None of us enjoy going through painful situations. Life is much more enjoyable when everything’s going smoothly and just the way we want it. But, I have realized that my deepest seasons of spiritual growth are not when everything’s going great, but when I’m desperately dependent on Him – for strength to get through a tough situation, for grace to respond in a godly way. Yes, I want to go deeper in my relationship with
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I’ve been watching the Hallmark Christmas movies over the past few weeks for the first time ever. A friend told me about one she thought I’d enjoy. And once I started, I was hooked. Yes, they’re predictable. We know how they’re going to end. We even know the twists that are coming. But, I still enjoy them. They make me smile, and there are a few that have made me cry. I’m a little sad
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Happy Thanksgiving! Many of you are enjoying a fun-filled day with family and friends in the kitchen and around the table, watching a good movie or football game, or playing your favorite board games. Some of you have chosen to make this a low-key day, not spending the day in the kitchen, but picking up food somewhere or even going out to eat. I purposely chose to take this week as a “Stay-cation.” I took
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What are you looking for in a discipleship relationship? What would that look like to you? I grew up in a Christian home and came to Christ at an early age. I knew I was a sinner and that I would never be good enough to pay the penalty for my sin or earn my way to heaven. I needed a Savior, and at nine years old, I placed my faith in Jesus Christ and
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I want to introduce you to my friend and author, Cathy Baker. The more I get to know Cathy, the more I love her, and you will, too. She has just published her second short devotional book for vacations — this time for a vacation in the mountains. I have so enjoyed her books, and I asked her a few questions recently about her writing. Cathy, what led you to write a seven-day devotional? And
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I strongly dislike mornings. As you can guess from that statement, I’m not a morning person. When the alarm goes off, I don’t jump out of bed ready to embrace the day ahead. Instead, I moan and turn over, mumbling something like, it’s morning already? I’ve even been known to ask God, why did You create mornings? But once I’m up and get a few sips of coffee down, my body begins to wake up.
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It’s been an interesting day! Tropical Storm Harvey decided to visit Memphis and brought along heavy rain and winds. Shortly after noon, we heard an all-church page through the intercom instructing us to head to the children’s area and help get the kids in Mothers’ Day Out to the basement. The tornado sirens were going off, and we needed to take cover. (I never realized how many kids we have in MDO until today.)
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As you look back over your life, has it turned out as you had hoped it would? Did God follow the script you would have written for your life? He didn’t for me. If He had followed my script, I would be married. I would have children and grandchildren. We’d never have to worry about money. We’d be healthy. My husband and I would stay madly in love until Jesus takes us home together in
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When I came home from East Asia after living there for four years, this sign was on my bed. Mom had written these words on a poster board to welcome me home. It made me smile and cry at the same time, in a good way. I felt loved and valued. I took a picture of it so I could keep it with me as a sweet reminder. How do you feel when you hear
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As I pulled into my driveway yesterday, I was amazed at how large the tree in my front yard has grown since I moved here 12 years ago. At that time, the tree was tiny and seemed out of place in the middle of a big yard. At one point, I even asked my yard guy to cut it down. He convinced me to keep it and let it grow. He told me I’d be
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