Wow, what a thought. Our very lives are unfolding in front of people as we speak and share our life stories with others. Do you know how cool that is? We’re all walking blogs (no I didn’t say ‘blobs’), and the story written all over us is contagious to others—good or not-so-good.

This challenges me to make my words matter. To remember that my actions count. To allow the Lord to live and breathe through me. If I don’t, my blog will most certainly be blubbering babble.

Are you sharing your story? What are people reading from you? Let’s continue to challenge one another and remember to make our dramas, comedies and tragedies count for the cost—His cost—the only one worth anything at all.

Psalm 145:3-7 (The Message)

 God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness. Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts. Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking; I compose songs on your wonders. Your marvelous doings are headline news; I could write a book full of the details of your greatness. The fame of your goodness spreads across the country; your righteousness is on everyone's lips.