RESOURCES from 4word
It’s Time to End the Pretending
“Put on a happy face.” How many times did you hear that growing up? How often do you tell yourself that today? Sometimes, it’s OK to grin through what you’re really feeling, but then there are times when you need to stop faking it, to yourself and… Read More
American Woman
I live in a safe home in a safe neighborhood in a safe city. I have a career, I get to choose where and how I practice my faith, and I travel often. Sometimes, I forget to be thankful for my freedom. Sometimes I even take freedom for… Read More
My Fixer Upper Journey: Working with Chip and Joanna Gaines
Laura Stafford, designer at Magnolia Homes and on HGTV's Fixer Upper, talks with us about career uncertainty and learning the importance of rest. ------ 4word: Tell us a little about your story and how you came to work at Magnolia Homes. Laura: I grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, and… Read More
The Dangers of Happiness
Every day, we are bombarded with enticing invitations to stray from the path God has placed before us and enter into sinful and life-altering situations. Ines Franklin, the president and founder of Trochia Ministries, an online Christian discipleship ministry, talks with us today about her story of redemption… Read More
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
“Our hearts ache, but we always have joy," (2 Corinthians 6:10, NLT). I have never gone through anything as horrible as watching my daughter, Annie, suffer through ten months of debilitating pain. Oh, I’ve experienced suffering before…a divorce, a rebellious teenager, the loss of my parents…but this tops… Read More
No Supermoms Required
It’s back to school time again. That time of year packed with parent orientations, meet the teacher nights, supply shopping, clothing shopping, shoe shopping, and my favorite this year…..magnetic locker decorations. WHAT? And form, after form, after form to be filled out. And then we realize halfway through… Read More
Life’s A Roller Coaster. Enjoy The Ride.
Life can oftentimes feel like a roller coaster. Right when everything seems to be going against you, situations turn and you find yourself shooting up out of a valley to a mountain top. The key to not getting motion-sickness from life’s ups and downs is to always be… Read More
From Privilege to Orphanage
Making plans for our lives is a natural practice that we all take part in. From vacations to education to careers, we are constantly picking paths to take ourselves down. For Brittany Merrill Underwood, founder of Akola Project, the path she had thought she was going down… Read More
5 Ways to Navigate the Winding Path
Back before I really knew better, I envisioned my career like a single, long, straight path that I would run as hard as I could. I expected to get a great education, land an amazing job, and GO. I would put faith first, and family too when the… Read More
Love in a Time of Deadlines.
What happens to relationships when work must take center stage? When you’re balancing work, relationships, and faith, there will be times when one area of your life has to take precedence for a time. When a major work deadline requires investment of extra hours and energy, it can… Read More
How to Shine At Your Next Work Meeting
What’s your meeting strategy? Don’t have one? You should! You REALLY should! In the working world, every meeting—big or small—offers a chance to put your best foot forward. Knowing how to handle yourself well in a meeting can distinguish you among your peers and it’s a great way… Read More
Some Practical Thoughts on Professional Success.
Want to distinguish yourself at work? Good! Just because “work” isn’t the very highest priority of us Christian professionals doesn’t mean that we aren’t called to do it well. God calls us to excellence in all things, including our professional lives: whatever you do, work at it with… Read More