Friendship Friday: Give Thanks in All Circumstances

If you haven't signed up for my Help Wanted: moms raising daughters GIVEAWAY, it's not too late! Be sure to join the fun!

Hey Friends!

I'm so excited....a week from today I'll be at Carol Kent's Speak Up With Confidence! :)

As I've shared many times before, God used this powerful conference to significantly teach and encourage me. I've also had the chance to meet MANY amazing speakers/writers/bloggers from around the country, and our friendships continue to flourish despite the distance.

For the next few weeks on "Friendship Friday", I'd like to share some of my "Speak Up" friends (and their writings) with you!

For today, may I introduce to you.... Sharla Fritz!

Sharla and I met last summer at Speak Up. I was literally writing in my journal, "God, would you please bring me a friend here at this conference?" as I sat at my table all alone.

Minutes later, Sharla sat down, we immediately connected, spent the next few days chatting, learning and enjoying meals together, and she's been a great friend ever since! :)

Sharla is a tremendously gifted author, speaker, and blogger. (You may remember when I featured her book Divine Design.)

Enjoy her guest post today!

**Give Thanks in All Circumstances **

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess 5:18

Do you feel like complaining today?

Has life thrown a wrench in your plans?

What circumstances are you in right now?

One pastor I knew when I was growing up said that a Christian should never be under the circumstances because God is in control! Paul takes it one step further and says, "Give thanks in all circumstances"!

You may wonder, how do I give thanks for the rotten circumstances that I’m in now?

For many, times are tough. Maybe your job or your husband’s job is questionable, perhaps you are facing serious health problems, maybe you’re having some trouble with a close relationship.

I’d like you to notice one little word in this verse.

Paul does not say, "Give thanks for all circumstances."

He tells us, "Give thanks in all circumstances."

Because of the sinful state of this world, life continues to throw serious situations in our path. No one gets to live a trouble-free existence. I don’t think God necessarily expects us to thank Him for all our problems. His original design of the world did not include pain or suffering. However, we can learn to thank God in the midst of our hardships. We can thank Him for His presence, His peace, and His capability to work good out of every tough time.

Right now I am putting this into practice.

A few months ago my daughter and her husband moved to China. And they had the nerve to take my grandchildren along with them!

They are going halfway around the world to be missionaries and I’m inspired by their lofty ambitions, but I miss them terribly.

Sometimes I feel like complaining about it and don’t feel like thanking God for calling my daughter to the mission field. But I can thank Him that He is just as close to them in China as He was when they were in the U.S. I can thank Him that they have found a nice apartment. I praise Him for email and Skype! I thank God that He understands what it is like to send a child on a faraway mission.

Take the challenge:

In the midst of your circumstances, good or bad, find three things to thank God for!

~ Sharla Fritz

Sharla Fritz is the author of Divine Design: 40 Days of Spiritual Makeover. She is a Christian speaker, singer and writer. As a speaker for women’s groups, she loves to communicate Christ’s transforming love and grace. She dedicates her blog (sharlafritz.blogspot.com) to women who are interested in fashion—especially fashion of the soul. It features everything from practical advice on clothing to insight for spiritual style. Those who want to experience an inner transformation will find inspiration there.

What a great reminder, Sharla! Thanks for sharing! (If you want to visit/connect with Sharla, hop on over to her website and say hello!

And I'll accept your challenge (anyone else?!)!

I'm thankful for life in Christ, good health, family, friends, our couple small group, ministry opportunities, a new reputation, the opportunity to stay home with my kids....oops, sorry! I know we're supposed to just share 3, but I could go on and on!

I'd love to hear from you, dear friends! What are you thankful for today? Share with us please!

Have a wonderful, refreshing weekend! I also thank God for YOU!

P.S. For more Caffeinated Randomness, head over to visit Michelle and friends. You'll be glad you did!

HELP WANTED: Moms Raising Daughters (& GIVEAWAY!)

If you're looking for a family fun indoor and/or outdoor activity ~ be sure to check out my favorite summer games!

Hey Friends :)

Happy "Things I Love Thursday"!

Today I'm linking up with my real-life neighbor, the hilarious Jill from the Diaper Diaries, to share something I love.....a new book, Help Wanted: Moms Raising Daughters.

As a mom of 4 kids (2 boys, 2 girls) ~ I have learned first hand that boys and girls are VERY different. (Can I get an Amen?).

As much as I love my two daughters (aren't they cute?!)....

...I was not prepared for the social, emotional, and physical differences between my boys and girls!

(After starting with two boys, I thought I had this mothering thing down. Then came my girls and I realized I was clueless!!)

I am always on the lookout for great new resources to encourage, challenge and teach me on the rewarding (and exhausting!) task of mothering. When I was contacted about reading Help Wanted: Moms Raising Daughters, I was thrilled! :)

Here's more about the book...

Be Inspired. Be Challenged. Be Ready and Willing to Take the Job! (No experience necessary.)

Flavored with honesty, humor, compelling stories, and creative solutions, Help Wanted navigates the 13 jobs moms must accomplish in the dynamic, often challenging mother-daughter relationship to make the maximum difference in their girl's life: Coach, Creative Counselor, Time Manager, Media Director, Academic Advocate, Professor of Gender Studies, Relationship Counselor, Sex Ed Teacher, Financial Consultant, Bodyguard, Communications Specialist, In-Home Demonstrator, Military Strategist.

The action guide every mom needs to raise confident, healthy, self-fulfilled daughters....

And about the author....

Darlene Brock is a motivated self-starter who, while raising her two daughters, found time to produce award-winning music videos, manage recording artists, promote concerts throughout the US, and serve as the Chief Operating Officer of ForeFront Records. Yet, when reviewing her varied accomplishments and successful career, she proclaims her most important and fulfilling job is Mom.

You can also check out this fun video introducing this new book ~

I really enjoyed this book! My favorite part was all of the stores Darlene shares about her mothering journey with her two daughters. Darlene shares not as a "know it all expert" ~ but as a woman who has sought to be the very best mom she can be, and learned many lessons along the way. By the end of the book, I felt as if I had just shared coffee with Darlene, and was now ready to try some of her new tips and techniques at home! :)

But don't just take my word for it! Here's what others are saying...

**“I love this book, and I’d recommend it to anyone at any stage of parenthood. It has a very broad range of application. It also fills a gaping need for mothers to be encouraged and given wise counsel (before we learn the hard way).” – HollywoodJesus.com

**“This book has GREAT tips for anyone who is a parent-she is the mother of two and wanted to share her experience of being a mom with the world.” – Empowering Mommy

**“Help Wanted is a page turner! I found it to be fun, engaging and one that will make you look at your own mom in a whole different way. I’ve always appreciated my mom and also my wife for what they do on a daily basis, but as a father, this book opened my eyes even further. As I get ready for Mother’s Day I have to say that this book is a must read for any mother or anyone who has a mom. You will definitely appreciate what is shared and will want to share Help Wanted with others!” – Dad of Divas

And guess what??? I have a copy of "Help Wanted: Moms Raising Daughters" to give to a blessed *She Sparkles* friend! Woo Hoo!

To Win my Giveaway: Please answer the question,

Why would you like to win the Help Wanted: Moms Raising Daughters?

Extra Entries:

•Follow *She Sparkles*
•Subscribe to *She Sparkles*
•Add my *She Sparkles* button to your blog
•Tweet about this giveaway including a link to this post

Please be sure to leave me a comment to let me know your extra entries.

RULES: Starts today, Thursday, June 16th and ends Monday, June 20th at 9 PM. Winner will be posted on my blog during the week of June 21st.

If your email address is not connected to your ID, please leave your email address with your comment or email it to me at cindy.bultema@gmail.com with the subject "Giveaway".

So that's what I'm loving this Thursday!! How about you??? I'd love to hear from you!! :)

May you have a wonderful, thrilling, Thankful Thursday filled with all the things you love!!

P.S. For more Things I Love Thursday ideas, hop on over and visit Jill at The Diaper Diaries. :)

Disclosure: I was provided with two copies of Darlene Brock's book, "Help Wanted: Moms Raising Daughters" (one to read, one to giveaway). I was not compensated in any other way for the review and, as always, all opinions expressed in this post are fully my own.

Who Me, A People Pleaser?? (& Salsa Video)

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” -Galatians 1:10 (NLT)

Hey Friends!

Happy Tuesday to you! I hope you're having a GREAT start to your summer vacation! :)

I'm curious....do you ever wrestle with people pleasing??

Have you ever made a decision, that upon reflection, you realized was made in an attempt to earn the approval of others??

I have. A lot. Ugh.

Here's a very humbling personal story I recently shared when I was speaking at the Red Hot Retreat...




Want to see if you are a People Pleaser? Take this easy little quiz.

God's Word is clear ~ we can't seek the approval of both God and men. (Galatians 1:10).

I certainly don't have all of the answers (and definitely am a work in progress!) ~ but here are some simple tips that have helped me....

**Cindy's Tips to live free from People Pleasing **

1. Continually renew your mind with God's Word

Y'all know how much I believe in memorizing Scripture. My life has been renewed because my mind has been made new! God's Word is powerful, effective, and life-changing!!!!

2. Memorize Scripture on your identity in Christ.

One year I memorized A to Z verses on who God says that I am (trust me, I needed this ~ and still do!). For example....

A - Accepted

B - Beautiful

C - Chosen

D - Delivered...you get the idea...

3. Record the goals/dreams/desires God has given you. Use these as a "filter" as you prayerfully make decisions.

4. Brace yourself ~ you will disappoint people.

This does NOT mean you are not loved, valued, or significant. As you seek to live the life God has for you, you will not be able to make all of the people happy all of the time. Seek to please only an audience of One.

5. Extend much grace....to yourself and others.

6. Ask a friend or two to hold you accountable.

I'm so thankful for my close girlfriends who hold me accountable in this area. They are quick to bring to light any and all glimpses of people pleasing, pray with me (and for me), and ask the really hard questions about why I am choosing to do what I do.

How about for you?? What have you learned about living free from seeking the approval of others? Have you ever wrestled in this area? Do you have a tip you could share?? We would love to hear from you!!!

Have a Terrific Tuesday filled with God's richest blessings!!!

P.S. I'm linking up today with Jen and friends at Soli Deo Gloria. Be sure to check out this amazing sisterhood of women! :)

Mailbox Monday: The Dreaded Swimsuit Saga

For many moms (myself included!) ~ TODAY is the first day of summer vacation for the kids. If you run out of ideas, check out my favorite summer games. A fun time for all ~ guaranteed! :)

Hey Friends!

Happy Monday to you!! It's Mailbag Monday today! I received the following sweet note last week.....

Hi Cindy :)
Just wanted you to know what a blessing you are to me!

I often read your blog and I am sooo inspired, blessed and challenged. You are such a gifted communicator! I just read a blog entry from 2009 about your bathing suit fear.

So true for me too...all those crazy body "issues and lies" that the enemy wants you to believe!

I LOVE the quote from the book..."Satan tells you what is true, but not what is TRUTH". I am going keep that one on the forefront on my mind for a longgg time! So, thanks for being you and I love how you share your life :) Love you my friend!! LF

Oh my, LF! I had forgotten what that 2009 post shared (but remember the fear quite well!). Here's a repost of the Dreaded Swimsuit Saga......

...And now for the swimsuit update. You may recall that I hate swimsuit season! (I bared my soul about this topic here.) In so many areas of my life, I am experiencing God's victory and "promise land living", but bathing suit season brings out my every fear and insecurity. Until this week, I hadn't been in a bathing suit since April 2008!

So, the other day I decided I would face my fears and take my kids to the pool. I was PRAYING like crazy about it all morning (Please, Lord, please don't let me see anyone I know...please). Of course, before I am out of the parking lot, I see a friend who comments that she thinks about me everytime she puts on her bathing suit (so she must read my blog and know my "issue"...how embarassing) And as I head into the pool area, a lady yells "Hey Bible Study lady!". Great, I'm thinking...this is going to be a great day, God....

The kids and I stayed at the pool until nearly closing time. My kids had a blast ~ going down the slides, splashing and swiming, being kids. And would you know...I survived. Nobody teased me. Called me a bad name. Made a funny comment to me. I made it!

Isn't it crazy how our fears can become so irrational and huge - and almost paralyzing?! And not until we step out into those areas of fear...out of our safety and comfort zone...can we see things more clearly. And Truthfully.

Like why in the world when I am 40 years old do I still think someone is going to tease or reject me. Where does this all come from?? And, most importantly, how in the world do I move forward??

As I spent time praying about it later that evening, I rememembered something I recently learned in a Bible Study that was eye opening for me. Kelly Minter, in her book No other gods shares, "Satan will tell us what's true, but he never tells us the TRUTH".

Remembering that simple statement was like an "AHA" light bulb moment for me!!

Yes, it is true I was teased as a little girl for being "the chubby cousin".
Yes, it is true, I am not a size 6 (or an 8 anymore).
Yes, it is true, I have given birth to 4 children.
Yes, I'm not comfortable in a bathing suit. Yes, those things are true.

But the TRUTH is that I am beautiful and accepted by God....just the way that I am!!
The TRUTH is that God delights in me!!
The TRUTH is that I am secure, significant, set apart in Christ!
The TRUTH is that I am dearly loved by the Lord God Almighty! Woo Hoo!!

"Satan will tell us what's true, but he never tells us the TRUTH".

Kelly Minter shares..."Let that sink in for a minute. For example, if you're currently struggling with your finances, you might think something along these lines...I don't have enough money to pay my bills; I'm going to lose everything. It might be true that you don't have enough money to pay your bills, but the TRUTH is that God will take care of your every need (Matt. 6:25-30).

I think this is what we see in Genesis 3. Satan spoke a lot of true things, yet none of it was the TRUTH! This is where deception can play such a huge role in our lives. Though we all have succumbed to believing bold-faced lies, my hunch is that we have far more often been captivated by sheer deception."

Aha!! Satan tries to deceive us by telling us what may be true...but he never tells us the TRUTH! True vs. TRUTH. How about for you?? Are there areas of your life where the enemy is trying to deceive you? Is he filling your mind with things that may be true...but are not God's TRUTH??

I would love to hear from you!!!

May the Lord reveal to you ANYTHING that is getting in the way of experiencing all of the FULLNESS and FREEDOM that He has for you!!!

And if you see me at the pool this summer ~ please feel free to say Hi!!

A good friend helped me reframe my pool experience from the other day. When I said, "Obviously God wasn't listening to my prayers on the way to the pool. Everywhere I looked there were people I knew". My dear friend challenged me and said, "What if Dana in the parking lot, and Rachel from Bible study, and the other people you knew at the pool were actually reminders from God Himself that you were not alone?? That He was with you." Hmmm....sounds just like Him, doesn't it?!

Let's pray...Oh Lord, THANK YOU that Your Word says TRUTH will set us free. Please, Lord, set us free from any fear, lie, habit, attitude, addiction that is getting in the way of the full LIFE that You have for us. Eradicate any unhealthy roots. Plant seeds of Truth. For Your Purpose. For Your Glory Alone! Amen :)



P.S. The picture is for my friends that still don't believe I put on a bathing suit. Watch out ~ by the end of the summer, I might be going down the slide!!! :)


P.S.S. If you ever have a Mailbag Monday question, please feel free to send it to me @ cindy.bultema@comcast.net! :)