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5 Christ-Centered Christmas Traditions
The world is aglow in colorful lights as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Light of the World. Sadly, it’s easy to become so engrossed in the hustle and bustle of the season that we forget why we are celebrating. Perhaps you’d like to help your family celebrate with some Christ-centered Christmas traditions this year. Let’s look at five family traditions that can help us keep Christ at the center of our Christmas celebrations this year. 5 Christ-Centered Christmas Traditions If we want to be more attuned to the wonder of the incarnation, we begin by slowing down. We stand in awe that the God of all creation…
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Encouragement for Tired Moms: 5 Ways to Add Joy to Your Life
I discovered a meatball under the china cabinet this morning. Suffice it to say, this wouldn’t be a huge deal if we’d dated meatballs in the past few days; however, we haven’t had meatballs for at least two weeks. We haven’t had meatballs for two weeks. As I scrubbed the floor, I felt compelled to offer a few words of encouragement for tired moms everywhere. Ten years ago, I spent my days teaching students with disabilities inside the walls of a respected high school. Each new day brought new challenges and changes in my schedule. During those years, my husband and I traveled overseas often. For fun, we regularly took…
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A Spiritual Warfare Workbook for Overcoming the Enemy
We live in a multidimensional world. On one level, we face battles we can readily identify with our five senses. These battles include relational dissension, financial setbacks, medical issues, and more. Meanwhile, battles are also taking place in the spiritual realm. Today, we’ll look at four surprising truths about the enemy’s attacks. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post to download my free online spiritual warfare workbook, Rise Up, to help you stand firm at the end of this post. In 12 easy-to-read chapters, Rise Up will teach you 12 practical ways to put on the armor of God, resist the enemy, and find victory over his attacks.…
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14 Practical Ways to Cultivate a Deeper Relationship With God
White light breaks through smoky billows of fog. Climbing out of bed, I admire the scene out the window and ask God to help me be more aware of his presence throughout the upcoming day. I’ve been seeking a deeper relationship with God over the past few months. I know that going deeper includes becoming more aware of what he is doing around me. Sadly, I tend to overlook his presence as I push through my days on autopilot. This is not how I want to live. I’m tired of rushing through my moments, wishing away long days, and living in survival mode. How to Have a Deeper Relationship With…
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10 Affirmations for Spiritual Growth With God
Do you ever feel frustrated because your spiritual growth seems slow? Maybe you want a closer relationship with God, but the busyness of your life makes this feel unattainable. If so, you are in good company. When this happens, speaking affirmations for spiritual growth can be helpful. A few days ago, the first ivory snowflakes fell onto the lawn, and I considered the shifting seasons. I asked myself, Did I accomplish what I hoped for in this past season? How are my relationships with others? How is my relationship with God? As the snow fell silently, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d failed to reach some of my goals.…
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17 Inspiring Bible Verses About Discouragement
It’s a brisk autumn morning with lacy frost whitening the lawn. It’s been a discouraging season here, and I am worn out. As I stare at the never-ending to-do list, I realize I could use a few Bible verses about discouragement. Bible Verses About Discouragement I stare into the hazy coral firmament, lost in thought, when a question comes to mind. It’s the question God asked Adam in the Garden of Eden after they ate the apple: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). This question doesn’t loom like an accusation. It simply invites me to step outside the momentum of my day and honestly assess what’s driving my life. On…
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Thanksgiving Encouragement for When Thanksgiving Is Hard
The first rays of morning sunlight stretch through the frosted windowpane. For an instant, I forget that it’s Thanksgiving day. On this day when much of the world celebrates, I could use some Thanksgiving encouragement for my hurting heart. Maybe Thanksgiving is hard for you this year, too. You want to embrace this season and give thanks for the gifts in your life, but giving thanks just isn’t cutting it. If this is your story today, I invite you to join me as we stand on encouraging words amid our discouragement. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook for hope and comfort.…
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How to Choose a New Thanksgiving Tradition for Your Family
November is here with the grey branches of maple trees reaching heavenward and once-vibrant fields of wildflowers wielding frost-burned tufts in unison. We pull the Thanksgiving decorations from the basement shelves and start thinking about instituting a new and meaningful Thanksgiving tradition for our family. It seems appropriate that this month of transition is also culturally known as the month for giving thanks. We are often most desperately in need of reminders to practice gratitude when the tides are shifting in our lives. November has always felt like a changing of the tides for me. November is the time when the kids bound from the bus wearing feathers in their…
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20 Bible Verses About Uncertainty in Life
Our daughter, Bekah, was born on a clear November evening. As we celebrate her birthday this month, I reflect on her life. I also remember the long months leading up to her birth, months that taught me what it means to navigate detours in life. Today, we’ll explore 20 Bible verses about uncertainty and trusting God’s plan when life seems to take a detour. First, I share the story of the detour that seemed to derail my life before Bekah’s birth. Then, we’ll look at 20 Bible verses about uncertainty Bible Verses About Uncertainty Before experiencing my first pregnancy, I planned to continue teaching high school students in my Life…
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22 Bible Verses About Hope in Hard Times
Do you need hope to carry you through a difficult time? We all face tough times, and when these times God, God’s Word offers hope in the darkness. Today, we’ll explore 22 Bible verses about hope in hard times. Bible Verses About Hope in Hard Times We’ll also discuss the ways God uses hard times to shape us into his image. I invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to give you hope in the most difficult times. First, let’s look at these powerful Bible verses about hope in hard times. 22 Bible Verses About Hope in Hard Times 1. Matthew 11:28-30…
