A Faith Like Ruth's Session 4 on BlogTalkRadio

We all just love making goals and promises for each new year don't we? I know I do. There is nothing like a fresh start and God is all about new beginnings. But.. there is a way to do it that will get you ultimate results.

Over the last couple of weeks on my BlogTalkRadio show we have discussed chapters one, two, and three of the book of Ruth and how it pertains to our New Year's goals.

If you missed them you can get the audio here: Download Session 1 Audio / Download Session 2 Audio / Download Session 3 / Download Session 4

and the handouts here: Session 1 Handout / Session 2 Handout / Session 3 Handout / Session 4 Handout

If you can't download it then simply email me and I'll be happy to send it to you via email.

Special thanks to Christian Women Affiliate for bringing you this weekly broadcast. Have you heard the news? You can now join CWA for free! Go sign up now!

My greatest yard sale find last year...

I learned so much at last week's Creative and Efficient Life conference. Don't worry if you missed it. On February 6th you can purchase the MP3s for just &$9.95. It was sooooo good. I can't wait to share it all with you. I have so many posts spinning in my head and drafted in reserve that it sets my mind racing... almost as much as LOST does. I mean, what in the world is happening on the island or off? Who is dead and who is alive? Who is the non-John Locke? Oh I must stop before my brain melts.

Anyway, my point was that I heard a good bit at the conference about shopping yard sales. I am a big fan of yard sales and shared with everyone that while on a yard sailing adventure with my mom-in-love I purchased this set of barstools for only $10! Yes, $10 for the set.

They had a bit of paint on the bottom of one of them that I was able to remove fairly easily with some nail polish remover. I'm guessing that is why she sold them so cheap although I can't imagine why no one else scooped them up. They are in perfect condition.. sturdy and contemporary looking. What more could I ask for?

What is your best yard sale find?

How To Create Custom Blockquotes

First of all, the box around this text is a block quote.

The way to accomplish a block quote is by highlighting the text you want in the box and then clicking the "Quote" button on your blogger tool bar. It looks like this:




To give your block quotes some style you will need to adjust some coding in your template. However, as with any blog changes, be sure to save a copy of your current template before making any changes just in case something gets messed up.

1. Log into Blogger.

2. Click on "layout."

3. Click on "edit html."

4. Add this after your ".post" line of code:

blockquote {

background:#F6DCB3;

border: 3px solid #000000;

color: #000000;

font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, Arial;
font-size: 16px;
padding: 10px;

}

5. Change the colors to whatever color your heart desires.

6. On the "border" line. Decide whether you would like a solid, dashed, dotted, double, groove,inset, outset, or ridge style line. Experiment to fine one you like.

7. Also on the "border" line, decide how thick you would like the line to be by changing the pixels.

8. Save!

Defined:

• blockquote { - this line signifies the beginning of the code that forms the blockquote
  
• background:#F6DCB3; - this line signifies the color that will be in the background of the blockquote. You can find html color codes here: Color Chart
  
• border: 3px solid #000000; - This line of code defines your borders. First you define the width of the border, then the type of edge (solid, dotted, double, etc), and then the color of the border. You can make the border appear on only one edge of the blockquote by changing the code like this: border-top: 3px solid #000000; That would allow the border to only be on the top. If you want it on top and bottom simply put these codes back to back: border-top: 3px solid #000000; border-bottom: 3px solid #000000; You can do the same thing for "left" or "right".
• color: #000000; -This is where you specify the color of the font/text.
• font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, Arial; - This is the line of code where you specify the font style. You can specify whatever font you want but if the person reading your blog doesn't have it on their computer then they will not see it. It will instead revert to another font listed in this line. That is why it is important to list several font styles. The ones listed here are very common and standard on most all personal computers.
• font-size: 16px; - This is where you list the size of the font within the blockquote.
• padding: 10px; - This is where you list how much padding or cushion you want on the edges of your blockquote. Experiment to find what you like!
  

Life is Good!

Soooo much has gone on in the last few days that I have barely had time to do anything. I just wanted to take a minute this morning and update you...

because you care and all.

Monday started the week long Creative and Efficient Life conference. Oh how I live for these conferences. I always learn so much and fellowshipping with all of these ladies from across the globe is just plain awesome! We've already heard from some amazing women and it makes me happy just knowing that we still have three whole days to go!

Of course, I'll have to listen to the MP3s of the sessions from yesterday morning because I missed them. :( We refinanced our house to get a lower interest rate and if any of you have ever done this you know that when the bank says "jump" you go ahead and jump and ask questions later. They gave us no choice but to close yesterday morning. I had an appointment with my obstetrician. I couldnt' go. I missed my glucose test. Banks don't care about glucose tests or 28 week check ups. They only want your signature on a bajillion papers. So... AT LEAST WE ARE DONE! YAY!

In other news, Internet Cafe Devotions is hosting the second annual "Blessed Aroma" Top 100 Christian Blogs of 2009 and we need your nominations! Who is your favorite Christian blogger? Who inspires you to go just a bit deeper? Who really makes you think? Let us know! Go and fill out the nomination form on the site and we'll post the list sometime in February.

Oh... and I can't end this without mentioning that THE SAINTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL! Woo Hoo! (no hate mail, please)

All of my men were ecstatic. You could not hear yourself think when they began shouting for joy. I even caught the boys and uncle Sammy doing the happy dance... YAY!

We are giving away Rosetta Stone!

Yesterday over at Heart of the Matter we announced our partnership with Rosetta Stone and the new Homeschool Language Trip. Now we would like to give you the opportunity to win a Rosetta Stone language software of your choice! Too bad I can't enter. :(

But YOU can!

Surround your family with language. By taking them there!

Travel to Paris, Madrid and Barcelona with Homeschoolers from all over the United States. Join Rosetta Stone Homeschool, Heart of the Matter and Fusefly on the inaugural Homeschool Language Learning and Networking Trip August 2-11, 2010. Become immersed in new lands, explore history, culture, art and community. And truly speak to the world. For more details visit www.RosettaStone.com/Homeschool/LanguageLearningTrip.

Hurry, registration for the trip ends February 15, 2010.

For your chance to win a Rosetta Stone language product, please visit us over at Heart of the Matter. Entries are being accepted until February 1st.

More Professional Looking Blog

There are many things you can do to achieve the "polished" look for your blog. Let's start with the "Configure Blog Posts" element or widget.

1. Log into your Blogger account.

2. From you dashboard select "layout".

3. Look for the element titled "Blog Posts" and select "edit".

In this widget you can elect to disable:

• date
• time
• author
• comments
• links to posts
• categories

You can also rearrange the way they are viewed on your post. Most professional websites do not have these things and disabling them would you the look of a polished web site.

Meeting Inspired Women...

I was able to attend a couple of live conferences last year and that gave me the opportunity to meet so many of the blog personalities that I’ve grown to love. It was an amazing experience. It helped me to get a glimpse into who they were behind the words they type and the pictures they post. I got to see their many expressions, tone of voice, and their sense of humor. I learned so much about what they liked to do, what kind of hobbies they have, and how passionate their heart is for Him. I want that experience for us… even if it is virtual.

How can we do that you ask?

Let’s post some videos! Get your camera out, fluff your hair, and tell us who you are. Get creative if you like. Show us a recipe, make a scrap page, show us your library, have your dog do tricks – whatever floats your boat as long as YOU introduce yourself and your heart to us on video. You have one week to get it ready. We will do an official launch of our “Meet Inspired Women” page on January 18th. That is the day that will receive the most traffic but you could post later if you wanted to. This will become a staple page in our navigation bar. We’ll even select some of the videos to be featured on the homepage!

Here is how it will work. We will set up a link system and all you have to do is the following:

• record your video
• load it onto your computer
• load it onto a server (YouTube, Tangle, Google, etc)
• post it on your blog
• link it here using our link system

Then we will be able to click on your link, visit your blog, play your video, and “meet” you! It will give us a face to go with the name and more than that it will just be FUN!

Now I have made my video and soon so will all of my partners in crime, I mean, partners in ministry. Yeah, that sounds better. So what do you say? Will you join me? I sure do hope so!

I look forward to meeting all of you! Head over to A Woman Inspired and post your video!

In Pursuit of Proverbs 31 Bible Study -LIVE online

I have been pondering the questions that have plagued the hearts and minds of so many:

• Why can't I get it right?
• How can I find more time to get it all done?
• Why isn't God helping me?

Women have been the target of some outrageous media propaganda that sets our flesh racing in the wrong direction and so we turn to the church where we receive conflicting views on biblical truths. No wonder we are so befuddled when it comes to our roles as Christ-following women. Even within Christianity there are views that encompass from one end of the spectrum to the other. So what's a girl to do?

There are many women who are fascinated with and at the same time terrified of the woman in Proverbs 31. I was one of those women.

As I read and meditated on the scriptures then tried to apply them to my life something odd happened. I became filled with anger, bitterness, anxiety, and was more overwhelmed than I had ever been before. When I heard other women speak about all the Proverbs 31 guidelines they had achieved I would feel myself cringe inside. Why was I different? Why couldn't I just "get it?"

Have you ever felt this way?

If you have then I pray that this bible study will be a source of encouragement to you and strengthen your walk with God. It may not always be easy because we will have to retrain our patterns of thought and overcome some mindsets we may have formed. You may even have to unlearn some things you have been taught in the past. This bible study is not "typical" of what you will find in the majority of books, articles, and posts written on the scriptures in Proverbs 31. Instead, it is a look into the heart of God and the reality of those scriptures in the bible.

I ask that you stop now and pray:
Father, there is none like you. Your name is above every other name and to you every knee will bow. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a woman in this time and in this place. Thank you for being the perfect example of how to serve my family and friends. I desire to do your will for my life. Help me to see things the way you see them and please cleanse and soften my heart to receive teachings from your word. I repent for any wrong and destructive thought patterns I may have and I ask that you transform my mind to accomplish your desire for my life. Forgive me for any negative emotions that I may have entertained. Give me the revelation that I need each and every day to become more like you and less like my worldly self. Please keep me from the plans of Satan and deliver me from those who wish me harm. Amen.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26 kjv

God speaks to each and every one of us on a daily basis. We must learn to hear him and obey. Much the same way a mother teaches her children because she knows better, God teaches us because he knows all things and His will is for us to prosper and be in good health and no, I am not referring to money. I would much rather prosper in my day to day life. I can make money at anytime but I can't buy the lessons that my Father teaches me.

scripture references: Hebrews 12:25, Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 30:10, Acts 5:29, 3 John 1:2
This 10 part study will consist of the following:

1. Proverbs 31 - Shattering the Myths: Watch the Video / Download the Bible Study / Discussion
   
2. The True Woman of Proverbs 31
3. Proverbs 31 on Relationship With God
4. Proverbs 31 on Being a Wife part 1
5. Proverbs 31 on Being a Wife part 2
6. Proverbs 31 on Being a Mother
7. Proverbs 31 on Management
8. Proverbs 31 on Resourcefulness
9. Proverbs 31 on Ministry
10. Proverbs 31 on Matters of the Soul
11. Proverbs 31 and YOU!!

This study will be presented each month over the next year, God willing, and you will be able to share your responses, thoughts, answers to questions, or related scripture on your blogs and link to it via the comments. If you do not have a blog then you are more than welcome to enter your responses in the comments section or simply do them at home on your own time.

For this introduction post, I would like for everyone who intends to participate to post about it on their blog and answer the following thought provoking questions:

• What do you hope to get out of this bible study?
• What, if anything, has prevented you from studying these scriptures in the past?
• What have you found helpful or frustrating about living out these scriptures?

Feel free to use the button and link here. Also, be sure to link your post here via the comments.