Encouraging Deep Roots

I'm excited to announce that I have a new e-book available as a free download on my website. It's called, "Fostering a Positive Ministry Environment: Encouraging Deep Roots Series." A positive ministry environment doesn’t happen by chance. It is the result of intentional effort from every member. So many leaders forget the importance of creating an environment where team members feel affirmed and valued. This little book will help you begin to intentionally think about your leadership style and your team and how to foster an environment of growth where team members can thrive. At the end of each short chapter, I have added questions for reflection. Take time to prayerfully answer them and you can also use them to facilitate discussions with your team. 35 pages Downloadable e-book You can find it here: https://encouragingdeeproots.com/books-and-resources I also updated my website and added a shop so people can purchase any of my books directly from me rather than have ...

I've been busy the past few weeks as I worked on the release of my new book, Simple & Nutritious: 52 Plant-Based, Whole Foods Recipes. You can find that on Amazon and I have published it on all the Amazon channels so my friends in the UK can find it.  But I haven't just been busy with the book release. I was working on a new website and blog to talk about all things related to being frugal, as well as healthy, and sharing tips and tricks on how to save money. You can find that information by clicking on The Frugal Connection link above or by clicking here.   My goal is to also make some short videos, featuring different aspects of my new recipe book, as well as other tips from time to time. So I tiptoed into YouTube and started a YouTube channel. The first video on there was from my very old cell phone and the angle is not great, but it's a start. You can find that link here . I will still continue to regularly do blog posts here on the ways God is speaking to me throu...

I've spent the past 4 days staring at a computer screen for hours each day, feeling like I wanted to rip my hair out and yes, crying a few tears. However, I am happy to say that my new cookbook has been published. You can click on the picture above to take you to the page on Amazon where it is listed. It is available as a paperback, hardcover and Kindle e-book. I'm so happy with how it turned out and yet, never thought writing a cookbook would be that difficult. I would think I was finished and then find something else I needed to tweak. I also included a bit of my weight loss journey in it as well.  I have also created a new website for all things frugal called The Frugal Connection . The link for that is at the top of this blog. I also started a Facebook page for that with the desire to build a community around inspiring each other with ideas to save money in this crazy economy. I'm excited about this new book but had to laugh at the irony of how expensive it is to print ...

It's been a busy week and I've had a lot to get done. It's easy to start to feel overwhelmed, but I find that my new mantra is "just keep swimming" or "put one foot in front of the other or "do the next thing." Any of those work. 😉 In the past, when I would have a long list, I used to procrastinate which then just added to the overwhelmed feeling. However, over time I've learned to just keep doing the next task on my list until it is done and then I can cross it off and relieve that overwhelmed feeling.  This year I've been sitting down each Sunday evening and looking at the week ahead and writing down each thing I want to get done, including adding any meetings or appointments to my list and days I plan on walking or exercising. Those things that don't happen get moved to the next week's list. And then I kick up my heels and get moving on them. I find making the list has really helped me to accomplish more. The past few weeks have ...

  I had a not-so-good end to my day yesterday after my wallet was stolen and all our debit and credit cards were racked up before I noticed. I spent the late afternoon and early evening on the phone with the police, banks, and other government agencies trying to get it sorted out and get replacement items. Hopefully, the banks will be kind and reverse all those charges. Anyway, it almost stole my joy in announcing my newest book, "When Your Faith is Put to the Test," is now available for purchase. It's a fitting title for my situation, isn't it? This is an 11 week Bible study on the Epistle of James.  You can find the link on my side bar at the top left of this post which will take you to my Amazon page. If you scroll down my list of books, the newest is at the bottom. This was a long time in coming as well as teaching it three times. It's a challenging study, but a good one. I'd love it if you would share this with those you know. The only way I can get the w...

There are many things that make me cry.  My family knows that and loves me anyway. ;-)  But one thing that really tugs at my heart strings and brings tears to my eyes is the Word of God.  Even at a young age I was like that.  My heart has always been compliant and ever since I was a young teenager, I have desired to follow God.  And I want to instill that love for God and his word in others. As you know, I have written four devotionals, but one thing that I've been wanting to write for a long time is a Bible study.  And one of my favorite books of the Bible is James.  It is a small book with only 5 chapters but very challenging.  It brings us to a place where our faith intersects with our actions and James challenges us to walk our talk. When I write I tend to do things backwards.  I generally come up with a rough title first and then begin writing.  In this case, I've done that, but also decided to start teaching...

http://www.amazon.com/Faithful-Dads-Guide-Legacy/dp/1530470463/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463483301&sr=8-1&keywords=a+faithful+dad Dan & I met Travis Zimmerman at Teen Chill this past February.  He was the speaker for this weekend retreat for teenagers and we hit it off with him right away.  In fact, it was humorous to see how much Dan and he were alike in their views and mannerisms.  The thing that I appreciated about Travis was that he has a passion for God's word and yet presented it in a away that the teens could understand.  He didn't just speak on pop culture and fluff, but yet, captivated their attention.  He was inspiring not just to the teenagers that attended but to the adults as well. Travis is the head of A Faithful Dad (formerly Speak My Word Ministries) and has just released his first book, A Faithful Dad's Guide to Legacy.  You can find it on Amazon by clicking on the link here or on the link under the picture above....

I'm pleased to announce that my new book, "Let's Have Coffee," is now available on Amazon! This is a book of short, weekly devotionals designed to encourage today's woman.  Scattered throughout the book are "Let's Have a Cup" segments where I share a bit of my life and heart. Click on the link  and let's sit down and have a cup of coffee together!

Winter has finally hit full force this week and everything is white and cold.  I was thankful for this little splash of color outside my window yesterday afternoon .  My neighbor has numerous bird feeders and these little guys come and go all day long. My knee is feeling much better though there really feels like something is off in there, so I'm thankful I'm getting an MRI done this afternoon. My new book, Let's Have Coffee, is so close to being done!  In fact, I should be finished today and then it's ready for publication and should be available on Amazon in about a week.  Then I can check that unfinished project off my list!  I changed the cover and like it much better. Dan & I are getting ready (mostly mentally) to take a group of teens to Teen Chill this weekend.  This is our denomination's winter camp for teenagers.  I'm not looking forward to the lack of sleep, but am looking forward to spending some time with some wonderful teen...

  I've been working on my new book for months and finally have the proof copy in my hands.  I find it's easier to notice little mistakes when I have a physical book in hand rather than doing it on the computer. I'm excited for it to be done and out for sale, but it's taking so much longer than I thought.  And that is mostly because I keep getting distracted with other things.  But I've been plugging away at it a bit each day and hope to have it ready to go by the end of the month.  However, that is barring any unforeseen circumstances.   This book is a devotional like the others.  My desire is for women to grow in their love for God's word so I enjoy writing the devotionals but I do try to make each one a bit different so they aren't cookie cutters.  In this particular book, I've added small interludes called, "Let's Have a Cup," where I share a bit of my life and heart.  I want this to feel like we are sitting down togeth...

  My friend, Jody Gates, is a fellow pastor's wife in our district.  We both homeschooled our children, love to write, and have other similar interests.  Of course, because we lived about 4 hours apart we only got to see each other a couple of times a year at our district women's retreats.  So most of our interaction was online.  Since Dan & I have moved last year Jody and I are now less than an hour a way and get together every couple of months for coffee and catching up.   Jody was such an encouragement to me when I wrote my books and now I get to reciprocate.   That is because she just released her first book, Confessions of a Farmer's Daughter .  In Confessions Jody shares how the perfect life she envisioned as a wife and mother doesn't match up to her reality.  It is an honest look at the struggles many women face as their real life doesn't live up to the fairy tale world they thought they...

I was invited by my friend, Lisa M. Buske, to take part in a blog hop. You can read Lisa's blog by clicking here .   I met Lisa at a couple of women's conferences and then we became friends online. She spoke to the women at our church in 2013 and I never would have thought that a year later I would attend the same church when my husband accepted the call as pastor of New Haven Community Alliance Church.  :-) Lisa M Buske, author and speaker since 2010, released her first book, Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey , on the 19 th anniversary of her only sister’s kidnapping, April 3, 2014. Lisa’s only sister remains missing, more than twenty years missing, yet Lisa and her family have not given up hope. Lisa uses the gifts God’s given her to share encouragement and hope with her audiences, whether you read her blog and books, or hear her speak at one of your events. Lisa spends her days as a teacher’s assistant in a Kindergarten class and he...

When I was a young woman and newly married, and later as a new mother, I wish I would have had an older woman to guide me and offer me some advice in marriage.  I imagine that many of the mistakes I made along the way could have been avoided if I had a Godly, older woman in my life to come along beside me and show me the way. The Bible is very clear that the older women are to set an example for younger ones, but often it's hard to find spiritually mature, older women and especially those willing to do this.  But it is so important for younger women to have someone they can look to for advice, guidance and counsel. My friend, Kate Megill , has just written a book about this very subject.  I've known Kate for about 15 years and she truly does have the gift of offering wise counsel.  I know she has helped many women through the years, and she most certainly has helped me from time to time.  I've never known her to offer any advice without first prayin...

Funny, organized, passionate, responsible, leader, and compassionate.  These are just a few adjectives that describe my friend, Lisa Buske. It was roughly three years ago that I met Lisa.  I've shared here when her first book, "Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey" was released.  That book was about the abduction of her only sister, Heidi Allen, who has never been found.  In the book Lisa shares how the Lord has worked in her life through this tragic event. I was introduced to Lisa by a mutual friend and we connected at a couple of different conferences as well as online.  But who would have thought that we would end up in the same church?  That happened when Dan accepted the call to New Haven Community Alliance Church and we moved here in December.  I've enjoyed getting to know her better and seeing her every week and she has become a good friend. Lisa has just written and published a children's book entitl...

My new book, Poured Out, is now available on Amazon  as well as my website, www.terrigroh.com .  Because the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon is not up and running yet, I thought I would print an excerpt here from the book. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ~    Rejoice always,   pray continually,   give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.   My life seems to be a constant struggle with trying to figure out God's plan.  Always concerned that somehow I'm not doing what He has called me to do.  Fearful that I’m not walking in His perfect will.   Should I work?  Should I stay home?   Should I homeschool?  Should my kids go to public school? Should I call this person?  Should I write to that one?  Does God want us to stay?  Does God want us to go?   A thousand questions shoot through my mind every day.  A thousand voices create internal turmoil and ...

When I was 12 years old, I felt God's pull on my life.  I clearly remember sensing that my life was to be spent in service to Him.  I wasn't sure what that meant or where it would lead, but even at that young age, I knew that my life was to be used in a different way.   As I heard of Jesus death on the cross, I wept at the thought that he did that for me.  He loved this world so much that he was willing to pour out his life for a world that rejected him.  Because of his sacrifice, how could I not want to turn around and have my life, every part of it, be poured out for him?    It can be hard at times.  There are struggles.  There are times of trials and temptations.  Times of tears and wrestling.  Times of fighting off selfishness.  Yet, there are times of obedience, of thanksgiving, and triumph.  Through all of those times, each of us are to pour ourselves out for Christ.   The w...

My original plan with this new book was to have it come out in time for Lent.  However, uprooting and moving across the state right before Christmas put the brakes on that idea.  However, I've been able to steadily work at it, and it's almost ready!  I'm giving you a sneek peak at the cover today.  My goal is to have Poured Out complete by the end of the month, in time for our annual, district wide ladies retreat.  I'll have a table there with my books and some of my craft items.  I'm pleased with how this has turned out and praying that it's a blessing to those who read it!  My goal is always to combine my love for God's word and my desire to encourage women in their walk with the Lord.  I hope that this book does exactly that. Here is an excerpt from the back cover: "Poured out was the theme of Jesus' life and ministry. His entire life here on earth was an outpouring of his love for us. We, in turn, are to pour out our live...

Happy Saturday to you, my friends!  Most Saturdays are spent puttering around the house or grocery shopping or sewing. Today, I'll be parked in a chair at the local mini-mall, and outside of a store that carries both my books.  I will be doing book signings all day and working on some crocheting.   It's amazing to me how God has given me the desire of my heart to be able to focus on my family and yet, at the same time, bring in a small income.  I'm certainly not getting rich off the sewing and books.  Basically what I make buys new material and pays our internet bill.  Oh wait...I bought groceries last week with it too! lol But, I'm being able to create.  I get to meet wonderful new people.  I get to minister to those who read my book or stop to talk with me. And that is what makes this a super Saturday! I want to remind you that the newest book, One Clear, Still Night is on Amazon, along with the other book, Words of Encouragement...