02
Nov '19
Ordinary People
02
Nov '19
Do you ever look at someone else and think, “Wow, that person really has it all together.” Their hair is done just right. They dress very nice. They talk very smart. They have achieved a status that I could never achieve. But, that’s not true. Underneath, they are just ordinary people like you and me. Sometimes the people we assume have it all together, are the ones hurting the most, and don’t have anything together. I am learning that whatever walk of life we come from, that we are all just ordinary people looking for a place to fit in.
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26
Oct '19
Control Girls (and Guys)
26
Oct '19
Do I even want to talk about being someone who likes to be “in control”? Not really….. but it’s good to know that I’m not alone, as many people of the Bible were themselves people who took control of situations that God already had under control. Eve, Sarai (Sarah), and even Rebekah were Control Girls. David and Saul were Control Guys. I’m thankful that I can take heart and learn from the warnings and lessons from some of these people in the Bible.
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26
Oct '19
Fitting In (But Where?)
26
Oct '19
As an adolescent growing up, I often felt those feelings of awkwardness and loneliness, like I just didn’t fit in. I was one of those kids that was always chosen last, or just considered a weak link. In my case, those feelings and patterns of life still creep in at times. As time went by, eventually (although it took a very long time), I was able to build confidence and strength through maturity and developing healthy relationships.
When my relationship with God started growing, I started growing. I was no longer searching for a place to fit in, He holds the perfect spot for me. There are definitely times when I am out of my comfort zone. I have
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19
Oct '19
Waiting
19
Oct '19
WHAT? Waiting is definitely not my strong suit. Not waiting has got me into quite a few unfortunate circumstances that ultimately lead to disaster. God has had to put the brakes on and slow me down more than a few times in my life. I tend to get impatient for something I want to happen and I don’t wait on God’s direction in the situation. I’ve learned a few things along this journey. God knows what I need. He knows what weighs heavy on my heart. When I don’t wait on Him, I miss His blessings. I have to relax and
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19
Oct '19
Gifted
19
Oct '19
In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8
One of the greatest lessons I have learned over the years is that we are all gifted. My wife for example is incredible at getting things done. She is kindhearted and loving, and when there is a goal she has set in her
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19
Oct '19
Not What I Had Planned
19
Oct '19
I recently saw a photo online of the Mississippi River and the various paths it has taken over the course of its existence. Did you know the Mississippi River is a dynamic and changing river? Its course has already changed numerous times and will eventually change again.* It has jumped back and forth and winded this way and that way, and there were so many paths along the way, at one point, to keep it steady and on the same path. they simply built walls around it. The boundaries were set. It’s not moving again. But even after the
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12
Oct '19
No Pain, No Gain
12
Oct '19
“You yourselves know, dear brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not a failure. You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare His Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition. So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery.” 1 Thessalonians 2:1-3 NLT
Derek Redmond was a great Olympic sprinter. In the 1992 Olympic Games, he was running well in his event, the 400 Meters, winning his first two qualifying heats with ease. In the semifinal, he started well, but
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12
Oct '19
Unique
12
Oct '19
It’s hard to imagine with the billions of people in this world, that we’re all very different from one another. Not one of us are the same. How amazing is that? Our Lord is unchanging. Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.” When I think about God creating us specifically to share in all of His glory, how blessed are we? Only He knows each and every heart, He knows each and everyone of us inside out. If we ever think God isn’t paying attention, or He can’t understand us, we’re wrong. He knows what’s
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05
Oct '19
Prayer
05
Oct '19
In my life, prayer is so essential. Without my time with God in the morning, I feel lost for the rest of the day. I look at each day as a new opportunity to learn something new. I ask God to surround the people I love. Whatever His plan is for them, I ask Him to hold them close and take care of them as only He can do. I ask Him to lead me and to give me the strength I need to do what honors Him. Through every aspect of my day, whether at home or at work or somewhere in the middle, I need Him. Prayer helps me to stay calm, it helps
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28
Sep '19
Knowing Your Value
28
Sep '19
So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, Who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession. James 1:16-18
This life we are given is so precious. I think about my life. There are moments of happiness and where things have gone well. There are other moments of sadness and grief. There are achievements and
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