Two Ways to Stay Connected to God
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Two Ways to Stay Connected to God

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” (Ps. 139: 7-8 NIV) I’ve been feeling separated from God lately. Prayers are slamming into a closed door. Scripture seems…

What Does Endurance Look Like?
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What Does Endurance Look Like?

I abhor running. I have a workout shirt that reads, “If you see me running, please kill whatever is chasing me.” When I think about endurance, I think about runners. I’ve managed to eke out a 5k where my feet left the ground at just enough speed to be considered a jog for the duration…

Take Time to Be Filled
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Take Time to Be Filled

Too often, I find myself acting out of fear. I make decisions based on what I think will please others, afraid of criticism. I say yes to requests that make me uncomfortable or don’t seem like my best yes because I’m afraid of rejection if I say no. I refrain from sharing my dreams and…

God Meets Real Needs
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God Meets Our Real Needs

In April, I always think of rainshowers, especially because we have a lot of intermittent spring storms where I live. In fact, this past month, we had one of those decennial rainstorms that causes quite a bit of damage. When those storms roll through, my mind always drifts to Noah. He was not only thrust…

The Bridge that Unites Us
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The Bridge that Unites Us

“No, Mom,” my son whispered. “They’re asking if we’d like to go to a late breakfast with them.” I sighed audibly, smiled, and nodded. The lightbulb of understanding was finally on. After several minutes of trying to decipher what the Spanish-speaking couple was asking me, my son had come to my rescue and translated the…

What's Your Isaac
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What’s Your Isaac?

Do you ever read or hear God’s Word and brush over verses and stories you have memorized because you think you already know what they mean? This happened to me the other morning. I was praying—or rather, begging—God to deliver me from my years of sleepless nights. I wanted a cure. Or at least an…