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Okay, God. What’s My Job?
Let go of control In the last few articles we’ve touched on the idea of letting go of control and depending on God, but today we are going to dive deeper. One of my favorite old movies is Days of Thunder, starring Tom Cruise and Nichole Kidman. In one scene, Cole and Claire are in an argument about Cole, Cruise’s character, going back to racing after an accident. Claire, Kidman’s character, tells Cole that “control is an illusion.” Hard to believe that such profound wisdom could come from a 90’s cult classic, but it’s true. The illusion of control trumps us all up at some point. Here are some things to know…
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Okay, God. What’s my Job?
Fully depending on God Surrendering to God seems easy, but as we’ve seen its harder than we think to surrender our will and follow God. I don’t know about you, but in any relationship I find that I do much better when I have a clear understanding of my role. Honestly, I don’t know that I have ever clearly understood role in relation to God, but that is changing. According to Henry Cloud and John Townsend in their book How People Grow, we need to do four things to have right relationship with God. First, we need to fully depend on God, we have to stop controlling, we must give up…
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You Are Not the Boss of Me
Surrendering to God I’m going to confess something. I have lived most of my life in rebellion to God and most people haven’t noticed. You know why they haven’t noticed? I’m nice. I’m kind. I go to church on Sunday. I used to be a church pianist. I have a good job and pay my bills. I don’t watch porn, I don’t drink, and I rarely swear. I’ve had a couple of more obvious rebellions, such as having a child out of wedlock, divorce, and buying a fancy red sports care that screams look at me, but my daily life looks pretty Christian. I suppose my rebellion is subtler than…
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When I Focus on My Problems Instead of God
Whether you have been on your faith walk a short time or a long time, I think at some point we all come to realize that a life of faith doesn’t necessarily mean problem-free life. In some ways, it may even bring problems, as our faith asks us to live a counter-cultural life. We must often live against the grain. Perhaps one of the biggest struggles we have is focusing on our “problem” as if it was the core of our issue. I know I have been guilty of this in my life. I’ve written before about my health issues, which have plagued me in some way most of my…
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A Devotional for the Anxious Heart: 2 Corinthians 4:17
Scripture: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) Thought: God is not unfeeling, but our salvation is important. As such, he will use our difficulties and afflictions to draw us closer to him. It is amazing to think that God wants us with him in heaven. Faith makes our difficulties lighter. When we change our orientation towards heaven, the whole of our experience changes—we become stronger, more capable, more humble. Application: What is my focus? Now or eternity. This life is fleeting, but the one to come is forever. If I focus on that, whatever I experience here…
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Worrying: How to Solve
As the saying goes, “Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.” (Glen Turner) Worrying is in our human nature. Some of us worry a lot, while others don’t seem to worry at all. There are big worries, and little worries every day. Worry come with everything we do and every choice we make, but fear not for the Lord is with us every step of the way. Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” This verse tells us we…
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Patience is a Virtue
We have all more than likely heard someone say, “patience is a virtue”. But truly what does that mean and more importantly what is God’s perspective on patience. The definition of virtue from Oxford Languages is “behavior showing high moral standards. The definition of patience from Oxford Languages is the “capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.” When we read the Bible, we know that God is very patient. Also, his son Jesus was a very patient man. God wants us to learn to be patient especially during the tough times. It is during those times we truly learn patience and our faith…
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Seasons of Life
I sit here watching the gate, waiting for one of my family members to bring cow calf pairs to take to pasture. I am reminded about the different seasons of my life. Right now, I am in one of my busier seasons (planting is done, hauling cows and calves to pasture, haying to start and kids on summer break). My season is extremely busy right now with my husband, kids and I outside most of the day which means the household stuff may not get done regularly (dishes get done every other day and laundry is washing what is needed for the next day’s work…the rest will get washed when…
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A Devotional for the Anxious Heart: Psalm 34: 18-19
Scripture: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:18-19). Thought: God is compassionate and always near, especially in our brokenness. He doesn’t sometimes deliver, he always delivers if we seek him, albeit maybe not in the way we think. Needy and dependent, but in a good way. God, our father, wants to be there for us in everything, but especially our brokenness and deep sorrow. We are righteous when we seek him above all else. Application: We have, in our brokenness and need, often tried to hid…
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Completing a Self-help Book Purge
letting go of finding the answers that don’t always exist in the way we think. I recently created a list of projects that I wanted to complete in the short summer months that we have. I always have the usual items like painting projects, cleaning out something and building a project or two. One project was to clean out and organize my books. I love to read and have a book in my hands. I am not an online reader or tablet reader when it comes to books. I started with one of the easier projects of cleaning out my books and I came to a realization that I didn’t…
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Monuments of Human Pride
Do You Have a Tower of Babel? I recently reread the story of the Tower of Babel. The people wanted to build something to show the world their importance and to be in control. Genesis 11:4 says, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world” (NLT). Their actions were rebelling against God’s will. To keep their pride from destroying them, God confused their communication with different languages. I have not traveled extensively, but the few times I have traveled or engaged with others whose native language is…
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Engaging and Talking with Your Children
I have two daughters, 14 and 8. I have always felt that I have a great open and honest relationship with them both. We as parents want our children to feel that they can come to us and talk to us about anything. I have been fortunate as a parent that with my job I am home most of the time when they come home from school, which gives me an opportunity to talk to each of my children and see how their day was and how they are doing and engage in conversation with them. I know what some of you may be thinking: my child wouldn’t want to…
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A Devotional for the Anxious Heart: Deuteronomy 31: 8
Scripture: “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV) Thought: God is our faith and ever present leader. Because God is faithful and present, we can and must put our trust in him and never be afraid. Application: Joshua was being commission by Moses to lead the Israelites into the promise land. His commissioning was a really big deal. Regardless of the significance of his call, Moses said Joshua should still fully trust God. Our calling is to also follow God’s lead. To trust that he has gone…
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What If??
Have you ever heard of the song “What If” by Matthew West? If you have not, I highly encourage you to check it out and listen to it. It is a very upbeat song with a good message. Through the verse it talks about what if today is the only day I got. I want no regrets at the end of the day. This song is a great reminder of what we should be doing daily. We should give our worries to God and live our lives in the moment because truly at the end of the day we don’t want to have any regrets. We want to have that…
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The Grass Isn’t Always Greener
Putting Godly Principles Above Profit and Ease God called Abram to leave Egypt and go to Canaan, where God would bless and make him renowned. Abram listened to the call and left with his family, including his nephew Lot. When they reached Canaan, Abram’s and Lot’s herdsmen began to dispute. Abram was the elder and leader of the group, but rather than take the best land for himself and leave the rest to Lot, Abram gave Lot the first choice. Lot took the best land in the Jordan Valley near Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham gave Lot the first choice because his relationship with Lot was more important. Lot chose the…
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A Tribute for Father’s Day
Father’s play an important role in their family. Fathers are the head of the household. They provide stability, love, an example, and lead the family. It is only right that we honor them with a day dedicated to them. Let’s elaborate on the four things that fathers provide. Fathers lead the family God’s way and the Bible by example. Just as God is a huge example for us. God provided us the Bible for us to learn and be an example of what we should do and how we should live our lives. God our Father has an amazing amount of love for each one of us. His love is…
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A Devotional for the Anxious Heart: James 1:2-4
Scripture: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness . And let that steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 ESV) Thought: God is wise and all-knowing. He allows us to encounter difficult circumstances to mold us and shape us, but he is never far away. We should rejoice, even in our difficulties. God is using those difficulties to grow us. By our faith, we will emerge victorious. Application: It is hard to rejoice in suffering. The flesh wants to engage in self-pity and justifying worldly…
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Parental Sin: Modeling Repentance for Your Children
I must admit the idea of generational sin has made me both angry and terrified. First, angry because I didn’t want to be responsible for anyone else’s sin, and second, terrified because of the overwhelming guilt I would feel causing someone else to sin. The truth is that we all sin and our children are often witnesses to our sin. They also remember our sins quite clearly! I can attest to that as a parent of adult children. But they also remember our repentance. About ten years ago, I was in the store with my kids who were around nine and 12 years old at the time. The week had…
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Broken, Stubborn and Unworthy: Responding to God’s Call
I recently read through Exodus and Jonah, one on my read-through the Bible in a year project and another as a study my sister led. Reflecting upon both, I was struck by how much I resonated with Moses and Jonah. When God finally called on Moses to deliver his people out of slavery, he found him as a fugitive shepherd having wandered in the wilderness for 40 years after he had murdered an Egyptian. Moses did not exactly have a stellar past. Moses was also shy and awkward in public speaking (Exodus 4:10-12) and not charismatic in nature. Rather than let Moses get out of the call, God provided a…
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Working Geniuses and God-Given Talents
Take a Look at 6 Working Geniuses and Your Natural Talents A genius by no means am I! However, I wanted to reflect on an exercise we did last fall at our annual planning retreat for work. I sell real estate, aid in running our construction business, homeschool and am a contributor to this blog. In preparing for our retreat, we took an assessment that reviewed our 6 working geniuses by The Table Group. The Table Group states that everyone has natural, God-given talents when it comes to work (and my guess is…life in general). After answering a number of questions, you are provided with your results. Although there are…
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A Tribute to Mother’s Day
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:25-31 Mothers play…
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A Devotional for the Anxious Heart: 1 Peter 5:6-7
Scripture: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.” (ESV) Thought: Our pride, or refusal to depend on God and be subject to him) often is the root of my anxiety. Pride keeps us captive to worry, anxiety, and dread because we are constantly trying to be “enough”. We are not enough on our own—never have been, never will be. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit are we made whole, new creations in Christ. Application: What do you do with worry? Are you humble enough to…
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A Review of The Jesus Revolution Movie
My husband and I recently watched the new movie The Jesus Revolution. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t exactly sure what the movie was about before we watched it. We were bored on a Saturday night and looking for something to do. For those of you who haven’t seen or heard of the movie, the movie portrays the rise of the Jesus Movement in the early 1970s from the perspective of the pastor and members of the Calvary Chapel church in Costa Mesa, CA. The movie is based on true events and the lives of Pastor Chuck Smith, street preacher Lonnie Frisbee, and member and future pastor/evangelist Greg Laurie. It covers a…
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What is the importance of relationships and the vulnerability in your faith journey?
I have spent much of my faith journey traveling alone and didn’t realize it. And, I am now realizing how harmful that has been in limiting my spiritual growth. I know, it doesn’t sound like it makes much sense, but let me explain a bit more. For those of you who have been with us for a while, you know that I have been a life-long believer in Jesus Christ. I really don’t remember a time when I didn’t know him or believe in him. I have always been a member of a church and usually very active, with ebbs and flows depending on my life circumstances. I also grew…
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A Multi-generational Bible Study Review
What is the Impact of Relationship on Spiritual Growth? In the fall of last year, my mom and sisters and I embarked on a weekly bible study. Sometimes, my daughter also joins. It took me a while to realize that we had started a multi-generational bible study. It took me even longer to realize the significance of what a multi-generational bible study meant. The first book we decided to walk through was “How People Grow” by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. The book walks through the importance of relationship in growing spiritually. What we have found in doing the study together is that they are right, relationships are key to…
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Easter Blessings Are Here — “He Is Risen”
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 What significance this verse has on Easter. God loved us so much that he gave up his son’s life so that we could have eternal life with him (that is for whoever believes in him). On this very important Christian holiday, we celebrate Jesus’s resurrection and being raised from the dead. How wonderful it is to know that he paid the price our sins. That should in itself be enough to never want to sin again, yet we fall short. O but my dear…
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A Devotional for the Anxious Heart: Proverbs 3:5-6
Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on you own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV) Thought: How often have you sought understanding through the world or your feelings? Is all your anxiety connected to a real and present danger? Often the condition of heart reflects the insecurities we take on from the expectations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. When we act upon these fears, we often make our situation even more difficult. We add fuel to the fire, rather than cooling the flames with the truth of God’s love and guidance. …
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The Five-Minute Trade Off of Time
Choosing a Different Rabbit Trail–Social Media Vs. Biblical Study A minute here, a swipe there. All so innocent, right? Or maybe not. Most days a person that engages in social media spends an average of 147 minutes per day viewing different social media platforms. Yes…you are spot on with your math…. that is 2 hours and 27 minutes!! This is something I struggle with at times. I justify taking a look for work…LOL! Yes….I say what if I have a new message from a potential client? What if I have new likes or comments that need a response? I am continually told in my industry that response time is the…
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Spring Cleaning and Spiritual Cleaning
What comes to mind when you think about spring cleaning? Perhaps it is cleaning windows, dusting, washing the bed sheets, and so on. Maybe it is going through closets and cupboards and getting rid of excess stuff we no longer use or need. The feeling of getting our spring cleaning done is one of energy and a sense of renewal and ready for what comes. Have you ever added to your spring-cleaning list a spiritual cleaning. What does spiritual cleaning look like. The bible tells us to draw near to God and cleanse ourselves from within. Let’s take a look at Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O…
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Spiritual Growth:
Identify feelings and behaviors that are holding you back Depending upon what you are reading, people have different names for the feelings and behaviors that hold us back from growing spiritually. Some people call them sins. Some roadblocks. Others, character defects. I tend to like the term character defects or patterns of sin. The feelings and behaviors that hold us back are not one-offs, but usually patterns of behavior or emotional reactions that we have developed over time to make sense of life, cope with life, or get what we want. The important thing about character defects is that what once may have been helpful creates problems in our lives…
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Find the Misery and Make a Rule
I recently listened to a podcast from Dr. Henry Cloud, where he presented a simple but powerful idea. When things aren’t going well in life, if we are struggling with feeling depressed or directionless, perhaps finding the source of the misery and making a rule about it is the best advice we can get. Let me give you an example from my own life. I had a period of feeling anxious and overwhelmed this fall. I felt hopeless, fatigued, and generally depressed about much of life. I admit I spent more time being in this funk than I did doing anything about it. I almost wore it like a warm…
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A Devotional for the Anxious Heart: Psalm 23:4
Scripture: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.” (ESV) Thought: Psalm 23 paints a picture of a shepherd watching over his flock. As believers, we are part of this flock. Because of David’s relationship with God, he experiences rest, renewal, righteousness, comfort, blessing, mercy, and a place in God’s house. In the entire of this psalm, God is the giver and David is the receiver. Because of God’s graciousness and love, David lacks nothing. We lack nothing. Application: We are the recipients of God’s grace, mercy, and goodness.…
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Review: The James Method of Bible Study
The Bible holds a vast amount of knowledge, and there are many ways to study that knowledge. I have used a variety of methods over the years. In some cases, the method chosen has been dictated by purpose. I use academic exegetical analysis methods if I am engaging in academic work. For my everyday bible study, I have used the SOAP (scripture, observation, application, prayer) method or prewritten bible studies on specific texts or topics. Recently, I decided to undertake a series of biblical topics using the James Method. The James Method incorporates several components, including: Overall, I am enjoying the process. I love words, so the verse mapping component…
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Sunday School–Part 3: The Shortcomings of Application in Today’s World
Moving Forward So far, we have touched on how Sunday School started and how churches are teaching it today. Unfortunately, we continue to see the decline of churches and congregations everywhere. We see churches allowing things that do not reflect what God tells us in the Bible. All of this causes us sinners to further question our faith and where we can find leaders, pastors, churches and fellow believers that truly follow the words of the Bible. We now live in a time where we are seeing not one, not two, but three and four generations of people who have not grown up reading the word. They have no understanding…
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Sunday School–Part 2: Where We Are Today
Watered Down Teachings I have attended Sunday School since I was a child and have continued as an adult. Yet, as I do Bible studies, attend Sunday school, and read my Bible, I still encounter moments that I don’t know the next step or wonder if I have always had it wrong. I have ventured into being a homeschool mom in the last couple of years and it has opened me to view learning through a different lens. I look at each part of our curriculum as to how to present and what the outcome will be. It has brought me to look at how we teach and learn about…
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Sunday School–Part 1: History & Establishment
Childlike Faith I have come to write this article as a reflection of thoughts and perceptions in my personal life. I have a highly sensitive son that struggles with the chaos and unpredictability of Sunday School. We have tried and tried again and not found it to be a comfortable atmosphere for him. By the time he may get adjusted, class has ended for the day or the year. In going through the attempts of getting him to go each year, I have struggled as a mom with the thought that he is missing out. Therefore, I asked myself…“missing out on what?” This is a three part series on Sunday…
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Magical Thinking: Does God have a magic wand?
So far, we have reviewed the sin, truth, and experiential models of human growth. Finally, the supernatural model, while it has lots of variations, focuses on a type of magical healing and deliverance—the Holy Spirit will make things change if you just believe. I like to refer to this model as the magical thinking “poofing” model! It wasn’t until recently, and a bit before we started the How People Grow (Cloud & Townsend, 2001) Bible study, that I recognized how much magical or fairy tale thinking I have relied on during my life. I loved to read as a kid, anything and everything. Most of the books in my house…
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The Experiential Model: I am my experience.
Last week we discussed the truth model of human growth, as discussed in How People Grow (Cloud & Townsend, 2001). This week we will cover the experiential model. The experiential model urges you to find the pain in your life and deal with it. When I think of this model, I picture laying on a fainting couch and having Sigmund Freud hypnotize me to find long-buried memories of how my parents or loved ones tormented me in my youth and past. While this isn’t quite what this model espouses, much of the model does rest in rooting out pain and resentment and processing it out of the body. Again, as…
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The Truth Model: The Truth Will Set You Free
Last week we discussed the sin model of human growth, as discussed in How People Grow (Cloud & Townsend, 2001). This week we will cover the truth model. The truth model argues that if we just understand truth, we will be set free from sin and struggle. The underlying premise behind the truth model is that if you don’t experience “freedom in Christ,” you lack or don’t understand the “truth”. The solution? Read, study, and memorize scripture. If you do this enough, eventually, you will be set free and know the truth not just in your mind but also in your heart (Cloud & Townsend, 2001). I can see this…
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The Sin Model: The limits of confessing sin.
My mother, sisters, and I have recently started a bible study together. I ran across a study called How We Grow by Henry Cloud and John Townsend (2001). I have previously worked with and used materials related to boundaries created by this duo and was interested in reading more of their information. As licensed psychologists and believers, their work focuses on bringing biblical truth to light regarding personal and relational issues. The study, so far, has been enlightening, and I plan on sharing a few of our insights from the study over the next few weeks and months. The first enlightenment I received was four different models of how people…
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January Devotional from Psalm 3:5
Scripture: “I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.” Psalm 3:5 Thought: This verse is part of a psalm of David where he cries out to God for safety as he flees from his son Absalom. Imagine the state David might have been in, overwhelmed by his enemies, including his own flesh and blood. Whom could he trust? Where could he turn? How could he find rest for his spirit and body? Verse five of this psalm says that he lay down and slept. Imagine the trust David had to lay down and rest despite the danger around him. Action: In what area of life…
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Welcoming a New Year
“For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, because our days on earth are as a shadow.” Job 8:9 As we close 2022 and look to 2023, may we be reminded of that each day is a blessing. We hope that you have enjoyed the many perspectives, thoughts and direction that we have provided to you this year. We have amazing things planned for 2023 and can’t wait for you to join us on the journey. Blessings, The Ladies of Rhubarb & Rubbish–Jessica Clemens, Liz Hunt & Carrie Guthmiller
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Christmas Devotional from Isaiah 7:14
Scripture: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 Thought: Immanuel means “God with us.” Stop for just a moment and think about the significance of that meaning. God with us. God isn’t somewhere out there. He is here, now, in this moment. Can you feel Him? Do you hear Him? Application: So often, among the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, we find ourselves without time to “be” with God. We are doing a lot, but not being a lot. We might have those brief moments of connection, a Christmas…
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Singing Together During the Holidays: Musicians Make It “Singable”
I am a huge music lover. I have played piano since I was five and am a decent amateur church pianist. I look forward every year to hearing the sounds of traditional holiday music, both church and some secular. For years, I played with the church praise and worship team. One of my essential requirements for playing with a team was that the team chose songs with meaning and songs that the rest of the congregation could easily sing. What does this eliminate? Most of the radio versions of popular Christian music. Why does this eliminate them? Because most of the songs on the radio aren’t singable by average churchgoers…
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Preparation and Prayer: The Advent of Our Lord
Today I am home waiting out a winter storm that may bring us up to 18 inches of white fluffy snow. As I sit looking out the window, my mind has been absently thinking about the details of the upcoming holiday season. Have I ordered this? I should start working on that. Hmm, I wonder if so and so is going to stop by? As a woman and mother, planning is a big part of my life. And, I tend to over plan! However, this year my planning is taking a somewhat different perspective. I’ve been thinking more and more about advent. Christmas gets most of the attention, and for…
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December Devotional–The Book of Luke
The Book of Luke “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” Luke 11:28 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” Luke 12:31 It is important to spend time in the word every day. Some days are busy and just more challenging to get that accomplished, but that doesn’t mean on those busier days we can’t just spend more time in prayer. As we are in the beginning of December it is sometimes so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. This is the time…
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Only Two Ways to Live: Slave or Adopted Child
Our fallen nature is that of a self-seeking, self-willed sinful creature. We want what we want, when we what it and how we want it. Living propelled by self, we live as slaves to our desires and orphans in a broken world. But, we have a choice. The one and only choice that matters in this world is choosing to trust God. Seems easy enough, right? Cue the selfish flesh that plagues us throughout life on earth. I am learning to trust in God and not just use him as a quick-stop pick-me-up, but I’m also learning it takes time and commitment to develop and build a relationship with God.…
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Thanksgiving: Blessings & Thanks Abound
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 This week we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. I am sure you and your family will enjoy a decadent meal with all the trimmings just as mine did. I love all of the delicious food and smells that that holiday brings. I don’t relish that I always have a bite or two too many or that sometimes we eat leftovers for days. The first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 by the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans. This feast was to share the autumn harvest and its bountifulness. As most know,…
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Sourdough: Bubbling to Make a Masterpiece
I have had for a long time on my bucket list to begin using sourdough starter for baking. I’ve read. I’ve bought the books. I’ve read again. However, I have just not taken the time to start. There has always been this or that to do instead. Many thanks to one of my sisters, I was given a jar of sourdough starter. Sourdough starter is fermented flour and water. The definitions of ferment are: Clearly in baking the definition is tied to the first definition above. For those that don’t know, sourdough is a process. There is an amount of accuracy that is involved to ensure that you have a…
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Cottonwood Trees (Populus Deltoides): Healing by the Balm of Gilead
Yes, today I’m writing about trees. Cottonwoods, to be exact. Growing up in the upper Midwest, cottonwood trees, specifically, the populus deltoides variety, are a staple part of the landscape. A large shade tree that loves the wet areas near rivers and streams, the tree grows rapidly and boasts bright green leaves in the summer and golden yellow in the fall. The Native American populations have revered the tree throughout the generations, as they used the large portions of the trunk for dugout canoes, the bark for medicinal tea, and the young sprouts and inner bark were eaten for the high nutritional value (Forney, NDSU, Nature at Confluence). Pioneers use…
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November Devotional: Psalm 1:1-3
Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (NIV) Thought: Walk with the wicked. Stand with the sinners. Sit with mockers. We have a choice. We choose where to walk, where to stand, and where to…
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What Podcasts Are We Listening To?
A quit overview. All three of us love listening to podcasts. It’s a great way to keep up with current events and ideas while scrubbing the floor or folding laundry–one of the few times I believe multi-tasking is acceptable. Below I have listed a few that I listen to regularly. Please note that just because I listen to them doesn’t mean I agree with everything they say. I choose podcasts that provide me with a variety of content, expand my understanding, and may even challenge my assumptions about things. Alisa Childers: The Alisa Childers Podcast (https://alisachilders.com/podcast/) Alisa is a rockstar at apologetics and hosts some very interesting guests while discussing…
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My Comfy Shirt & Tattered Pages
In the spring of every year, I anticipate the time when I can put on a pair of flip flops or walk in the lush grass barefoot. I enjoy every minute of gathering natural Vitamin D. And true to myself, every fall comes and I can’t wait for the moment that I can start to layer, wear cozy socks, put on a big comfy shirt and enjoy a cup of steaming hot coffee. There is nothing better than pulling on that oversized, well worn, perfect fit comfy shirt or sweatshirt when the weather finally allows. Comfy shirts take time to develop. They are usually well worn, sometimes have a stain…
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Hiding Anger: Masking Our True Identities
I have been spending a lot of time thinking about anger lately. I suppose that might seem like a funny thing to be thinking about, but I’m finding it to be deep, complex, and insidious in my life. I started along this path some time ago because I knew I struggle with some unprocessed emotions from traumatic experiences in my life. Let me tell you a bit about my journey. Most people that know me would say that I am one of the most easy-going, gracious, and kind people they have ever met. Measured in my speech, always looking for a way to compromise, and certainly never prone to angry…
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Devotional for October from Psalm 32:10
Scripture: “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.” ~Psalm 32:10 Thought: What creates sorrow? Might it be that sorrow stems mainly from our expectations and our perceptions? Sometimes we have expectations for how things should be. Admit it. You have big expectations at times. Your birthday arrives and you wake after a full night of deep and restful sleep to the smell of your spouse cooking a fresh breakfast and the day includes calls and birthday wishes and the most thoughtful present from your kids. Perfect, accept that you were really up half the night with a stiff neck…
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Call to Action: Christians supporting: Covenants, Life, and Family
Abortion isn’t just a right-to-life issue. The act of abortion results from a series of acts of rebellion against God’s commandments, including how as a society, approach sex and marriage, how we view creation, and the way we support family, both nuclear and church families. Again, there are more reasons, but these are just a few that rise to the top as critical. Sex and Marriage I doubt I need to produce evidence of the increase in premarital sex, living together before marriage, or even choosing to partner but not marrying in our society. I’m a part of this statistic. I have had premarital sex, and I have lived with…
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A Christian Perspective on Abortion
Introduction When I approached my sisters about writing a response to the current abortion debate, we were all a bit hesitant. Our mission at Rhubarb and Rubbish isn’t political, not even close. However, the more we discussed it, the more we felt we needed to put it out in the world. First and foremost, abortion is a biblical issue, as it deals with life, creation, and our connection to others. Second, all three of us have experienced harassment over our pro-life views at one time or another. Third, all three of us have recognized that in most cases that harassment stemmed from a lack of understanding of why we hold…
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Mourning and Celebrating at the Same Time: A Paradox of Faith
It is September, which means we are moving into fall schedules or readjusting to them. School, church activitiees, and holiday planning are here or else on the near horizon. I love fall. The cooler temperatures, the beauty of the changing leaves, the smell of crisp morning air, and the anticipation of cuddling by the fire. I celebrate all of these things. But, I also mourn. I mourn the loss of the daylight sun. I mourn the loss of time outdoors and the energy that comes from it. I mourn the loss of freedom for the children, as they move indoors and behind desks. I am reminded today, as I write,…
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Devotional for September: Zephaniah 3:17
Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Thought: The prophet Zephaniah warns the Israelites of the coming Day of the Lord. A book full of God’s judgment but also tempered by the hope of his grace and mercy. The devotional verse focuses on God’s presence in our midst, his mercy, and his love. Without God, we are on a slow march to death and destruction. With God, we are saved, created new–the old has…
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Community, Anniversaries & Absence: Where are the young people?
My husband and I had the great opportunity to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of our Pastor and his wife this past weekend. The celebration was a laid-back affair with cake and coffee, some fun guessing games, and a dance. My husband and I did get at least one dance in, something we rarely ever do. The following day I was thinking about the event and realized that my husband and I were one of only a few younger couples. The majority of the attendees were older, near retirement, or retired individuals and couples, particularly the attendees that weren’t family members. The realization had me wondering where were all the…
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Are You a Sprinter or Long-Distance Runner?
Running the race God has set before us On Sunday, I had the pleasure of hearing a sermon preached by a former pastor. Pastor John will be 86 this fall. On the day of the service, he got up and drove 3.5 hours to preach at 9:30 am and had plans to eat and drive home later that day. Ironically enough, his sermon text focused on Hebrews 12:1-3 and highlighted how we are to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (NIV). In Pastor John’s sermon, he mentioned a former classmate of his that ran long-distance track events. The young man would always burst out in front at…
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Earthly Relationships as a Reflection of Our Relationship with God
I recently read in my daily devotional that our earthly relationships reflect the state of our relationship with God (Welch, 2021). When I first read it, I thought, ‘Sure, that makes sense.’ Then I stopped, ‘Wait, what does that mean?’ The devotional discussed the impact of shame on our relationships, particularly when we disappoint others. I thought back to times as a child when I knew my parents would be disappointed when they found out about something I did or did not do—that speeding ticket, a lost class assignment, the garbage still sitting by the back door. Sometimes, okay often, when I knew disappointment would be the reaction, I would…
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Lessons from a River Turtle: Live by Faith, Not By Sight
If you have been following our blog for some time, you may remember that I frequently write about my two black labs, Blue and Tex. As all good labs, Blue and Tex possess an energy level that requires active play each and every day. Every morning I load them up and take them to a wooded area by the river about a mile from our house to let them sniff and explore followed by a few dozen retrieves. Earlier this spring the dogs sniffed out a river turtle laying eggs on the shore. It is not unusual to see snapping turtles on the river. A few weeks ago, when I…
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Learning how to SIT with Jesus.
I’ve done daily devotionals for years, but I need to confess something about my efforts. I go through streaks of inconsistency. Sometimes I miss a day here and there. Other times, I miss weeks at a time. Sometimes I start a study and then my interest dwindles and I tuck it away in a cupboard. Even when I am being diligent, sometimes I’m just going through the motions. I read and say, “Yes, Lord. Good to know. I should work on that.” I used to think that my lackluster performance was due to the demands of life, the ebbs and flows of energy, and a lack of diligence on my…
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Staying Present: Lessons from Labrador Retrievers
Earlier today my sister called me to go over some plans for the week. I had an installer arrive at my house during the conversation and everything past that point, I can’t recall any details. Earlier this week, I was trying to draft an email while listening to a podcast. Good thing I proofed the email before I sent it! In both cases, and in many others in my life, I was and am not present. I know I am not alone and that many of you can resonate. We live in a busy world full of things that vie for our attention. Some of those things are regrets of…
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Covered in Righteousness: Do I Really Understand the Magnitude?
I have heard the concept of being “clothed in righteousness” most of my life. And, I have understood for a long time that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross allows me to be righteous and holy despite my sin. However, I think you may be similar to me in that as I go about my daily life I don’t necessarily “get” the magnitude of what this means. I recently started a new daily devotional about why we hide (Welch, 2021). The very first day focused on the texts from Genesis 1-3. I was particularly taken aback reading 3:21, which states, “ And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of…
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The Opportunity Cost
Opportunities abound us everywhere. There are opportunities at home, work, social situations, and education. Most times there are more opportunities than we can possibly decide which or what is best. I just finished a great read that is a kick-off for a business learning book for my son. “Katie Bell and the Wishing Well” by Nephi Zufelt. Is a great read even for adults as a reminder of what we should truly be working for. As I read through the book, Katie Bell’s parents and grandparents were teaching her what the opportunity cost was to her doing business she was inspired to do in order to get rich. They shared…
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Trading all the “likes” for an hour of depth
Today I write this article as a challenge to myself as well as to share my thoughts with all of our readers. I often can’t count how many times a day I use my phone to check for new notifications, emails, and texts. Yes, I do a lot of work from my phone as that is what my job requires. However, will the world end if I wait an hour or two? Or would it be more enriched with me spending an hour of depth doing something more meaningful? Yes, I love receiving a FaceBook like or an Instagram love as well as giving them to all of my friends.…
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Devotional for July: Matthew 4:4
Scripture: Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Thought: We can not go about life by ourselves, we need God by our side. We need to read and study the scriptures. We need to spend time in prayer with God. God is just and will help us to not be in worry and trust him. Action: We need to spend time daily with God. Daily devotions or praying and meditating on his word. Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, We pray that you would surround us with your presence today and every day.…
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Forgiveness
We should forgive others as the Bible says we should, but sometimes it isn’t easy. We need to forgive others if they have wronged just as God forgives us. When we forgive others it helps us to have a better relationship with them and with God. Colossians 3:13 says, “Make allowance for other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” This verse says a lot. We all have faults but we can’t hold it against them. We need to forgive just as God has forgiven us. We shouldn’t hold a grudge either because holding a grudge only leads to bitterness.…
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Speaking Truth in Love: Sometimes, we must begin small.
I struggle to speak the truth in love. Why? I want to please people and keep the peace. I have done this since I was a small child. I want the people I am around and love to feel accepted and supported. The problem with this is that sometimes my silence allows those that I love to sin. And, without correction from other believers, we will keep on sinning. Recently, I had an opportunity to practice speaking the truth in love in a small way. I was visiting with an elderly relative and several other family members. The elderly relative made a comment that I looked like I had really…
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Idols: Our focus determines our devotion
Merriam-Websters online dictionary gives one definition of an idol as “an object of extreme devotion”. The online dictionary defines devotion as “religious fervor”, “the act of prayer or private worship”, and the “fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal”. I’m going to ask you a question and I want you to take a long moment to truly think about the answer. On a typical day, what do you spend most of your time devoted to doing or focusing on? If you answered God, good for you, you are in the minority. My guess is that most of us want to be able to honestly say that we devote…
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Do I have to wait?
The definition of patience is to stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens. We live in a world where we always want the latest new things. The internet and cell phones allow us to always have access, and with two-day shipping, we don’t have to wait. We live in a society where a lot of things are on-demand and accessible 24/7. We often don’t have to wait or if we do it’s not for long. While some things are nice not to have to wait for, others it is perfectly ok to have to wait. We need to learn to wait…
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Oh…Those Days!
We have all had those days. The days when what we thought we were going to accomplish didn’t happen. Days where you are dog-tired at the end of the day. After all you have done, that to-do list never got completely finished. I can admit I used to make a lot of to-do lists. I was never able to completely check off everything on that list. At the end of the day, I felt overwhelmed that it didn’t get done. I was tired at the end of the day, thinking about what didn’t get done. I know God is watching us and looking at how we react or respond to…
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“Do I Have to Go?”
Keeping to my theme of asking monotonous questions, my next one is “do I have to go?” This has been another hot question at our home. We all find our schedules full of events and obligations. This time of the year seems to be much more with confirmations, graduations, and more. My son, who needs lots of rest, asks this often for even basic things like getting to church on Sunday or when he is asked to run errands. I have found myself looking at work events or large family events and thinking that if we just had that night or weekend off it would be amazing. So yes, sometimes…
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“Are We There Yet?”: Patience to Make it to Your Goal
As we hit the height of summer travels, this is a question that is asked extensively from small souls in the back seat of our vehicles. The days of travel get long, the miles are endless and the memories are amazing! However, how many times are we asked “are we there yet” during vacation trips or sometimes just across town? I always reply with the standard responses…”almost”, “a few miles to go”, or “honey, we just started out.” I love this time spent on the road with my loved ones, but always am glad when this question isn’t asked. It has reminded me as well that some of my conversations…
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Contentment: No Matter the Circumstances
During a conversation I had this past week, I was complaining about the weather turning warm and not having my central air conditioning connected to the house. We are in the midst of an outdoor landscaping project and the unit needed to be disconnected. As the conversation progressed, I laughed at myself and said, “Wow, how soft I am! Imagine what I would complain about 75 years ago living on the prairie in a clapboard house with no central heating except a pot-bellied stove and certainly no central air conditioning! Here I am in the 21st century, living in a first-world country with all of the modern conveniences at my…
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Pray Ugly: Meeting God Broken and Raw
A couple of weeks ago my mother and I took a road trip for some appointments. As usual, on the way, our conversation went all over the place but always centered around God and how we can live our lives more centered around Christ. In the course of that day’s conversation, we both confessed to each other that it was hard for us to meet God when we were experiencing deep brokenness, the times when we needed to meet Him most. In the end, we both decided that we didn’t like to “pray ugly”. I’ve been thinking deeply about that conversation and why I won’t get ugly with God, the…
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Is it officially summer?
As I write this article we are forecasted for a high of 47 today with rain. Hardly seems like spring is even here. Yet, most of us look to have Memorial Day weekend be our official summer kick-off. There are graduations, camping trips, and barbeques planned for many. We delight in the fact that the lazy days of summer are near. However, as most of us do, we pack too much into our summer. Instead of jam-packing everything, let’s take a look at how to simplify our summer and have time to enjoy the sun and fun! Whatever you do, enjoy each and every day. Summer goes quickly so keep…
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Book Review: “The Proximity Principle” by Ken Coleman
I love a good, quick read that offers insightful information or reminders of how we often complicate the simple things. As a person that has read and completed many of Dave Ramsey’s books, and courses and is a listener of his show, I have been able to see Ken Coleman become the person he is today. In The Proximity Principle, Ken offers three parts to focus on to get you to the career you love. They are people, places, and practices. He breaks down each aspect and gives simple steps to help an individual master the concept. I didn’t necessarily get this book to find the career I love. I…
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Summer…Enjoy It to the Fullest
My kids got out of school last week and now it’s summer vacation. I anticipate every year when school will end and my kids will be home for the summer. I enjoy the warmer weather and seeing them play outside. I enjoy the moments in between farming when they will talk my husband and me into playing a game of badminton. Rainy days get to be spent in the house with all of us catching up on things like watching our favorite show with some popcorn, reading, or maybe just resting so we will be ready for the next phase of farming when the weather allows. The kiddos spend a…
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The Unexpected
Yesterday was a day when I thought I was going to the field to sit in the tractor to prepare the ground for the air seeder to plant. We knew there was a small chance of rain, but we did get enough that prevented me from going to the field. However, the day was not a total loss. I got some house cleaning and paperwork done. I also found some time in the morning to put a 100-piece puzzle together with my youngest daughter. There are days when the unexpected happens (rain in my situation) that prevents us from doing what we initially planned. But we should look back at…
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Good-bye Sugar: Hello green smoothies!
So, my most recent health diagnosis is drumroll please, Lyme disease. Yep, chronic Lyme seems to be the underlying cause of my past and continued health issues. COVID just happened to have pushed my immune system over the top and the underlying Lyme made itself very known. In some ways, I’m happy about the diagnosis. It explains a lot. In other ways, I am disappointed. From what I understand, Lyme never goes away. The best hope is to get it under control and the immune system working at peak performance to keep the symptoms at bay. Supporting the immune system involves optimizing sleep, reducing stress, supporting detoxification, and feeding the…
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Saturday Morning Cartoons Replacement: Time with Jesus
I grew up in the 80s, the heyday of Saturday morning cartoons. Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, and Elmer Fudd, to name a few. I’ll be honest in saying I’m not even sure if kids watch Saturday morning cartoons anymore. Cable TV is a thing of the past, and on demand, television provides access to their favorites at all times. They don’t need to wait for Saturday morning to come. In the years I raised my kids, Saturday morning cartoons were still a thing. I remember using their distraction as a time to catch up on household chores, sit a read a book, or plan for the week. Now, my kids…
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Finding Me–As a Homeschool Mom
A few days ago, I wrote about our decision to homeschool and the blessings that we have found. Today I want to touch on how in some ways I have found myself. Sounds strange that at almost 50, I am proclaiming to have found myself, as you may ask, what I have been doing for my whole life. However, I am reminded that we are always a work in progress and sometimes it just takes a little longer. I have had days in the past year that, between work fatigue, homeschool fatigue, mom fatigue, and wife fatigue, I just shed a few tears. I wonder why God laid it on…
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Journey of a New Homeschool Mom
I thought writing this post seemed appropriate as we are nearing the end of a school year. I took the plunge to be a homeschool mom this year! What a decision, what a blessing and what a life changer for me. In this post, I will touch on how I got here and some of the blessings; and in our next post, I will share how it has changed me. The decision to homeschool actually was a long time in the making and a one I wish we would have done sooner. If I was true to myself, it is something that I have always wanted to do. There is…
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Responding to Patience
Patience is defined as the ability to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting upset. I think we all have different amounts of patience. Some of us have a lot, and some of us, not so much. It also may depend on the situation at hand and the degree of patience. As a farmer, we need to have a lot of patience. We rely on the weather constantly and many other things as well. For instance, the weather we have had this April and into the first part of May has been extremely challenging, especially for those calving. The verse I like to think of is James 5:7…
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Life isn’t Fair!
How many times have we heard that, or we have said that to our children? I have often thought that in various situations, life isn’t fair, and that’s not quite the way life should be viewed. Remember our Bible stories about how God created each and every one of us uniquely. So our situations in life are different from one another and unique. All of us have different approaches to how we do and process life. God has a unique and different journey for each of our lives. God is merciful and has given us all a chance for eternity in heaven if we just believe and accept him. So…
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When you can’t finish well. Crashing into the end zone.
Last year about this time, I wrote a post on finishing well. As a college professor, the dawning of May always brings thoughts of finishing well. I must admit that I am unable to finish well this year. Trust me, I have every desire to finish well. Unfortunately, my body isn’t letting me. I mentioned in an earlier post about my post COVID struggle. We are still investigating its roots, but one truth remains: I cannot function at 100%. I am attempting to complete the semester requirements as best I can, letting much of the household tasks wait, and have completely abandoned all my extras. My post from last year…
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Where are you, spring? Waiting on the promises.
Living in the upper Midwest, I know that spring will eventually come. However, having had a blizzard followed two days later by a couple more inches of snow and icy roads making Easter travel hazardous, spring feels very far away. Not what any of us wanted or expected this Easter! I have many relatives who are farmers, and late spring storms can cause immense problems for calving and getting into the fields to prepare them for planting. In fact, these storms can be significant enough to make or break a farmer’s year. My husband, as a contractor, is also often at the mercy of the weather. The weather this past…
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Taking our Success out of the Hands of Others
As a business owner, I am continually trying to do what is best for my business. As a multi-business owner, I am looking for ways to make one action work for all or more than one of my platforms. I am constantly bombarded by suggestions, emails, and theories on how to do this; you should be doing this, and of course, if you don’t do X, Y, and Z, you will fail. However, I have successfully made it this far, so I can’t be doing things wrong. However, this spring, as I have worked through a number of challenges, I have realized that no matter what I do in my…
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Having the Grocery Store Blues
I rarely find that our blog is one to be a place for me to complain. Instead only to help, heal and give inspiration and motivation. However, on my most recent trips to the grocery store and gas station, it truly leaves me a little blue. I walk down each aisle and wonder how did pricing change so quickly and in vast amounts? How did we become a society where it is now an everyday occurrence that the shelves are found empty and out of stock? We do live in America…the greatest country in the world we say. I have come home a time or two from the store without…
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Prayer or a Conversation with God?
How often have you started to pray and then paused or just stopped altogether because you weren’t sure how to pray? You didn’t want to sound silly or maybe we think we need to have these fancy prayers that are well thought out and are almost like they are prewritten. We are trying to pray to God, and we certainly don’t want to sound silly. The thing is, God already knows us inside and out. He has seen us at our best and at our worst. I have been trying to think of prayer more as having a conversation with God. The Bible says we should pray without ceasing and…
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Gratitude Challenge
What is gratitude? The definition states that it means to be thankful or the readiness to show appreciation or return of kindness. And the verse in Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” When we look around at not only all the things we have but the family we are surrounded by daily, we should always display an attitude of gratitude. God has truly blessed us with the greatest sacrifice of all, his son. God didn’t complain at all; he did it with a grateful heart. Sometimes as we go about our day-to-day life it’s hard to have or…
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April Devotional: You Can’t Hide From God
Scripture Verse: Psalm 139: 1-16 “ O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven,…
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I Am Not Enough: Trusting God in the Valley
I have struggled with my health since I was a kid: ear infections, allergies, asthma, endometriosis…to start the list. Somehow through all of these, I learned how to manage the illness through working with my doctor and some minor life modifications. However, this past September, I contracted mono. If you have ever had mono, you know that one of the key symptoms is fatigue. I had struggled with fatigue prior to this for a variety of reasons including allergies, asthma, genetics, and if I’m honest, an achiever lifestyle. Mono exacerbated that to the point that I need to slightly modify my busy schedule. Mono was tough, but I was unlucky…
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Running on Fumes….or Dysfunction????
What a whirlwind this spring has been already! I am loving the warmer weather, the fact the snow is melting, and the signs that I will soon be enjoying my back patio with a glass of wine or cold beer. However, in both my own life and those around me, I have had a constant stream of conversations in the last few weeks about how we are overbooked, tired, and feel like we are running on fumes. Yes, the common phrase people use often is “running on fumes”. It is a state of life in which we are tired and run down….barely making it to the next obligation that we…
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Is my name Peter?
Yes, it is a strange question that starts this article as one, I am a woman, and two, I am not having a memory lapse problem at the moment. My question arises out of my recently read devotionals. Due to the time of year and upcoming Easter holiday, many of the devotions I have read recently are diving into the days and time before Jesus’ crucifixion. We read how Peter denied Jesus three times. Our lives are so full and busy that it is ever so easy to deny what Jesus is calling us to do or how he instructs us to live our lives….that yes, I feel like I…
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Look to the Lord: Every Moment Present
As I sit here looking out my east kitchen window, I can see the sunlight. It looks like it is going to be another gorgeous day with lots of sunshine and warmer temps. I can’t help but feel the need to not waste any second and go out and enjoy it as I do my morning routine of chores on the farm. Ephesians 5:15-17 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” These verses are powerful. They remind us to…
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Embrace the Clutter: Living Life in the Moment
As I sit in my house I look around at the things in my home and ponder… Where is it we spend the most time in our home? Why is it we seem to have stuff sitting around (piles of papers here and there, stuff on the counters, etc)? I look around at my table right now and it has piles of papers on it as I am currently doing bookwork. My counter is full right now with of course the usual coffee maker, kitchen stand mixer, and Tupperware containers full of baked goods. I, like most people, want a clean, uncluttered home when people come to my home and…
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Psalm 46:10 Be Still and Know That I am God
I have a confession. I am really bad at being still. No, I don’t mean physically still. I can veg out with the best of them. The stillness that this Psalm is referring to is stillness or quiet calmness of our spirits, our souls. A peace that passes all understanding. Most days, I have to admit that I have a very restless spirit. A racy mind full of to-do lists, what-ifs, and I’m-not-enough does not a quiet spirit make! The quiet stillness promised by this verse actually comes from believing the second part of the verse, knowing God. Knowing God is both being aware of who He is, the creator,…
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Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts–A Book Review
It’s been a while since we’ve featured a book review. The book under review today was recommended to me by several of my undergraduate students. A group of young women at my university completed a book study of Jennie Allen’s Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts. I wasn’t disappointed. Allen does a splendid job of addressing one of a Christian’s biggest struggles in staying true and in hope, our thoughts. Allen identifies a number of lies that we believe, being helpless, worthless, and unloveable. More importantly, each lie is actually rooted in what we believe about who God is. The solution? We choose to fight.…
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Keeping it simple…Giving it all to God
This last month we celebrated Valentine’s Day. My husband and I have never been over the top with doing much for the day. We are not dependent on having to go out to a nice restaurant, I don’t expect flowers or chocolates for the day and my husband doesn’t expect anything either. We have known, as we have been together for almost thirty years, that at the end of the day the other will be there for them no matter what. That is a gift that can’t be wrapped and it is priceless. We also aren’t huge travelers. So many people we know are in the height of winter traveling…
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Learning & Education…Finding the Right Degree
Education…it is the only thing we do for a number of years of our life. We spend countless hours in a school classroom learning, memorizing, and more. We play, we make friends and life seems full of no worries. As we are told…we are being prepared for being an adult. Then we enter adulthood and we find that we know very little. Yes, we still know 2+2 is 4 but what about navigating buying a home, planning for retirement, starting a new career, and, of course, no one trains you to be a parent. Over the years, I have held a number of positions in various jobs and have loved…
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Treasure vs. Clutter: Deciding What Goes and What Stays
As we near the end of the month, I am anticipating warmer days coming up. Warmer days mean different things for each of us: some may be looking ahead to planning their garden, maybe it’s being able to start using the grill and sit on the deck outside in the evening or for others long days of working outside. I am one of those that will have longer days being outside working as I am a farmer and a rancher (which I enjoy). With the longer days that just means another season is beginning (the season of planting and calving). I am truly blessed to have the occupation that I…
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Learning to Stay in the Moment
Recently, my sisters and I along with my girls, nieces, and mom enjoyed the weekend together just hanging out with no agenda visiting and playing cards. We had our phones and a few brought their computers, but for the most part we unplugged from technology. Don’t get me wrong I’m not against technology, it is wonderful and has its place. But, how often are we to check the latest Facebook post or text message or how many times a day does our phone go off with a notification? I believe just like the earlier articles about Mary and Martha, we should be a little more like Mary. Mary focused on…
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Overloaded, Distracted, and Full of Fear: What should Martha do?
Earlier this week, I posted a transcript of a talk I gave recently on being a Martha (link). After posting it, I thought perhaps I should follow up with a post about some things I’m trying to help keep me focused and redirect me when I do lose focus. Here are just a few things. Lay Down My Burdens In Hebrews 12:1, the author states to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (ESV). God never meant for us to carry more than our own load. His goal rests solely in us seeking him…
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Focus and Fruits: I’m a Martha!
I apologize, this post is longer than usual. I recently spoke at my university’s chapel service and thought the message was one that others might need to hear. The transcript is below. Presented February 2, 2022 Martha and Mary’s entertaining of Jesus in their home is a story that I’m sure most of you have heard numerous times. It’s a classic, in so many ways, and there is a reason that it is repeated often. We need to hear it over and over again, to be reminded. So, here’s our reminder today. I chuckle when I read these verses, as I can imagine Martha running over to Jesus, flour on…
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Is Scouring the Net the Answer?
I love and am amazed at the internet, FaceBook, Instagram, and Pinterest. However, I don’t and never will do all the endless options of social media. I can’t keep up with the latest trend. Should I be on Snapchat? Is Twitter the right fit for me? Do I know what Tumblr even is? We live in a society that seems to not be able to live without the internet, instant access to social media, and a wealth of sources for information that I can’t even name. I find myself always going to the net to find information on our latest family’s health dilemma, how I should be marketing my business,…
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Blessed for the Snow
I wake up to another day for a chance of snow, flurries, and of course where we live more wind. Don’t forget the many days of sub-zero temperatures that we have had to top it off. It has been a long month since the holidays with what seems like snow and wind each day. And yet, I feel blessed. No, I have not lost my marbles…yet! I am feeling blessed that God has given me the opportunity to slow down. Yes, life remains busy with work, school, and everything else. However when the snow is falling and the wind is blowing it truly limits travel here. It is a great…
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Procrastination or Get It Done?
Ok I think we have all been there in saying “I’ll get to it later.” For some things that’s true, like the dishes will still be there or the laundry. On the other hand that’s not always the case with some things as it may come with a deadline we push to the last minute to get done. The bible clearly states that we should not procrastinate. As the verse, Proverbs 13:4 says, “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” I believe that the verse clearly says that not much good comes from procrastination. The one who gets it…
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Devotional for February: Courage
Scripture Verse: Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Devotional Thought: Sometimes we don’t feel very strong or courageous. Life can be hard and some days are just tougher to deal with than others. We need not fear because just as this verse says the Lord God goes with us and leads us. He will never leave us as long as we keep our faith strong. The Lord God gives us the strength and the courage to deal with whatever comes our way.…
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Faith on Fire: Serving
As we continue to explore our Faith on Fire series, we want to take a look at serving. Serving is so broad and can be done in so many ways. I am by nature a server to and of many times to a point of stretching my rope so very thin. I listen, I donate, I serve, I sit on committees and share my talents. I know that God calls us to serve and serving brings me joy. What does serving look like? 1 Peter 4:10 reads “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…” The Bible clearly lets…
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Faith on Fire: Christian Fellowship
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines fellowship as a “community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience.” My response to that definition is, “meh”. Biblically, Christian fellowship is about community with others who share our belief in Jesus Christ and the experiences that stem from that belief. But, that definition does little to express the depth of the biblical sense of Christian fellowship. 1 John 1:3 states, “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (ESV). Our ability to be in fellowship with other Christians…
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Faith on Fire: Praise
“Praise Him in the morning, praise Him in the noontime, praise Him, praise Him.” Just as the song says we should at times praise God. After all, he was the one who created us and has blessed us with so many wonderful things. Just as we as humans like praise, so does God. When someone says or does something nice for us and lets us know it gives us a boost. A positive boost can give us great energy and momentum to get through our days. Praising God can be done in a variety of ways. Just to name a few: going to church, spending fellowship with fellow Christians, singing…
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Faith on Fire: Christian Meditation
I want to be clear that this post is about Christian meditation and not meditation in general, as they are distinctly different things. At one point in time, I did not realize there was a difference and that the difference is profound. New age or Eastern ideas of meditation support the idea of emptying one’s mind, allowing whatever thoughts that surface to just float by, becoming non-reactive. Meditation from this perspective emphasizes personal ability and power to control our circumstances and life. On the other hand, Christian meditation focuses on filling or focusing our minds on God and His Truth. Christian meditation provides a way for the believer to engage…
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Faith on Fire Series Kick-off
What does that mean, to have faith on fire? Faith on fire to me means to be excited about your faith that it shows through in all areas of your life. Yes, we go to church but that’s not all. It is also about igniting that faith so it shows through in our actions, facial expressions, and how we react to each and every situation that comes our way. Faith on fire is about daily prayer and being in God’s word and knowing that he provides for us in His timing. Take a moment to look around you at all the wonderful people and things God has blessed you with.…
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Catch Your Breath…ReGroup
I was initially going to write about the twelve days of Christmas and how they actually extend into January and begin on Christmas Eve. However as I have worked this week to stow away my holiday decor and dust everything off, I realized I truly need a moment of rest. Our upcoming articles this month will focus on Faith on Fire. The reality….my fire has a few sparks at the moment. The holidays bring anticipation, excitement, and joy. And then poof…it is gone in the blink of an eye! We have so much to celebrate during the holiday season–the anticipation of remembering the birth of Christ, anticipation of his return,…
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Faith on Fire: A Christ-centered Approach to Life in 2022
For those of you who have followed the blog for a while, you might have caught on that none of us at Rhubarb and Rubbish are real big fans of New Year’s resolutions. Why, might you ask? Well, it has taken us a while, but I think I am okay to speak for all of us in saying that we feel resolutions are somewhat antithetical to the Christian faith. Let me explain a bit more. As a Christian, I have fully accepted that I am a sinner and powerless in and of myself to become sinless. I’m powerless to do better on my own. If I had the power, I…
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Devotional for January: New Year, New Approach
Scripture for the Week: Psalm 31:23 reads “Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.” Devotional Thought: Happy New Year! It is hard to believe we have turned the calendar once again. When I was younger I was always told time would go faster as I aged. I, of course, didn’t believe any of that. However, as I am more than likely halfway through my life I completely understand. We often hear the phrase “a new year, a new you.” It focuses on trying the latest diet fad, exercising like mad, and trying new…
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Another Year End: Saying Goodbye to 2021
Merry Christmas! Yes, it is still Christmas–until January 5th. How easy it is for us to forget the reason for the season and get back into routines. This year, I challenge you to resist! Take these 12 days and spend them with Jesus. I challenge you to use this time to reflect on 2021 in a new way. Often we come to the end of the year and look at the past year with a critical eye, seeking to find the unmet goals and challenges we failed to meet. Don’t get me wrong, as Christians, we need to always be lifting our lives up to God and asking for guidance…
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The Christ Candle: The Lord Has Come, Amazing Love
Throughout this Advent season, as we waited in expectation, we have reflected on the reason for the season–the coming of Christ the King. Love, joy, and peace have been our focus. The true reason for the season I awoke early this morning, much earlier than usual–try 4 am! It is Christmas Eve. Unlike a young child waking full of anticipation and excitement for days filled with goodies, presents, and play, I awoke with a slew of uncertainties and worries in my heart. Our three adult children would be coming home, how would their significant others feel welcomed in our home? One of our children is struggling with a multitude of…
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Advent Wreath Candle of Peace
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ~Luke 2:14 The verse says we should praise God and give him the glory and we shall receive peace on earth. As we go about our day-to-day lives may we feel the calm and peace that God gives us. As we go about our business we need to stop and take the time to give ourselves some peace and spend some time with the Lord and our families. When we take a moment to stop and rest we feel rejuvenated and ready for the next tasks that we have to accomplish. God will…
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Advent Wreath Candle of Joy
This time of year we are surrounded by many Christmas carols that have joy in the titles, verses, and more. One of my favorites is Joy to the World. This heartwarming song truly brings a smile to your face and heart. There is joy here on earth and in heaven that the Lord has come. Matthew 2:10-11 reads “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” During Advent season it is such a great…
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Advent Wreath Candle of Love
Love, love, love…this word is associated most often with Valentine’s day holiday with chocolates and flowers. When looking at Advent it can be one of the most important ones to look at. John 3:16 is such a familiar verse that everyone knows. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” We see this at sporting events, throughout our text in churches and more. Do you reflect on the amount of love that flows from this verse? God had so much love that he sent his son for us. Think about that? Would you have…
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Advent Wreath Candle of Hope
I am writing this as we are entering into the first part of December. We are anticipating our first winter weather storm of the year with a few inches of snow and strong, blustery winds. Sounds dismal to many and yet, I always embrace this wintery weather with an opportunity to rest and relax. During Advent, we anticipate celebrating Jesus’ birth on Christmas but we also are reminded of the coming of Christ’s return. The hope of advent is also the promise that Christ will return. It is a time to reflect on the future and all that it will bring. Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 reads “the people who walked in…
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Waiting in Expectation: The Advent of Our Lord
We are just a little over two weeks away from Christmas. Are you waiting in expectation? The commercialization of the holiday season has caused so many of us to skip the Advent season and crash into Christmas exhausted from planning, preparing, and attending events. I know I am guilty of that most years. However, probably for the first time in years, I have been able to set aside the anxiety of preparation and have been able to sit in quiet expectation. How? I’m intentionally taking moments to remember who He is, why He came, and what He has done. Expectation is a “strong belief that something will happen or be…
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Christmas Faith Traditions
I have many fond memories of Christmas growing up. There were all the decorations and getting to help my mom set them all out, the Christmas program at church, getting together with both my mom’s family as well as my dad’s family, and the holiday baking. The one tradition that I remember well was going to Christmas Eve church service and getting to sing all those traditional Christmas songs (What Child is This, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem) to name a few. We did have presents which I remember but to me, that’s not what sticks out in my mind. My parents did a great job in their…
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December Devotional: Keeping the Faith
Scripture of the week: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 Devotional Thought: In life, it gets hectic and chaotic and our faith can easily be put to the side. We may have a hard time keeping our faith through the hard times and we often say to ourselves “I’ve got this.” The scripture in Matthew clearly states that we shall not live by bread alone but by the word of God, therefore we need to always remember to keep our faith strong and instead say “With God, I’ve got this.” Thought/Action Point: There are many ways…
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From Joy to Defunct????
The holiday season can quickly take us from joy to being defunct. How do we manage to get through?
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A Season Full of Thankfulness
I write this post with Thanksgiving being tomorrow. A day that will be filled with an abundance of food and gathering with our family. I am thankful for my family, health, and all that God has given me throughout the year. We especially are mindful to be thankful during the month of November and on Thanksgiving, but we should always have a thankful heart. God has done so much for us and has provided for us as he sees fit. Maybe not in our timing but when he knows it is the right time. God truly has blessed us with his endless mercies. I often tell my children to be…
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Finding Joy in Your Work
As the verse in Ecclesiastes 3:22 says we should rejoice in our work. God has given us our lot (work) to do and as long as we have God at the center our work should be joyful. There are days that it is hard to be joyful about our work. Trust me, being a farmer this summer with no chance of rain in the forecast or when there was a chance of rain it didn’t show it was hard to find the joy in work. That is where I had to have a child-like faith that God will provide. Indeed he did a little too late perhaps for this year’s…
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Finding Joy in Our Hobbies
This is part of our finding joy series. Today we focus on finding and taking time for hobbies.
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Finding Joy in With Our Family
This is part of our finding joy series and today we focus on our families.
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Finding Joy in Self: A New Creation in Christ
This is part of our finding joy series and today we focus on a new creation.
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Finding Joy in Your Faith: Growing in Christ
This is part of our Finding Joy in Your Faith series. Topic is growing in Christ.
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November Devotional: My Joy Comes from the Lord
Contributed by Liz Hunt Scripture for the week: “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” Psalm 43:44 Devotional Thought: Sometimes, in the midst of life’s chaos and challenges, it is hard to remember that God is our God, that He is our exceeding joy, and we get to praise Him. We don’t have to praise Him. In fact, we can ignore Him all we want. None of that changes that He is our God. What praising Him and worshipping Him do change is our joy. The joy of the Lord does…
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Faith Expectations: Learning to look heavenward
Faith expectations and looking heavenward.
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Family Expectations: We are all unique
Family unique and dynamic. Setting realistic expectations is sometimes hard.
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Day-to-Day Expectations
Setting day-to-day expectations and how relying on our faith makes it easier.
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Right expectations
Looking at the right expectation of our relationship with Christ.
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Changing Leaves Devotional for October
Here is our monthly devotional for October titled Changing Leaves.
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How Do You Know When You Have Reached Your Goal?
How do you know when you reach your goals? Is it even attainable?
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The Road Map is There
Navigating to travel is challenging and our path to eternal life with God is mapped out as well.
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September Devotional: Work in Progress
We live our lives as a work in progress with God providing us building blocks to get to our eternal home.
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Connecting with Adult Children: Be flexible, creative, and intentional
Looking at how to connect with adult children and the changing role of parenting.
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The Love of Friday Night Suppers
We love our Friday night meals together as a family. Let's look at what we are building together beyond sharing a meal.
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Intentional Memory Making: Make time and seize the day
Intentional memory making is so important. Take a moment and seize the day!
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Making Memories While Chasing Headless Chickens
How can we make memories while chasing headless chickens? Let us take a look.
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Let Memories Just Happen
Letting go to let memories just happen as God has designed in his master plan.
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Third Annual Family Camp Recap
We love our annual family camp. Here are some highlights.
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Devotional for August from Matthew 6:34
Here is our monthly devotional for August taken from Matthew 6:34.
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Lazy Days of S