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Hope in a Big, Fat “Fine”
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:30-31 All three of my children have managed to inherit at least one of my various traits. They have managed to inherit some of the better ones such as a sense…
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Sunshine in the Storms
The one who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is like the light of the morning at sunrise, like a morning without clouds, like the gleaming of the sun on new grass after rain. 2 Samuel 23:3-4 I am not a fan of rain. In fact, I absolutely hate it. Rainy days…
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What If We Were Real?
We keep trying to make it look so nice, and we keep hiding what’s going on inside. But, what if I share my brokenness? What if you share how you feel? And, what if we weren’t afraid of this crazy mess? What if we were real? These are some of the lyrics to a Mandisa…
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Sin in a Gold Wrapper
For he satisfies the thirsty, and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9 If you take a good look at the picture of one of the now several candy buckets we have in our home-our constant reminder of Halloween-you will see something is missing. It is the chocolate and caramel covered cookie that comes wrapped…
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We Are All the Least of These
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 A few weeks ago, I traveled to Lynchburg, Virginia to spend a week immersing myself in a class I had to take as part of my Professional Counseling curriculum at Liberty University. For weeks, months even, I stressed about and dreaded…
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Crushed by the Bread of Life
I am exhausted and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart. You know what I long for Lord; you hear my every sigh. Psalm 38: 8-9 The picture above happens to be one of my biggest supermarket pet peeves. No, it isn’t the fact that the hair dye was bagged with the…
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“Costumes” and a Little Boy’s Lesson on Self-Acceptance
“You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13 “I am being nothing! I am dressing as Hunter!” “What about your shark mask?” I kindly plead with my four year old son. “No! Nothing! I am going as Hunter!” That is right. Hunter is adamantly boycotting…
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Holding On Through the Why’s of Life
O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? Psalm 10:1 Why, God? Why me? I admit it. I have asked this question of God a time or two hundred, just as I am sure many believers do. At times we don’t understand why a God who…
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Leaves of Change
They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:3 I absolutely love fall. It is my favorite time of year. The colors, the smells of cinnamon, and pumpkin EVERYTHING, the crisp, cool air, and who can get through fall…
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Time for Him
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Today, I am challenged. My Sunday School class has been studying prayer for the last couple months. This means that each week I talk to these children about the importance of talking to God, thanking Him, asking Him for guidance, and anything else in His name.…
Grace 'n Grounds
Encouragement Grounded in His Truth
Grace 'n Grounds 