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I agonized over this post. I listened to hours o

I agonized over this post.

I listened to hours of sermons on this passage. Started writing it, stopped writing it. At least 4 drafts trashed. Set it aside for a few days. Dreamed about it. Prayed about it. Asked others to pray about it for me, and then, finally, it came.

By the time I hit publish, I thought I had THOROUGHLY saturated my heart with it's contents. ♥️

But then...

A few hours after I finally felt released of it, we got a text that threatened to overflow my heart with worry.

Friends, after the initial shock, I just had to laugh. What else could I do?

While I thought my struggle with these words were behind me, the Lord said there's still more in front of you.

"Let not my heart be troubled" has a whole new meaning right now.

This is not just an exercise in writing, this is an exercise in living out what I write and what I believe.

In the wake of national news that threatens to overflow our hearts with grief, and in my own season of waiting on the Lord, THIS is what we need most right now.

The way, the truth, and the life, is where I'm intentionally choosing to fix my gaze. I hope you are too! ♥️

Encourage my heart and read this post. Share it if you think it's worthy. 🔗 In bio..

"I am the way, the truth, the life" John 14:6 🛣

"I am the way, the truth, the life" John 14:6 🛣️

When these words were given, the disciples hearts were very troubled. Maybe your heart is troubled today too and comfort feels out of reach.

You can have an untroubled heart even in troubling times if you know the Way.

Read more 🔗 in bio.

The Good Shepherd will go to whatever lengths are

The Good Shepherd will go to whatever lengths are necessary to save his sheep. You might even say he'll save and protect his sheep, by crook or by hook. 🪝🐏

Jesus said "I am the door." 🚪 At first I didn'

Jesus said "I am the door." 🚪

At first I didn't get how rich this statement really was. But in studying this passage this week, I was blown away at the personal, protective, and liberating truth that his door brings to the life of the believer.

Not only is it a statement of his protection over his sheep, but he's also the place of access and freedom for his sheep.

Friends, this statement is for your confidence and joy. Nothing gets to you that hasn't first gone through the door of your Savior. ❤️

Read more about it through the 🔗 in bio.

Not all doors that seem to be closed, are. There's

Not all doors that seem to be closed, are. There's one door, that's open, and it's the only one that really matters. Will you go through THAT door?
https://cara-ray.com/behind-the-open-door-access-to-the-only-true-celebrity/

Did you know God tells the waves where they are to

Did you know God tells the waves where they are to STOP 🛑? If that is true, and it is, then not one detail of your life goes unnoticed by the God of creation who controls even the very boundaries of the sea. 🌊 Take heart, friends.

I don't need to tell you the world is a dark place

I don't need to tell you the world is a dark place. We see and feel it everyday, everywhere.

But there is a remedy to the darkness, it's to follow the one who said he was the light of the world.

He wasn't merely "like" the light. He said he WAS the light.

He's the light for your own darkness in the hidden places only you know about (he knows it too).

He's the light for your lack of wisdom. His light brings knowledge.

He's the light for your situations that you don't know the answers to.

His light overcomes ALL darkness, and you can trust him.

🔗 In bio to read more. ❤️

So this is 47. 💕 Today I went to a new exercis

So this is 47. 💕

Today I went to a new exercise class at my gym. I don’t know what I expected with a class name like “Bounce,” but a lot of bouncing was had.

As a newbie, there was a lot to think about. I was fully engaged trying to keep up with the choreography, while simultaneously not peeing my pants, or falling off the mini-tramp. (Thankfully, I accomplished all three!🙌)

At one point, I thought, “I’m too old for this. Maybe I can sneak out unnoticed.” But I kept going, and kept bouncing and kept sweating like crazy. In the end, it was a lot of fun, and I plan to go back.

I guess that’s a good metaphor for birthdays too. Aren’t we all just trying to keep up and not make a fool of ourselves at the same time?

This last year has certainly stretched me. Like the Bounce class, I keep finding myself in new situations where I’m outside my comfort zone and self-conscious that I’m about to fall on my face. But despite all that…I’m also having a blast!

So, I'm thankful for the Lord's kindness and mercy in giving me these MANY trips around the Sun. Praying he'll give me many more. ❤️

Do you ever think of your words as art? ✒️🎨

Do you ever think of your words as art? ✒️🎨

Maybe that feels a little too lofty for you, but really art is anything that is true, good, and beautiful.

And aren't those the very definition of who God is?

He is TRUTH, he is GOODNESS, and he is BEAUTIFUL! Paul tells us in Phil 4:8 that these are the very things we need to think upon.

In today's blog post, I'm sharing more about the Writers' Bloc and the heart behind it. I hope you'll check it out and join my for my free webinar next week!

Deets in the 🔗!

Do you ever wrestle with feeling overwhelmed or in

Do you ever wrestle with feeling overwhelmed or inadequate to share your message with the world? 🙋🏽‍♀️

There are so many things to know and learn when we write online ESPECIALLY when we write for the Lord!

There seem to be new rules that are unique for those who write in the Christian blogosphere -- and it feels like no one is talking about them!

If you ever ask yourself...

💜 Is this the right message to share?

💜 Who am I even writing to???

💜 Will what I write today, embarrass me tomorrow?

💜 What if my words are criticized or people don't respond positively?

If this sounds like you, then you need the Writers' Bloc! 💜✒️

Sign up to join me next Tuesday, Feb 21st at 1 EST for a FREE webinar where we'll go over the 7 Secrets you need to know to improve your writing, connect with your readers, and build an online platform that glories the Lord!

Link is in the bio! Don't miss out! You need these SECRETS applied in your life today! 💜

#mywritersbloc #lovegodlovewordslovereaders #writersbloccommunity #getunblockedwithwritersbloc

I'm so excited to finally be able to share with yo

I'm so excited to finally be able to share with you that the Writers' Bloc site is LIVE! 💜✒️

On the site, you can...

💜Learn what the Writers'Bloc is all about.

💜How our focus will be on the ART and HEART of writing.

💜 Meet our first teachers in the Bloc and see their exciting upcoming topics!

And MOST IMPORTANTLY of all, you can register for the FREE webinar! 👏👏👏

This webinar is all about how to grow in the art and heart of writing, and build a God-glorifying platform at the same time.

If you're a Christian writer, or you have aspirations to write, THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU!

P.S. Can you do me a favor and help spread the word? Tag a friend who you think would benefit from the Writers'Bloc below! ⤵️

🔗 In bio

I guess we're at that stage in married life where

I guess we're at that stage in married life where there's no longer anxiety around "doing enough" or even "doing anything" for Valentine's Day. ❤️

I know he doesn't care about cards, and he knows I don't need roses.

All I need for Valentine's day is a dinner with him where we can finish all those conversations that often start and then get interrupted.

Sometimes I long for a time in the future when there will be less worry and less needs. (Will that ever come? 🤷‍♀️ I'm not holding my breath.)

But then I'm reminded that it's in the abundance of need and busyness that the all-sufficient grace of Jesus carries us.

To everything there is a season, and I'm thankful for this crazy, love-filled, bone-tired, depending-on-grace season we find ourselves in.

And I'm thankful for a Tuesday night date, a decent Asian salad, and the best company with my forever-Valentine. ❤️❤️

Happy Valentine's Day friends! How have you spent your Valentine's? 💌 ⤵️

We know about seasons, right? Winter, Spring, Summ

We know about seasons, right? Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. 🌷🌻🍁❄️

But have you ever considered that your creativity runs in seasons and cycles too?

You know those times you're fascinated with a topic and researching, taking notes, going on wild goose chases to get the information you need...guess what? You're in SPRING. 🌷

Your mind is like fertile soil where seeds of information and inspiration are planting themselves.

Then when you take the information and start pumping out the words, sitting for long hours in front of your computer, smithing each word until it's just right...You're in SUMMER! 🌻 That's when you take advantage of the long days of sunshine to get work done.

But soon, the words are just right and it's time to share them. This is the abundance of AUTUMN'S harvest. 🍁It's time to reap what you've sown and share your work with the world.

Then it's time to hunker down a bit, reset, and let your body, mind, and soul get nourished again. This is the important (and often neglected) season of WINTER.❄️

Creative friends...

Seasons are part of God's created order to bless us! We were created to work within these confines and THRIVE in them. 🌷🌻🍁❄️

I invite you to check out this week's post about seasons. There's a bonus at the end...a BEAUTIFUL, FREE, GUIDED WORKBOOK to help you work through your own creative process and lean in/not resist your season of life and creativity.

To everything there is a season, friends. Even your creativity! ❤️

#Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus C

#Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. Eph 1:3

The first time I read that first it stopped me in my tracks. 🛤️

What did that mean? And how does it impact my everyday life?

The answer is the more we soak in the truths of our true identity in Christ Jesus the more the lies the world throws our way lose their power and grip. ⛓️

Friend, do you listen to the lies of the enemy more than you listen to who God says you are?

There's a powerful remedy to that problem that will make you know how #blessed you really are! 💕

Check it out: 🔗In bio under latest posts

"The lies writers believe and the truth that sets them free."

Tell me 👇, how are you fighting the lies? And what truth are you rehearsing? I wanna know!

Do you ever wonder why sometimes words and creativ

Do you ever wonder why sometimes words and creativity flows from your fingertips and other times you stare at a blank screen and blinking cursor?

Instead of getting frustrated by this cycle, you need to recognize your CREATIVE SEASON and work with it and not against it!
🍂🌱🌴❄️

Discover how you can work with the rhythms if your life and not against them with this FREE WORKBOOK!

I promise you'll come away ENCOURAGED, EQUIPPED, and ENGAGED with this season of your life

🔗In bio

There's a beautiful Latin phrase that shows up twi

There's a beautiful Latin phrase that shows up twice in the Psalms, it's "Coram Deo" and it means "before the face of God."

R.C. Sproul has the best definition, he says..."The essence of coram Deo is to live one's entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God."

When we understand that everything we do, including all that we write and create happens before God's face, it changes and elevates our work. 🙌

If you're a creator, I think you'll appreciate this post and how coram Deo recalibrates our work! ✍️

Here's another Latin phrase to sign off. It's all for God's glory! ❤️❤️❤️

Sola Deo Gloria,

Cara

🔗in bio

Looking back on my most popular posts from 2022 ha

Looking back on my most popular posts from 2022 has taught me a few things about what people like to read.

🌱Stories! Personal stories and anecdotes tied to the larger lesson are still very effective.

🌱People like practical help, with writing tips, copy, and how to make an impact online. If you have some expertise in a subject matter, share it!

🌱A new slant on old things. In other words: have an opinion, take a position and defend it.

🌱 Vulnerability. The posts that did the best are the ones where I had to peel back some layers and share the not so fun and hard things of life. I'm naturally a private person, so that act of vulnerability was scary, but worth it.

Thankful for all I learned in 2022 about life, leisure, and the pursuit of holiness. I hope some of these posts blessed you too. 💕 Link in bio.

This was my favorite gift this year. A physical bo

This was my favorite gift this year. A physical book for all my online words. It even provides QR codes for all the videos I've posted. It was super easy to make, and I'll make one every year from now until Jesus comes! 😂 It makes a beautiful coffee table book created by @pixxibook. I absolutely ❤️ it!

I pray in all your celebrations today you are enjo

I pray in all your celebrations today you are enjoying the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 🕊️

So thankful that he's the giver and the gift! 🎁

MERRY CHRISTMAS friends!🎄

#merrychristmas2022 #merrychristmas🎄 #jesusisthereasonfortheseason #wonderfulcounselor #mightygod #everlastingfather #princeofpeace #pursuingholyleisure #pursuingotiumsanctum

Who is this Prince of Peace? 🕊️ He is the Sa

Who is this Prince of Peace? 🕊️

He is the Sar-Shalom

Our Commander-in-Peace.

Do you know him?

He offers us more than a truce with himself.

He offers...

Peace with God.

Peace of God.

& Peace from God.

To read more, check out the link in bio. 🔗🕊️