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Are You Afraid of Missing God’s Plan for Your Life?
I walk the country road at dusk—twilight folding over the path behind me like a parted sea falling back into place. I’ve been thinking about staying in step with God’s plans lately, and my heart feels bogged down by worries that I might somehow botch his plan. I wonder if you can relate. I wonder if you’ve ever felt fearful that you just might miss God’s plan for your life. You probably know how it feels to be desperate to hear from God about something important to you. You fasted and prayed and scoured your Bible in search of direction. All the while, you wondered if you might be heading…
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10 Bible Verses About Being Still With God
The shaded canopy at the trailhead fluttered to the ground, one golden leaf at a time. I was in the woods because I was desperate to rest with God. Opening my Bible, I began my time by soaking in God’s truth as I meditated on calming Bible verses about being still with God. Today, we’ll explore a list of Scriptures about being still and resting in God’s presence. Then, we’ll talk about practical ways to be still with God when our minds are racing. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you connect with God in stillness daily. 10 Bible…
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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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Why Today Is Going to Be a Good Day
Above a scrim of wispy cirrus clouds, a hawk cries out as it soars upon some unseen current. For the first time since autumn, we slept with the windows open last night. Awakening to a cacophony of birdsong and the melodies of God’s created world feels like a gift given directly from his hand. “Today is going to be a good day,” I whisper. Smiling, I climb from the sheets, make the bed, and think of these eight simple words as I brush my teeth and greet the three children who await me downstairs. I repeat these words as I make the coffee and prepare breakfasts for everyone: “Today is…
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Overcoming the Spirit of Failure and Trusting God
A placid lake shines silver beneath the sinking sun. As we sit along the water, a friend tells me I should share my writing with the world. I want to take her advice, but overcoming the spirit of failure feels daunting. I’ve been writing all my life, but this time feels different. It feels less like aimless wandering and more like a calling. Sometimes it’s hard to know the difference. Sometimes you just want God to write your next step in the clouds or dampen a sweatshirt on dry ground at dawn. You wish he’d tell you exactly what to do and when to do it. I tell my friend…
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8 Prayers for Bad Thoughts & Moods: Shift Your Focus
Spring rain falls warm and soft against my skin. I lift my hooded face to the grey sky as it spits the cleansing rain, and I have an honest moment about my life. Lately, I’ve been in a perpetual bad mood for no reason I can identify. As I continue walking, the walk becomes a prayer, and I spend my time praying prayers for bad thoughts and attitudes. When I return to the house, I feel cleansed, as if God has washed something away. Today, we’ll explore eight prayers for bad thoughts and attitudes. Then, I’ll share a list of questions to ask when you’re in a bad mood for…
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How to See God’s Glory in Your Everyday
I’m honored to welcome my friend Emily to the blog today. She has some wonderful resources to share with you. I’ve already received mine, and these will bless you richly as you learn how to see God’s glory in your everyday spaces! Here’s Emily: ~~~ Tears streamed down my cheeks as my hands gripped the steering wheel. Heading home from Bible study, these tears came from a place of longing. Longing for what, you ask? These were tears I pulled from deep in the well of longing for more. My drive home meant about 40 minutes of cornfields, back roads and farms. Which meant it always provided space for thinking…
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When Trusting God With Your Future Doesn’t Come Easily
We threw out the old calendar—the one with the tattered edges and scratched-out plans—and we burned it to ash last week. We watched the flames lick it up like they were happy to say goodbye to the year and all it held. As I watched the tangerine flames dance in the wind, I considered the secret for really trusting God with your future—whether you’re coming out of the best season of your life or the worst. As I reflected on our past season, I gained courage. I also thought about the many times in Scripture when God’s people told stories about his past faithfulness. Maybe we should follow their lead.…
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How Do We Demonstrate Our Love for God? 15 Ways
My little boy comes to me with his shoelaces twisted in knots. I’m soaking in my morning reading and enjoying a hot cup of coffee. I feel like I might be the world’s worst mom, but I don’t really want to set my coffee aside to untangle dirty shoelaces. A fleeting question crosses my mind: How do we demonstrate our love for God? I know the answer. We show God we love him by loving others, especially when we don’t feel like being loving. If I’m being real, I don’t want this interruption to the one part of the day I set aside to center myself. Maybe you’re chasing the…
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What Does It Mean to Live Life to the Fullest?
What does it mean to live life to the fullest? We live our best lives when we feel purposeful, fulfilled, and joyful. We’re living to the fullest when everyday problems and stressors don’t get the best of us. We’re living to the fullest when we’ve learned to walk in peace regardless of our circumstances. We have also learned to be thankful in all circumstances. I invite you to join our family on a chilly winter morning, and we’ll talk about living our lives to the fullest. Also, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you live life to the fullest.…
