Bible characters are people, too. As a writer and speaker, your vocabulary is critical when trying to connect with your audience.  It determines whether your message lands appropriately or whether it completely misses the mark.  One term that is often misused, especially when referring to Biblical or historical figures, is the word “character.” A “character” is a figment of the author’s imagination; something or someone who is made up or exists only in the imagination. So why would we use that term to describe real people who walked this earth? In this latest installment of Nika’s ..read more

Is it the Law of Measurement or is it karma? The concept of karma has been a generally accepted truth in the world for quite some time. It has become popularized through the media, music, TV, and more. The idea that “what goes around comes around” or that we get back what we give to others is, in fact, true. However, the concept of karma, rooted in the idea of reincarnation, is simply a counterfeit of God’s truth. The Law of Measurement tells us that what we give, we will receive back. But it doesn’t always mean we will receive it the way we expected. Join Nika as she takes a deep dive into ..read more

It’s a “universal” truth that people-pleasing is wrong and that being a people-pleaser is toxic to one’s mental and emotional health. But is it really? This may be an unpopular opinion, but people-pleasing is not only a good thing, it’s actually beautiful! As humans, we have embedded within us a desire to please others because God desires to delight and please us. Using our talents and gifts to bless others is an act of people-pleasing because that blessing is a pleasure to the receiver. In fact, when we make it a goal to people-please, we actually please God through our efforts. And, frien ..read more

Setting truth milestones for yourself along your writing journey is like setting guideposts along a 10-mile hike. They will tell you how far you have left to go and how far you’ve come at the same time. Truth milestones are important because they provide hope, encouragement, preparation, and an accurate measurement of your growth as you progress along your path to completion. But you have to know where you’re going and when you’d like to arrive before you can begin setting those milestones into place. Listen in as Nika discusses why these milestones are so important, what they really are, a ..read more

What do you do when God says “no” to your hopes and dreams? Well, the first thing you should do is ask yourself, “Did He really say no or is He using this opportunity to strengthen my faith?” You see, God isn’t necessarily saying “no” to you. He’s training you up in the way you should go! He’s stretching and strengthening your faith.  And when you choose to lean into faith instead of pulling back in fear, God will reward you for trusting Him even when you couldn’t see why. Listen in to learn how to determine whether God is telling you no and what to do when doubt starts creeping in! &n ..read more

Have you caught yourself being unwilling to try new things or even just one thing more than once? The belief that you’ve “already tried that” may be holding you back from experiencing exponential growth! In this episode, Nika addresses this limiting belief that we often think will save us from embarrassment but really holds us back from breaking through. Listen in to learn how to combat this lie with the truth that will take you beyond your outer limits! Timestamp: 0:00 - Intro 0:57 - How “I’ve Already Tried That” Holds You Back 1:55 - Why We Trust Limiting Beliefs 2:36 - Why We Should Try ..read more

This limiting belief is sneaky! Many new authors get caught up by this one simple phrase: It won’t make a difference. This one is tricky because it keeps you from making progress on your goals while making you think you’re not missing anything important. The smallest actions are the ones that often make the biggest difference, and this thought will make you miss it while keeping you stuck in inaction. You may think, “it won’t make a difference,” but that one choice could make you miss out on an opportunity that takes you three steps ahead. Don’t let this limiting belief fool you!  Use ..read more

You have the power to choose how you view failure. You can choose to view it as a source of shame, frustration, and disappointment. Or you can choose to view it as an opportunity for growth, refinement, and grace. Here’s the thing: Jesus is turning your misery into mastery. He is prompting you to trust Him and follow Him into the zone of discomfort so that it can become your zone of comfort. And if you choose to follow Him into those outer areas, the positive net effect of failure will bless you more than you could have thought possible. Join Nika in part two of this discussion on the relat ..read more

What is your relationship with failure like? Do you tend to focus on the discomfort and pain? Or do you notice the positive effect that results from it? We can’t bypass failure. Truly, life is 50% comfortable circumstances, 50% uncomfortable circumstances. We might as well get used to it. Remember, Jesus tells us that we will have trouble. We will have failure, discomfort, and pain in this life. But it’s about our relationship with failure that determines the amount of growth and reward we experience through the discomfort! Join Nika as she confronts the negative mindset surrounding failure ..read more

The harmful effects of sugar may be hurting you more than you realize. Sugar not only creates inflammation in the body, it also causes mood swings and feelings like depression, sadness, and hopelessness. And when you’re trying to reach your next big goal, these problems can throw off your focus and seriously derail all of your hard work. But there is hope! We can learn how to satisfy our souls instead of our bodies and break free from the hold that sugar has over our lives. In today’s episode, Nika gets personal as she shares the story of her own struggles with sugar addiction and how she f ..read more