Wednesday, October 29, 2014

5 Reasons A Sisterhood is Vital to Your Life

Today's article is by my new, fashionable and quickly becoming dear friend, Alex Shimanek. You'll love her and her heart for unity among women. 

SISTERHOOD: a movement of every day girls, connected heart and soul, who are passionate about bringing Heaven to Earth.

I read a great article recently on the importance of women having girlfriends. It spoke about how girlfriends can make moments of joy and elation even more memorable and enjoyable by simply just being there. It also said friends are necessary to help ‘lighten the load’ in times of tragedy or despair. 

Because I was serving in Sisterhood, this article really resonated with me and I lingered over every word. It was so good that I immediately shared it with my girlfriends and posted it on my Facebook page. 

That night, as Iaid down to reflect on my day and give thanks, I started to think about the women in my world and realized that, while the article was good, I would have added a few more reasons why Sisterhood is important:

1. SHE LOOKS THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, NOT THE REARVIEW MIRROR
Your girlfriend let’s go of your past. Those mistakes, regrets and disappointments that the enemy would love for you to dwell on, well… she won’t let you. She won’t constantly remind you of who you once were (unless it’s really funny) but rather celebrate who you are becoming and how God is at work in you now. She will dream with you and speak life into your future.

2.  SHE WEARS SISTERHOOD LENSES
She sees you thru those proverbial “rose colored glasses” people are always talking about.  She will always give you the benefit of the doubt, not because you are perfect- no one is…but because she just knows you. She knows your heart. She knows your truth. And she loves you.

3.  SHE'LL "CALL YOU OUT" LOVINGLY
Your girlfriend will correct you, and speak to you in love, when you are acting like a “Hot Mess” (a term I have borrowed from a girlfriend of mine who uses it to describe me more often than I like to admit). She won’t judge you, condemn you or make you feel like there is something VERY wrong with you. She will however, hold your hand and look at you with a twinkle in her eye and say, “C’mon now! You know better!”  And you will know she is right, you did know better. And then, you’ll do better.

4.  SHE LIFTS YOU UP
She will lift up your arms when you feel like you just can’t anymore. When you feel like you have no more tears left, like there is no more room in your mind to replay another scenario…She is there.  She will fill in the gap when you feel like you just can’t catch a break, or get a ‘win’. When you feel like you just can’t take any more bad news, or hold up your arms any longer, she’s standing there holding up your arms for you. She is unshakable. Immovable. She is firmly planted.

5.  SHE'S YOUR PRAYER WARRIOR
Your Sisters will pray with you and for you. Girlfriends know the desires of your heart.  They know of that baby you and your husband are fervently praying for, and without you having to ask, she is already praying. They know of that deep desire in your heart to someday write a book or get married or live debt free, and they are in complete and total agreement.

As I’ve gotten older, I have come to the realization that my happiness cannot be found in a particular person or object. No one can save us, only God can do that. And He did, when He sent Jesus!  

But God also sent us people in our worlds that will make life a little sweeter, a little more special, and a little more beautiful. He sent us people to enjoy the journey of life with and be the shoulder we lean on. He sent us people to ‘laugh ‘til we cry’ with, make life long memories with and dream those BIG life sized dream with.

Written by Alex Shimanek
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Live in the Austin, Texas area and free on Wednesday nights from 7-9pm? Come hang out with us! I'll personally show you around :) Email or tweet me for more information!

Monday, October 27, 2014

It's Time to Stop With the Good Intentions

"But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along, came down to where he was; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy [for him], And went to him and dressed his wounds, pouring on [them] oil and wine. Then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him."
Luke 10:33-34

“The samaritan didn’t say, ‘Here’s the wine and oil for your wounds,’ he actually poured the oil and wine.”
 - Charles Spurgeon

Jesus is the Word of God. He is the manifestation of redemption upon the earth. And when He left this earth, He sent “one who is greater” so that we, His Church, could be empowered to do as He did. 

He started something so we could finish it. 


You are the hands that bring healing as you tend to their wounds.

You mouth the words that bring life into someone’s desperate circumstance.

You are the feet that walk beside them, up the hill and down again. 

You are the arms that link with the man and woman next to you, forming a fortified army of warriors against a defeated Enemy. 

But you can’t just hand them the ointment and wine and peace out. 

Just as you and I needed God to come down in the form of a man and take our debt upon His back, they need you to pour it out for them. 

Yes, there are safe boundaries. Yes, there are limits. Yes, enabling is a real thing to be aware of. But the line is further up than we think. 

So who is in your life, right now, whose wounds have them pinned to the ground? Who in your life needs you to pour the oil and wine of healing? 

I have mine.

Let’s invite them into our homes, our families, our churches, our sisterhoods or brotherhoods. Whatever that looks like, let’s do it soon. 

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[Jesus] took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, poured out for you.” 
Luke 22:20


Saturday, October 25, 2014

If We Were on a Coffee Date | No. 10 (with Tyson Morlet)

Today I thought it'd be fun to get Ty's version of a coffee date with me. Spoiler: he talks less than I would. (My commentary is Italicized.)
If we were on a coffee date, we'd be at Starbucks. Duh. (It's a real problem people. Send gift cards help for Christmas.) 

If we were on a coffee date, I'd be drinking my usual (Grande Iced Coffee w/2 pumps classic and half and half). You'd be drinking probably a triple espresso (With soy)

If we were on a coffee date, we'd chat with the baristas and ask how they're doing (Daphne just had a flood in her house and poor girl, her wedding fund is currently going towards that, so I'm pretty invested in her well-being). And we'd let Symphony entertain them (They love her)

If we were on a coffee date, we'd probably talk about how we're doing as parents and where our marriage is at. (He goes straight for the jugular.)

If we were on a coffee date, it'd end with us getting refills and dropping Sym off with the nanny and going to work. (He forgot it's Saturday...)

There you have it. A little peek into our beautiful lives. It's crazy and I still feel a little disoriented sometimes, but we are in a season where we work to flourish. And that part is the best. 

Have a good weekend!
Original photo via

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Office Hours

Austin has been home for the Mo's a whopping four months. The most common question we get, "So, how do you like Austin?" Naturally. And almost as naturally, our answer is, "We love it!" The people we work with, the church we're setting roots in, and the city. Smaller than LA but still a little hipster and holy family friendly! 

Tyson is in guitar heaven. He and the guys do an innumerable amount of stuff every day, but if I had to put  a ratio on it, playing guitars is about 80% of their day. #everyguitarplayersdream 

Of course worship isn't about equipment and tone, nor is it about skill. It's about giving God glory for who He is and what He's doing in the lives of His people. But excellence does have its place. So glad to be a part of a team that is on board with that kind of vision. 

Today's photos highlight some of the amazing team we work with. Talented. Kind. Hard working. Of one heart. And they love on my kid, which is always a win with me.

We're pretty thankful for this safe place of strangers who are quickly becoming family.

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If you're ever bored or stuck at home on a Sunday morning and want to get your worship on, you can watch our weekend service online

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Fight Your Battle Like a Warrior




"Soldiers are trained. Warriors are tempered. Any soldier can see what the enemy is doing and then report his movements. No discernment is needed to see what is obvious. On the other hand, warriors are leaders who also perceive what God is doing in the realm of the unseen."


- Lisa Bevere, Girls With Swords

There is something we are fighting through, right this minute, that has two faces. Yours is probably different than mine, but they're both battles nonetheless. 

By definition, battle is a sustained fight between large, organized armed forces. Large and organized

Sound familiar? 

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 
Ephesians 6:12 AMP



Some of our battles are straight up meant to destroy us. (Click it to tweet it) Maybe not all physically, like Ephesians points out. Maybe your battle is trying to destroy you mentally. Maybe mine is meant to destroy me emotionally. Maybe ours is attempting to destroy us spiritually. Relationally. 

But there is good news. 

You and I have something innately in us that is of war-like material. We were made for battles like this. By a strength that comes by the combination of natural (humanity) and superior (the Spirit of God) we are empowered to the Super-Natural. 

Are you as relieved and stirred as me? 

This stuff gets me. Reading the Word of God, from the perspective of a Warrior, compels me to move forward despite any fear that may be clinging to desperately to my feet. 


Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. 
Ephesians 6:13 AMP

Sometimes, to win the battle, we just need to be the last one standing. Yes we're exhausted. Beaten up. Scarred and scraped. We may be bloody and bruised, but we are standing.


And if we are still standing by the super natural strength we've embraced, and the Enemy has exhausted all his resources and schemes, we've won friends. 

Stand firm. 

Prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

I love that Paul wraps up this charge with the urgency of community. The one who stands alone, may be strong, but she is vulnerable. Yet, her strength intensifies with each arm she links herself to. 

A warrior is strong and battle ready.
A company of warriors is stronger and activated by one another to win the war. 

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How can I link arms with you? How can I pray for and over you? Leave a note in the comments, emailFacebook or Tweet me

You can pray for me, that God would expand my capacity in this new season of balancing motherhood, womanhood, wife-ing, and leadership. It's been an amazing journey so far, but recently it's been a bit overwhelming. I want to see this season as a warrior would; discerning the unseen. 

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Original image via Free People. My current favorite store.

Friday, October 17, 2014

If We Were On a Coffee Date | No. 9


If we were on a coffee date, I'd tell you my mom's in town and I'm so thankful when she flies out here to help us with Sym when our schedules get crazy.

If we were on a coffee date, I'd probably be beaming because this week God went above and beyond with the intentional and inspiration interactions I had. I had women, whom I'd never seen or met before in my life, tell me significant answers about things I'd been crying to God for. It was unreal. 

If we were on a coffee date, I'd ask you what you thought about the connection between prayer and community. I use to think they were connected under the general-Christian-life-umbrella. But this week has flipped me upside down. Like, I'm being forced to study and see if there's something I'm missing.

If we were on a coffee date, I'd tell you I have these new boots that I absolutely love, but am terrified to wear. Haha! Do you have anything like that? It looked adorable on the model but once you tried them on, you got a little freaked out. I may just take the plunge. Sunday. Maybe. Ah I don't know. 

If we were on a coffee date, I'd want to know what you're going to be for Halloween. And if you tell me "nothing" we will spend the rest of our date finding you a costume via Pinterest. Because that's unacceptable. 

What would you tell me on our coffee date?

Original photo via

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Every Girl Needs a Sisterhood


A sisterhood is a gathering of women, girls, daughters, who come together with a purpose, great or small, to support, encourage, lift up and love on one another.

That's my Wednesdays. 

Every Wednesday, a couple hundred women and I get together and laugh, eat, cry, gasp, pray and worship the God who is uniquely, yet uniformly, working in each and every one of our lives. 

We are a Sisterhood. 

And while I'm a little terrified to be the new girl, I know I'm welcome. With wide open arms and overflowing generosity.

It's the most amazing feeling in the world. 

If you don't have a sisterhood, get one. I promise you won't regret it. 

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Live in the Austin, Texas area and free on Wednesday nights from 7-9pm? Come hang out with us! I'll personally show you around :) Email or tweet me for more information!
^^^Opinions, two-cents, questions and ramblings are welcome. And go above. Go ahead. Try it.

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