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God Is My Rock! I Will Not Be Shaken!
Do you feel shaken? Has this crazy “year of the unexpected” shaken you? I consulted Thesaurus, wondering what words I’d find to amplify the meaning. Surprised. Stunned. Dazed. Upset. Traumatized. Taken aback. That pretty well covers it, don’t you think? Who could have imagined, when we welcomed this new year, what a wild adventure awaited…
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Need Fulfillment? Expect a Package Soon
“This is the Fulfillment Department,” said a stranger’s voice. He had a package ready to send. The best telemarketing call ever! Wish I hadn’t clicked to end the conversation. Sometimes my hands are faster than my brain. I rarely waste time listening to telephone sales tactics, but later I wondered what else he might have…
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Rejoicing by Decision
As you welcome another day, are you rejoicing? If you don’t feel like rejoicing, possibly you’re carrying yesterday’s stuff. Some days I have trouble moving past yesterday’s disappointments, and I find no reason to rejoice. The Psalms overflow with rejoicing. “I will be glad and rejoice in your love” (Psalm 31:7 NIV). “Then my soul…
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Do You Struggle Living the Christian Life?
All yours, Lord. I’m all yours. Much of my Christian life has been a struggle. At age seven I invited Jesus into my heart as Savior, but I struggled with doubt for many years until Romans 10:13 settled the issue forever. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” With…
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I’d Rather Not, but Let’s Talk about Forgiveness
Are you caught up on forgiveness? No lingering issues bothering you? If you answered yes, good for you. Staying caught up on forgiveness can be a challenge. Sometimes I just don’t want to forgive. Don’t feel like it. Don’t think the person who offended me deserves it. If this were up to me, I’d let…
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I’d Rather Not, but Let’s Talk about Obedience
If God graded us on obedience, I’m not sure I’d get a high score. Absolute obedience is the desire of my heart, but I admit that is not my reality. Wouldn’t you think that when Creator God gives direction, his created ones would respond in obedience? Yet we struggle. God gives a plan and we…
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I’d Rather Not but Let’s Talk about Sin
Want to talk about sin? Neither do I. The word is offensive to me. When discussing it, I usually substitute another word, such as weakness or habit or challenge or struggle or addiction—sin wearing its dress-up clothes so it doesn’t seem so…offensive. Just for fun, I looked to see what synonyms Thesaurus offered: offense, falling,…
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Are You Living in the Moment or Living for When?
I’ve spent much of my life “living for when.” These words grabbed my attention. “…For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” James 4:14). As a young journalist covering an event for the local newspaper, I heard a speaker sharing her experience as…
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God Never Wastes Heartbreak
Is there anyone among us who has not known heartbreak? Death stole someone you love. A friend betrayed you. A spouse deserted you. A child disappointed you. An illness interrupted your life. Heartbreak comes in all shapes and sizes, and it changes us. In our pain we cry out, Why? I have no adequate answer…
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Gideon…Exhausted but Still in Pursuit
Mighty warrior, what are your plans for today? Maybe you don’t see yourself as a mighty warrior but as a weak, exhausted infantryman slugging it out in the trenches…no glory…no awards. God called Gideon a mighty warrior before he sent him into battle! Why would the Almighty choose someone who was doubtful and afraid to…