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5 New Year Prayer Points for a Fresh Start
I meander slowly through a forest encased in white. Strangers’ footprints delineate the path through crusty layers that have thawed and frozen a dozen times. I’m in the woods today to regroup and focus on the months ahead. The New Year always feels like a fresh start. Today, I invite you to join me as we explore five New Year prayer points to help us begin this year with focus and hope. 5 New Year Prayer Points for a Fresh Start I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of picking a word, a verse, or a resolution for the New Year. This year, as I stroll through the forest, I…
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10 Encouraging Christmas Verses About Hope
As I sit in the forest, my bones throb with the cold ache of winter. The creek flows soundlessly—waiting for freeze-up. I’ve come to the woods to connect with my Creator, and I pull out my Bible in search of Christmas verses about hope to prepare my heart for the month ahead. Christmas Verses About Hope Over the years, I’ve learned that when I fail to keep my eyes on the reason for celebrating, I get pulled into the flurry of stress and overactivity. I’m searching for verses about hope because, at the heart of the matter, Christmas is about hope. At Christmas, we celebrate the hope we find in…
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Keep Christ in Christmas: 9 Ways to Keep Jesus Central
“Who wants to go on an adventure?” I ask the kids as we drive through farm country on a frigid Saturday afternoon. As the darkness of impending winter presses tighter, we could all use the reminder that the Light of the world has come. We could use the reminder to keep Christ in Christmas when the festivities threaten to draw our attention away from him. Keep Christ in Christmas Two hours later, we bundle in mittens, heavy winter coats, stocking caps, and heavy boots. Perspiration beads on my forehead as I slide the final mitten over the little one’s fingers. Managing to pile out the door on the cusp of…
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Read These 10 Bible Verses When You Feel Like No One Cares About You
Above the tree line, the alpine grasses shiver in the wind while a pika no bigger than my fist eyes me from a rocky alcove. I’m 20 years old, and I’ve been climbing mountains all summer while running from a long list of mistakes. I know my family loves and cares about me deeply, but a quiet thought whispers, You’re all alone, and no one can help you. Perhaps you can relate to this thought. Today, I invite you to soak in the following 10 uplifting Bible verses when you feel like no one cares about you. Read These Bible Verses When You Feel Like No One Cares You might…
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8 Bible Verses About Finding Rest in God
I walked in the winter forest last night. On the cusp of twilight, a million snowflakes clung to the outstretched arms of the maples. Stopping to sit among them, I pulled out my Bible in search of Bible verses about finding rest in God. With cares so heavy I hesitated to name them, I soaked in God’s words, praying for his strong arms to reach down and lift my burdens. Instead, the hushed silence washed over me. Refreshed me. And when I turned to leave the forest, I felt it. The burdens were lighter. Bible Verses About Finding Rest in God Perhaps you need God to lift your burdens too. …
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8 Bible Verses About Being Worthy Enough in God’s Eyes
Have you ever asked yourself, “How does God see me?” Your ideas about the way God sees you will radically impact your ability to connect with him in a close, loving relationship. Let’s explore eight Bible verses about being worthy enough in God’s eyes today. First, I invite you to join me at the creek with my child, and we’ll talk about how God sees us. 8 Bible Verses About Being Worthy Enough My little boy and I inch closer to the creek beneath the silver arms of the sycamores. Expectantly, we walk to the bend where the water pools in shades of ethereal emerald, and he wiggles with excitement. …
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Is God Mad at Me?
Smoky wisps of fog wrap their fingers through the goldenrod as I sit by the window in prayer. I’ve been distracted lately, and my thoughts have been far from God. A familiar question runs through my mind: Is God mad at me for neglecting my relationship with him? Summer days are full in these parts. I rarely find a quiet moment in this house filled with life and activity. Life has me stretched thin, and by the end of most days, I’m running on fumes. I imagine you know all about the rhythm of the ragged. Maybe you’ve felt guilty for neglecting your relationship with God, but you’re not sure…
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God Loves You Even When You Don’t Feel Worthy
A few years ago, an epic parenting failure left me feeling like the worst mom in the world. I imagine you’ve had a few of your own failures—moments when it was hard to believe that God loves you in the middle of your messiest moments. The evening of my failure, the sun was sinking low. It was time to clean up the house and relax for a few minutes before going to bed. I’d put away the toys three times throughout the day, and I told five-year-old Bekah it was her turn. I was ready to crash onto the couch and clock out for the day. On cue, our sweet…
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A Fresh Take on How to Love God With All Your Heart
Morning opens her mouth with a foggy breath, and the earth cups the grey mist in its lowest places. I sit by the window and get lost in the glory of it all. I begin most days in this spot, and as I lean into the mist this morning, my mind is full. Maybe you can relate. You want to learn how to love God with all your heart, but you tend to forget all about him as your mental clutter pulls you away. As I sit in the silence, I’m thinking about writing projects, the weekly dinner menu, the grocery list, my son’s spelling test, and when I’m going…
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3 Ways to Fall More Deeply in Love With Jesus
The old sycamore leans over the icy creekbed with shoulders washed white by the weather. Closing my eyes, I inhale the scent of the forest and pray that I might learn to embrace my moments and fall more deeply in love with Jesus in the process. For the past few years, I’ve been learning to slow down. I’ve been asking God to help me live with less grit and more grace. In the process, God is changing me. I’m also discovering that the secret to living with greater joy and deeper peace is falling more deeply in love with Jesus. What does this look like in my world with winter…
