How sweet, how wonderful — to hear these beautiful words: “Life is precious!” from a loved one recently💕Indeed!
This is an important and touching reminder for all of us because it’s essential to look at what we engage ourselves in, as well as its impact on life: our time spent. It’s important to consider this ongoing, not just when the year is “new,” during the month of January!
I could work all day and call it “life” (and often have), or I could “play” all day and feel overwhelmingly “behind” in all I think I must do (as I often believed) and feeling life was diminished, not made better by my time away. Can you relate?
These encouraging words come at an interesting moment in time, during increasingly uncertain days. Upheaval, unwarranted hatred and turmoil are erupting everywhere have become a global epidemic.
I’m thankful we really can look beyond all the dark contentiousness swirling about to see what is right and true. Like a single candle glowing silently in the dark, this gives all with eyes to see and hearts to gladly receive needed HOPE.
Through disappointments, pain, struggle and chaos we always have Hope. Peace is found there. “and hope does not disappoint.” ~ Romans 5:5 [NASB]
Life IS precious!
📖In journaling the Word today, my verse was Psalm 138:2-3. I love the Scripture summary: “A Thankful Heart” [CSB], which said it so well. It is where I am right now…
“Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!” Psalm 138:1a [MSG]
…I am thankful for all. I’m thankful for all His blessings and unlimited answered prayers ongoing — SO many answered! And so many answered in AMAZING ways♥️ So I say…
“I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: “Thank you!” Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.”
~ Psalm 138: 2-3 [MSG]
AMEN. Indeed He did! He does! He will! He is!
Thank you, Father! I’m sharing this today to proclaim your Holy Name, to give thanks for all, and to share this for those who need a word of encouragement♥️
MORE VERSIONS of this Scripture:
“I will bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your constant love and truth. You have exalted your name and your promise above everything else.
On the day I called, you answered me; you increased strength within me.”
~ Psalm 138:2-3 [Christian Standard Bible]
——–
“I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.
As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.”
~ Psalm 138:2-3 [New Living Translation]
——–
“I will bow down [in worship] toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word together with Your name.
On the day I called, You answered me; And You made me bold and confident with [renewed] strength in my life.”
~ Psalm 138:2-3 [Amplified Bible]
——–
“I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and truth. You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else.
On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me.”
~ Psalm 138:2-3 [Holman Christian Standard Bible]
——–
“Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!” Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
Happy New Year! As much as we believe things have changed even in the last year, if we’re truly honest with ourselves, many important things that trouble us most remain the same (or possibly they are worse).
Relationships rank high on the list of human needs. When things go awry, life becomes more difficult, we are less free to be ourselves, and to enjoy the company and special times with those near and dear that give life deeper meaning and greater joy.
As we come into the New Year with thoughts of a fresh start, renewal, and hopeful possibility, this is a great time to consider how we might work toward restoration, repairing brokenness and loving others more radically — perhaps as never expected.
Emotions reliably stir as we enter a New Year. Reviewing the last 365 days, happy memories come to mind. They warm us in the January chill. They give us hope for the days ahead.
Painful thoughts inevitably come on the heels of bliss-filled remembering, coloring our yesterdays in darker hues. They remind us of where we’ve been. If we allow, they’ll dictate where we’ll stay in the days stretching out before us.
At the dawning of a new year, many becoming misty-eyed reflecting on events of the recent past. Reviewing mountaintop moments, great joys, incredible accomplishments, happy times, they also carefully inspected their disappointments, tragedies, setbacks, and personal shortcomings. We’ve all experienced sweet moments and difficult times over the last 10 years!
Hope for the days ahead fuels beautiful dreams of what is yet to be. It can be a way forward for us, as a catalyst for the change we hope to live. Not just in personal improvement, but also in life and our broken relationships.
Winston Churchill said: “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” There is wisdom in these words. Applied properly, considering past events can give us perspective on important life matters.
Reviewing what got us to where we are is an integral step in making essential life changes. Dwelling on the past promises to hold us there. Steeping in the sadness of overwhelm immobilizes us. As much as we desire to escape the unrelenting pain, we will remain stuck.
‘Understanding’ or trying to figure out a troubling relational situation can be helpful, but a clear view of a matter is not always possible. Things happen in life we’ll never understand. Lingering too long in trying to make sense of what doesn’t, holds us back on what is yet to be, or who we may become.
It’s important to look back and learn from the past. In fact, “history” can never truly be erased — because it happened😉It can be and is an insightful source of understanding and learning for our lives.
Thinking it’s all “in the past,” by complacently believing we can ‘shelve’ it because it’s unimportant, or we can’t do anything about a relational break, never addresses the issue. It remains, glaring at us, impatiently awaiting attention, even when we can rightfully claim “no fault” in causing the incident.
Focusing on the past can keep us stuck in the place we want to free ourselves from. Don’t dwell on it, friend😊Instead, look to the possibilities ahead and relationships to be mended. Our future is not found in our past. Our future may in part be shaped by what has happened, but going back to linger too long is not the direction to focus on, as we look to move ahead.
ZigZiglar said: “How you see the future is much more important than anything that has happened in your past.” In other words, the past may shape us and to an extent “the now, “ but it does not dictate our everyday — unless we allow it.
Our dreams, hopes and desires for a brighter, better future and strong relationships with others are always possible. How do you see these things in your life? I’m hoping for more rekindled friendships and restored broken places this new year!
Eventually we realize ‘letting go’ of the thing (NOTE: not the person — unless it involves abuse or risks personal safety) that binds us to an impossible situation is the only way to move forward. We know we will stay stuck otherwise. Grace for the matter (and those involved) is required. A change of heart in us is what’s needed. That’s where the transformation to live more in love and freely extending grace begins.
Of all the changes and good things we hope for in this New Year, may we enter the days ahead filled with the hope of things that are possible.
We can begin to take steps toward relational restoration and reclaiming needed peace and joy in life. May we embrace the adventure we call life by living a truly radical life. May it often contradict conventional thinking (by the world’s standards), as we set our intentions to live in love and walk in grace every minute of every day.
Through a changed heart, we see things differently. When the pain is too piercing to continue, hanging on to it becomes too great. Then we can see our way clear of it. This is the path to #forgiveness and by following it, we are on our way to restoring life’s broken places♥️I’m on the Road to Forgiveness too — are you with me?
More about forgiveness and building healthy relationships:
If you only read 1 book this year — I recommend reading RESTORING THE BROKEN PLACES IN AN UNFORGIVING WORLD, to help you build healthy relationships and mend life’s broken places!
Restoring the Broken Places in an Unforgiving World is available for sale in any bookstore — your favorite local shop, indie, brick-and-mortar! Ask for it, if you don’t see it, please!
Hard to believe — BUT — the holidays are just around the corner, aren’t they? ?
Are you ready for them? ? So many details… so many preparations and so much more… Unfortunately gatherings sometimes bring challenges and unforeseen difficulties. Tensions can run high ?Anxiety can grow so big that joy gets crowded out.
Unfortunately gatherings sometimes bring challenges and unforeseen difficulties. Holidays don’t always bring the best out in people.
It’s not easy to be prepared for relational issues that develop or become inflamed during these times ? It’s hard to stand ready for ANYthing that can happen — most of which you probably couldn’t predict or imagine.
When the dreaded mishap or a major eruption does happen, it often makes you feel like you had better walk on eggshells if you want to keep the peace — possibly in your own home??
Are you feeling a bit anxious? Who wouldn’t?! What to do?
I suggest my newest book which deals squarely and candidly with challenges just like this:
We all struggle to remain in control of our lives. Isn’t it time to stand up to the lies and live the life you were meant to live? Don’t settle for less. Kick the lies to the curb and accept God’s best for your life!
Embracing lies costs us dearly. Life becomes less about who we are, and more about the lies living with us. They stick around for as long as we allow.
After 7 years of research, deep-dive study, and writing about building healthy relationships, I realized the need for encouragement and insight into issues that create a fertile environment for pain-filled relationships.
Kick Life-Wrecking Lies to the Curb! Letting Go of the Lies Keeping You From Living with Heart and Soul is written from a biblical perspective, offering tried-and-true solutions to some of life’s most nagging relational issues.
Learn effective strategies and discover:
How lies easily captivate hearts and minds everywhere
10 ways lies take up residence
7 principles for lie-free living
Sure-fire steps to break free of lies – banishing them
Kick Life-Wrecking Lies to the Curb! Letting Go of the Lies Keeping You From Living with Heart and Soul is available in paperback and ebook formats on Amazon; also on Barnes & Nobel, Walmart and Lulu:
This was the week September 11th was remembered by many. It really stirs the heart and memories looking back, doesn’t it? I’m sure you have a lot of memories packed-away about this infamous day. We’ll never forget, will we?
Some precious memories of the days that followed came to mind this week, as I remembered garden friends gathering in our Herbal Treasures Garden for a previously-scheduled event turned prayer gathering right in the middle of the garden.
A beautiful glow was cast on our Herbal Treasures of Hickory Hollow Garden by the golden September sunshine. Peace and calm filled our lovely garden. It was a lively place as butterflies flitted about, the bees were buzzily busy doing their thing as birds joyously sang their little sweet hearts out.
Like a last-minute hug before leaving for a long time, life felt secure and assured that all was well as we launched into the day. This morning was so especially gorgeous, it belied the potential evil lurking in the corners of the day. Looking back, it seemed impossible this serene day could take the turn it did in mere hours on 9-11.
22 years ago, on the Saturday afternoon following 9-11, a group of women gathered in our Herbal Treasures of Hickory Hollow Garden. It was September 15th. As the last big event of the 2001 gardening season, it was the grand finale.
This garden gathering had been planned months before. The program offered sweet fellowship time and sharing about our family’s visit to the Chelsea Flower Show — the ultimate garden party! Special refreshments included serving Sticky Toffee Pudding, a delight we discovered on our trip (long before becoming an internet sensation).
The Infamous Day Life Changed Forever
On 9-11 (Tuesday) life changed forever for the United States, and dare I say also the world. The life-altering events of that day impacted every aspect of life, immediately including regular schedules, special plans and everyday life as we knew it.
By Wednesday, I knew I had to decide whether to go forward with our planned event or not. After prayerful consideration, we determined we must continue with our plans. Press on we did!
The women gathered in quiet anticipation of needed time with others in a loving safe space — our garden. These are women of faith. Standing together in the center of the garden, we prayed deeply that day. We prayed over the horrific events unleashing unexpected destruction that week.
There were so many needs to cover with prayer, that it was almost difficult to know where to begin. We prayed for our country, leaders, and all who were touched by the unfolding horrors: affected families… destroyed businesses… lost lives… bystanders harmed, and the cities and areas affected. The list grew on!
He Holds The Whole World In His Hands
That day, each sweet lady left her 9-11 related concerns at Jesus’ feet right there in the garden. While we had difficulty finding all the words, He was there with us, as well (as with everyone calling out to Him everywhere). He is among us and He hears us, sees us, and knows us.
Jesus was with all of us wherever we were on the fateful day of 9-11. Before the dark events caused such a tragic outcome and in the aftermath, He was present. He continues to stay close to all of us today.
Jesus heard all the cries, saw our tears, witnessed the pain and unimaginable desecration. He brought us together with one another to get through the excruciating pain and dark uncertain days that followed. We found we were better together.
People were seeking answers. They needed assurances. They wanted something they could hold onto that was secure in this world gone mad. The truth is, we always are looking for these things. In the topsy-turvy days following 9-11, this quest spread like wildfire!
We Always Have Hope, Even Amidst the Ashes
There are many things we can count on:
Life is always uncertain.
Evil exists in the world.
Our pain and struggles are real.
Even on dark days, we are never alone.
Every day of our lives, Jesus is with us.
God loves all deeply (even bad guys).
He keeps His promises.
God — NEVER man — is “in charge.”
Evil will be punished.
Hope is found in Him, for all our needs.
God hears our prayers and knows us.
God answers our prayers in His time.
His Will, His Plan supersedes man’s.
God uses even bad things for His good.
Man will NOT have “the last word.”
The truth is: even in our darkest days, we are never alone.God is with us. Jesus stands by us and will go forward with us as we press on through it all.
In Deuteronomy 31:6, Scripture tells us:
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” (MSG)
“Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the LORD your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.” (CSB)
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or in dread of them, for the LORD your God is the One who is going with you. He will not desert you or abandon you.” (ASB)
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (NLT)
I’m not scheduling any more 2023-24 presentations and appearance dates — BUT — planning lots of good stuff on LivRad TV! ??Here are some ✨Recent Videos✨ gathered for you: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list…
NO Presentation/Appearance Dates Are Currently Available — BUT watch for more content on #LivRadTV ? And planning lots of good stuff!
❤️?My passion and mission to encourage everyone to transform life one relationship at a time — it’s also my message!
You Really CAN Transform Your Life One Relationship At A Time!
Say GOODBYE to UNhealthy Relationships. Get TIPS to Transform Life One Relationship at a Time! I’m always looking for ways to offer viewers a good experience and encouragement by sharing insight I’ve learned in over 20 years of ministry work and 8 years of research, study, and writing, along with practical, time-tested biblically-based solutions to help viewers build healthier relationships.
Newly-revised edition of Restoring the Broken Places is available now!
Do you want to regain peace in your life, repair broken relationships and really live your best?
My book Restoring the Broken Places in an Unforgiving World provides a deep-dive look into relationships, forgiveness and the perplexing issues that cause relational problems.
I wrote this book with the heart mission of presenting a fresh look at why popular everyday methods (most often used by everyone) don’t work to ‘fix’ painful situations. Relationships matter!
It is a real life application book showing how to effectively move toward restoring broken relationships, and offering assurance that regaining peace in life is possible.
? I’m pretty sure most of us never sat around trying to imagine what life would be like in the middle of a pandemic — or in the aftermath of it…
Probably because we were busy living life, right? (I hope so!)
Three things we know for sure:
In the wake of it all, life still happens. Truly! No.matter.what.
At the end of it, we are more than ready to gather♥️
God is always with us, through every moment… AMEN!
And when the time comes, gather we do… don’t we?!
YES!
?? Now at last many more community gatherings are happening here!
Like — My First Restoring the Broken Places Book Signing, at Barnes & Noble!
I’m SO excited to share the happy news of my FIRST book signing!
You’re invited!
If you’re in the area, join me and other inspiring authors at Barnes & Noble-Hickory, NC for an author meet-and-greet on Saturday, June 25th 10AM – 6PM!
In all I write, speak and do — all forms of media, all the time — I endeavor to offer encouragement to everyone for finding forgiveness, clarity for getting to grace, and assuring all that forgiveness is possible. That’s why I am thrilled to have my article “Forgiveness is Possible” published in Sweet To The Soul FAITH Magazine’s Grace issue!
This issue of Sweet To The Soul FAITH is about God’s glorious grace… containing 140 full-color pages of faith-based inspiration, including articles, devotionals, Scripture reading lists, recipes, life management, Bible Art Journaling, creative resources and more!
Forgiveness is Possible article by author Becky Cortino is featured in the GRACE issue of Sweet to the Soul Ministry FAITH Magazine, Spring 2022 edition.
Throughout this issue, tender hearts share about real-life experiences and struggles. Struggles to forgive others and even harder sometimes, to forgive ourselves… also stories of supernatural hope found in the most difficult of times, hope which only God can supply.
Articles include:
• Spiritual Complacency and How to Renew Your Focus
• Finding Freedom from Your Past
• Hanging on to Threadbare Hope
• When Life Seems Hopeless
• How to Share Your Faith Story
• Praying for an Open Door
• Gospel Foundations for Your Finances
• Letting Go of Clutter for Good
• How to Bullet Journal
• So much more!
This is one of the most beautiful magazines of its type I’veseen. The content is truly inspirational. Much food for thought, study and encouragement is reliably found between the covers of this quarterly magazine!
The Most Powerful Tool I Use Daily (In Addition to Prayer and Reading the Bible)
Setting goals and making plans is exciting! For many, the mere thought of simply beginning in the moment to transform life is a beautiful dream sure to be realized. Our dream destination may take us to where we’d rather be, feel led to be, or know is the next right place to be. However it calls to us, the dream is compelling enough to get us fired up for the work ahead.
When we’re all in, our dedication to purpose and hard work in achieving established goals is rewarding. Initially, we may not grow weary with the required heavy lifting. The dream promises a bright future and new adventure. It energizes us, because we are 110% sold out on achieving it!
Embarking on a new endeavor or heading in a new life direction can be daunting. We need clarity to determine what we hope to accomplish. What is the result we seek? What is the expected outcome?
We need to be sure of what is be required to assure our success. Developing astrategic, workable plan, with a realistic timeline and system of checkpoints helps to put us on the right course.
But wait…there’s more!
I used to create business plans for clients as a professional consultant. I know the mechanics of building a plan, as well as the pitfalls of carrying it out. There really is much more to planning than all this logical, step-by-step, work-the-system approach. I went through the additional steps with my clients, and they always thanked me for it, because they were ready to walk out of my office and get to work on their new project.
The something more is digging in deeply and really soul-searching about your plans, dreams, hopes and fears before you take the first step toward your goal. I do mean before you begin to work that brand new shiny plan.
You cannot truly be 110% in, if you don’t. If you don’t deeply consider it all, you’re simply sold on the dream itself, not all that comes with it, including the inevitable life changes. It’s the visual aspect of it that is drawing you in, not the reality it brings.
For my clients, I had a formatting that walked them through the steps, bringing them to the other side, so they could contemplate all of this deep stuff on their own. I remember helping one client who wanted to establish a new service business who, after presenting their plan, determined not to proceed (due to perceived risks). Please know I was (still am) in the business of encouragement and supporting viable efforts.
In my personal and business projects, I have found a solution that turns out to be the most powerful tool I use daily, in addition to prayer and reading the Bible. This is not a wild claim — I can prove it! I want to share it with you, but first a story to illustrate how powerful this tool can be…
In November, 2019, I registered for a conference I wanted to attend for years. The founder had personally invited me in 2014. Unfortunately for me, her invitation came after I had already attended 3 conferences that year. I had to turn her down, knowing I wasn’t in a situation to effectively apply what I would learn there. Five years later, I knew it was my time to attend.
I’m very particular about conference-going. Attending conferences for me is entirely purpose-driven. Prior to any conference, I establish goals to achieve while there, and specific outcomes in attending. Before committing to a schedule or track, I plan how to accomplish them within the confines of the event.
At all conferences, I take copious notes and work through what I learn at each afterward, before planning to attend another. In 2014, each conference I attended was on an entirely different subject, so I justified spending the resources. Packing in so much over a few months, made me feel like conference attending was again becoming an unwanted career, after too many years on the road and countless air miles with a heavy convention/meeting schedule coast-to-coast and internationally during my marketing days.
In 2019, the conference website featured a list of 18 keywords on the homepage. This intrigued me, because they represented what the conference was about and what was offered. I wondered how I could use them?
I decided these words would be an excellent source of preparation for the conference. I believed the most effective use of them (for me) was to select one (or two related words) each week, fully considering them and what they meant to me in my endeavors.
My goal was two-fold:
To be fully prepared as an active participant at the conference.
To get the most out of the conference, making best use of the time and my resources.
To accomplish these goals, I scheduled the list of keywords over the course of the 17 weeks prior to the conference. I journaled weekly on the selected word(s) of the week:
I wrote about what the word meant to me.
I prayed about it for me (and others), as I worked toward getting ready for the gathering.
I prayed for God’s guidance and direction in it all, and for His blessing.
After journalling and prayer over the chosen word, in preparation for the conference:
I laid out specific steps needed to take that week.
I knew planning my work and working that plan, I would be ready.
When the time arrived for our conference I was indeed 110% ready, with all materials I needed in a nice, neat package. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more ready to attend a conference!
Unfortunately for all of us, COVID-19 also arrived and was looming, threatening to shut everything down. Which (as you well know) happened. It was crushing, but I held on to the promise of the conference being rescheduled. Knowing it was my time to attend, I waited.
The conference was rescheduled later in the year. A month prior to the event, I had to cancel, due to the health concerns my family had, with potential risks posed by COVID. I honored their request, but was profoundly heartbroken to not attend.
God’s faithfulness is so great! While I felt very much led to attend that conference, and in the end couldn’t due to circumstances beyond my control, He brought me through to the other side of my broken heartedness of missing-out on what I wanted, and He blessed me with what I most needed.
We don’t see what He sees, nor could ever know all God knows. In fact, we only see such a small part, our walking with Him in faith is the only way to get through. (2 Corinthians 5:7) How humbling to hear Him say to my heart one fine spring day in 2021, “See how I am answering your prayers!” Indeed I did, and I am blessed!
Journalling has been a big part of my life. As you can see keeping a journal — even a short-term special topic or subject journal — serves well in providing clarity and guidance.
Journalling The Word can help us through challenging times. Keeping a journal can help us explore complex issues and make valuable personal discoveries so we can move forward with greater clarity. My 9th book, The Grace Daily Challenge Journal, is designed to help readers and writers explore what the Bible says about grace and finding forgiveness, as they journal The Word.
The Grace Daily Challenge Journal is designed to create a personally-enriching, meaningful journalling experience with:
1,020 Bible verses organized according to topic as journalling The Word prompts.
Chapter introductions set focus through topical discussion related to forgiveness.
Content is presented to encourage journalling based on personal interest and study preference.
Journalling tips are included, to make the most of the journalling experience.
❤️? Relationships rank high on our priority list, yet we often struggle with them most of our lives. Sometimes we’re not sure how to handle a troubling matter. Maybe even an everyday situation is a thorn in your side. If you’re really invested in your relationships and yourself, check your Love Quotient!
? How this Quiz works: as soon as your request is submitted, you will receive a link to pick up your copy of the Love Quotient Quiz
DAY #1: You’ll receive the Quiz to download, print out if you like, and answer it privately. (Look for the first email from me after you confirm your request.)
DAY #2: To review your answers, a Love Quotient Quiz Results eBooklet will be sent to you the next day.
DAY #3: The following day, you’ll get a self-scoring Love Quotient Quiz Scorecard, to see how you scored!
Quizzes are FUN, aren’t they?! We can learn a lot about ourselves, especially when we consider our answers as we go through them.
I sincerely hope you will enjoy this quiz and find it interesting!
The New Year stretches out before us as a clear slate of fresh beginnings, great opportunities, hopes, dreams and wonders to be discovered…
What do you hope for in your life? The New Year is recognized as the time in our calendar year as a season for everything becoming new again. Fortunately for all of us, fresh starts and new beginnings aren’t scheduled only for January 1st!
New Beginnings are launched when we take steps in the right direction toward our heartfelt desire.
Relationships rank high on most people’s priority list, and yet this area remains as one of life’s most daunting challenges. Our days become complicated as we attempt to navigate through issues, desire to deftly address touchy issues and try to smooth over painful moments.
Have you added relationships to your list to focus onin the New Year? Many people place relationships at the top of their list. They begin their initiative armed with all good intentions and great resolve to deal with troubling relational messes.
Often, the thought of approaching a pain-filled area in life causes even the most resolute to freeze in place. Immobilized, the whole situation becomes increasingly more confusing as hurt, deep sorrow and bad memories blend into a chaotic mix. Progress in moving toward resolution comes to a screeching halt. Fear sets in. Where to begin? How to handle this? I just can’t do this!
Seeking to address relational breaks requires us to revisit times and places we’d prefer to keep on a shelf somewhere safely out of sight. In reviewing those breaks, the deep root of a problem inevitably stirs powerful emotions.
It’s difficult to cast aside the happy life we’ve comfortably surrounded ourselves with, to make time and create space for mending a break or to admit a wrong. But take heart! In our walk with Him, God often takes us through life’s dark, rough terrain before we arrive on the other side with Him, where we find true peace and the joy we seek.
How can you embrace New Beginnings in your life and effectively apply them to restoring broken relationships?
Recognize the situation for what it is in reality — not what you think, or how you feel about it. Admit it exists. See it for what it is.
Pray about the matter, all involved and touched by it. Ask God for a clear vision of the problem, and for His guidance in addressing it. He will change your heart in every aspect surrounding this issue! When we change our heart about a painful situation, our eyes see it more clearly.
Seek His guidance throughout. He is always with us. He stands beside us and will bring us through. We have to be willing participants wherever He leads us. We have to do our part — to do the hard things. He makes the way clear for us.
Let your reset heart redirect your mind, acting as a spiritual GPS, directing you where to go. Begin taking steps toward resolution, as the Lord leads you in that direction. His restoration will be far more complete and well beyond what you could ever imagine!
Forgiveness and restoring life’s broken places takes time.
When we want to restore a relationship or fix a problem in life, it helps to remember it is a process. It’s never a one-and-done or easy peasy cure for what ails us relationally. Sometimes it takes a lifetime. But forgiveness is possible.
Let the Holy Spirit lead you in this. Don’t take personal initiative to map out your relational restoration plan or detail this project on your calendar. This is a matter of the heart — carry it with you. Let the matter (and those involved) come to your mind frequently. Allow it to be laid on your heart and cover all with prayer.
Every small step you make toward restoration is a step forward.
Progress is made, moving toward that hope. Realize relationships involve more than “self,” so moving forward (or not) rests also in the hands of other(s). They may not wish to relinquish their control or admit wrong. Our heartfelt endeavors to restore broken places shaped by the Lord’s leading, will us free of our pain.
A multi-platform professional writer throughout her career creating marketing/sales and promotional content for clients commercially, in addition to promoting causes and information campaigns. Her tradition of multiple-platform communication continues today.
Becky has written for, her words have been published and broadcast over every form of media. Her first 7 books are based on ministries she and her family participated in for over 20 years.
Resulting from her writing and book publishing efforts, public speaking and presentation opportunities domestically and internationally developed. Audiences range from small events, to business community member audiences (up to 500 in attendance).
A longtime presenter featuring a series of edutraining programs, Becky also presented special track training workshops at an international conference. She recently offered a special program to a delighted audience in southeastern Europe.
Becky is a featured collaborator in 2 published books on the subjects of Injecting Healing Humor in Healthcare, and Herbs, to benefit causes and nonprofits (on the national/global platform).
She wrote a piece on work that looks like play and hearts touched by the hospital humor ministry she and her family served in for nearly 14 years. It was featured in What’s Right in Healthcare, a special edition created to inspire those in the front lines of healthcare. This book was published in 2007.
Herb Society of America’s Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking with Herbs, benefitting The National Herb Garden (now in 3rd reprint and available in Kindle eBook Edition), was published in 2007. Becky’s contribution was an offshoot of her Herbal Treasures Of Hickory Hollow women’s ministry, and her homeschooling family’s garden adventure.
Becky collaborated on a third book for women in business: Behind Her Brand, Entrepreneur Edition, Volume 5 in 2016. Her contribution was based on her marketing and public relations consultancy business and digital marketing experience.
Since 1999, Becky has published several books, countless eBooks and many websites, creating content ongoing – ‘blogging’ before there were blogs!(Blogging officially beginning in 2004, when suitable platforms were available.)
She has presented numerous training programs, coached and helped area churches, by personally encouraging the Christian community to establish Christian Creative Arts Ministry as a regular activity and special event, enhancing outreach and mission trip efforts, to impact lives.
To support this important outreach work, Becky authored 2 in-depth books on the topic of establishing Christian Creative Arts Ministry. In addition to her books to further prepare and equip these ministries, she created digital media resources. Becky created and developed 15 online multi-media training courses. She began offering online training and resources in 2002.
A media maker with professional experience in all forms of media including New, Social and Traditional. Becky began podcasting in 2008, hosting several internet BlogTalk Radio Shows collaboratively and on her own. Since 2008, she created a branded series of videos for her books on her YouTube channels featuring related original niche content.
In February 2020, speaker and author Becky Cortino established LivRad, a speaking and writing ministrychargedwith the mission of “Encouraging Words for Hurting People.”
PLEASE NOTE: In light of the rapidly-changing COVID-19 situation and varying mandates, Becky Cortino Speaking Engagement Information, including Presentation Topics, and Booking Details are not available.
If even for just a moment, Christmastime brings all hearts home, pausing to remember:
happy times
happier times
what once was
what life was like, before…
________ (you fill in the blank)
The memories may be heart-warming, affirming joyful times with family, friends, and loved ones.
Or the memories may rekindle angst and hurt felt during those times (or still feel, thinking back).
You may be surprised when those once-happy sweet, special moments suddenly turn into a stinging source of pain, piercing your heart with every remembrance.
Take heart — all of these reactions, feelings, and emotions are normal! We are human. This is how we roll!
Believers and unbelievers alike, Christmastime brings all hearts home, if even for just a moment:
it gives us that moment to pause amidst the blowout holiday sales and heavy party schedule or the darkness of long, lonely days.
during this small space of time between the old and new years, it gives us a moment to reflect upon life, this year, the way things are, and what we hope will be.
♥️Christmastime brings believers and unbelievers alike:
Comfort, if there is pain.
Peace, the assurance we are never alone.
Joy, knowing we are always loved (unconditionally), more than we could ever imagine.
Hope, knowing God has a plan to prosper each of us. With Him all things are possible!
We are securely held in His love with a bright future if we accept His gracious invitation to receive the greatest gift freely given to all:
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” ~ John 3:16-17 [The Living Bible]
He is the way, the truth, and the light to help you through your darkest days. He will stand with you as you celebrate your greatest joys!
Over the last 7 years, I have created resources to help you and those you care about, wherever you are in your life at this moment:
Additional favorite versions of John 3:16-17 and John 3:16-18
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” ~ John 3:16-17 [NIV]
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.” ~ John 3:16-18 [The Message]
