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Grace…Freely Giving What We Freely Received
Grace. Got plenty. And you do, too. Enough to give to those who need it. Grace is the tagline of the Christian faith. But what is it? The New Compact Bible Dictionary notes that biblical writers used the term with a variety of meanings: “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, charm, sweetness, loveliness” “good will,…
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Trusting God when Your Hands Are Tied
You’ve been there, haven’t you—that situation you desperately wanted to fix but your hands were tied? Most of us are doers. We fix stuff. My hubby is the best fixer on the earth. In our more than fifty years of marriage, he has only hired a repairman for house projects two times—once for a plumbing…
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Isn’t It Time to Let Down Your Nets?
The last thing a weary fisherman wants to hear is “let down your nets.” The Lord told Simon Peter after a disappointing fishing trip, “…Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch” (see Luke 5:1-11). A crowd had gathered around Jesus by the Lake of Gennesaret to hear his teaching.…
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Do You Feel Like You Started This Movie in the Middle?
Watching mystery/action movies on TV is a favorite thing. You may not be familiar with that category. But you probably have noticed action movies today are really fast-paced, making it difficult for people of a certain age to follow the plot. At the end, I’m still sorting through events, trying to figure out what happened.…
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How to Survive a Stay in the Wilderness
Wilderness…have you spent time there? Years ago my husband and I took an unforgettable vacation, driving from Tennessee to California and visiting popular tourist sites along the way. We crossed desert areas—miles of brown loneliness. Fighting anxiety over what might happen if our car broke down in the unbearable heat, I felt huge relief and…
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God’s Truth Is Our Source of Joy
How is your joy supply? Are you struggling to keep it flowing? Is it seeping away faster than you can replenish? During this strange time in history, many are feeling beaten down by circumstances we can’t control. We feel as if a tornado has touched down, leaving chaos and destruction. Nothing is normal. And we…
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What Does a Helpless Baby Have to Offer?
Who would’ve thought a helpless baby hidden in a basket along the edge of the Nile River would someday lead God’s people out of bondage in Egypt? Before I interview Moses, here’s the backstory. “And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly,…
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Joseph Prospered in the Worst of Circumstances
My interview with Joseph surpassed my high expectations. What an amazing man! Joseph, your life took an unexpected turn when you were just seventeen. Would you tell me about it? I was just a kid—eleventh and favorite son of Jacob, being the son of his old age and born to his cherished wife, Rachel. (She…
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If God Delays, Likely He Has More Work to Do
Next on my interview list is Abram. You probably know him better as Abraham. I have many questions for this man who was called a friend of God. Let’s get this conversation started. Q: Tell me your story. How did your complicated journey begin? My family had settled in Haran—my father, my wife Sarai, and…
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Noah Kept Nailing One Board at a Time
Ya gotta love that guy Noah. Some days on this earth are just plain hard. We seek the Lord and do our best to follow him wholeheartedly—but that doesn’t insulate us from set-backs and discouragement. Many days are exhausting. At times we wonder…is it worth it to keep pouring out my life? As a journalist,…