Listen If You Dare! A Woman's REAL Christmas Letter

Ever read one of those annual Christmas missives from friends and acquaintances and felt like you life was altogether lame and mediocre? Yeah, me too. Here's to hearing (and reading) it the way it really is; let's bless others with a little authenticity and humor shall we?

What Happening in 2012, Some Changes

I'm changing up my 2012 (not 21012, as I so typo'd in a recent newsletter) speaking/booking and am looking forward to the places I'll go and the people I'm going to meet. More than anything I want to impact others through laughter, joy, hard-earned wisdom, simple biblical truth, and honesty, in and through the totality of my life as follower of Jesus Christ. If our paths cross in '12 or beyond, be sure to introduce yourself and prepare yourself to be hugged. 

Joy to the World & Something You May Not Know

Tis the Season so here's a little something to help you win Christmas trivia games as well as a 2-second snip of Julie singing. : )

The Annual Christmas Letter

Does anyone writing and mailing out these holiday missives have an "ordinary" life? Upon reading through a couple dozen or so, I often feel the need to push candy canes through my eyeballs and grab a gallon of eggnog. But maybe it's just me.

How to Pray God's Word

Do you find yourself overwhelmed by doubt? fear? ambivalence? crushing temptations? sin? If so, dare to speak...dare to pray...dare to agree with by faith the scriptural truth of the Bible and discover for yourself the supernatural power of His word to strengthen, reveal, correct, direct, and guide the totality of your life.

Guess Who's On My Thanksgiving List? You!

Plus Elvis and non-existent kitty videos. 

Saying "No" to God

Obedience isn't always the first thing we want to do nor the first thing we choose to do. 

Do's & Don'ts for Deer Hunting Widows, Moms, and Friends

Sage advice from one of America's foremost experts on what NOT to do. 

Things I Would Only Do During a Zombie Apocolypse

It's always good to have a plan. 

Am I Content or Just Lazy?

Thoughts on ambition & letting go

"This is Just a Test!" & A Prayer for the Brokenhearted

Chocolate Pecan Turtles & Following Hard After Jesus

Baked Potato Dreams & God....trust me on this one

A Jesus Girl Confession

Some honest thoughts...

A Man, a Nail, and a Reformation

Who says one person can't change the world? Here's to Martin Luther, the power of a hammer, and uncompromising proclamation of truth .

The Connection Between Food & Friendship

Living the Sweet Life...

Or, what to do when the Pastry Chef gives you the wrong filling in your daughter's wedding cake.

You Had Me at Dishes

The beauty of time, experience, and history when it comes to friendships.

Notes to My Younger Self: "Put Down the Dip!"

What do Brooke Shields, epic Talent Show fails, and Rembrandt have in common? Listen and learn, Grasshopper...

A Bit of Perspective. A Lot of Thankfulness.

A slightly teary-eyed Mother-of-the-Bride post.

Toilet Seats, More Fabric, & Devil Tees

Oh, the things you say as the mother of a teenage boy.

Radar Equipped Ovaries, Non-Sexual Fantasies, & Choosing to Live Present

Whew! It's only taken me 24-years of marriage & motherhood to learn how to become a "We" rather than a "me." Here's to you learning a bit more quickly.

Toddlers vs. Teenagers...

Their more alike than you may realize!

Loser Mom Moment & Glorious Public Libraries!

How did I miss this lesson with Child #3 (a/k/a "The Teenager")?

MOPS, Ovaries, and Grace Towards Moms

A challenge to be grace...think grace...speak grace...extend grace towards moms of toddlers & teens. *SMILE*

Things I Know to Be True

Sometimes life simply is what it is.

Less Snooki. More Thinking.

Hey, there's an exciting world (with its ever-changing events and influence) going on before your very eyes. Here's to tuning in to said reality via book reading, online research, and good old fashioned thinking. Let's be Christian Women Who Think! (And men too, of course.)

The Aroma of Life...Here and There

It's not about kicking out more check-marks on your to-do list. It's about abiding...being...and relaxing into the fragrant presence of Jesus Christ.

Oompaloompa Healing & Getting Older

That's Life w/Julie...and Oprah! (sorta)

Somedays I have to call up my understudy.

Happy Hoodie Day!!

Because sometimes it's all about the comfort.

Words You Can Live With

You never know what changes await just around the corner of life. I encourage you to speak with great intentionality and purpose words which you can live with and set well with both your soul and those listening.

Ferry Boat Pilots, a Woman Named Karla, & Numbering Our Days

Lessons learned over a poignant weekend.

Wedding Gown Alterations & "Damien" Jr.

God has a Name...

and it's not the one you hear most frequently on television, in movies, or posted on a FB Wall.

Let Mercy Triumph: A Post-Family Labor Day Prayer *smile*

Slingshot Strategies for Facing Those Giants

Two simple and doable strategies to use at your discretion. Each one is powerful enough to fell more than one Goliath.

You've Got Giants and They're Bringing Their Friends

Have you ever played the carnival/amusement park game called, "Whack-a-Mole"? Armed with a soft mallet club one attempts to "whack" furry mechanical moles as they pop up from their cubby and show their little rodent face. Up one springs! Whack. And another and another. Whack! Whack! And another and another and another and anot....okay, you get the point.

Here's the thing: the Giants* we face are a lot like those whackable moles. We see the one in front of us. Perhaps view another w/our peripherary vision. But like those furry rodents, there are countless other relatives of said giant which we'll need to face down and stand up against.

A young teenage boy named David did just that: faced one giant only to stand against its relatives a few years later in life. You're going to be encouraged as you learn of God's faithfulness in preparing us both to will and to do all that is required when gazing at a Goliath.

Would You Rather? Choosing to Face Our Giants

Got Giants? A "giant" is anything that exalts itself in our minds, pretending to be bigger and more powerful than God in our life. A few that have made the list in my life? Parents (mine). School Administration. Church leadership. Finances. Other moms (some of those can be seriously scary!). And good old fear.

Living a Charmed Life

Who are the people and what are the events which are engraved upon the memory of your heart and mind?

Praying for You

 So many responded to my FB post: What are YOUR needs and how can I pray for you? It is my joy to do just that.

Laugh with Me Wednesday!

Join me for some "185" quirky pun fun. Add your samples to the mix too.

Gold Rings, Oscar Schindler, and Saving a Life

"Whoever saves one life saves the entire world." What can you do today to make a difference in someone's life? What will you choose to do, or believe, or speak, that will shape the generation(s) still yet to be born? Do great things!

Shaking Hands (my son, that is) with POTUS Obama

It was an exciting day for my son as he met and engaged in a brief conversation with The President: POTUS, "You're a tall kid!" My son, "You're taller than I thought you'd be." POTUS, "Yeah, I get that a lot."

Four Things Christians Should Say More Often

I've come to embrace the following conversational tenets as the result of failing to do so far too often in my own life and with those I love & those I desire to reach with truth. I'm practicing what I speak, teach, and write, more and more as the years pass and hopefully you'll implement a few of these as well.

Children's Birthdays, Reading Glasses, and the Moon

On Life & Books, Glorious Books!

It's impossible to talk "Life" without including the subject of books! Here are a few titles which have left an idelible mark upon my reading life, I think you'll enjoy them as well!

How to Say "No" Like You Mean It, Part 3

Do you really want to Chair the Committee on Toilet Safety? Do you really want to be run over as a parent by your 3-year old? Or 13-year old? I didn't think so! Learn to embrace the beauty of the "No" by adding these "...and no" retorts to your repertoire.

The Hunger Games Now Showing On Your Favorite HD Flat Screen

The Death of Beverly Hills Housewife's Husband: Russell Armstrong

The Hunger Games is broadcast every day on local cable; we're simply too dull, desensitized, & spiritually bankrupt to recognize our participation. I'm guilty of having tuned into this particular program. Guilty of compromising my humanity & theirs while watching the entertainment/debacle from a comfortable Coliseum seat in my own living room. No more. I'm done. God help us all be finished with such things.

How to Say "No" Like You Mean It - Part 2

Some people need what I refer to as a "Repertoire of Retorts" to help them communicate "no." So here you go, a few to help launch your "That's a negatory," self.  : )

Say "No" Like You Mean It

Have you ever found yourself volunteering for a job you really don't want? Or perhaps found yourself arguing with a three-year old and wondering to yourself, "Good grief, who's the adult here?" You CAN learn how to say "No" with confidence, grace, and creativity!

I Dare You to Delight in the Ordinary

‎"Who knew rolling out homemade egg noodles could inspire a Vblog. Feel free to post your own sacred observations in your delightfully ordinary life."

"Have You Lost Weight?!" and Other Nerve Racking Comments

People mean well but sometimes, well, sometimes their words just don't rest so easy on the soul. Take a few minutes to chuckle along with me and share any "less-than-ideal" comments and phrases that come to mind.

The Call to Honor Others

Honor: When & where you recognize who a person is without stumbling over who they are not. From whom have you withheld honor? And how can you honor them today?

A How-to Audio Primer for Belting Out a Fabulous Rally War Cry

 mother & member of the human race should be equipped and prepared to let loose a audio barrage of sound whilst cheering their favorite child, sports team, or Marine troops. Listen and learn, Grasshopper.Every mother & member of the human race should be equipped and prepared to let loose a audio barrage of sounery mother & member of the human race should be equipped and prepared to let loose a audio barrage of sound whilst cheering their favorite child, sports team, or Marine troops. Listen and learn, Grasshopper.whilst cheering their favorite child, sports team, or Marine troops. Listen and learn, Grasshopper.Every mother & member of the human race should be equipped and prepared to let loose a audio barrage of sound whilst cheering their favorite child, sports team, or Marine troops. Listen and learn, Grasshopper.

A Mess of Magnificent Proportions!

We all have a messy side to our face. Messy life. Messy faith. We just don't all put it out there for the neighbors or Youtube world to see. That's my job! *smile* Here's to each of us embracing said messes and determining to follow all the more toward Jesus.

What Not to Say Advice to Men

Three words a man should never use when attempting to describe or compliment a female of any age or relation.

Shuddup! On Relationships, Conversation, and All Things Timing

46-Years Old & Still Laughing!

Get Ready (Already)!!!

Ever had a dream that just stuck with you leaving an indelible, "I know, I know," message? Yep. Me too.

On getting "heeled" by Gangsta Grandmas at the grocery market and faith.

Learning to Carry My Marine Son's Alice Pack

"My day was spent learning a thing or two regarding the superb packing mechanism referred to in Marine circles as an Alice pack. Sometimes it's hard to believe it's my son rolling up those skivvies in such a neat and compact fashion. And to top it off, Patrick decked out in his brothers gear (photos to come) and it nearly took my breath away. Love, love, love, my boys and the proud men and women of our U.S. Armed Services."

Register TODAY for September 2012 Fall Foliage Cruise w/Julie!

Tell Me Your Story:

I believe four of the most powerful words one can speak to be the following: Tell Me Your Story. After 10+ years of speaking those very words & then listening and/or reading the responses of tens of thousands of women, I'm ready to harness the power of video web cams/FB/Skype and make these intensives available to you. Listen in for more information and find online details at my website: www.juliebarnhill.com/store.

"In the Middle"

Give Them Something To Eat: On seeing, living, & giving from what you have rather than what you seemingly lack.

Tell Me Why You Like & Visit My Blog

When Compelled...They Did Something

Oh, You're Going to Want to Join Me For This! (September 2012)

September 2012 Fall Foliage Cruise w/Julie

What I'm All About

Getting Over Guilt in Your Parenting

In the Totality of Our Parenting: Answers on Mothering & Anger

I'm Back (yes, again) & I'm Video Blogging!

New Year, New Posting Opportunities

Okay, my faithful followers, over the course of the next few hours (hopefully), and/or days, I'm going to meld blog postings from two other sites with this, my primary landing spot for all-things blogging.

Yes, I confess to being a sorry blogger. But, hey, it's a new year, a new day, and I'm feeling good. (Head nod to Mr. Buble.) So, check back in a few and read some posts from several years back, as well as updated takes on running hard after Jesus.