I don’t have adequate words to express the delight, gratitude and pure fun that I experience while gazing at the Creative Brilliance of God. So I’ll let the photos I took at the Grand Canyon last weekend and Scripture help me.

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

“The heavens declare the glory of God;  the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Psalm 19:1

On Thursday, I fly to Denver and drive with friends and fellow-Life Coaches to the WayPoint Summit in Breckenridge, CO. Another gift from God, since He knows how much I love to see His master artwork. I think I’ll probably take a few more photos!! 

Where does God show you His Brilliance? 

Sometimes He shares His loving handiwork to me right in my own backyard. See?

Tomorrow morning I’m going to the Grand Canyon with my husband, Richard. A little GET-AWAY so we can catch our breath and be inspired by God’s creativity. We’ll be back home Sunday night and at work on Monday morning. Short trip!

This spur of the moment trip comes right after friend and author Diane Markinstagged me on Facebook and asked, “Is resting as hard for you as it is for me?”

My inward response, “Ah, probably so.” And then I posted, “Yes, sometimes it’s hard to take a real rest, isn’t it? Even when we pause to rest on the outside, our minds and hearts race on. Perhaps it’s our “shoulds” that keep us going past our reasonable human limits. Maybe we’ve taught others that we’re super-women–willing, skilled and available to make life easier for them. If that’s the case, it’s unlikely someone else will suggest we relax. But I now believe that God grants us permission to take responsibility for our own “rest needs” regardless of what others say. Makes me smile.”

Hmmmm. I think I’ll do a lot of smiling this weekend. (I might even take a bunch of photos! Love looking at God’s gorgeous artwork!)

What are you doing this weekend that will make you smile?

Shortly after I moved from snowy Minnesota to sunny Arizona 14 years ago, I met a lovely tall woman named Diane Markins. (Of course, almost everyone is taller than Joan C. Webb, but never mind!!) I’m grateful that God introduced us, because Diane has become a caring friend, as well as a talented, supportive fellow-writer. Today I have the privilege of joining Diane’s GOING BOLDLY New Book BLOG TOUR. 

FREE Book: If you’re like me, you LOVE getting free books for your Kindle. Click on this sentence to get your free Kindle copy of Diane Markins’ new book, Women in High Def: Boldly Living Your Purposes with Vibrant Clarity. 

Diane Markins aspires to live in High Def, as a wife, mom, grandmother, friend, colleague, author and businesswoman. She uses her radio show, writing and speaking to inspire women to transform their lives from mediocre and complacent to bold and vibrant. Diane writes two blogs, WomenInHighDef.com andWordsInHighDef.com,  is a regular contributor to the Presidential Prayer Team website and CBN.com. She and her husband of 33 years work and live close to their children in Arizona.

Diane Markins aspires to live in High Def, as a wife, mom, grandmother, friend, colleague, author and businesswoman. She uses her radio show, writing and speaking to inspire women to transform their lives from mediocre and complacent to bold and vibrant. Diane writes two blogs, WomenInHighDef.com andWordsInHighDef.com,  is a regular contributor to the Presidential Prayer Team website and CBN.com. She and her husband of 33 years work and live close to their children in Arizona.

Why read Diane’s new book? Here’s what our mutual friend and well-respected author, Carol Kent, says,“Women in High Def will remind you that when God writes your story, you are in for the adventure of a lifetime! Diane Markins has written a book addressing topics women deal with on a day-to-day basis. If you are looking for a contemporary, captivating read filled with practical advice that will give you insight and wisdom for daily decisions, this is it!”  Carol Kent, Speaker and Author of Between a Rock and a Grace Place (Zondervan)

You can win: The “Going Boldly” Blog Tour Grand Prize  – Retail Value: $70 – This great prize includes:

• Book (Women in High Def: Boldly Living Your Purposes with Vibrant Clarity)
• Bright and Vibrant Earrings
• Sparkling Cider (to celebrate life)
• Sumatra Coffee (Bold, Earthy Flavor)
• Into the Wild body wash and spray fragrance from Bath and Body Works
• Custom coffee mug: Women in High Def (front), BE YOUR BOLD SELF! (back)

Here’s how: Instructions to Enter the Grandprize Drawing:

1. Leave a comment about the book or author on this blog post (during the book tour dates of September 10-14!)
2. Each blog tour host will draw one name from those comments to send to the tour coordinator by September 21.
3. The coordinator will put all the names into a drawing, and select a winner, using an online randomizer.
4. The coordinator will notify the blog tour host who submitted the winning name.
5. The blog tour host will notify the winner and collect the mailing info so the author can send out the prize.

Story Excerpt: Diane and I have a few things in common: we’re both writers, grandmothers, God-lovers, and we long to live in “the relief of imperfection.” As you know I even wrote a few books about this topic! Diane and I chat about this, too. That’s why I appreciated the following story from Women in High Def.

Falling Down Gorgeous

Time takes its toll on all of us. Parts of me that were once up here are now down there. My face, once smooth and fresh was becoming a bit weathered and wrinkled. Other areas that used to be firm are now wiggly. As I turned fifty I began to notice that I was becoming invisible, based on my appearance. That’s a big fat horse pill to swallow for my ego. But that’s okay. The good news is that when people start to see less of me, they see more of Jesus. He’s much more appealing and has no hidden agenda.

I hate to admit it, but I still enjoy being noticed on occasion. My husband and I went on a date to a very fancy mountaintop restaurant overlooking the city. I dressed for the occasion in my fitted black slacks, silky blouse and high heels.

I followed the maitre de to our table, my husband right behind me. I was feeling pretty good about myself and strutted a bit as we crossed a large open expanse of the room. As my stilettos went from carpet to wood floor something strange happened…I began to skate, stumble and flail about, for what felt like ten excruciating minutes, before finally landing flat on my keister. For endless moments all sound ceased except the quiet music in the background. Diners, servers and kitchen staff gaped at me, frozen in mid-action.

Graciously, I was helped up, escorted to and seated at our table, where they elevated and iced my swollen ankle. Then—to my horror—the paramedics arrived, causing an even bigger stir. Servers and managers came by frequently to check on me. Finally, our fellow diners made their way to our table as they departed to share their own “fall down” tales.

Earlier that evening, I had hoped for a little extra attention. But this wasn’t what I had in mind. Now I was just grateful I hadn’t chosen the skirt I had considered that was still hanging on my closet door. My experience that night was a great reminder that the only beauty that matters is what the Lord puts in our hearts. Everything else “falls” short in the end.

Please add your COMMENTS, Friends! I’d love for you to win the “Going Boldly Blog Tour Grand Prize.” Don’t miss out!

Note to Diane: Thanks for writing this book and sharing the stories, prayer-prompts and life coaching questions that encourage women to move out of a low-def, foggy life into living fearlessly for God.

One definition of perfectionism (or striving too hard to make it just right) is “the theory that moral, religious, or social perfection can be attained by mortals.” (Yikes!)

It’s merely a theory, yet some of us have lived like we believe this notion—and it’s worn us down. This morning I admitted to myself that I’m feeling a little “worn down” again, so I pulled my devotional book, It’s a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life, from the shelf hoping to get a little “relief” from the author, Joan C. Webb!! Here’s what I read:

• Do you get impatient inside when a loved one’s behavior doesn’t meet your expectations? I admit, I have.
• Are you secretly certain that your ideas are best? No comment.
• Do you ever berate yourself for having unspiritual thoughts and feelings? Well, yes. Hmmmm. I guess that’s what I’ve been doing the last few months.  
• Have you ever wanted to hide when you made a mistake? Duh! 
• Do you avoid situations and conversations that put you at risk for doing it “wrong”? I admit it. I have a tendency to squelch my own voice. 

See why I call myself a “recovering perfectionist”?

Relief comes my way when I accept (not just nod at) this truth: God is perfect. I’m not. Paul writes in Romans 3:22-23 that no matter who you are or what you’ve done, it doesn’t matter—everyone is unsuccessful at measuring up to God’s perfect standards. We misinterpret His flawless ways and lack what it takes to possess the grandeur and faultless character of God. We all need God’s redemptive love. In this truth, we’re released to cease striving and accept God’s mercy and rest.

I’m so relieved I don’t have to keep up a facade of handling my life, work/ministry, relationships and my faith  ”just right.” God’s the perfect one. Not me.

My shoulders just relaxed.

Okay, I’m curious: how do you respond to any of the above questions highlighted in yellow? 

Your homeschool children are invited to join with other young writers. Last year I spent two fun-filled semesters teaching writing at a homeschool co-op in Gilbert, Arizona. (Check out the fun on our website from the first fall 2011. http://storiesfromskylinecourt.blogspot.com.) We just had a few cancellations, so there is room for your children in grades 3rd to 10th. Call Lynnette at 480-270-9922 for info and to register. Hurry! It starts next week! Read the specifics below. 

Homeschool Writing Class Wednesdays for 8 weeks ~ September 12, 2012 – November 14, 2012 (October 3 and 31– no class)

Joan C. Webb, author/teacher, life coach, will be teaching Writing: Structure and Style. Much of the curriculum will be based on the method used by The Institute for Excellence in Writing.  The writer’s workshop time will be highly interactive and will focus on grammar and vocab enhancement, as well as parts of speech and effective and powerful sentence construction. The 8 week class will be on Wednesday afternoons at Higley and Germann in Power Ranch. (See the photo!) Also included in the registration fee will be opportunity to meet with Mrs. Webb for individual instruction/tutoring.

Joan C. Webb has a passion to know God and to make Him known. She has authored thirteen books including The Intentional Woman (written with Carol Travilla),The Relief of Imperfection, It’s a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life (a devotional book), and a four-book series titled Devotions for Little Boys and Girls. Her newest book, Nourishment for New Moms, was released last year. Joan also wrote study notes in Zondervan’s Women of Faith Study Bible. Her background includes business ownership/management, Bible teaching and conference speaking, travel to the Middle East doing relief and development work and twelve years as a pastor’s wife. She lives with her husband Richard in Chandler, Arizona, near their two married children and seven grandchildren.

Tomorrow I’ll wake up and it will be Labor Day 2012. Yet all I can think of is: Happy Un-Labor Day, Joan!

Over the years I’ve had a love-hate relationship with work. It’s not fun when my work/job controls me…kind of like a big bully. When I let the big bully win, I eventually face burnout. And that’s not a happy place to be.

My life feels more peaceful when I put healthy perimeters around how much I work—and how I think about my work. I don’t have to give up everything in order to be successful in my chosen career! I want to believe this on a more consistent basis.  It’s also one reason I’m in this current intentional “stepping back to review/renew/renovate my work, ministry, and health” phase.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m grateful for the opportunity and privilege to work. I agree with Proverbs 12:14: Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward. 

Still I love that God offers me (and YOU) rest or “un-labor.” I smile every time I read Jesus’ invitation to “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) It’s like He’s whispering to my soul, “Come here, Joan, and relax a while.” Now you try saying this to yourself—as if Jesus is whispering it to you. Fill your name in the blank. “Come here, ______________, and relax a while.”