Hey, ladies. Please give a warm, true woman welcome to Trillia Newbell, our newest blogger. I got to spend some time with her this past week at The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference, and I think you'll love her! Get to know her a bit today, and then check back next week to read her first post.

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Sometimes I look at the landscape of my life and see nothing but wide open fields. No mountains or valleys, no beachfront properties. Just wide open fields that span the horizon as far as my eyes can follow without a hint of wind in sight. Do you ever feel that way? You realize that you're not getting married anytime soon. You're not about to have a baby. You've already graduated from college and have what you thought was your dream job. You're part of a good church. Life is good, or at least good enough. You're not going anywhere anytime soon, and the future looks--well--there.

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I kept looking in my rearview mirror to see if George had realized the error of his ways, turned around, and joined the caravan. To my utter dismay he did not.

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Last month, a 6'1" man named "Jenna" made history when he competed in the Miss Universe Canada pageant.

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When I asked who they historically thought Jesus was, the latecomer assumed a frontal attack, asking me questions ranging from when Israel became a nation to the history of the translation of the Bible to the crusades to the goddess Isis and her similarities to the Virgin Mary.

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There’s no getting around it—I can get caught up in the “Who’s Who in Christianity Reunion” when there are that many “sombody’s” in one room. And I feel it. That tug to do something great. To be someone great. Or at least to rub shoulders with someone great . . .

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You just never know what a day—or a weekend—might hold. I was gearing up for some much-needed R&R yesterday afternoon when my boss spontaneously asked if I’d like to LIVE blog The Gospel Coalition’s 2012 National Women’s Conference today through Sunday. And although my body craved a couple of around-the-clock-zzzz’s, my soul craved a fresh vision of God even more. And that is the story of how, less than 24 hours later, I found myself in Orlando, Florida, home of Sea World, Universal Studios, and just about every other fun theme park you can imagine. 

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Ironically, I plunged headfirst into the world of small-business entrepreneurs by establishing my documentary film company in the depths of the Great Recession. It was a brand-new lesson in trusting God for provision and wisdom to manage others. As I was busy trying to keep my company afloat, my pastor suggested that I consider writing another book, this time on the topic of women and work. Overwhelmed with daily tasks, I laughed at the idea when he brought it up. But it took root and began to grow.

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Remember that creepy movie, Stepford Wives? The plot centers around a town filled with "perfect" wives. True, they are robots, but they are perfect, nonetheless. Since I'm not a robot, and neither are you, we both must have our share of imperfections. And even though I know the truth that models are airbrushed and celebrities have housekeepers and every mom does things a little differently, sometimes I slip into a pattern of thinking that I should be doing everything better.

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On the heels of weeks of activity, I was hit with a nasty upper respiratory infection. I found myself struggling to even make it from the bed to the bathroom. When I finally returned to the land of the living, I found myself paralyzed. Not physically, but emotionally. Do you ever feel that way? I call it "hitting the wall," and here's what I find helpful when that happens.

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I've been more anxious and distracted in the last few weeks, concerned about meeting the needs of my family and saying and doing the right things regarding the book. I'm trying to figure out how to be a wife and mom and keep laundry going . . . and do interviews, blog posts, Facebook updates, and tweets. I wonder if I'm doing any of it well, and when I'm doing one thing my mind is often shifting to another.

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She was vice president of one of the fastest-growing health clubs in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic. As an executive at the health club, she was obligated to set a good example for the 200 employees she managed. Mayra remembers what her priorities were like at that time.

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To help us better grasp what all a Father can be, God sprinkles His word with real life examples of dads. I'd like to share examples of seven great biblical dads and what makes them great

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The God of the Bible is infinitely more wonderful and pure and loving than even the most wonderful father. That is why it is so important that we not allow our view of God to be determined by other men, for at their very best they are flawed representations of God.

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Shopping for modest clothes--let alone modest swimwear--can be painful. Try shopping for swimwear with your daughters or granddaughters, and you’re already digging through your purse for the Ibuprofen. We'd like to prevent your headache with some super practical swimwear shopping tips.

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Last week, walking the sandy Michigan beach in black sundress and straw hat, I felt conspicuously clothed. Surrounded by tummy-touting females, sometimes a woman has to wonder, why not strip down, kick back, and soak up sun's summer rays?

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Did you catch a glimpse of the May 21, 2012 TIME Magazine cover? It features a real mom from Los Angeles with her three-year-old son nursing while eyeing the camera with a toddler glare. The magazine dared to ask a question we are all asking ourselves, "Am I mom enough? Do I have what it takes to mother well? And if I fail, what price will need to be paid?"

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All their lives, these people had missed God. Something deep inside them had always wanted to be with Him and now here He was. So they sat a while and spent time with the One who could see past the facade, right into all their brimming ache. They were hungry and His words fed them. They were soul-shattered and His words made them whole.

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Think of it as a giant wish list. Except . . . better. More than a wistful wish, it's the longing of your heart directed to the God who hears and answers the cries of His people.

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So many times I had prayed, Lord, do whatever it takes to bring this prodigal son out of that far country to you. Maybe this was the answer to my prayers—the rock bottom I was waiting for.

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In my opinion, the choice whether or not to read Fifty Shades of Grey is pretty black and white. Read on for seven reasons not to pick up this book.

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So the question is, if I continue to have these feelings I neither asked for nor chose, will I still be willing to follow Christ no matter what?

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I am not your typical Christian woman. I was born in Beirut, Lebanon. Every evening at 5 o’clock, my parents sipped Turkish coffee on the balcony of our apartment and discussed life and family and future . . .

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