NEWS: Recent articles, Speaking Invitations, Podcasts, and a Book Contract
Hello, dear ones!
I hope you are doing well and enjoying the many blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Isn’t God great? 🙂
He certainly has been good to me. Here is an update on all that’s been going on… and there’s lots!
Recent Articles and Guest Posts
God has blessed me with opportunities to write for various magazines and blogs. Here is a list of my recent articles. I hope you’ll check them out:
“You are Welcome Here”
- Family Recovery, July 2013.
“Gentle on the Hair”
- Mentoring Moments for Christian Women, June 2013.
“My Drastic Estate”
- The Gabriel, Spring-Summer 2013 (page 16).
Speaking Invitations
Several weeks ago, the Celebrate Recovery Pastor at Bell Shoals Baptist Church (BSBC) in Brandon, Florida, invited me to speak at their Celebrate Recovery program. I was so honored by their invitation to share my testimony with them. They have a great group of participants–so welcoming and transparent. I felt very much at home! I hope and trust that my story–God’s story in my life–helped even one person in the room. A very special thank you to all who came out to support me.
Podcasts
I will be podcasting soon! I’ll send you more information about it as the date gets closer. I plan to record some posts, as well as interview others and provide you with other tools to comfort–and empower–you on your journey. I can’t wait.
and last, but certainly not least…
Book Contract
You might know I’ve been wanting to write a book for some time now. I’ve had articles included in anthologies alongside great writers, for which I’m grateful. From the time God placed the desire in my heart to write a book, I’ve known what I wanted to write about. After working some time on a book proposal this year–and I mean, for some time, I finally sent it out. I was surprised, to say the least, to hear from them so soon, but elated with their response:
This is exactly the kind of manuscripts that we are looking to get into our lineup and market. There are so many women that could benefit from this, and we are 100% on board.
Isn’t God great? 🙂
I am beyond ecstatic about this. In the days before I heard back from them, I prayed to God and told him I turned it all over to Him. If it wasn’t His plan, to close the door. If it was His plan, to make it obvious and to work it all out for me in such a way that I–and everyone–would know that only God could pull it off. He has! My heart rejoices with the Love of my Father.
So… You’re probably wondering the type of book. For now, I’ll just say that it’s an inspirational book for hurting women. God willing, I plan to have the book ready by year-end. I know that’s soon, but if it’s God’s will, He will make a way. If not, then we’ll plan for next year.
Isn’t God great? 🙂
I want to thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. I appreciate your emails, your “likes,” comments, forwards, tweets, stumbles, and all your interactions–not only with me but with each other. God keeps showing me, especially on those days I question myself, that I’m on the right path. So, thank you!
Please let me know how I can pray for you. I want to join with you for those things that weigh heavily on your heart.
Many blessings and hugs,
Daphne
2nd Graders, Field Trips, and Jesus
“This way, kids. Stay with us.”
“Joshua… Joshua, this way, please.”
“Come on, Jasmine. Time to move on.”
Oh, the joys of chaperoning 2nd grade field trips.
We don’t have all 16! Where’s Samuel?!?!
Nine girls, seven boys. Nine girls, seven boys.
I felt like I was corralling them as we walked along—trying to catch glimpses of sharks, goliath groupers, and sea anemones along the way.
I wanted them to enjoy the aquarium to the fullest—protected, safe, without getting lost and scared.
I was there for them.
Dear one, Jesus is there for us too–except He’s not just a chaperone. He is The Great Shepherd.
“This way, Daphne. Stay with me.”
“Daphne… Daphne, this way, please.”
“Daphne, time to move on.”
He doesn’t want to spoil our fun. He loves us and wants us to enjoy life to the fullest. His boundaries protect us, keep us safe, and help us not to get lost or scared along the way.
We might want to go our own way—and many times we do, but Jesus comes back for us.
If a man has a hundred sheep but one of the sheep gets lost, he will leave the other ninety-nine on the hill and go to look for the lost sheep. (Matthew 18:11-14)
When we’re weak, tender, sick, burdened, or hurting, He gathers us in His arms. He carries us close to His heart. He gently leads us (Isaiah 40:11).
***
At the end of the day, we made it back to school with all 16 kids. No major injuries–just a few cuts and scrapes along the way. I set boundaries–they felt loved. Some kids even fought to hold my hand.
“It’s my turn to hold her hand.”
“You already had a turn.”
“Mrs. T., when can I hold your hand?”
Dear one, hold Jesus’ hand. Stay within His boundaries. You will feel His love.
Come alongside… Have you ever been a chaperone? What was that like? Has anyone ever chaperoned you? How has God shepherded you? What is He trying to get across to you? Please share with us in the comments.
Related Products
News: Daphne’s Article, “Cell Phones, Hurts, and Broken Hearts” Published in MMCW
Happy Saturday, Readers!
It’s finally feeling like Fall here in Florida. I have the windows open, and the breeze is quite refreshing.
Please visit Mentoring Moments for Christian Women to read my latest article, “Cell Phones, Hurts, and Broken Hearts,” which is part of the “Jesus Is…Healer/Deliverer” series.
I am so blessed to be part of the staff at Mentoring Moments. We have a great group of women whose hearts are to minister to other women at all stages of their lives. We truly strive to provide that mentoring described in Titus 2.
I have more news coming up in the next few weeks, but I’ll wait to share until then. In the meantime, I wish you much healing in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Big hugs,
Daphne
Cleaning out my closet
I dreaded doing it, but I knew I needed to. Clothes were starting to pile up everywhere, and I couldn’t find what I needed when I wanted to wear it. Can you relate?
So I opened the closet door and started pulling things out one by one.
- Pants.
- Shirts.
- Jeans.
- Shorts.
- Dresses.
Thoughts of the past flooded my mind as I reached in for each item.
Ooh, I remember when I wore that one.
or
Oh, that one looked really good on me.
and
Ugh, I wish I could get into that one again.
Never mind that I hadn’t worn any of these things in–well, I can’t remember the last time I wore them. They were out of style. And they had that musty closet smell too.
So why did I hold on to them for so long? Why did I leave them in the closet without even giving them a second thought? Why did I let them pile up?
It’s hard letting go of the past, isn’t it? No matter how great today is, I tend to say–or think, “I wish I could do XYZ–or be XYZ–again.”
Truth is: Sometimes we hold on to things that are meant to stay in the past. They were in our lives only for a season–a beginning, middle, and end.
There is a time for everything, and everything on earth has its special season. There is a time to be born and a time to die. There is a time to plant and a time to pull up plants. There is a time to kill and a time to heal. There is a time to destroy and a time to build. There is a time to cry and a time to laugh. There is a time to be sad and a time to dance. There is a time to throw away stones and a time to gather them. There is a time to hug and a time not to hug. There is a time to look for something and a time to stop looking for it. There is a time to keep things and a time to throw things away. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-6)
Time is up for these old clothes. Time can also be up for a lot of other things in our lives:
- Relationships.
- Careers.
- Ministries.
- Hurts.
I’m cleaning out my closet. Are you?
Come alongside… What have you been holding on to? Why? What steps can you take to let it go?
The Story of My Life
Last week, my husband and I took a day trip over to Sarasota for the Ringling Museum. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend it. Mr. and Mrs. Ringling–yes, I’m talking about the circus folks–purchased 20 acres of waterfront property in the early 1900s and built a home there. Well, it’s really a mansion, and oh what a mansion!
The Ringlings loved art, and they built an impressive art collection over the years.
As my husband and I walked the 21-gallery art museum, we saw scenes of people’s lives.
- Biblical.
- Historical.
- Fictional.
- Everyday people.
Each painting or tapestry was distinct. But all told a story.
- A snapshot in time.
- A turning point in someone’s life.
- A story of the person’s life.
I got to wondering–as I often do… What’s the story of my life? If an artist wanted to tell others about me, what would he paint, draw, sculpt, or weave? I just couldn’t shake that thought as I took in each of the paintings throughout the day.
What is the story of your life? Think about it. What would you want an artist to portray about you?
My husband and I talked about this on our way home. I’ll share my story, and he’ll share his in the comments. But I wanted to start us off with my painting, my tapestry, my story.
I see a house–my house. The scene outside is rather dark, and as you approach the house, it is warmly lit. People–adults and kids alike–are walking up to the house worn and weary. Some are looking behind them as they run to my home. Others are leaving the house. They’re smiling, standing tall, healthy.
You can look inside the house through the front windows and see people–lots of them– sitting all around the front room. On the sofa, on the floor, on chairs. They’re huddled together, blankets over each person’s shoulders. There is some activity in and out of the other rooms, but the central focus is on the front room. All face in one direction–toward a cozy plantation chair in the corner. I am sitting on that chair reading to them from the Bible. Other books are on my lap. My eyebrows are raised, and I have smile on my face, as I lean in to tell them what appears to be good news.
The title of the painting is, “The Comfort Station.” (I actually have a sign in my house today.) The subtitle is, “Comforting others with the comfort she received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).”
That’s how I would like to be remembered. That is the story of my life.
Come alongside… What is the story of your life? Share it with us. Invite your friends to share their stories.
(Remember… January is book giveaway month. The more you comment below, the more chances you have to win a copy of my new book, Women of the Secret Place.)
Resources for Leaving a Legacy
