75 - How to Choose a Perfect Word of the Year for 2023
The Uncommon Normal with Twyla Franz
Release Date: 12/13/2022
199 - 5 Secrets for Seeing the People You Often Miss
The Uncommon Normal with Twyla Franz
I was a keep-to-myself neighbor for most of my life. A scarcely-seen neighbor. A door-locked-unless-I-expected-guests neighbor. But I was also a lonely neighbor. I thought it was normal to drive across town every time you wanted to meet up with a friend. To close the garage door as soon as you pull inside and gaze at the ground when you walk to the mailbox. To nod a cordial hello if you see a neighbor but not step inside their house, not hoist their kid onto your knee as they stir something on the stove, not leak tears in living rooms and share meals in front yards and welcome your house to...
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198 - How to Become Excited About Reading Your Bible
The Uncommon Normal with Twyla Franz
And I want to know his secret. What compels the psalmist to pursue the teachings of God regardless of the hour? To chase after God’s will with urgency and love God Himself wholeheartedly? It’s not perfection, because the unnamed author of this Psalm openly admits failure to fully follow God’s decrees. “Oh, that every part of my life would remain in line with what You require!” he exclaims (v. 5). I take another sip from the not-round rim of my mug, grateful a deep love of God’s Word doesn’t hinge on my ability to live a holy, impeccable life. With all its dents and...
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197 - For the People Watchers, EavesDroppers, and Hope Devoid
The Uncommon Normal with Twyla Franz
Just imagine what might happen if the words we say breathed life, ignited hearts, and amplified hope when they were overheard! If what came out of our mouths was laced in humility and grounded in our God-identity. If our words repaired breaches and lent hope and lit a candle for someone else. Someone listening over our shoulder, curious how to trust God when life doesn’t make sense. Someone observing at a distance how we become the hands and feet of the Lord we say we love. Someone with doubts and no idea what to do with them. Someone who feels unlovable. Someone misunderstood. Someone...
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196 - The Truth About Vulnerability: The Grace-Lined Protection We Need
The Uncommon Normal with Twyla Franz
We get both–the imposter syndrome and the subtly-inflating self-impression. We shame and doubt ourselves, wondering who we are to think God can use us for His grand purpose. And we’re also guilty of esteeming ourselves too highly, as if our value has anything to do with us and not the One who breathed undeserved worth into our lungs just because He loves us so. Links mentioned: 1. To get a short, doable tip in your inbox every week to help you get to know your neighbors, sign up 2. Read the written version of this episode 3. by Ann Voskamp. 4. Get a FREE Names of...
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195 - How To Cultivate a Receptive, Growth-Friendly Heart
The Uncommon Normal with Twyla Franz
What if we let go of the “metrics-based growth” Jennifer Dukes Lee cautions will “[hurry] our hearts,” and lean instead into the two heart cultivators Jesus offers? Links mentioned: 1. To get a short, doable tip in your inbox every week to help you get to know your neighbors, sign up 2. Read the written version of this episode 3. Jennifer Dukes Lee's . 4. Get a FREE Names of God Phone Wallpaper .
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194 - How To Slow the Rush and Really Rest
The Uncommon Normal with Twyla Franz
After a rich, tear-wet journey through the Old Testament searching for who God is on every page, resting in His endless love felt like a bear hug. Again and again and again the truth that God’s love never runs out and is always meant for us brought strength to my soul, filling me for another day of pouring out. Links mentioned: 1. To get a short, doable tip in your inbox every week to help you get to know your neighbors, sign up 2. Read the written version of this episode 3. 4. Get a FREE Names of God Phone Wallpaper .
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193 - What Happens When You’re Drenched in God’s Endless, Relentless Love
The Uncommon Normal with Twyla Franz
It hits like the curled top of an ocean wave: every name I’ve penned in Bible margins, in answer to Ann Voskamp’s question in Sacred Prayer–”Who do I say that God is today? (Mark 8:29)”–is who God is in the right-now. Not a single descriptor is merely a past-tense attribute of God’s nature. Each name spans as far back and reaches as far beyond as endless eternity. Links mentioned: 1. To get a short, doable tip in your inbox every week to help you get to know your neighbors, sign up 2. Read the written version of this episode 3. I’m taking Mary...
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192 - How to Know What God Actually Wants from Us
The Uncommon Normal with Twyla Franz
We don’t have to be more or less of anything. Our presence alone blesses Him. I’m sitting with that as I ponder how we best serve God and minister to the people in front of us on His behalf. Links mentioned: 1. To get a short, doable tip in your inbox every week to help you get to know your neighbors, sign up 2. Read the written version of this episode 3. I’m taking Mary Demuth’s , searching for names of God as I read like it’s some sort of treasure hunt. Never though to look for God in this way until I began journaling through Ann Voskamp’s . 4....
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191 - Where To Find The Most Beautiful Picture Of Open Hands
The Uncommon Normal with Twyla Franz
What strikes me about this picture of open hands is that for hands to be unfolded daily, they must be balled-up daily too. I can relate to that. Links mentioned: 1. To get a short, doable tip in your inbox every week to help you get to know your neighbors, sign up 2. Read the written version of this episode 3. Get a FREE Names of God Phone Wallpaper .
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190 - The Best Remedy I’ve Found For My Tendency To Catastrophize
The Uncommon Normal with Twyla Franz
It begins to connect as I pause at the word ‘name’ at the end of Psalm 91: because we know God by name–by His many names–we know TO call on Him, HOW to call on Him, and WHAT to call Him. Links mentioned: 1. To get a short, doable tip in your inbox every week to help you get to know your neighbors, sign up 2. Read the written version of this episode 3. I’m taking Mary Demuth’s , searching for names of God as I read like it’s some sort of treasure hunt. Never though to look for God in this way until I began journaling through Ann Voskamp’s . 4. Get a...
info_outlineDo you choose a word for each year? Wait until January to think about it? Give up before you pick a word because it’s another decision and you don’t like making decisions?
Imagine if you already had your new word chosen before New Year’s Day? You’ve written it on your mirror, a sticky note on your dashboard, or on your phone wallpaper. You’re expectant and ready.
Now, let’s talk about how to get there.
Links mentioned:
- Joyce Meyer’s scriptural affirmations.
- FREE list of 200 missional living word of the year ideas.
- Grab a FREE sneak peek of Cultivating a Missional Life: A 30-Day Devotional to Gently Help You Open Your Heart, Home, and Life to Your Neighbors.
- Order or leave a book review on Amazon.
- View the written version of this episode.