Category Archives: TECH DOWNLOADS

You Are So Worth It + Free Tech Download

March 15, 2016

There’s this amazing young woman who I think the world of. She is smart, generous, ridiculously talented, and has a beautiful heart for people. I could go on and on about how amazing I think she is, and I often do when I talk with her, but for some reason, she doesn’t see the same things in herself that I see when I look at her. She regularly questions her ability, doubts whether she’s good enough, and is convinced that she’s not going to get the good things she really wants in her life. She puts up with bad relationships, tolerates unhealthy friendships and shies away from opportunities to step up and do things she’s always wanted to do. I’ve never heard her actually say the words out loud, but her actions, excuses and insecurities scream, “I’m not worth it.”

But here’s the thing. She is. Not because she’s smart or talented or does the right things, but because she was created by a God who spent time actually knitting her together and designing every part of who she is. I believe He’s proud of the individual He created and desperately wants to see her live a purposeful, fulfilled life.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139:13-15

You are worth it. Not because you’re smart or talented. Not because you did something right or deserve to be praised. You are worth it because you were created for purpose. Someone spent time on you. You are worth it, and no words, actions, or individual can take that away.

People who don’t think they’re worth it live for less than they deserve. They don’t chase after their dreams, they don’t spend time investing in their self, and they let other people dictate how they feel. You deserve a good life; a life you’re proud of. You are worth loving, even if someone convinces you that you’re not. You are worth investing in, so that you are strong, healthy and capable of doing the things you really want to do. You are worth it. So, so worth it.

You can go ahead and brush it off as a cliche statement that somehow applies to everyone else except you, but the truth is, you are so worth it, whether you believe it yet or not.

If you want to begin to change your mindset, you need to start filling your mind with truth. Start by putting this little reminder on your tech to remind yourself every day that you are worth it. Worth loving. Worth fighting for. Worth living for. You are so, so worth it.

You can download this free YOU ARE SO WORTH IT graphic right here:

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THERE IS HOPE + FREE TECH DOWNLOAD

December 8, 2015

ENCOURAGEMENT / TECH DOWNLOADS

If you stop and think about it for too long, the world seems pretty dark. Thousands of people are battling cancer and other life-altering diseases. Innocent people are grieving loses from sickness, war and terrorism. It seems like more and more people are living through the pain of broken relationships, rejection and abandonment. While we may be fully immersed in the “the most wonderful time of the year,” we are constantly reminded that the holidays are really difficult for some people. It doesn’t matter how jolly St. Nick is, or how loud you blast Deck the Halls, the world just feels really, really broken. Maybe because it is.

But here’s what I love about Christmas: There is hope.

Christmas isn’t just about the gifts, the lights and families coming together. It’s far more than sleigh bells and happy elves. Christmas it about hope. Hope is not just wishful thinking or a fleeting thought that maybe, just maybe, things will change; It’s a confidence in something immovable, unshakable, and unchanging. It’s the unwavering belief that because God recognized that the world was broken, He sent His boy into the world so that we could hold onto the hope that this little baby, Jesus, would change the course of history and offer us a solution from the brokenness and pain.

Even when everything else in my life feels unstable and out of control, I know that hope is the anchor of my soul. It’s my hope in who Jesus is and what I know He came to this earth to do that keep me grounded.

I choose to believe that the world can change; that sickness can be healed and terrorism can be no more. But even if things don’t change; if innocent people continue to die and sickness continues to destroy my body, I will not be shaken. I will continue to place my hope in a God who has proven himself trustworthy again, and again.

There is hope, and I choose to anchor myself to that hope, so that when the storms come my way, I will not be moved. It’s in this hope that I find joy, peace, and real life. It’s through this hope that I understand love. It’s this hope that gives me the strength to keep going.

Whatever your story is this year; Wherever you find yourself; There is hope and His name is Jesus.

You can download this free THERE IS HOPE graphic right here:

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FA LA LA FREE DOWNLOAD – Tech Tuesday

November 17, 2015

TECH DOWNLOADS

There are 38 days until Christmas, so it’s time to deck the halls! The classic green and red decor isn’t really my thing at Christmas, I tend to go for whites and metallics with touches of black. I know, I know, not super festive sounding, but it works for us!

I thought I’d duplicate our decor theme for the first holiday tech download! If you want to get festive, but you don’t want it to look like Santa’s workshop threw up all over your tech screen, this one’s for you.

So, go ahead, get into the festive spirit with this fa la la free download, I promise you’ll catch yourself humming the song to yourself all day. Ain’t nobody calling you Scrooge!

You can download this free Fa La La graphic right here:

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I AM STRONG – Guest Post by Sarah Duron + Free Tech Download

November 3, 2015

HEALTH & FITNESS / MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS / TECH DOWNLOADS

The last two months have been tough for me (You can read more about that here). Since the end of August just getting through the work day has been a struggle, and by the time I got home I hardly had the energy to cook, let alone work out. My muscles were disappearing. My strength was failing. I was weak.

I knew that regaining strength would be an important part of my recovery, but it’s hard.

Recognizing I couldn’t do it on my own, I sent a message to my friend Sarah in Florida. Sarah and I connected earlier this year, through her sister-in-law, after she was diagnosed with MS. Our common diagnosis and passion for ministry made for an instant friendship. As we’ve talked about life with MS, we have both found common ground in our struggle to stay healthy and active. It’s not easy for either of us to find the energy to work out, but we know we need to. We both feel weak. We both feel out of shape. But we’re both ready to get stronger and healthier!

I can’t wait for you to meet Sarah!

SARAH DURON – I AM STRONG

Sarah is a mother of two, a graphic designer, and a student at Southeastern University. You can read her blog at sarahduron.com and follow her on instagram @sarahduron. (Also, how gorgeous is she?)

A couple months ago, I decided to go off of MS treatment. I originally discontinued the medication I was on with the intent of switching to a new option, but in the interim I noticed that I was starting to feel better. Finally feeling more like myself for the first time in a long time, I decided to take on the gamble of going without treatment completely. With this decision has come the awareness that I must up my game on my own personal health and fitness. If I am not going to utilize the treatments that are out there, then the only responsible alternative is to equip my body to function at optimum performance. This means I need to be consuming tons of nutrients, avoiding harmful ingredients, and I also need to be working out- like, a lot.

It all seems so simple! Yet, lately it is just so hard. With the holidays coming up, which is always the time of year that I throw standards and caution to the wind when it comes to proper diet, and due to the fact that I feel so much better physically, I have been slacking off BIG TIME. Also, I have been really struggling lately with pushing myself to exercise. You know how it feels when you haven’t worked out in awhile, and since you are so out of shape it takes so much self-discipline to get started? Well, I feel like that times a thousand. My muscles are super weak and I am just incredibly unfit. In my situation, with the odds that I am facing, being a slacker is NOT an option! If you have ever surfed the web to study how one can thrive and experience a high quality of life despite MS, you would know that this cannot possibly be accomplished without a high commitment to health and fitness.

One of my dearest new friends and fellow MS fighter, Kimberlee Moran, is one of my hugest inspirations. Diagnosed with MS a year ago, she has continued with such determination to thrive as an incredible preacher, theology professor, pastor and wife! Not to mention, she has an amazing blog, mad design skills, and this doesn’t even begin to cover the remarkable person that she is. We are both determined to experience a long, energetic life bringing the message, hope and love of Jesus Christ to the world. This is why we’ve decided to come together and join arms to encourage one another toward our health and fitness goals.

I am sharing this with you because we want to invite you to join in this challenge with us! Even if you don’t have MS, I imagine you probably have your own personal health and fitness goals that you would like to see become a reality! On our own, and without the accountability of others, we all can easily slack off. This is why we want to invite you to be IAMStrong! Together, we can do this! We are making a commitment to devote at least thirty minutes a day, five days a week, to exercise. We are also making the commitment to eating everything we eat on PURPOSE. We want to plan ahead for meals, share recipes, and encourage each other to enjoy all the healthy, nutritious, yet yummy foods that God has provided to us. I think this will be fun! I’m feeling the motivation already! So, there is our invite! Who’s with me? Who’s with me?!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s the power of coming together. Sarah and I are challenging all of you to join with us in our pledge to get healthier and finish 2015 strong! I refuse to wait until 2016 to make a New Year’s resolution to get my strength back! We’re starting now, post-Hallowe’en/pre-Holiday season, which may be the most challenging time of the year to stay on track! But we can do it together right?

We’re asking you to join us. Our goal is to start 2016 strong and healthy, but we can’t do it on our own. If you want to join us in our journey let us know in the comments below or connect with us on instagram @sarahduron & @kimberleemoran. If we’re all in this together, I know it will be easier! Let’s do this!

Grab this FREE TECH DOWNLOAD to remind yourself, “I AM STRONG,” regardless of the obstacles you face!

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Buy the matching I AM STRONG t-shirt HERE to help support others fighting MS.

Learning to “Be Still” + Free Download – Tech Tuesday

October 20, 2015

FAITH & MINISTRY / TECH DOWNLOADS

My journey towards learning how to “be still” began well before my diagnosis with MS (you can read more about my MS story here). As a classic over-worker, I knew I needed to take time away from the chaos and accelerated rhythms I had created. My mind was constantly racing and I need to learn how to let go and rest.

After my diagnosis, things I’d been trying to implement for years were no longer optional, they were necessary. It was time to step back and let God fight for me. I simply needed to be still.

But, as you know, that’s a lot easier said than done! It doesn’t just happen! But the more I studied one of my favourite verses about “being still,” the more I realized that I’m just like Israel. I make excuses. I blame others. I often fixate on the problem instead of the solution.

Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

When the nation of Israel is freed to leave Egypt after over 400 years as slaves, they are ecstatic! But when they find themselves on the banks of the sea, with the Egyptian army coming after them, they begin to panic and their tone of excitement and celebration transitions to one of resentment and fear.

In Exodus 14:14, Moses says to them, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Some versions actually say, “You need only to be silent,” indicating that the Israelites may have been freaking out a little. When you look a few verses earlier in Exodus 14:11-12, you can see that a full-blown freak out was pretty much in the works as they turn to Moses and say, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bring us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians that to die in the desert!

They are so fixated on their approaching problem, they forget about the faithfulness of the one who lead them out in the first place.

It made me think; how often to I just start running my mouth instead of passing my situations over to God and letting Him deal with it?

What’s going to happen? What if everything doesn’t work out? This isn’t what I thought things were going to look like. When am I going to get a break? Can’t I just give up?

“The Lord will fight for you. BE STILL.”

But God, I don’t know what to do. I’m at the edge of the water and I don’t know where to go next.

“I’ll fight for you. BE STILL.”

But what if I can’t handle the adversity that’s coming towards me?

“BE STILL.”

It’s pretty hard to be still when you’re looking at the obstacles and adversities you’re facing. Israel simply needed to stop talking and let God take care of it. And He did. He split the sea so they could walk right through it. (Reminds me of a line in a pretty powerful song by Bethel – No Longer Slaves – you can listen to the song here.)

I know what my adversity is. And today I’m choosing to take my hands off, look away from what appears to be trying to take me out, and Let Him fight for me. I’m choosing to Be Still. Anyone else in?

You can download this free Be Still graphic right here:

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How cutting out coffee helped change my life + Free Download – Tech Tuesday

October 13, 2015

HEALTH & FITNESS / TECH DOWNLOADS

I love coffee. At least I used to. That boost of caffeine to get me through the day. The energy shot to keep me on my A-game. I was always running to my next appointment with nice strong cup of coffee in my hands. After all, I was convinced that the only real solution to combatting a lack of sleep and an over-booked scheduled was more energy.

Last year, after I was diagnosed with MS, I was encouraged to completely cut out caffeine (you can read more about that here). My initial response was “Oh, no. Not my coffee.” How was I supposed to survive? It didn’t take me long to see that it wasn’t just my caffeinated beverages that needed to be adjusted, it was my whole approach to live. Without coffee I felt lethargic, less focused and a little grouchy. I needed more than just a beverage adjustment.

For me, cutting out coffee was a life-style change. It represented more than just what was in my cup. It represented hours of deprived sleep; months of overpacked schedules; and years of bad habits. I was a workaholic and coffee was my fuel to do more.

What my life really needed was a major overhaul. Rather than a cup of caffeine to give me a jolt in the morning, I really needed a good night’s sleep. Rather than a rushed cup-to-go, what I really needed was a moment to stop and breathe. I needed to slow down.

After grieving the loss of my beloved bold brew, I decided to take up herbal tea. (And all the coffee drinkers said, “gross.” I know.) I wasn’t happy about it, but I knew I needed to make some adjustments to my health, many of which were represented with what was inside my mug.

No longer able to rely on the caffeine boost from coffee, I was forced to make different choices. I started to choose to go to bed instead of staying up to get a little more work done. Instead of grabbing a cup on the go, I started to sit and breathe while I let my tea steep. My mug began to represent a change that was happening in me that went far beyond what I was drinking. I was learning to slow down.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not an anti-coffee advocate; I’m not looking at you with “judgey eyes” as you down your favourite blend; and I’m certainly not pointing fingers in any way, shape, or form. There are many people who drink their coffee like I drink my tea, as a way to stop, relax and slow down. That just wasn’t the case for me. I know for me, coffee was a symptom of a bigger problem in my life. In many ways I didn’t have a choice to give it up, but I’m glad I was forced to. It helped to change me into someone who I know will be better in the long run. Now, I’m learning to breathe.

I thought it would be fitting for Tech Tuesday this week to celebrate my new love for tea with this cute little download!

You can download this graphic for FREE for your desktop, iphone or ipad to share with the world that you do, in fact, love ~~hotties~~ hot teas 😉

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YOU ARE NOT ALONE + FREE DOWNLOAD – TECH TUESDAY

October 6, 2015

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS / TECH DOWNLOADS

I recently wrote this piece for the MS Society of Canada, so I thought I’d share it with you here! And as a bonus, here’s a fall-themed “You Are Not Alone” tech download. Enjoy!

My whole life I prided myself on my independence. I set goals. I worked hard. I accomplished them. It wasn’t like I made a conscious decision to block others out, but I did. Every time I chose to go through something on my own. Every time I refused to ask to for help. Every time I did my own thing, I sent the message, “I don’t need your help. I can do it on my own.”

One year ago my world was turned upside down as I sat nervously in a small examination room and listened to the doctor relay the words I was dreading, “Kim, you have MS.”

I was devastated. Confused. Broken. What was I supposed to do now? I braced myself for what I believed was going to be one of the hardest, darkest seasons of my life. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and I was terrified.

I recognized I had a choice to make; I could choose to live my life in independence, holding this new diagnosis close to my chest and away from the rest of the world, or I could open myself up, allowing people to walk alongside me, support me, and help carry me as I journeyed into the unknown.

One by one I began to let people in on my journey. I began to open up and tell my story, experience their support, and before I knew it I was wading through this mucky mess of a disease with people all around me. I was not alone.

I expected this last year to be one of the hardest, darkest seasons of my life, but that hasn’t been my experience at all. As I’ve opened up myself to the people around me, I’ve experienced one of the most life giving, encouraging seasons of my life so far. As a community of people has rallied around me in love and support, I am reminded that I do need help, every single day. I am reminded that I am not alone.

This past weekend I participated in Muck MS in Chilliwack, BC. I was surrounded by some of my closest friends, members of the MS community who I’ve met over the past year, and hundreds of others who united together in the fight against MS.

Our Muck MS Team – Saturday, October 3rd, 2015.

Your presence and participation in events like Muck MS impact far more than you may ever understand. It’s not solely about the money we raise for MS care and research; it extends far further than that. Long after the funds are spent, the cheers of spectators still ring in my ears. The high fives from fellow participants still bring a smile to my face; and I’m still experiencing the presence of friends, family and strangers who chose to stand alongside me and remind me that those who fight MS don’t have to do it alone.

The truth is, we all need help. We can’t do it on our own. All you have to do is take a good look around at the masses of mud-runners, volunteers and cheering squads to see it. We’re wading through this muck together, and we’re better for it.

You can download this graphic for FREE for your desktop, iphone or ipad as a daily reminder that you are not alone.

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TRUST + free download – TECH TUESDAY

September 8, 2015

TECH DOWNLOADS

If I had to choose one word that has really defined my life so far, it’s Trust. Learning that I really need to lean on God and not my own strength, or the strength of others.

The first time I was really challenged by this word was in 2009. I was discouraged, heartbroken, and frustrated. I was doing my best to keep going, despite the obstacles in front of me, but I was ready to throw in the towel.

I was on staff at a church just outside Toronto, and it was evident that my role as a female in ministry was difficult for others that were in leadership with me. I wasn’t invited to the same meetings the guys were and several things had been said about my inability to lead in certain ways because of my gender. I did my best to stay focused and continue to serve the students in our ministry, but I knew at my core I was becoming angry, bitter, and resentful.

Near the beginning of 2009 I found myself in Jeremiah 17. It was like the words jumped off the page when I read them,

“Cursed is the man who trust in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord. For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant.” Jeremiah 17:5-6

I knew that’s what had happened to me. I had put my trust in people. Trusting that my pastor would give me opportunities and believing that my husband would stand up for me and defend me. I had made “flesh my strength.” When you really study that word “strength”, it means someone, a shoulder, that you lean on. I knew that the more I leaned on people and trusted in them to make a way for me, the more I became like a bush in the desert. I was dried up, brittle, and unable to yield fruit in my own life and in my ministry.

But the next part gave me hope. It said, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is in the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

That’s who I wanted to be. I wanted to be a person that no matter what season I was in, I wouldn’t be afraid or anxious because I was rooted next the source of life. I knew that if I chose to trust that God would take care of me, fight for me, defend me, and provide for me, that regardless of what the people around me were doing, my life could still be fruitful. That’s what I wanted.

I made a choice that day to trust. To trust that God is who He says He is in every season, no matter what my circumstance might look like. It’s not been the easiest journey, but I know that as long as I stay planted by the water, letting my roots go down deep, I’ll make it.

The writer of Proverbs knew what he was taking about when he wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

I don’t always understand. I don’t always know what to do. I don’t always feel like trusting, or even know how to at times; but I choose daily to Trust Him instead of leaning on my own understanding or on the strength of others. He can always hold me up when I lean on Him.

You can download this graphic for FREE for your desktop, iphone or ipad as a daily reminder to trust Him in everything.

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YOU GOT THIS + FREE DOWNLOAD

March 28, 2015

ENCOURAGEMENT / TECH DOWNLOADS

This phrase keeps popping up lately, “You got this.” It became my mantra after Clark bought me a t-shirt stating the phrase, and during my week of treatment (You can read about that here), it was echoed by friends and family who were cheering me on!

Sometimes when things get hard I want to quit. It’s a lot easier to give up than to push through. Whether I’m struggling to keep up, pushing the final few hundred meters of a run or facing my unknown future, I just keep telling myself, “You got this.”

I often change my tech backgrounds to remind myself of little truths I need to let sink in. I thought I’d share one of my favourite little phrases with you. You can download this graphic for your desktop, phone, or tablet by clicking on the links below! Enjoy!

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