Coronavirus Have You Feeling Bitter About 2020? Here Are Two Things That Can Help You Redeem The Year and Turn Obstacles Into Opportunities

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Coronavirus Have You Feeling Bitter About 2020? Here Are Two Things That Can Help You Redeem The Year and Turn Obstacles Into Opportunities

When we hit an obstacle, we may be tempted to grow discouraged and maybe even give up. Losing a job or having a dream put on hold can be extremely difficult. It’s certainly okay to express sadness, but we also don’t want an obstacle to stop us from progressing. If we can resist the temptation to stall out and instead pivot, our obstacle can turn into an opportunity…

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How To Contend For Our Destiny In A Time Of Turmoil

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How To Contend For Our Destiny In A Time Of Turmoil

Yesterday was spring equinox—one of only two days of the year when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun. Because of the Earth’s unique position on equinox, the length of day and night are nearly equal worldwide. So whether you’re in Alaska or Antarctica, Germany or Jamaica, we all experience roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night…

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God Is Really Big. Does That Mean Our Dreams Or Needs Have To Be Really Big To Get His Attention?

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God Is Really Big. Does That Mean Our Dreams Or Needs Have To Be Really Big To Get His Attention?

Do you ever feel that because God is so big your dream, goal, or need must be big in order to warrant His attention?

We know we can pray for healing, or help with our finances, or guidance in choosing a career. But what about when the grocery store runs out of your favorite coffee and you're desperate to get more? Is it okay to pray for something so small?

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Are You Holding Onto Something That’s Holding You Back From Your Purpose?

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Are You Holding Onto Something That’s Holding You Back From Your Purpose?

Recently, I dreamed I was sitting in a comfortable living room. Seated on an adjacent couch was woman. Without any preamble, the woman said, “That was 1998—don’t you think it’s time to let it go?”

As happens in dreams, I knew exactly what she was talking about without her saying another word. While the woman looked on with a benign smile planted on her face, I spent the several minutes defending my grudge, trying my best to convince her why what happened in 1998 was actually a really big deal.⁠..⠀

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The Animal That Most Inspires Me to Run the Race of Life With Passion and Purpose

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The Animal That Most Inspires Me to Run the Race of Life With Passion and Purpose

Do you want to run the race of life to the best of your abilities? When you get to the end, do you want to hear, “Well done!”?

I know I do, and I’m guessing you do too! Today I'm sharing a devotion* I wrote that I hope encourages you as you push forward in passionately pursing your purpose…

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I Couldn't Understand Why My Work Wasn’t Fulfilling—Until God Showed Me This Life-Changing Truth

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I Couldn't Understand Why My Work Wasn’t Fulfilling—Until God Showed Me This Life-Changing Truth

For years, I immersed myself in my job as a professional counselor, doing work I knew was good, work that mattered and made a difference in people’s lives. Because I knew it was good work, I couldn’t understand why I didn’t find more enjoyment and fulfillment in it.

Finally, one day, while pouring out my heart to God with all my questions and struggles, I had an epiphany…

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How This Seemingly Harmless Habit Is Holding You Back From God’s Plan For Your Life (Plus An Introduction To Carina The Laughing Hyena)

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How This Seemingly Harmless Habit Is Holding You Back From God’s Plan For Your Life (Plus An Introduction To Carina The Laughing Hyena)

Unapologetically herself.

This phrase came to mind while I was thinking of a lovely acquaintance. She’s enthusiastic, genuine, vulnerable, and warm. She’s not afraid to share her unedited thoughts and feelings. She is delightful, refreshing, and unapologetically herself.

Unlike my friend who seems to effortlessly express herself, sometimes I have to work at allowing my true self to come out…

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When Your Dream Becomes a Disappointment: 5 Ways to Hold on to Hope in the New Year

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When Your Dream Becomes a Disappointment: 5 Ways to Hold on to Hope in the New Year

The New Year always feels like a fresh start--a chance to dream big, make plans, and push forward in goals. But I know it can also be a tough time. Maybe from where you're sitting, the future doesn't look so bright and beautiful. Maybe you're facing fears about what's to come or disappointment about what didn't happen in this past year…

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When Fear Whispers, "You'll Never Have Enough..."

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When Fear Whispers, "You'll Never Have Enough..."

Sometimes we face situations so bleak, we wonder how we'll ever make it through.

As we assess the gap between our dreams and goals and the reality of our present circumstances, fear hovers over our shoulder, whispering, “You’ll never have enough.”

Thankfully, fear is a liar…

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When You Take a Step Toward Your Dream or Goal...And Nothing Happens

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When You Take a Step Toward Your Dream or Goal...And Nothing Happens

We never know ahead of time if or when our efforts—our seeds—will bear fruit. Sometimes we see results right away, sometimes we never see tangible results (this side of Heaven), and sometimes results come but take longer than we expect…

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I'm About To Do Something I’ve Never Done Before

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I'm About To Do Something I’ve Never Done Before

I’m about to do something I’ve never done before. Tonight and all day tomorrow I will be teaching a four part series on purpose for my church’s ladies’ retreat.

I’ve been planning and preparing for this for months, and now the day has finally come! I am excited! And, although I feel pretty well prepared, I have to admit I feel a little nervous too…

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When You Don't Recognize Your Gifts

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When You Don't Recognize Your Gifts

I stood at the baggage claim in the Sacramento airport, praying that my duffle would magically materialize. After flying all night, I was exhausted. I still had a two-hour drive ahead of me, and I wanted nothing more than to collect my luggage and get on with my journey. Finally, after watching the carousel rumble by for the 100th time, I accepted that my bag had not arrived…

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You may be Qualified, but are You Called?

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You may be Qualified, but are You Called?

Have you ever had someone ask you to fill a role or do a task, and because you were capable, you felt you should say yes? If you're like me, you want to be helpful and make the most of the opportunities God has given you. But how can you know if an opportunity is actually from God? Just because we can meet a need, does that mean we should? 

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Not Sure Where to Start on Your Goal? Feeling Overwhelmed by Your Dream? Here’s One of the Best Pieces of Advice I’ve Ever Heard for Moving Forward

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Not Sure Where to Start on Your Goal? Feeling Overwhelmed by Your Dream? Here’s One of the Best Pieces of Advice I’ve Ever Heard for Moving Forward

There have been many days when I’ve felt dwarfed by the enormity of my dreams and skeptical of my ability to accomplish my goals. When those days roll around I like to encourage myself with something Theodore Roosevelt once said…

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What to do When You're Not Sure Where God is Leading You

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What to do When You're Not Sure Where God is Leading You

Last spring, I visited a friend in California. I live in Alaska, so it took a couple plane rides and a few hours of driving to get to her. Before I arrived, I asked for her address and directions to her house. With my course clearly mapped out, I was able to find her house without a problem.

But what if, when I asked how to get her house, my friend had simply said, “It’s in California”?

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Does God Want Me to Enjoy My Calling?

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Does God Want Me to Enjoy My Calling?

During my first year as a counselor, a former professor invited me to her classroom to speak to her counseling students. She wanted me to share about what it was like to actually be working in the field. Near the end of our talk, one student gushed, “It must be so wonderful to finally be doing what you really love!”

I was at a loss for words….

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