The Best Bible To Use

October 15, 2017February 16, 2018 / Toni Williams / 2 Comments

I have a friend named Mike. Mike is a bible scholar. Big Time. In our 20-plus years of friendship, I have always thought he has a billiant mind. And whenever I have a question about the bible, I ask him.

A couple of years ago, I asked him what I thought was a simple question.

What’s the best bible to use?

He shrugged his shoulders and looked at me very matter of factly and simply said, “The one you have.”

No. Just no. Where was the deep and profound analysis of all of the bibles in the world? Where was the recommendation of the specific bible that I just have to have? Where was the validation that I needed to buy a shiny, new bible to get my Jesus on? So I rephrased the question.

Based on your studies as a bible scholar, and based on your teaching of bible to the masses, what’s the best bible to use?

“The one you have. But since you obviously don’t like that answer, any study bible should work for your needs.” Continue reading →

Prayers For Teens

February 25, 2016February 24, 2016 / Toni Williams / Leave a comment

Last week I shared two blog posts that have me stressed as a mom. In one post, I discussed the moment that I discovered my kids have been exposed to the ills of twerking, drugs, and porn. In the other post, I talked about an issue that I truly believe is an act of the enemy – the moment that one of my sweet, precious babies questioned me about atheism.

Both situations required grace and mercy. Both situations required me to turn my children over to God. And both situations made me realize that I probably should have consulted God about these specific things all along.

After I published those posts from last week, I discovered one thing. Highly influenced by the work of Priscilla Shirer in the book Fervent, I was a woman on a mission. And the result is this.

Click to access a pdf version of a free prayer guide for parents of teens

Click on the image above to get the free prayer guide!

I created a short reference guide for us to pray for the teens we love. There’s a sheet for boys and a sheet for girls, and another sheet with scripture references that will help us. Once you open and download the document, you will see that there are ten areas to pray specific prayers for your teen. I am using it to pray for a specific are for each child each day. As you will see, I give you a suggested subject for the pray, but it is up to you to get more specific about what you know your child needs.

The last page is a list of bible scriptures to keep you encouraged and reinforce the need to pray so fervently.

I’m curious to hear your feedback on the journal and what’s happened the you’ve prayed long and hard. Send me an email to toni [at] twillimedia [dot] com or put your thoughts in the comments below.

Ask My Tribe: Motherhood Advice

September 17, 2015September 27, 2015 / Toni Williams / Leave a comment

From a reader:

@twillisbestshot I’m expecting my first baby next spring. I am so nervous and I don’t know what to expect. Does your tribe have any advice for me?

I took the question to Facebook and Twitter, and here’s what a few of my friends had to say:

You’re going to screw up your kid in some way. Accept that and just do your best. — K.G.

Breastfeeding if at all possible and if you are unable to don’t feel like you failed you still have 18 years plus years to be awesome. — C.S.

Pray, Cry, Pray, Cry, laugh, protect, values, Teach, love, pray, respect, pray, and love… — F.S.

Don’t lose yourself. — K.M.

Accept all help and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Especially in areas of breastfeeding (it is the hardest but most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life! But it took more work than I ever imagined and having a IBCLC counselor out to my house and on speed dial.) and accept all help around the house. I wish I would have done more of that instead of just felt like I was drowning in “chores” with babies to tend to. — E.T.

Understand that it’s the best job ever. — L.D.

Sleep when the baby sleeps. — C.S.

There is no perfect mom. You are doing it right no matter what others have to say. — E.M.

Best advice I ever received was to enjoy EVERY moment because it goes so quickly! — K.A.

There is no such thing as perfect parenting practices. Pray and enjoy every moment, the good and the no so good ones. — L.J.

In case you missed it! Here are three previous posts you may be interested in:

Questions About Parenting…Ask them!

August 31, 2015August 31, 2015 / Toni Williams / Leave a comment

In blogger language, your audience of readers is called your tribe. My audience is mostly women who are moms from the ages of 30-50. In my nine years of blogging, I have found that I learn as much from my readers as they learn from me. Simply put, they are very smart women!

Do you have a question about parenting? Are you stumped on an issue that just baffles you? Send it to me at twillisbestshot@gmail.com or on Twitter to @twillisbestshot. I’ll read it, think about the best way to answer it, and most importantly, I’ll ask my tribe.

You’ll get a variety of non-judgemental responses that will help you inform, then act appropriately. All names will reman anonymous! Remember, we aren’t meant to navigate this journey alone — and chances are, if you have the question, at least 5 more moms right here are dealing with the same issue.

What would you like me to ask my tribe?

Cancer Remembered: Was I Really OK?

June 11, 2014June 2, 2014 / Toni Williams / Leave a comment

This post is part of a month-long series on my cancer experience of 2013. They originally appeared on my blog at http://www.caringbridge.org.

I am asked this question at least 5,000 times twice a week. And usually, the asker is hesitant and nervous….like there’s an elephant in the room. So when there’s an elephant in the room, it needs to be introduced to the crowd.

The answer is simple: Yes. But I want to share with you why.

I live in a place of self-help and spiritually. I read blogs, I read books, and I practice all of it. I’ve read the Secret, I’ve seen the Secret…and it is no secret to me. Positive thinking and having a strong spiritual foundation is essential to living. Not essential for those who are sick or going through something, but for everybody.

So because I live in a place of self-help and balanced spirituality…the cancer doesn’t really take me off my center. It’s an issue, yes, but I’m able to recognize that there are so many other things happening in the world that are worse than this. Remember when CJ was having a rough time with seizures as a young child? That’s an example of way worse. Hurricane Katrina? Way worse. Randy Pausch, the college professor who turned his pancreatic cancer experience into an inspirational story for the world? Way worse. Human rights crisis in the Congo? Way worse. And what about Mattie Stepanek, the little boy who was a world peacemaker by sharing his Heartsongs with us? Waaaaaay worse.

And while we’re on the topic. I do cry. And crying is not bad. It is therapeutic. So sometimes there’s a trigger that doesn’t appear to be related to the cancer, but it hits a nerve and I cry. And then I move on because I know I’m supposed to use this experience for good.

And I return to my world filled with self-help and spirituality. That’s how I manage 3 kids as a single mom, that’s I deal with registration season at work, that how I deal with conflict, and that’s how I deal with cancer. You know what? I wasn’t in this spiritual place when I went through the divorce, and I am sure that’s why it took me to that dark place. A place that I never want to go back to.

So I get up at 5:30 every day to pray, practice yoga, read, and meditate. I can feel a difference when I don’t. My favorite authors are Priscilla Shirer and Lysa Terkeurst. I read emails from Mastin Kipp, Renee Swope, Lynn Lynn Cowell, Karen Ehmann and Glynnis Whitwater. I subscribe to blogs entitled, “The Happiness Project” and “Daily OM:Nurturing Mind, Body, and Spirit.” And the bible studies….oh Beth Moore, how you inspire me!

This is who I am. This is who I am with cancer. And I probably think this is who you should be too. (Well, as long as we’re being honest).

And simply put, that’s why I’m really okay.