Sometimes, I just need to get away from the daily routine and get a fresh perspective on ministry. I did that last week by attending the Speak Up Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, hosted by Carol Kent. This conference is focused on helping women grow in the areas of speaking and writing, but I came away with much more than that. This conference pointed me to Jesus. The message that penetrated my heart most: What
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I’ve been waiting for the phone to ring and a voice on the other end tell me that my loved one back home in Louisiana passed away. She has been on hospice for several months and stopped eating and drinking 10 days ago. The doctor didn’t think she’d make it this long, so we’ve been expecting that phone call all week. But, God alone knows the exact day our time on this earth will end.
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As I read the transcribed voice mail left on my home phone this week, I had a feeling of uneasiness. The message basically said, “Hello, this call is officially a final notice from the Internal Revenue Service. The reason of this call is to inform you that IRS is filing a lawsuit against you. To get more information about this case file, please call immediately on our department number.” My first response was, uh-oh, I
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When I saw my doctor’s name show up on my caller id last week, my heart started to race. I knew what she was going to say before I even answered the phone. “Ms. Keeth, your biopsy came back positive for squamous cell carcinoma, and it needs to be removed soon.” This past Tuesday, my dermatologist performed the Moh’s procedure to remove the cancer. It was larger than I had expected, and because of
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I realized recently that I’m not good at waiting. (Actually, I’ve known that for some time, but God reminded me of it this week.) I don’t like waiting in long lines at the grocery store (or any store, for that matter). I’ll bypass a fast food place if the drive-through line is too long. I don’t like waiting for the food to finish cooking in the microwave, or for the traffic light to turn green.
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Have you ever said, “I don’t have enough time to do everything that needs to be done”? I said those very words this morning. How do we handle the overwhelming demands on our time when we only have 24 hours in a day? Here are ten tips to help us manage our time wisely. I had to remind myself of these tips today. 1. Begin by going to God in prayer, asking Him to show
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I’ve been re-reading a thought-provoking book: Seeking the Face of God by Gary L. Thomas. One section particularly spoke to me this week that focuses on our calling. This was perfect timing because I’ve been praying for wisdom concerning where God wants me to invest my time and gifts in light of His calling. In one chapter, Thomas addresses humility and the dangers of pride. He made a powerful statement: “Pride can turn us
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I often get asked, what do you do in your quiet times with the Lord? I’ve written several posts about how I spend that time, but today I want to focus on one of the first things I do to get started. I like to begin my time with the Lord by reading a short devotion. It quietens my heart, brings my focus to Him, gets me thinking, and moves me into a time
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What do you do with someone who is grounded in her faith and wants to be discipled? In a previous post, Discipleship 101, I shared about the materials I use with a new believer or someone who doesn’t have a solid foundation for her faith. Today, I want to share what I use with someone who has the foundation and wants to grow deeper in her walk with God. When I disciple someone at
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I remember several times as a child when I wanted to trade my mom in for a new one. But over the years, I have come to value my mom and the tough love she showed me at times when I needed it most. I wouldn’t trade her for any other mom in the world today. This weekend we honor our mothers on Mother’s Day. (We should be honoring them every day of the year,
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