Simplifying… me

In fact those who have experienced more of the love of God than anyone I have ever met have also endured more suffering.  When you crush lavender, you find its full fragrance; when you squeeze an orange, you extract its sweet juice.  In the same way it is often through pains and hurts that we [...]

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Moms come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, histories, gifts and callings.  Motherhood is not a “one size fits all” deal.  In theory this is a great truth.  In practice it can be very challenging to accept and believe.
Some moms work outside the home, some moms are full time homemakers.  Some moms send their kids [...]

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Did you know that nothing can, or cannot, happen to you without the approval or knowledge of your heavenly Father?  Did you know that, when trouble comes, there is someone ultimately in control?  Someone who really and truly cares about you and has your best interest in mind.  Nothing, nothing, has more power over your [...]

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In John 17 Jesus prayed a prayer for his disciples.  And while he was praying he was thinking about me and you.  Some 2000 years ago my face flashed through the mind of my Savior moments before he was arrested and sentenced to death.
“My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those [...]

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(Once upon a time…)
“Early in the morning, as he (Jesus) was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves.  Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’  Immediately the tree withered.” [...]

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John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”
I like happy stories.  My favorite part of a movie is usually the opening scene showing a happy family going about their business, innocent and [...]

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I successfully delivered three truck loads of old baby clothes, furniture, books, toys and various kinds of paraphernalia to Goodwill today.  With the help of my parents, I confidently tackled the most ominous space in our house: the garage.  For six years it has taunted me, and I’ve been too wimpy to face the junk. [...]

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Problems.  They either get your heart pumping with adrenaline or bring weighty worry.
One thing that I am slow in learning, but growing in just the same, is trusting in the Lord no matter what my outside circumstances – or pending deadlines – look like.  God is always in control, and He has never let me [...]

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“We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
Recently my friends and I were discussing this scripture.  Each one of us expressing its impact on our lives and [...]

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The feeling of anticipation was palpable.  Prince Charles was coming to Kenya.  I was barely a teenager then, but I remember it well: the buzz, the excitement, the “I wonder if I’ll catch a brief glimpse of royalty?” type feelings.  So it was not surprising when my dad came home for dinner with a royal [...]

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