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Exhaustion: The New Status Symbol

Who snuck in and sucked the lazy out of our days?

Do you remember the last time you were bored? Or took a nap in the middle of the day? Or spent time in your favorite chair for some quiet time with the Lord, praying, reading your Bible, and writing in your journal? Instead, we find ourselves cramming to finish reading for Book Club or burning the midnight oil preparing for Bible study, knowing…

Ten Ways “Grown-up” Christians Can Set a Better Example for Gen Z on Social Media

This was such a great post, I had to share. It is from Jonathan Morrow, Director of Cultural Engagement (which is a very cool title) at Impact 360.

Dear Christians on Social Media, Gen Z is watching. Be careful what and how you post.

The unending scroll of images, ideas, and interactions are transforming the hearts and minds of Gen Z.Share Gen Z–today’s teenagers and the generation after…

Please Join Me…

This site, Beyond Beauty Blog, has been replaced by jeananncooper.com.  I just posted a new entry yesterday. If you didn’t see it in your inbox, all you need to do is click on the link above and subscribe. 

I hope you’ll join me there!  

XOX, JA

While Adam Was Sleeping…

In the beginning, God was super busy creating the world. He created the earth, the sun, moon, and stars. Then, he moved on to the plants, trees, water, sea and land creatures. And bugs. In my opinion, he could have left bugs off the list, but His plan is perfect and I have a bug man. Then God made man to rule over all the earth.

But God wasn’t finished with His masterpiece. He added His glorious…

When writing gets in the way of writing…

It may seem that I’ve been away for a while. But I’ve been right here all along, glued to my desk chair for the better part of 2017 and part of 2018. Let me explain…

I am not a multi-tasker. My friends may argue with that, but I found out the hard way that multi-tasking is the best way to screw up lots of things in one fell swoop! Instead of juggling several things at once, I choose to tackle…

In Bronnie Ware’s book, “Top Five Regrets of the Dying”, regret #3 regret was “I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.” She said many people suppressed their feelings to keep peace with others. As a result, several had developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried.

Many of us shy away from expressing our feelings and try to avoid difficult conversations, at…

Boundaries: Why They Make Us Squirm

Why does setting a boundary make us squirm?

Because we make too big of a deal out of it, that’s why! (more…)

Step Right Up, No Waiting!

By a show of hands, who loves waiting?

For anything?

Sometimes my husband and I wait 30-45 minutes for a table at our favorite restaurant. We wait in line at the gas pumps. At grocery stores and doctor’s offices.  And don’t even get me started about how long the line is at Target’s return counter?

Seriously Target, if you’re reading this, PLEASE add more staff!! (more…)

To say I’ve taken a break from this BLOG would be an understatement. It has been months since I have sat at this desk. I have missed it. But I just couldn’t get there. Why?  

Because like Simon Peter, I have been sifted and agitated. Tested and tried. Confused and in need of help. In short, I have been stuck in my story. In my head. In my worries. And I didn’t have the strength and, at times,…

Do You Know God’s Plan For Your Life?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  ~Jeremiah 29:11  

According to a study by BibleStudyTools.com, Jeremiah 29:11 is the most popular verse in the Bible!  And why wouldn’t we love it?

God has a plan for our life. Check.

Plans to prosper us and not harm us. Check.

Plans to give us hope and a…

The Breakfast of Champions

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.  ~Psalm 5:3

My favorite time of the day is just before daybreak. It’s still, cool and quiet. I pour a cup of coffee, feed my 4-leggeds and crawl into my Big Butt Prayer Chair for my time with Jesus. That is where my day begins. With Him. And it is magical. I read scripture, a few…

Want The World To Read Your Story?

I was recently asked this question and had to think long and hard about my answer. Do I really want you to read my story? Well, that depends. I guess it would be OK if I was the one controlling the content by candy-coating or omitting the ugly parts. But letting anyone read the bold honest nasty truth about my life? I’m not so sure.

Then I saw a quote on Pinterest that said, “Every single moment,…

Don’t Be Left Out In The Cold

Maybe you’re like me and you see, feel and hear God in the oddest places. Like covering my plants on a cold winter’s night.

I told you it was odd.

It’s cold in North Texas. Maybe not as cold as where you live, but for us this is downright chilly! When the temperatures dip into the 30’s and below, I use protective plant covers and carefully wrap each of my planters sitting on the front porch. I…

My Days in Prison

I spent two days at the FMC Carswell Federal Prison this past week. It is a huge facility that is home to over 1,400 female inmates and, as prisons go, it appears to be quite nice. The lawns are green and lush, the grounds are well kept, the bathrooms are spotless and so is the cafeteria.

As a volunteer team member of the Bill Glass “Behind the Walls” Ministry event, my only job was to love the…

I’m Going to Prison Tomorrow

And I couldn’t be more excited!

This weekend, hundreds of men and women in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area will be spending Friday and Saturday in men and women’s prisons and youth detention centers as volunteers for The Bill Glass “Behind the Walls” Ministry.

Each of us will have the unique opportunity to share the Gospel with men, women and kids whose poor decisions have led them to a life behind…