Years ago, after reading Mark Batterson’s book The Circle Maker, I was struck by how the principles mentioned in his book—Dream Big, Pray Hard, and Think Long—aligned perfectly with the core values of Dare for More. We liked the way he worded things so good that we adopted his wording.

We are excited to introduce you to the newest member of our team at DFM.  Meet Ana Ricardo!

Imagine walking into a football stadium on game day. The energy is electric. Fans are roaring, their cheers so deafening that the quarterback has to call a time-out because he can’t hear the play. Flags are waving, hands are raised, and excitement is palpable.

I teach art history at a large public high school in Tennessee. Recently I asked my high school art history students to describe Donatello’s sculpture of Mary Magdalene in detail. They noticed all of the troubling details Donatello intended for his viewer to see. After doing so, they were asked to detail what they imagined about this woman and what they felt when viewing the piece. I found myself in awe reading student responses.

We talk about this struggle constantly. It comes up in Bible study, in small group discussion, one on one counseling, from the pulpit, and most piercing: in the quiet of the night as we are alone with our own thoughts, ….the struggle for who has our heart, who holds our highest affection, who is at the highest in our hearts. People or God.

Imagine this: You’re sipping your morning coffee, the warmth of the cup seeping into your hands as you take a deep breath. The world feels heavy today. Maybe it’s the weight of a broken relationship, the sting of betrayal, or the ache of a burden you never thought you’d carry. Whatever it is, it’s hard. It’s raw.

Being on staff with DFM for the last 2 years I have heard all about what is going on in Guatemala, but from a distance; the answers to prayer, the beautiful products, and the impact on the people, but I longed to see it for myself.

I was so grateful when an opportunity opened up during July of this year. But preparing for this trip was a big task for this mama.

Have you ever found yourself looking back and realizing you missed the significance of a moment? Maybe it was a conversation with a loved one, a moment with your child, an opportunity to help a stranger or a quiet moment with the Lord. Often, we are too consumed with our daily routines and distractions to notice these precious instances until they are gone.

Hope… when you are full of it, you and everyone else know it. When you are empty of it, you and everyone else know it too. Hope brings motivation, brings perseverance, brings determination, brings something out of us that people long for. Lack of hope brings fear, brings lethargy, brings despair, brings us to the place where we do not even want to get out of bed.

Is anyone really full of joy? It's a question we might ask ourselves amid the humdrum of daily life. Sure, we sing about it, we read verses about it, but how often do we truly experience it? As we navigate through the mundane chores, the rush-hour traffic, and the constant demands of life, the concept of joy can seem as elusive as a fleeting dream.

Guard our hearts”, that’s what He said…He knew us all too well. I am speaking to the redeemed one, to the one who calls herself a believer, a Christ-follower.

Why would He say that?

Oprah Winfrey was the queen of the interview for many years on her show. People from all walks of life sat down with her to talk about their work, their lives, and their dreams. According to an article in Inc. magazine, Oprah conducted over 37,000 interviews, and in these interviews, she learned what people value.

We have quieted the house and the jingle bells. We have stored away our beloved Christmas vinyl records, yet a few twinkle lights remain. We seem to tie the bow on the beauty of advent only to rush into resolutions.