Julie Arduini's Blog, page 110

January 3, 2016

Surrendering Parenting Expectations by Sarah Hamaker

Surrendering Your Parenting Expectations


 


By Sarah Hamaker


SiblingRivalry low res_edited


 


What are your parenting expectations? Whether you’ve thought about this or not, we all have our own hopes for our child rearing and by extension, our kids. It might be that our children behave like little angels in public. Maybe it’s to have kids who express faith. Perhaps it’s to have children who do well in school or play well on a sports team or reach their full potential.


 


What most of us don’t realize is that those expectations are often not the right ones. Sure, it’s not wrong, per se, to want your child to graduate from high school, but here’s how our hopes and dreams for our kids can get off track.


 



We focus too much on outcomes. For example, think about your child’s academic career. Expecting a child to do her best in school is a good expectation. Pushing said child with extra tutoring, marathon homework sessions and parental pressure to always get A’s on each and every assignment is taking that expectation too far.
We put too much stock in success. Yes, we want our child to be on the winning soccer team and play well, but when we start talking about winning as the be-all, end-all, we’ve crossed the line. Better to encourage the kid to develop a love of sports and exercise than to over-emphasize winning-at-all-costs.

We ignore the sin in our children’s hearts. All too often, our expectations have more to do with outward conformity than the inward heart. I do expect my children to behavior themselves, but I also know that on any given day, they can do a truly despicable thing. This knowledge that they are sinners with a propensity to sin helps me keep my own expectations as to their outward behavior in check—and it also reminds me to help them to see what’s really in their hearts and guide them toward repentance.



We forget that character is built, not born. We can easily fall into the trap of wanting the surface of our homes to be smooth, while not realizing that roiling bubbles are raging below. If we want honest kids, we must teach honesty—and practice it ourselves. If we want kindness to be the rule in our homes, we must help our children to be kind to one another. Kids don’t naturally know how to develop self-control, love, patience, goodness, and all the other fruits of the Spirit. We have to teach them, rather than simply expect them to “know better.”
We want peace and order at all costs. Children are messy—and I’m not just talking about the LEGOs you step on in the middle of the floor. Their emotions, their thoughts, their words, their bodies all spill out over everything like molten lava. We often want them to be quiet and invisible all the time when in reality, kids were made to spill, sprawl, squawk and squeal as they learn and grow. We should have more patience and forbearing with the messier aspects of childhood.
We need a parental vision for our children. This is the most crucial piece of surrendering our parental expectations. Do you know what you want your kids to be when they grow up? How do you see each of your children at age 30? Take a moment right now to answer those questions for each child. I almost guarantee that you didn’t put graduate from an Ivy League school, have a high-paying job, drive the latest model car and live in a fancy house. You put things like be an honest, hard-working man; a kind and nice citizen; a happy and content individual. All characteristics and attributes that are more intangible than concrete.

 


When we keep our eyes on the future, we surrender our parental expectations and embrace the calling to raise children who are thoughtful, honest, caring, hard-working, and good citizens. What’s your parental vision?


 


Sarah Hamaker Bio


Sarah Hamaker on surrendering parenting expectations.

Sarah Hamaker on surrendering parenting expectations.


As a certified Leadership Parenting Coach™, Sarah Hamaker guides parents in identifying, discussing and correcting bad parenting habits. She brings a varied background to parent coaching. Her parents took in more than 40 foster children during her teen and college years, and she experienced firsthand how traditional parenting worked with a myriad of children from different backgrounds. She has two girls and two boys between the ages of 7 and 13.


 


Sarah blogs about parenting on her website, www.parentcoachnova.com, and is a frequent writer on parenting issues for Crosswalk.com. Her articles on parenting have appeared in the Washington Post’s On Parenting blog and in the Local Living print edition. She’s also one of the featured parent coaches on www.parentguru.com. Her book Ending Sibling Rivalry: Moving Your Kids From War to Peace (Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City) is available now. Contact Sarah at parentcoachnova@gmail.com.


 




Tags:  Julie Arduini, guest blogger, Sarah Hamaker, Ending Sibling Rivalry, Parenting Coach, Surrendering Your Parenting Expectations by Sarah Hamaker, Surrender Issues




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 Sabbath Sunday: When You Lose Your Way  Book Review: Rock Solid Faith Study Bible for Teens  Guest Blogger: Recipe for Single Moms by Dawn V. Cahill  Sabbath Sunday: The Inventor of Tulips  COTT: Ellie Gustafson and The StonesCopyright © Julie Arduini: Surrender Issues & Chocolate [Surrendering Parenting Expectations by Sarah Hamaker], All Right Reserved. 2016.

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Published on January 03, 2016 21:00

January 1, 2016

My Favorite Reviewed Reads of 2015

For the past few years I’ve shared my favorite reads from the previous years. Most of my reading from 2015 were books I reviewed, and there were some standouts.


Fiction Honorable Mention:


A Brush with Love by Rachel Hauck


The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter


Every Bride Needs a Groom by Janice Thompson


When Kings Clash by J.E. Lowder


 


Non Fiction Honorable Mention:


Apologetics Bible Study for Students


Grin with Grace by Kathy Carlton Willis


 


Product Honorable Mention (CD, Movie, other)


Exhale by Plumb


Let it Be Jesus by Christy Nockels


Passport 2 Purity


 


And now, my top picks.


 


Favorite Reviewed Product of 2015:


Finding Noah


 


Favorite Non Fiction Reviewed Read of 2015:


Kelly Tough by Erin Kelly


Kelly Tough was not only my favorite non fiction reviewed read of 2015, but my favorite overall read of the year.

Kelly Tough was not only my favorite non fiction reviewed read of 2015, but my favorite overall read of the year.


 


Favorite Fiction Reviewed Read of 2015:


Burning Justice by Helena Smrcek


 


Please check out the links to find out how to purchase these. You won’t be disappointed!


 




Tags:  Julie Arduini, Rachel Hauck, Janice Thompson, Denise Hunter, favorite fiction read, The Wishing Season, Christy Nockels, Let it Be Jesus, Plumb, Exhale, Kelly Tough, Erin Kelly, Every Bride Needs a Groom, Burning Justice, Helena Smrcek, Kathy Carlton Willis, Grin with Grace, Finding Noah, My Favorite Reads of 2015, Honorable Mention, Favorite Non Fiction Read, Favorite Reviewed Product, A Brush with Love, When Kings Clash by J.E. Lowder, Passport 2 Purity




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 Sabbath Sunday: Get Your Feet Wet  Book Review: This Means War by Stephen Kendrick, Alex Kendrick  Featured Video of the Week: The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman by Carole Brown  Where Books, Reading, Mustangs and Chocolate Meet  Sabbath Sunday: That Brilliant SunCopyright © Julie Arduini: Surrender Issues & Chocolate [My Favorite Reviewed Reads of 2015], All Right Reserved. 2016.

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Published on January 01, 2016 21:00

December 29, 2015

Word of the Year Review: Spiritual Revive

As I’ve mentioned, I’m summarizing the different ways my 2015 word for the year, revive, played out in and around me.


Spiritual revive was a biggie.


I didn’t know how burned out and vulnerable I was until I was under attack. Although I don’t say much here, prayer, especially standing in the gap for others, is a major part of my life. I’ve been around enough I can usually discern when trouble is lurking and pray for strategy.


This attack popped out of nowhere and seemed to have no intentions in letting up.  I read up and learned more about what the background is, the goal, how to defeat it, and warnings as you prayerfully try.


The problem was I was burned out, and that made me vulnerable. On top of that, it was a direct attack. It was against me and my child. Where I was usually able to be proactive, I was weak and reactive. Things went from bad to worse.


Thankfully I have a team that covers me in prayer, and I also called in local reinforcements who knew me and also stand in the gap through prayer. They insisted on coming to the house, and these ladies PRAYED.


In less than a month, all attacks were gone.


It’s still been a challenging year. Usually when one is burned out, the other isn’t. Well, my husband was in worse spiritual shape than I was. He needed a break. He finally got one and is still enjoying it.


I also was floored with a medical update with our daughter. She’s at the age where she can process that her peers don’t have these updates, labs, and appointments like she does. She questioned God, and I understood. I was doing the same. For an overcomer, this didn’t seem fair. She’s been through so much already.


I had to fight hard to get out of that pit.


I started attending Friday worship services at another church. No one knows me there for the most part so I can surrender all and not worry about people stopping to talk or ask me questions. The speakers were top notch and I took notes. It fed my soul.


Worship was a huge part of my spiritual revival.

Worship was a huge part of my spiritual revival.


I let a lot of ministry go. This was hard but I knew I had to. I was tired and going through the motions. I had to trust God had people ready to step up when I finally obeyed and stepped down. Not only did it give me needed rest, it gave me time to finish a book I was struggling with.


I also joined the Women’s Bible Café on Facebook. As an introvert, I thrive with online activities, so this Bible study has been oxygen for me.


So it’s been the tough stuff and the rest that contributed to my spiritual revive.


Can anyone relate?




Tags:  Julie Arduini, Facebook, attack, tired, burned out, revival, Women's Bible Cafe, Word of the Year Review: Spiritual Revive, spiritual, River Service




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 COTT: Vote for New Releases  Write Integrity Press Christmas: Celebrating Christ's Birthday  As of Late...A Bit Late  Two Free Webinars for Women You Should Know About  Thankful for No Goodbyes by Lori DixonCopyright © Julie Arduini: Surrender Issues & Chocolate [Word of the Year Review: Spiritual Revive], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Published on December 29, 2015 21:00

December 28, 2015

Word of the Year Review: Family Revive

I confess, when I pray for the theme God has for me, I don’t push it  on my family. This is my conviction, and if they feel the same, I believe He has a word/theme for them. But at the same time, when I receive a theme, I watch it play out in my family.


Revive was no exception.


I observed this theme play a huge part in my husband this year. He was in charge of a project where the client was not local, not even in our time zone. This meant a lot of conference calls, meetings, and even travel that he had to be a part of. We later learned this project and its success was the fiscal highlight for the company. But—in a rare corporate move, they explained they understood it came at a sacrifice.


If he’s stowed away in our home office on conference calls, they understood that meant he wasn’t with us. And that was a big part of 2015.


He was tired.  We also realized he was in a ministry shift and it was time to let some things go. He stepped down from directing choir and announced he was leaving all ministry for a season.


This was huge.


I enjoyed watching revive play out in my family.

I enjoyed watching revive play out in my family.


For the better part of a decade he worked full-time hours (and then some) at work and then found music, made CD’s, held practices and stuff I don’t even know about for choir. He led practices for Passion Play ensemble. He loves singing but the administrative aspect took a toll, and time he didn’t have.


The work project is winding down and it’s refreshing to see him be able to worship, I have a feeling revive will continue to work in my husband’s life throughout 2016.


I told people that revival in our teen son came from trying new things and learning from them. Now 17, he’s a senior who saw his first job, car, bill paying and researching college options. He’s got a new appreciation for budgeting and whether a drive is that important, because it takes gas, he realizes. In the workforce he realized you can do all the right things and face injustice. That revived all our prayer lives, I can tell you that.


Our tween daughter tends to revive others with her smile and kind eyes. She tried new things like choir for the spring musical and camp. Her pastor returned with tears explaining how our overcomer child kept up with the others through hikes, swimming, and services. She earned Honor Star status, a rigorous three year program full of memorization. The shocking health updates deflated my faith for awhile, but her smile and sunny outlook revived us all.


Through the revival lens, I learned a lot about myself through my family.


How about you??




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 Year Round Thanks by Marijo Phelps  Book and DVD Review: Lysa TerKeurst's Made to Crave  Character Confession: You Betcha!  Book Review: NIV Bible for Teen Girls  Michael W. Smith: Sovereign CD Giveaway + #skyspillsover videoCopyright © Julie Arduini: Surrender Issues & Chocolate [Word of the Year Review: Family Revive], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Published on December 28, 2015 21:00

December 27, 2015

Word of the Year Review: Physical Revive

Revive—As we reach that finish line called 2015, I thought I’d take this week and summarize what I learned this year through the word God gave as the theme:


Revive.


I chewed on this word a lot and I never anticipated the journey it took me on. I thought today I’d share how revive affected me physically.


Revive had several meanings for me. Alive again. Rejuvenate. Awareness.Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

I think as far as physical things and revive in my life, I think awareness is the best description.


I became VERY aware that I am middle aged. Honestly, I probably passed that mark, but I’ve always struggled with endocrine issues. Metabolism has never been my friend. I have that body type that looks like a lab created apple.


And this year I was aware I’m not losing weight. In fact, it became even easier to gain.


That’s a tough one for me. When I gain weight, it affects my confidence and makes it easier for my knees to dislocate. Not fun. I spent time Googling everything from supplements to lap band surgery. Like any other American, I love that quick fix.



As I already know the word or words for 2016, I take with me this awareness.

I also celebrate small victories.



Fitbit was an investment into being aware.

As an author who was on deadline most of 2015, it is easy to sit in one place for hours and have no clue how inactive I was. Fitbit and the challenges I had with friends I know from “real” and “cyber” life made me aware. I didn’t always get up and move, but I often did. My exercise routine came back from the dead and I even bought a bike for $5 and used it throughout the fall.


There were other aspects to revive and physical points.


Revive made me aware this year.

Revive made me aware this year.




I returned to my roots. Brunette, that is. The red felt too washed out and brassy. When I go brown, my natural red highlights pop, anyway.
I ditched my contacts. I am so vain. When you add the weight gain to the picture, wearing glasses was not an easy choice for me. It was another blow for my confidence. However, I ran to Zenni.com and found two sassy pairs that cost less than what one pair would have had the eye doctor. I’ve received so many compliments on them. One pair lost the nose pad but I still have no regrets. Another way I rested this year was playing with the virtual try on page with all kinds of frames. My former eye doctor insisted I didn’t need new contacts despite the dry eyes and pain I was in. It got so bad I couldn’t put contacts in. A year later, I still don’t feel ready to.

There you have it. The different ways revive played a part in my life this year.


Tags:  Julie Arduini, weight, middle age, Word of the Year: Physical Revive, hair roots, Zenni.com




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 Book Review: The Rancher Takes a Bride by Brenda Minton  Give it Away by Linda Samaritoni  Sabbath Sunday: Freedom  Character Confession: How Would You Handle It--Drive-In Edition  UBP12: Tell Me You Love ChocolateCopyright © Julie Arduini: Surrender Issues & Chocolate [Word of the Year Review: Physical Revive], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Published on December 27, 2015 21:00

December 22, 2015

Guest Post: Evangelicals for Life

EFL Button

Evangelicals for Life



Clear your schedules January 21–22, 2016, because Focus on the Family and The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission will host Evangelicals for Life, a major pro-life conference held in conjunction with the March for Life event.


The event will take place in Washington, D.C., at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Evangelicals from across the country will gather to hear from leading speakers, such as David Platt, Russell Moore, Jim Daly, Kelly Rosati, and others—to be equipped and encouraged to become a voice for life! The event will also be simulcast for FREE so individuals, churches, and organizations from coast-to-coast and around the world can take part.


Speakers will encourage evangelicals to engage the culture on issues of abortion and end-of-life decisions, and the event will affirm the evangelical belief in the sanctity of life, that every life matters to God and is created in His image.


For more information, visit http://evangelicals.life/.
Readers of this blog will receive 15% off their registration by using the code FocusLife.

 



Russell Moore will be speaking at Evangelicals for Life. He is President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is a theologian, ethicist, frequent cultural commentator, and author of several books. In the guest post below, he speaks to the importance of hosting the conference in the midst of the cultural battle for human dignity.



 


Why We’re Hosting the Evangelicals For Life Conference
By Russell Moore

As many Christians sat at their computer and watched a casual dinner conversation over the price of dismembered children, a lot of us probably thought: “But what can I do about this?” This is a question I hear often from pro-life evangelicals. Many Christians are utterly convinced in their heart of the personhood and dignity of the unborn, yet don’t know how to faithfully effectively advocate for life.


It’s important to understand that the cultural battle for human dignity doesn’t begin on Capitol Hill or on CNN. It begins in your family, in your local church, and in your neighborhood. In fact, many of the people we know most vulnerable to the abortionist’s rhetoric are not actually pro-choice, they’re just scared, scared to scandalize a church with their secret. The false gospel of the abortion clinic, which says, “We can make all your trouble go away for you,” is overwhelmingly seductive.


What these people need more than a lesson in embryonic development is to have the Gospel preached to their conscience. This means much more than simply offering “The Romans Road” or prompting a sinner’s prayer; it means speaking directly with the message of Jesus’ complete sovereignty of the universe, his righteous indignation on the murder of the unborn, and most importantly, his complete absorption of God’s wrath on the cross, and his invitation to mercy and fellowship and the imputed righteousness of the Son of God.


The Gospel disarms the appeal of the abortion clinic because it offers truth with love, judgment with mercy, and righteousness with grace. The consciences around us don’t believe what they’re telling themselves. They’re scared and confused. Shine a light on their conscience, and then present the Gospel of reconciliation.


Moreover, the pro-life movement has set an example worthy of our imitation when it comes to practical, holistic mercy ministry. For over 40 years since Roe v. Wade, those committed to defending unborn life have done much more than preach and teach; they have welcomed the scared, the vulnerable, and the wounded and loved them. This has looked like the establishment of crisis pregnancy centers all around cities. It has looked like adoption advocacy and building a culture of adoption in local churches. It’s true that our pro-life witness has a long way to go, but we do not, thankfully, conform to the caricature that says we believe life “begins at conception and ends at birth.”


FOTF-EFL

Questions like these are why I am excited to be a part of the Evangelicals For Life Conference in January. This conference exists to help evangelicals articulate a truly Christian doctrine on the dignity of all human life. Being pro-life, after all, means much more than being against abortion on demand; it means believing in the dignity of the elderly and infirm, and advocating for compassion and inclusion of the poor, the orphan, and the widow. No doctrine of human dignity that fails to speak to these cases is fully “pro-life.”


Sometimes Christians are encouraged to leave issues like this behind. Sometimes the fight for human dignity is portrayed as “culture war” baggage. For those of us that watched an executive from Planned Parenthood talk about the most valuable anatomy of dead children, we know this to be false. The stakes for human life and human dignity could not be higher, and the plight of those ignored by the world does not go unnoticed by our heavenly Father.


We have a Gospel word to speak to the abortionist and the unborn, to the orphan and those not considering adoption. Will you join me in Washington, on January 21-22, as we seek to speak this word?


This article was adapted from the original article posted on Russell Moore’s website.




Tags:  Julie Arduini, Focus on the Family, Jim Daly, Guest Post: Evangelicals for Life, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Washington DC, David Platt, Russell Moore, Kelly Rosati




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 Michael W. Smith: Sovereign CD Giveaway + #skyspillsover video  Book Review: Love Finds You in Glacier Bay by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss  Faith for Furnaces by Heather Zempel  9/11: We Will Never Forget  Fiction Friday: No IdeaCopyright © Julie Arduini: Surrender Issues & Chocolate [Guest Post: Evangelicals for Life], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Published on December 22, 2015 21:00

December 21, 2015

COTT: Congrats to Sofia’s Tune by Cindy Thomson

*Congrats to Sofia’s Tune by Cindy Thomson!








Thank you to our viewers, fans, and voters—this was a near record-setting post view for our five authors. Congratulations to all of your and thank you for participating. Some of the comments you received include:


Thank you for producing such amazing Christian fiction!
All of them are beautiful covers.
The world of writing may be hard, but you all have already done more than many people dream of doing by finishing and publishing a book. Keep writing, and best of luck.
Keep on writing and telling your stories!
Keep writing! Keep believing!
Love these covers, all!
All look like great books, but the cover of Sound of Silver really grabs me the most.
Voted for After! A lovely book inside and out.
Love the covers of “After” and “Love’s Christmas Past” but am most excited to read “Sofia’s Tune” first. Who doesn’t love a good secret? Excited!
LOVE your work, Rachelle!
Good for you, Janet Sketchley, for having your book included here.


Certainly all wonderful, but…there

Can

Be

Only

One
Congratulations to this month’s Champion, Cindy Thomson, and Sofia’s Tune!

Sofia’s Tune




Released November 1, 2015
Ebook – $4.99
Print: $14.99


For Kindle: Sofia’s Tune (Ellis Island Book 3)


Please order print copies here.


Also available in print on Amazon


At Barnes & Noble


At IndieBound

In Sofia’s Tune, we meet Sofia Falcone, a young woman who has been living in New York only a short time when she is stunned to discover a family secret, one that soon sends her beloved mother into a mental institution. Scrambling to keep her job and care for her mother, Sofia is convinced confronting the past will heal all wounds, but her old world Italian family wants to keep the past in the past.

During this time, she encounters Antonio, a Vaudeville pianist with a street-smart dog, seeking to discover why his father was mysteriously killed. Their crossed paths uncover a frightening underworld in Little Italy. Bringing the truth to light may cost Sofia’s mother’s sanity, Antonio’s career, and the livelihoods of countless immigrants. Change is on the horizon, but it may not bring what they expect.










Q & A With Cindy

· Sofia’s Tune has a musical theme. What can you tell us about the meaning of “tune” in this story?

Antonio is a vaudeville pianist who dreams of becoming an accomplished concert musician. His dog resembles Nipper of the “His Master’s Voice” advertisement for gramophones. There is plenty of music in this story, but the title refers to changing your tune, finding a different path for your life, as both Sofia and Antonio must do.

· Tell us about the dog on the cover.

Luigi is Antonio’s faithful companion who keeps reminding people of the dog listening to his master’s voice on the recording, as I mentioned. He’s well trained and a good judge of character. I really enjoyed adding a canine character to the story. Dogs are such an important part of many people’s lives. He is Antonio’s dog, but he really likes Sofia, as you can see on the cover!

· What’s next?

Sofia’s Tune is the final novel in the series. However, I am planning on a novella, a sort of prequel, which will tell Mrs. Hawkins’s story. Mrs. Hawkins runs a boarding house for immigrant girls. Her story is told very briefly in Annie’s Stories. This novella will be free exclusively for my newsletter subscribers. (You can sign up on my web site.)
Next summer I will be releasing the sequel to my first novel, Brigid of Ireland . The stories are set in 5th century Ireland, and weave in a bit of fantasy and adventure. They are somewhat different from the Ellis Island series, but are still representative of our ancestors’ stories that should be passed down for us to carry on their legacy of endurance, faithfulness, and wisdom.

And speaking of wisdom, Sofia’s name means wisdom, and I hope readers will be inspired by the music in the book trailer, written by my friend from Northern Ireland, singer/songwriter Andy Rogers.


Cindy Thomson is the author of seven books, including her newest novel, Sofia’s Tune, the third book in her Ellis Island series. She also writes genealogy articles for Internet Genealogy and Your Genealogy Today magazines, and short stories for Clubhouse Magazine. Most everything she writes reflects her mission of “Writing the stories of our inheritance.” Visit her at www.cindyswriting.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cindyswriting and on Twitter: @cindyswriting





Tags:  Julie Arduini, fiction, Clash of the Titles, authors, COTT: Congrats to Sofia's Tune by Cindy Thomson, Ellis Island




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 Marriage Monday: Especially in a Cri$i$  Michael W. Smith Sovereign CD Winner Announced!  An Invitation to Gaps  Book Review: The Chase by Diann Mills  Saturday Confession: The Letter I Imagine Jesus Giving to the Defeated OneCopyright © Julie Arduini: Surrender Issues & Chocolate [COTT: Congrats to Sofia's Tune by Cindy Thomson], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Published on December 21, 2015 21:00

December 20, 2015

You’re Invited: Share Your Surrender Story in 2016.

I mentioned Saturday that I’m being very intentional in 2016 about how to best get my Surrender Issues and Chocolate messages to the masses. One way is subscribing to the sweet, weekly encouragement delivered straight to your inbox that will start your week right. It’s the Julie Arduini’s Sunday’s Surrender and Chocolate, a short message that will always include a chocolate mention. Want to subscribe for free? Click here.


Share your surrender story here in 2016.

Share your surrender story here in 2016.


Another method I’m using is asking for more guest bloggers to share their story right here. We ALL have a surrender story.



Maybe you learned something about time management.
Perhaps someone is reading right now that has victory over a life controlling issue like an addiction.
Other surrender stories could be financial, relationships, health, parenting, work related, ministry related, about food, pets, gadgets, the list could go on.

I’m not looking for professionals, I’m looking for real people with a story they want to share. These are folks that don’t need to worry about grammar or saying the perfect thing. They simply want to share their surrender story and hope at least one person can relate and be encouraged.


Does that sound like you? I hope so. Because I truly believe everyone qualifies.


To learn more about guest blogging right here, I invite you to read my invitation and sign up. It’s so easy, truly.


Let’s get started.


CLICK HERE.


Tags:  Julie Arduini, fear, ministry, addiction, relationships, guest bloggers, new year, health, finances, time management, work, You're Invited: Share Your Surrender Story in 2016, 2016, pets




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 OAC: Take the Plunge with the Odyssey Adventure Club  COTT: Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell  My 12 in 12 Update  Explaining My Surrender Tagline  Sabbath Sunday: Not ShakenCopyright © Julie Arduini: Surrender Issues & Chocolate [You're Invited: Share Your Surrender Story in 2016.], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Published on December 20, 2015 21:00

December 18, 2015

A Sweet Weekly Encouragement Just for You

Is there anything better than encouragement?

Okay, chocolate is definitely on the list.


Well, I’ve done a lot of praying this last quarter on what specific things could I be doing to reach the most people with the message I believe God has me to share.


The message?


Simply, Surrender Issues and Chocolate.


What do I mean?


I believe people find freedom when they surrender. That was the one quote that jumped at me when I watched War Room. Miss Clara said something to the effect, “Before you can have victory, you first have to surrender.”


My goal is to encourage and cheer as you lay those things down.


Sometimes they are good things. I’ve had to surrender a home and loved ones because a job took us somewhere new.


I’ve had to let go of bad things. Fear of what people thought of me. Fear of rejection.


And, I confess, I’m not quite ready to give up the chocolate. But maybe, one day I will.


I think we can all relate. So, to cheer you on, starting in January I’m sending a sweet, weekly encouragement that will help you in your surrender journey.


Each week in your inbox you will find a short surrender based message that will always include some chocolate mention. I want you to start your week right and feel less alone. The encouragement my free gift to you.


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Julie Arduini invites you to receive a Sweet, Weekly Encouragement delivered to your inbox.


Want in? I hope you do.


To subscribe to Julie Arduini’s Sunday’s Surrender with Chocolate, click HERE. (Remember to check all folders in your inbox for activation.)

Please tell others, let’s have fun in 2016 together!




Tags:  Julie Arduini, chocolate, surrender, encouragement, freedom, Sunday, victory, War Room, January 2016, Miss Clara, A Sweet Weekly Encouragement Just for You




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 Spinning Tires: My Miscarriage Story  Sabbath Sunday: The Bridge  Jumping on the Bandwagon  Give it Away by Linda Samaritoni  Surviving TriggersCopyright © Julie Arduini: Surrender Issues & Chocolate [A Sweet Weekly Encouragement Just for You], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Published on December 18, 2015 21:00