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Life Verses And Seasonal Truth
What is your life verse? Maybe you’ve been asked that question or, then again, maybe not. If you’re new to Christian spaces, perhaps the question throws you into a tailspin of internal panic. I don’t know! That’s too much pressure – I’ve barely read the Bible . . . ‘life verse?!?!’ I see you. I’ve sat in my share of church small groups and have felt the pressure of producing a spiritually astute answer to myriads of Christianese questions like this one. But trust me when I tell you there is little need to conjure a perfect answer. There won’t be medals given out or applause offered at Bible study…
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Gentleness
I wrote this family devotional for the Family Fruit Challenge organized by Laurie Christine. You can find additional devotionals for the challenge at www.familyfruitchallenge.com. Have you ever heard someone described as a “gentle giant”? A gentle giant refers to someone who is big, strong, or powerful, but chooses to be kind and gentle towards other people. Instead of showing off his or her own strength, a gentle giant is careful to consider the needs of other people by acting in a way that makes them feel safe and loved. By taking the time to think about what helps others feel safe and loved, a gentle giant controls his or her…
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Progress not Perfection
Recently, one of our kids ended a semi-lengthy hiatus from a treasured gaming device. Our original decision to take a break from the device was an attempt at creatively dealing with this child’s struggle to obey with a good attitude...
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Brokenness: Our Worth In Christ
The reality of our brokenness can quickly become a point of overwhelming discouragement. If we are not careful, we approach our failures as a mere means to gauge our own self-worth and allow it to dictate our identity...
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Ordinary Woman
You do not claim an extravagant education, maintain a noteworthy career, or manage a successful startup. You are an ordinary woman who does ordinary things.
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A Bedtime Prayer
Because he is trustworthy, you can lay your head on your pillow and your fears at his feet.
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You Need to Know
Recently, I received the opportunity to contribute as a Guest Blogger to the NorthStar Women’s Network where I wrote on the importance of growing in our comprehension of God’s love. Here is an excerpt: In the context of mutual relationships, love matures in tandem with intimate knowledge and a growing understanding of one another. The cycle works a bit like this: knowing sparks love, love inspires greater knowing, greater knowing produces even deeper love, and so forth. This ever-deepening cycle builds a healthy relationship. However, in the context of a Christian’s relationship with God, love and knowledge work together differently. Father God fully knows His children and loves them infinitely…
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Jesus Understands
Would it surprise you to hear that Jesus did not go to the cross exuding emotional confidence? In The Reason for God, Pastor Tim Keller observes that “Jesus did not face his approaching death with anything like the aplomb and fearlessness that was widely expected in a spiritual hero,” Rather, Keller describes Jesus “as profoundly shaken by his impending doom.” Gospel Accounts Mark describes Jesus as being “crushed with grief to the point of death” before going on to record the way Jesus pleaded with the Father (Mark 14:34, NLT). “Please take this cup of suffering away,” Jesus pleads (v. 36). Luke shares that “[Jesus] was in such agony of…
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“Boys Will Be Boys” and Other Lies
“He apparently has an issue, what he considers a sex addiction…it’s a temptation for him he wanted to eliminate.” Capt. Jay Baker, USA TODAY When I was fifteen years old, I took my first job as a waitress at a family-owned Italian restaurant. I enjoyed working long hours over my Summer vacation and worked many nights and weekends during the school year throughout my high school career. It was a busy restaurant, and I spent nearly every moment on my feet. One night a man came into the restaurant with his wife and teenage son. He was a regular, and I recognized him. His wife never seemed happy, and something…
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Notice and Do
Recently, Poiema Visual Arts invited me to share some of my heart on utilizing our strengths on their blog. Here’s a brief excerpt of my article: When it comes to contributing to the world around us, the opportunities are truly endless. One might notice a need to educate and equip others. In turn, that person might just be a fantastic school teacher, professor, or mentor. Another might notice a need for leadership and pursue a life of public service or pioneer a movement promoting healthy change. Yet, another might have a unique knack for systematizing and thrive in a career of logistical engineering. Still, others notice fresh ideas, see opportunities…
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Know. Love. Serve.
My last two blog posts have invited you to keep growing in your knowing of God and explained how this process overlaps with the concept of spiritual maturity in the life of the believer. Furthermore, I provided some practical steps for this process. Recently, I was given the opportunity to sit in this reality a little longer by speaking on Deuteronomy 6:1-9. (Start at second 46 in the video below to watch this message). In this passage, the children of Israel have taken their seats on the banks of the Jordan River and are listening to Moses share a final exhortation before making their way into the Promised Land. Of…
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Part 2: Keep Growing in Your Knowing
In my last blog post, I explained that Knowing is a Scriptural theme and pointed out how it often overlaps with the concept of spiritual maturity in the Apostle Paul’s writing. Furthermore, I shared passages of Scripture that reveal the way Paul aligns spiritual growth with an ever-increasing knowledge of God and His truth (Romans 12, Philippians 2-3, Colossians 3, and Ephesians 3). My post concluded: If we who “know God” want to mature in our relationship with God, we will need to increase in our knowledge of God. In other words, the spiritually healthy life is one where a believer keeps growing in his or her knowing. The Pitfalls…
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Keep Growing in Your Knowing
