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Don’t Flush!
Rushing down the sidewalk after a few too many hours on road with stops, I couldn’t wait to reach the bathroom. Slamming the stall door shut, I suddenly found myself distracted. The rest stop caretakers had posted the most specific sign I’d seen in a loo. What’s happening that you need to flush your undergarments?!…
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Seeing the Hand of God in Joseph’s story
“In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” –Romans 8:28 This verse is one of those we cling to. We cling to it when “all things” feel really hard or hurt deeply. When we can’t make sense of anything and when we can’t imagine there’s…
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Do You Think About These Things?
“Bethanyland is a magical place,” I like to say to my husband when he calls me back to reality because I stopped listening and got lost in thought (again). The truth is, I spend a lot of time thinking. Most of us do. We dwell on things in the shower, in the car, at work,…
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Don’t Quit Praying When It’s “Over”
We pray before we eat. Before our days begin. Before we go to sleep. Often, we pray before big events and decisions. We pray as loved ones face difficulties. But we don’t have to stop there. We can keep praying after. God doesn’t say “cease praying” after the test results suggest the worst or the…
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Prospecting for Treasure
It was 1866. The Yogo Gulch in Montana was full of prospectors. They came for gold, but found disappointment. All that stood out in their sifting pans were the numerous little blue pebbles in the area. They threw them away. One man, Jake Hoover, took a different approach after some time. He sent them away….
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More of God Book Review
6am. My phone alarm rang obnoxiously even though it was still dark. I had a new job, plus my old job, and a renewed commitment to spending time focused specifically on God. Every (very busy) day. Some part of my heart got up so early because I actually wanted to grow in my walk with…
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Why It’s Impossible to Keep God’s Love to Yourself
A sweet older lady sat in the middle of the sunlit room. Visitors gathered as she looked around the space lovingly. She spoke of the woman who lived there, and the children that woman raised. One of the children was Billy Graham. His mother’s caregiver and friend, this sweet lady had come to share stories…
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Love Prays
Over the years in our marriage, I’ve watched my husband struggle with things. This shouldn’t have surprised me, but especially as a young newlywed- it did. My guy is a good one. He is godly, discerning, full of integrity, persistently loving, and so humble he’ll be annoyed I’m complimenting him publicly. So the reality of…
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Persevering through Pain (Susie’s Example)
Gathered round in someone’s living room for Bile study, one of the women shared about a time in her life when migraines were the norm. She talked about having to sit in dark, silent rooms, unable to focus on anything. For years, there were regular times she couldn’t socialize, read, write, draw, or even listen…
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Confirmation After Faith
Sometimes when we beg the Lord for confirmation or a sign, what we’re really saying is that: We don’t want to walk by faith- we want to walk by sight. We don’t find His direction in Scripture enough. We don’t take Him at His Word that He’ll always be with us. His confirmation often comes…