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Praying the Beatitudes: 8 Prayers for Alignment
A mantle of unblemished white greets us at daybreak. I look to the day ahead and feel expectant, yesterday’s regrets cleansed like the sleeping earth outside the window. Opening my Bible to Matthew’s Gospel, I start the day by praying the Beatitudes. As I speak God’s words back to him, something within me shifts as if I’m moving into alignment with him. I’m pulled out of my ruminating thoughts, and my perspective is renewed. I invite you to pray the Beatitudes with me today. Also, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you experience God’s presence as you seek alignment…
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10 Bible Verses for Sleepless Nights
The morning shadows dance with the expectancy of a new day, untouched and full of potential, as a rising sun ascends over the pines. I watch from the window through blurry eyes. Our days have been full, and I’ve been sleeping poorly. Opening my Bible, I decide to make a list of Bible verses for sleepless nights. Bible Verses for Sleepless Nights If sleep is hard to find again tonight, I’ll return to this list and soak in God’s Truth. Sleeplessness can be deeply frustrating. The next time your mind refuses to quiet in the night, turn to these Scriptures to help you find peace. I also invite you to…
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How Does Satan Tempt Us? A Biblical Perspective on Temptation
True obedience is revealed when we are presented with opportunities to disobey. How does Satan tempt us? The Bible reveals three primary areas in which we are all tempted. Today, we’ll discuss these areas of temptation and explore Scripture to help us stand strong when we are tempted. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you resist the enemy’s attacks. How Does Satan Tempt Us? In Scripture, we see three common areas of temptation: physical desires, possessions, and pride. These are the three ways Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. He tempted Jesus in the wilderness using these…
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Christmas Sadness: 5 Insights for Hope and Comfort
Snow falls heavily, and I’m alone with only my thoughts and the whisper of flakes falling in the forest. As I sit beneath the hemlocks, I’m reminded of a season years ago when Christmas sadness threatened to consume me. Everyone in the world seemed to be celebrating while I felt dismal and alone. It can be challenging to know where to turn when Christmas is hard instead of celebratory. Navigating Christmas Sadness Our difficult Christmas came after a year filled with illness, disappointment, and deep grief. We’d just watched a lifelong dream fall apart, and we weren’t sure where to turn next. We were grieving, and we were having a…
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Unlikely Heroes of the Bible: God Uses Imperfect People
I recently met a younger friend for coffee, and we caught up on the past few months. Since I’d last seen her, she’d surrendered her life to Christ, and the transformation was beautiful. She was also having trouble forgiving herself for the decisions she made when she wasn’t walking with Christ. As I reflected on the conversation, I was reminded of the many unlikely heroes of the Bible. These people didn’t appear to be qualified to lead others. But God doesn’t choose those who are wise and strong according to worldly standards. He chooses the weak. He chooses sinful people who know they need a Savior and are willing to…
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8 Prayers for Strength and Patience in Difficult Times
I marvel at the almost-winter moon, a silvery second-light casting soft shadows on the wall. I’m restless tonight, unable to sleep, and I take the advice of a friend, using these quiet hours to seek God. On this night, I mostly pray prayers for strength and patience as we press into the long, winter months to come. Prayers for Strength and Patience At various times in our lives, we all need to pursue God for strength while we push through difficult times. If this resonates with you, here are some prayers for strength and patience. I invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free Advent…
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15 Bible Verses About Rejoicing in the Lord
The tulip poplar leaves are just beginning to emerge like tiny hands waving at the cobalt sky. For six fleeting months, they will greet the dawn with their flapping waves as if they’re living to the full. As I gaze at them, they’re a reminder of how to rejoice in the Lord no matter what the season of life looks like. I pull out my Bible in search of refreshing Bible verses about rejoicing in the Lord. Today, I’ll begin by sharing these Bible verses about rejoicing in the Lord. Then, we’ll discuss practical ways to find joy in the Lord. Be sure to read to the end of today’s…
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Managing Holiday Stress: 10 Insights for Peace
We walk to the hill where the fir and spruce trees mingle in a dozen shades of emerald. Within minutes, the youngest falls into the thorny branches of a hawthorn crabapple, and the oldest is tangled in a knot of burdock. What was supposed to be fun has become an exercise in managing holiday stress. I take a deep breath and remind myself that this moment doesn’t have to be perfect. Later in the day, after the tree is wired to the wall in the corner of the living room, I take some time to sort through the ways I plan to manage stress through this Christmas season. Perhaps these…
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A Free Advent Devotional for Less Stress and Deeper Peace
Two years ago, I released an Advent devotional aimed at helping others slow down and experience deeper peace throughout the weeks leading up to Christmas. This year, for a limited time, I’m offering this eBook for free. Below, you’ll find an excerpt from the devotional. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for your free Advent devotional! Still My Soul: A Free Advent Devotional for Deeper Peace I sit with the dawn and let my thoughts gather. The grey morning light washes away the night, and the thin air is embroidered with a crimson cardinal’s song. My mind is scattered, and I feel like I’ve been stretched…
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7 Prayers of Thanksgiving for Even the Toughest Days
We awoke to a periwinkle drizzle, tears of firmament clinging to spruce boughs and unadorned oak branches. As I watched the day begin, I focused on prayers of Thanksgiving, fixing my eyes on what was true, lovely, right, pure, and good. As always, the practice of giving thanks shifted my mood. After spending a few minutes in gratitude, the tone for the day had been set. 7 Prayers of Thanksgiving Gratitude is powerful for all of us. Let’s take some time to pray with thanksgiving and watch this practice transform our hearts. I also invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free Advent devotional to…
