Hope for a Heart Hungry for Love
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When I was a kid, I imagined that someday when I was all grown up and had a husband, all my dreams of feeling perfectly loved would come true…
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When You Feel Stretched by Circumstances or Relationships, Remember This (Plus End of the Month Resources!)
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There have been several situations involving several people this past month where I have questioned my ability to help in the way they needed. But as I acknowledged my weakness and drew on God’s strength, I’ve seen Him come through in some amazing ways…
Read MoreCOVID-19 Can't Stop God's Plan for You
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As your plans are put on hold, you might feel like your destiny is derailed. But it's not. God promises to work ALL things for our good. And nothing, not even a pandemic, can stop His purpose from coming to pass in your life…⠀
Read More5 Ways to Hold on to Hope in the Midst of Disappointment
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Last year was the year of delayed dreams and disappointed hopes.
We suffered sadness and setbacks, and as we move into 2021, I think we're all hoping for better days ahead. Yet, as eager as we are to leave the struggles of 2020 behind, it's easy to feel the discouragement of past months creeping back in—especially in light of current events…
Read MoreThree Things That Help Me Say No to Fear and Yes to God's Plans (Plus End of the Month Resources!)
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Are you willing?”
I felt God ask me this question recently. Over the last few weeks, it’s continued to echo in my heart, and as I’ve reflected on the Christmas story, I’m in awe more than ever of Mary, a woman who was willing…
Read MoreFrom Panicked To Peaceful: Nine Steps That Transformed My Mornings
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Each new day is an opportunity to walk in our God-given purpose. We have a chance to make a difference. How we spend our mornings matters because our mornings set the stage for the remainder of the day…
Read MoreWhen Life Feels Heavy
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During one of my recent Advent readings, I read Isaiah 9:4, where, speaking of Jesus, Isaiah said, “For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders” (NLT).
This assurance that our burdens will be lifted jumped out at me and brought a surge of comfort, but what stood out to me even more is what Jesus does with our burdens…
Read MoreAre You Feeling The Call To Something More But Afraid To Say Yes?
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Maybe you’re in the same place I was twelve years ago: Feeling the call to something more, but afraid of what it might mean, terrified of what might be required of you.
And maybe you need to hear what I needed to hear: There’s something unique set in you.
You might be trying to deny it, or ignore it, but it’s there, and it matters…
This Thanksgiving, I'm Thankful For You!
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I also want to remind you how much you matter to God.
Ephesians 1:11 tells us that “because of what Christ has done, we have become gifts to God that he delights in, for as part of God's sovereign plan we were chosen from the beginning to be his, and all things happen just as he decided long ago" (TLB)…
Feeling Self-Conscious About Your Imperfections? Here's How God Feels When He Sees Your Mistakes
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As adults, we don’t usually give ourselves so freely. Whether we’re artists, or teachers, or singers, or bakers, we often feel that our offerings are not worthy if they are not perfect. We stress and ruminate over perceived mistakes. But, just like a loving parent or caregiver, God isn’t concerned with perfection…
Read MoreWhen It Feels Wrong To Rest
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As Christians, I think we sometimes feel that to please God we must always be busy doing something. We know God wants us to comfort the hurting, share the gospel, and give to those in need. But we forget that He also calls us to rest…
Read MoreDo You Wonder If You're Growing Spiritually?
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Some kids don’t want to grow up, but when I was a kid, I wanted to grow up as quickly as possible. I loved celebrating birthdays and starting new grades—undeniable signs that I was moving closer to the freedom of adulthood.
Though I’m a full-fledged adult now, I still long to grow up. Only instead of pining for physical independence, I’m longing for spiritual maturity. I yearn to experience more of God’s presence, to better understand His love and wisdom, and to touch more lives through my ministry. And sometimes, just as when I was a kid, I want to hurry the process...
Read MoreAre You Wishing For An Opportunity To Move Forward In Your Goal Or Dream? Grab Hold Of These Four Biblical Keys To Open Doors
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A few days ago, I decided to browse through some of my old journals. I picked up an orange Moleksine notebook, which contained entries from 2018.
Inside, I found this prayer:
“God, what I would really love and could really use to grow as a writer…is to be a regular contributor to a great Christian website, like (in)courage or iBelieve or Joyful Living [Joyful Life.] Please let a door open like this for me.”…
Are You Feeling The Pressure Of Making It All Happen?
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…We too have a Good Shepherd—Jesus who is diligently tending to the needs of His flock. Despite this beautiful reality, too often I take it upon myself to meet my needs. I feel like it’s up to me to provide for myself and solve my own problems. I feel that I must take care of myself…
Read MoreJust Because God CAN Do Something, Does That Mean He WILL?
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Recently, I wrote this in an Instagram post:
“We tend to keep our expectations low, because we’re not convinced of God’s promise to do ‘infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes’ (Ephesians 3:20 TLB).”
In response, a reader asked, “Ephesians says God is 'able' to do infinitely more, but does that count as a promise that He will?”…
How My Hometown Reveals A Little Hint Of What We Have To Look Forward To In Heaven
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This past Sunday we celebrated Summer Solstice--the longest of our long summer days--and so this week I decided to share an article I wrote a couple years ago that was originally published in my local newspaper. In it, I reflect on the beauty of our light-filled summers and how they give us a glimpse of eternity to come…
Read More3 Powerful Prayer Focuses Jesus Taught For Effecting Change And Promoting Peace
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Our country is in crisis, and, in light of current events, I’m tempted at times to feel powerless. There are forces much bigger than me at play—forces that are overwhelming and even frightening to contemplate. I long for peace in our nation but question what I can do to foster it.
Perhaps you feel similarly.
If so, here’s some good news: Despite how we might feel, we are not powerless…
Book Review: The Vision Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt
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I’ve read two of Michael Hyatt’s recent books: Living Forward, which is about life-planning, and Your Best Year Ever, which is about achieving your most important goals. As a woman who desires to make the most of my life, I found both these books to be full of encouraging advice and helpful tips for living with excellence, direction, and focus. So when I saw Michael Hyatt had a new book, I was eager to read it…
Read MoreBook Review: I Am David by Pastor Jimmy Evans
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Do you want to become the leader in your home, church, or community that God created you to be?
With his book I Am David, Pastor Jimmy Evans has created a great source to help you do that.
Drawing examples from the life of King David—of one of the greatest leaders of all time—he teaches ten lessons for growing in greatness and becoming all God created us to be, even in the midst of formidable challenges…
Read MoreDo You Worry About The World Your Children Are Growing Up In? Are You Feeling Fearful, Angry, Or Hurt By Current And Past Events? This Is What I’m Praying For You.
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My heart has been heavy the last couple weeks.⠀
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The news and our social media feeds are full of tragedy, grief, anger, fear and opinions of every variety. In the midst of all this, I’ve been wrestling with questions, working through emotions and having conversations… ⠀
