The Saturday Six

One.

I'm not sure how else to introduce this except to say...um...awkward!!!!

Two.

Here's a quick tutorial for a DIY car freshener that uses a wood ornament and essential oils. Given that Christmas supplies are out at Hobby Lobby (something I'm cheering about but know many people hate) it might be pretty easy to find everything you need! Gift idea!!!! Also: Stress Away is my favorite.

Three.

Such a well-written piece that might hit home for a few of you. If you're one of them...hugs to you!

Four.

A painted book plant stand? I think it's kinda cute. And if you're not into quite this much color, you could always go more neutral. (And don't kill the plant.)

Five.

I confess I'm not into sewing, and in fact, I don't even own a sewing machine anymore, but these little DIY felt coasters are awfully cute. I have a feeling they could be hand sewn without too much trouble. Could be a nice twist on subtle fall décor!

Six.

Source

I told you last week I was reading a book, but I needed to take it slower and fully appreciate it, rather than trying to barrel through at a hundred miles an hour. Well, I finished it this week! It's not a new book, but it's a good one. I found it in the clearance section at Hobby Lobby a while back, and the price was too good to pass up!

Audacious by Beth Moore is not a terribly long book, but it is packed with all kinds of wisdom (as I would fully expect a Beth Moore book to be) and challenge.

I do have to say this: in the very start of the book, she said these words: "I believe that God can use a book to mark a life. It doesn't even have to be a great book. It can just be well-timed." I have to tell you that as an author, those words were good for my soul. The publishing world can be such a hard place for an unestablished author. There are so many requirements, so many hoops, and most people never get the opportunity to truly and freely write for publication. It can make a writer feel like her words aren't good enough when they don't get the big audiences, and it was a beautiful reminder that God can mark lives through His timing alone.

If you've read Beth Moore books before, I do not have to tell you she is unapologetically passionate about the Lord, but this book revealed an even deeper place in her heart. It was especially good for someone like me who has grown up knowing about, loving, and serving the Lord forever, because it ignited a fresh passion. A desire to not just love the Lord, but to love Him audaciously. To find a new level of boldness and desire.

I also appreciated her reminder of God's audacious love for me. She said things like, "He does not dispense grace with an eyedropper. He drenches us with it." I know that, but I tend not to remember it like I should, and her words were timely reminders.

Boldness isn't always my gift. (I'm being generous in saying that. I'm a flat-out chicken.) Beth's book reminded me that God did indeed love me audaciously in sending His Son to die for me, so it's my job to live audaciously for Him. And it can be done. Even for flat-out chickens. After all, she said, "Boldness says that we don't see every little obstacle as some big hindrance. We're not too fragile to adapt and too finicky to accept. Boldness says that each circumstance is up for rent as opportunity."

One thing I always love about a Beth book is that while she's bold to my chicken by nature, she always makes me feel like I have what it takes to be bold too. So for the entire book to be centered AROUND boldness was an extra blessing.

I learned much, underlined about half the book, and know I will be coming back to her words over and over in the days to come. I'm not sure what God is up to in my life/our lives but I do believe this book (which IS a good book) was a timely placement from the Lord in this very moment of my life.

Thanks, Beth, for being an audacious person, and for thinking to write a whole book about it so I could learn more of what it means to live audaciously for God!