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10 Hope-Filled Bible Verses About Pain and Suffering
The season’s first skiff of snow greeted us with the dawn. I stood at the window with an aching heart. It had been a tough season. Pulling out my Bible, I began searching for hope-filled Bible verses about pain and suffering. As I read God’s Word, peace flooded me. I found comfort, hope. Perhaps you need this today as well. Today, I’m sharing these Bible verses about pain and suffering. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook for times of suffering. Bible Verses About Pain and Suffering Friend, do you feel like you’re alone in your suffering? Despite your feelings, you are…
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15 Bible Verses About Slowing Down and Enjoying Life
It’s autumn in Pennsylvania. Autumn in this part of the world means cornfields that rustle beige in the evening thermals. It means russet leaves applauding the sky and geese heading south with their human-like voices echoing overhead. Today, I’m turning to God’s Word in search of Bible verses about slowing down as I aim to embrace the season. Today, I’ll share these verses with you. Take the time to slowly read these words and respond to God’s invitation to slower, more intentional living. I also invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you slow down. Bible Verses About Slowing Down…
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5 Things to Do in Autumn Without Ghosts and Goblins
I recently took the kids to the woods in search of fall decorations to help us celebrate autumn. We returned home with plastic bags overflowing with sticky pinecones, acorns, leaves, ferns, and rocks. The pinecones found new homes in baskets throughout the house, the leaves are scattered across the dining room table while crayons made leaf imprints on construction paper, and the acorns and stones found their way to vases. We have been on a quest to celebrate autumn without embracing spookiness, and this activity is part of our journey. We can celebrate autumn without celebrating spookiness. Today, we’ll explore five things to do in autumn without celebrating the spookiness…
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How to Focus on Jesus Instead of Focusing on Your Problems
The seasons are changing in our part of the world. I watch from my window, where I’m lost in stacks of first-grade homework, bills, and messy reminders about the reality of my actual life. I want to focus on Jesus this morning, but I can’t clear my head in the middle of the mess. You probably know a thing or two about messes. You want to live by faith and focus on Jesus throughout your days, but the chaos of your life pulls you away. How to Focus on Jesus I want to learn to keep my eyes on Jesus, but sometimes, it doesn’t feel practical. Here’s what I’m learning:…
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6 Promises for When You Feel Abandoned by God
“I feel like I’ve been abandoned by God,” my friend whispers through tears as we sit by the creek and watch flies rise from the water. She’s been in a tough season, and I tell her I can relate. Fifteen years ago, I uttered the same words. Since that time, I’ve uncovered a few valuable lessons about God and life. I share from my heart as the sycamores lean in with listening ears. I don’t know if she feels encouraged as we leave the water, but I pray she finds the faith to keep walking with God. When You Feel Abandoned by God Later that afternoon, my little boy stirs…
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8 Prayers for Young Children: Make an Eternal Impact
Author Toni Morrison once asked the question, “When your child walks in the room, does your face light up?” Along with showing our kids we love them, we support them spiritually by praying for them. Today, we’ll explore eight prayers for young children. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a library of devotional books for kids as well as free devotionals and eBooks to help you grow closer to God. Prayers for Young Children Our prayers impact the spiritual realm. Praying for our kids can radically change the trajectory of their lives. I invite you to pray these prayers over your kids when they are…
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Discover These Gifts by Slowing Down in Life
I asked Caleb what he wanted to do for his third birthday, and he wanted hot dogs and marshmallows for breakfast and a trip to the sandy beach. He settled for powdered doughnuts for breakfast, but I came through on the trip to the sandy beach. Slowing down in life, for even a day, felt like its own kind of gift. The sandy beach is the name the kids have affectionately labeled a stretch of sandy shoreline along the creek behind our house. We’ve been known to catch bluegills and crayfish in the shallow part of the pool, and surrounded by wilderness, the sandy beach feels like an escape to…
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Living in the Joy of the Lord: 6 Practical Ways
It’s an overcast evening with light air hanging over the black-eyed susans that blanket the fields behind the house. I’m not thinking about living in the joy of the Lord, but I’m about to learn a lesson that will forever change my life. I’ve spent most of the day cleaning the house, dealing with a frustrating computer issue, and searching the basement boxes for size 3T sweatpants. By the time the food is on the table and the family is gathered on the deck for dinner, I’m weary. Living in the Joy of the Lord We’ve just finished our meal when it happens. Our sweet little girl winds up with…
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Why Is It Important to Know Your Identity in Christ?
I recently went to lunch with a friend who asked me a life-changing question. We were talking about finding our worth in God when she looked into my eyes and asked, “Why is it important to know your identity in Christ?” She then shared that she didn’t truly know what it meant to find her identity in Jesus. I told her about a difficult time in my life when God taught me how to find my identity in him. (You can read about it here.) Then, we discussed why it’s important to find our identities in Christ. Why Is It Important to Know Your Identity in Christ? Ultimately, knowing who…
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25 Bible Verses About Being Humble and Kind
Imagine how different the world would be if all people aimed to be humble and kind. We might not be able to change others, but we can take steps to align ourselves with God for change. Today, we’ll explore 25 Bible verses about being humble and kind. I’ll also share an inspiring story about a man who changed the world through a simple act of kindness. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook that will help you establish a rhythm of connecting with the presence of the life-giving God daily. Bible Verses About Being Humble and Kind Let’s start by looking at…
