Joann Claypoole, Author at Inspire A Fire

Joann Claypoole is an author, speaker, and former spa-girl entrepreneur. She's a wife, mother of four sons, “Numi” to four grandchildren, doggie-mom of two. The award-winning author of The Gardener’s Helper’s (ages 5-9 MJ Publishing2015) would rather be writing, hiking in the mountains, or inviting deer and other wildlife to stay for dinner near her western NC writing retreat. Visit her website: joannclaypoole.com and Wordpress blog: https://joannclaypoole.wordpress.com/

The Great Fullness of Thanksgiving

November 12, 2021 Joann Claypoole autumn glory, Blog, Christian Living, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, Greatfulness, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Thankfulness, thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in all its fullness? When I think about Thanksgiving, the first thing that comes to mind is gratefulness and all its trimmings. We pause to remember the year’s fullness or lack thereof. Today as

Destined To Lead

October 7, 2021 Joann Claypoole Blog, Christian Living, Culture, Devotions, Featured, Fire Starters, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Leadership, Spiritual Growth

Prophesied messiah, or prejudged leader? “John. Peter. Paul. Come, follow me.” I imagine Jesus’s smile as he reached out his hand to each man. But, did they drop everything and run to Him? What about

Thankfulness and all the Colorful Flavors of Fall

September 10, 2021 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Featured, Fire Starters, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Thankfulness, thanksgiving

Thankful for all the flavors? While the abundance of fall and my favorite season’s harvest means more to me than picking apples in North Carolina, baking pumpkin pies, or roasting huge turkeys, I smile with

How Cultivating Patience Makes Us Stronger

August 13, 2021 Joann Claypoole Blog, Change, Christian Living, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Featured, Fire Starters, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, patience, Peace, Spiritual Growth, Waiting

How to cultivate patience? I’m sure you’ve heard your mother, sister, or best friend say, “Have Patience. This too shall pass.” Yep. I thought so. The first thing that usually comes to my mind is

The Sound of Freedom

July 9, 2021 Joann Claypoole Bible Verse, Blog, Christian Living, Culture, Devotions, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, Freedom, Freedom in Christ, Holiday, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, Joann Claypoole, Love, Peace, Relationships, Thankfulness

There is a sound called freedom… I’ve heard freedom’s song might ring in one’s spirit. At times, it will howl like the wind or whisper like a child. It can cast out fear when doubt

The Goodness and Love of my Father

June 11, 2021 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Dad, Devotions, Faith, Family, Father, Featured, Fire Starters, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, parenting, Relationships

When goodness and love fill a father’s gigantic heart… With Father’s Day approaching, childhood memories remind me how blessed I am to say I had a kind and generous dad. The goodness and love of

My Mother’s Way

May 14, 2021 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, Greatfulness, hope, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, Mom, Relationships, Thankfulness, Trust

My mother’s way… or bust? “She had a way with food, gardens, and men.” Aunt Millie’s smile always widened as she told stories about my mother’s ways. I recalled many nostalgic stories while driving to

Unchanging Truths About Wisdom, Beauty, and Change

March 12, 2021 Joann Claypoole beauty from ashes, Blog, Christian Living, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Featured, Fire Starters, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Poetry, Prayer, Relationships, Relationships, Spiritual Growth

Wise instruction from unchanging truths? Poetic verse and metaphor have a way of piquing my brain. Warnings and instructions. Adventures or tragedies. I want to dig deeper. Learn more. They’re like ghost stories without the

Turn The Page

March 1, 2021 Joann Claypoole Blog, Christian Living, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Featured, Fire Starters, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, Marriage, Quote, Relationships, Relationships, Spiritual Growth, Trust

Learning and page-turning… I remember when my husband and I played board games with our sons and how there were many routes to the Candy Land or Monopoly finish line. They all chose their individual

The Lover of My Soul

February 12, 2021 Joann Claypoole Blog, Christian Living, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Featured, Fire Starters, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, praise, Relationships, Relationships, Spiritual Growth, Thankfulness, Valentine's Day

Oh, how the Father loves us… I love you, Father, for all that you are. You’re the scent of my favorite Flower—Winter’s first snow. You’re a bird’s song in spring and summer’s warm water. The