Today we ponder the question, "If God gives us a dream or promise and we don't tell anyone, does it rob Him of some of His glory?" This is something I have been wondering lately and so Alyssa and I just jump right in to talking about it, struggling through it. 

Shownotes:

• Bible app plan "Suffering and God's Love: A Moving Works Study"
• book "She Believes" by Debbie Lindell

God is so good! We want to close our month's theme of "celebrate" by talking about celebrating God. With special guest Mollie Dupper, we share stories that bring God glory as well last mention a few ideas that can help you celebrate God this next week as well as any day of your life. 

They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. Psalm 145:7 (NIV) 

SHOWNOTES:

• Letters By a Modern Mystic, by Frank Laubach
• New Perceptions podcast with Dwight Nelson sermons. (Specifically referenced the "Gone Fishing" series with 4 parts.)

Mollie Dupper

• The Current Ministry
• Week of prayer via Collegedale

In this extra episode, Alyssa and I share our recommendations for summer. If you are like us, you have had some extra reading time, movie nights with friends, or driving time where you would live to listen to something but you don't know what. 

Here is the complete list of everything we recommend in this extra episode of the Grounded in Grace podcast.

Books

-Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch.

-The Last Promise by the above author's father, Richard Paul Evans.

-Lost December also by Richard Paul Evans.

-Chronicles of the Kings by Lynn Austin.

-The Turquoise Table by Kristin Schell. 

-The Family Nobody Wanted by Helen Doss.

-Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares.

-Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. 

-The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore.

Movies

• Sandlot
• Overboard
• Jaws
• The Shallows
• The Parent Trap (old and new)
• Yours, Mine, and Ours with Lucille O'ball
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
• Pollyanna
• Finding Nemo
• Up
• The Incredibles
• Monsters Inc
• Back to the Beach
• Lucky 7
• Charlottes Web
• Freaky Friday
• Annie
• Dan in Real Life, a family favorite for the Morrisons.

Podcasts

Serial podcast

The Mystery Show

Get Booked

Elise Gets Crafty

Happier

Marriage is Funny

Our "celebration" theme continues as we talk about how expectations can ruin anniversaries, birthdays, valentines day, or really any holiday. How can we communicate and plan so that our celebrations are not tainted by disappointment?

Shownotes:

• 36 Questions to Fall in Love
• movie "Mom's Night Out"
• Pack Up and Go : Love to travel? Let them plan your 3 day weekend, destination is a surprise! (The survey on their site may just help you communicate with your spouse or family what your expectations of a weekend getaway are.) 

This week's episode reflects on last weeks 'slow day' idea and how difficult it really is to slow down, to relax. How can we enjoy summer if we can't even relax our minds? We talk through different ideas and tips to relax so that we can truly enjoy our days. 

SHOWNOTES:

• "When Anxiety Attacks" sermon by Steven Furtick on the Elevation Church Podcast 
  • watch on youtube
  • listen through iTunes
• Zen Habits list
• Multi-tasking debunked
• Asian Efficiency "Time boxing"

BIBLE TEXTS REFERENCED:

Psalm 46:10

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God;     I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth."

1 Peter 5:6-9

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lionlooking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Psalm 145:7

They celebrate your abundant goodness     and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Welcome to Season 2! We've both moved, our brother is married, and now we are in the throws of summer and vacations. But we are back! It will be interesting to see what Season 2 brings as we navigate this ministry living in close proximity to each other. 

We begin season 2 and the month of July by lingering on the theme of "Celebration." Summer brings several holidays, weddings, family reunions, and vacations. We want to cultivate a spirit of celebration and enjoying the life and the moments God is giving us. 

Our thought this week is centered on slowing down. Amidst all the crazy that summer brings, we think we need slow moments to stop ourselves and enjoy those things. Listen as we share ideas of how to enjoy the summer little by little and really let the nice weather, time with family, and watermelon treats really soak into our soul.

This week we have a couple important announcements to start. Back in episode 28 we challenged ourselves to write down something "hygge" each day. In this episode, we share those things with you. And for our main topic we focus on contentment.

We'd love to encourage you to dig deep into the following text in your own time. Share with our Facebook group something you uncover!

Wisdom from Solomon found in Ecclesiastes chapter 2:4-11

I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem[a] as well—the delights of a man's heart. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;     I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor,     and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done     and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;     nothing was gained under the sun.

While last week's episode talked about the hygge mentality and switching your mindset to savoring the good things, this week we want to give practical advice for decorating and setting up nooks and spaces that are totally hygge! 

Home decor, hosting, and hobbies can all benefit from a little hygge!

This week we talk about the Danish influence of HYGGE and why we love the trend! From home decorating to family traditions, it's all about savoring comfort and coziness. 

Notes:

• Marlene Rydahl and Danish happiness TED talk
• • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biQGa89O5O4
  • http://www.malenerydahl.com
• Hygge challenge we found through pinterest
• • https://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/12-Month-Hygge-Challenge-42980030?crlt.pid=camp.YCW0622U5aP3

Challenge for the week:

At the end of every day, before you go to sleep, make a note of a blessing or something from your day worth appreciating and savoring!

This weeks episode is in honor of teacher appreciation week but doesn't just focus on teachers but the hard work and care of those who don't always get attention or appreciated. So moms (hello Mothers Day!) as well as your child care providers or baby sitters or maybe family members who care for your kids for free when you need it. 

Alyssa and I share memorable moments and learning experiences from our favorite teachers.

Great ideas for current teachers (just saying…):

-Mystery Solving Day

-8th graders teach for a day

-Time Management Day

-Dead Words charts

-Public Speaking assignments

-Providing the extras (Maslow's Hierarchy)

Thank you gifts ideas

-a plant

-a card

-flowers

-bag of nuts

-canned jelly/jam

-bringing breakfast for teachers or coffee and donuts

-chair massages in teachers lounge

-giving an extra "casual" day in the week to the teacher.

Find out the teacher's love language, and be intentional about appreciating them in the language they speak!

Cultivate an attitude of appreciation for those you interact with all the time.

For further study:

Luke 17:11-19 The 10 lepers