We work our bodies hard to build strong muscles. We eat the right foods to keep our body systems healthy. And to stay spiritually fit, we feed our hearts and minds a healthy diet of God’s Word. But we are still human, not immune to one of the most common maladies: a sense of hopelessness. Sometimes ...
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The Christian Life
Meaningful Quiet Times, Consistent Bible Study, Praying with Purpose— these deepen our relationship with God. The Christian life is where we walk it all out. When God's Word changes us, we treat others differently. We love more sincerely. We forgive more readily. We move to meet needs more quickly. As a result, the world sees Jesus in action. How will others know that a relationship with God makes a difference, if they don’t see it?
In these posts you’ll find encouragement as you wrestle with brokenness, forgiveness, struggles, and suffering. You’ll be challenged as you grow in godly character and spiritual intimacy. And you'll find hope. Many posts show my spiritual growth in the Christian life as a mom of teenagers. (Can you relate?)
Carrying The Fragrance of Christ
“Mmmmm. You smell like you. I like this.” After parenting for almost twenty years, a contented sigh and these words in the midst of an embrace never get old. I’m a wearer of perfume, and I have several favorites. But for my girls, one particular fragrance stands out. It’s their favorite on me. When ...
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When You’re Stuck In A Muddy Pit
Living on the Gulf Coast affords lots of opportunities to enjoy things that are uniquely Texas. Galveston Island is less than an hour away and a favorite family get-away. On one such trip many years ago, our family took the ferry across the ship channel to Bolivar Peninsula. As lovers of Texas ...
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When We Sacrifice Because of Love
Love is in the air. Dove chocolate now takes the shape of hearts. Stuffed frogs with pink, kissy lips beg to be taken home. School clubs are selling carnations candy-grams to be delivered to friends and sweethearts. A few days ago, I bought a box of heart-shaped Little Debbie’s and placed them just ...
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Wishing You Christmas Joy!
Joy.
I don’t know of a more delightful word. Just saying it does something inside me. Christmas Joy is extra special.
Joy was the angel’s message to Zechariah, when he announced the birth of John the Baptist.
But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your ...
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Jesus Is the Gift of WONDERFUL
What's in a name? Expectant parents spend hours determining the just-right name for their child, giving great thought to its meaning. In the Bible, names carried significant meaning, too. Sometimes it represented a parent's hope for their child's future. Sometimes it represented the current state of ...
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Anticipating The Birth Of The Son
Long ago a young Jewish girl received some startling news. As a virgin, she would conceive and give birth to a Son--the Savior of the world (Luke 1:29-33). The people of Israel had been living under a cloud of darkness. But soon, their promised Messiah would be born. Although they didn’t know it, ...
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Your Christmas Lights Chase The Darkness Away
On a typical evening, like most neighborhoods, ours is relatively dark. Sparsely spaced streetlights and occasional porch lights provide minimal visibility. Come Christmastime, however, all that changes. Light is everywhere! Some people decorate their houses tastefully. Others look like something ...
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![AS HIS FAITHFUL SERVANT, GOD HAS **SET YOU APART** ➡️ FOR HIMSELF!!
Wow. That's powerful.
Do you have something very special that you keep in a special place -- just for you? (I'm not talking about hiding those special cookies. 😉😂)
I love coffee mugs. But certain mugs are different than the others. One was a gift from a special friend. One looks a lot like one my grandfather let me drink from when I visited my grandparents. One is from Disney, and I don't let ANYONE use that one!
Yes, these are "just things." But they are special to me, and anytime I pull one of these mugs out of the cabinet, I remember why it's special. Why it's different from the mugs that match my dishes.
In the Old Testament, “set apart” means to be ...
=> distinctly different.<=
You are God’s faithful servant. He made you distinctly different from everyone else—for His purposes. God’s purposes for you are distinctly different from anyone else’s.
In the New Testament when we read the words “set apart,” they have the added meaning of being sanctified, or holy.
God created you => to be holy for holy purposes. <=
One such purpose is to be a messenger of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15)--showing others how they can be reconciled to God. What a privilege we have to be His messengers!
My prayer for you is the same as that of Paul's at the close of his letter to the Ephesian church:
Whenever you speak [or write], may God give you words so you will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel and that you may declare it fearlessly, as you should. (Ephesians 6:19-20)
Be blessed today as you proclaim the gospel of peace to a world that is crying out for it!!
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✨ What other holy purposes has God called you to?
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