Tag: grow
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Grow in Grace
As a new mom, a friend of mine regularly reported sleeplessness. Sipping hot drinks while her infant alternated between fussing and sleeping, she told me how it had occurred to her one late, loud night that her baby was doing his job: He was growing. The sweet little guy didn’t understand what was happening as…
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To The Wanna-Know-It-Alls
“I don’t know.” You say it when someone asks you to do something and you aren’t sure how to answer. The words are uttered in annoyance by kids everywhere as parents inquire about homework, grades, and missing toys. “…Anymore” is tagged on when tragedies strike and we’re left in shock. Feelings of doubt, loss, vulnerability,…
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You May Build It, They May Not Come
There’s a popular saying is based off of a quote from the movie Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.” We hear it often, usually in connection with ministries, programs, or facilities that are launching or expanding. However, the whole concept is a myth. Unfortunately, many people actually believe it is a…
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Starting Well Means Growing In Grace
When we got married one of our premarital counseling activities was sitting down with my in-laws to ask a few prescribed questions. One question went something like “what’s something you learned when you started out that has been valuable?” My mother-in-law answered: “It was actually about parenting. Someone told me to never punish a child…
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Your No Is As Important as Your Yes
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 Are you afraid of saying no? Scripture doesn’t condemn the word no. Rather, the Bible highlights the importance of keeping your word, whether it’s a yes or a no. Imagine if Jesus was as uncomfortable…
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It’s (Not) Going to Get Better
I’m not a pessimist. In fact, I tend far too much toward optimism. However, I’ve learned that belligerent optimism isn’t helpful when equally stubborn hardship prevails. The reality is that we should expect suffering as a result of sin. Believers should expect the added difficulties of persecution and living apart from the pattern of the…
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Knowledge Bloats (1/6)
This post is the 1st in a 6-part series on Idolizing Knowledge. Read the rest of the posts here. Guest directory info is available here. “But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.” –1…
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Motivation for Long Days at Work
When I’m exhausted by the thought of putting one more second of time into producing something for someone else, to someone else’s standards, according to someone else’s timeline, I find encouragement in these verses. I hope you do too. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 “Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands,…
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When Your Manna Tastes Bland
Last year, I had my wisdom teeth removed *gag.* The surgery went well, but there were complications during my recovery. I’ll spare you the gory details. Suffice it to say, I ate the same bland soft foods for about a month. Let me tell you: diversity of diet is a spiritual need. Maybe that’s an…
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God’s Reliability: Updating to 5.0
{This post originally appeared on My Faith Radio} We know all too well the adrenaline rush of a beloved phone fizzling out or breaking. Updates to social media page layouts and software give us pause. We get used to doing things a certain way and using particular tools. It’s normal to feel vulnerable, tired, lost,…