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Lesson Planning
As I was wrapping up preparation for a lesson on prayer for the fifth and sixth graders at my church a few weeks ago, it was suggested that I share a memory of something I wanted really badly when I was their age and to talk to them about how I responded. This was the…
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Inspiration From the Beatitudes
I had planned to write a follow up blog post on the Beatitudes several weeks (ahem…months?) ago, but I am barely keeping my head above water with work, family and ministry responsibilities. While I don’t enjoy missing my personal goals, I rest secure in the knowledge that I am not the one in control, and…
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Always and Forever
Have you ever thought how odd the word heartbreak is? Merriam-Webster defines a heartbreak as “crushing grief, anguish or distress.” When a beloved family member passes, we experience heartbreak. A friend’s girl friend gets engaged to another man, and we might describe him as broken-hearted (or perhaps we see opportunity? More on that later…). Most people will fully understand what…
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A Study in the Beatitudes, Part II
In my most recent blog, I shared some things I recently learned about the first three verses of the Beatitudes. These verses speak of those who acknowledge their spiritual bankruptcy, the grief they feel over their personal sin and the sin in the world, and the desired quality of meekness before God and others. This…
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A Study in The Beatitudes, Part I
It feels a little trite to write a year in review at the beginning of 2021. As we all look ahead to the new year, many of us are spending some time this week reflecting on what happened last year and how we would like our lives or ourselves to change for the better. Resolutions…
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Christmas During the Year of the Pause
Over the past week, I have been mulling over my next blog post. It’s been some time since I blogged because quite frankly, my life has been on fast forward since early October. But, no more excuses. I made the commitment some time ago to launch this blog, and I now seek to push through…
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Countercultural Patience
When I come across a thought I have read which intrigues me or offers a fresh perspective, I will mull it over throughout the day, discuss it with others, even seek to apply it. “Countercultural patience” is just that kind of thought. It is a term I came across when reading through a blog from…
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Finding Rest
Someone asked me a few months ago how I was doing in this pandemic. I said I was doing well. I didn’t even qualify it with an “all things considered…” I had been on break from school for a few weeks in the summer, and the weather had been good. I’d started having outdoor social…
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One Brick at a Time
Have you ever hit a wall? I mean figuratively, not literally. I’m not talking about the kind of wall that other people put up either. The kind I mean is the wall we put up inside of ourselves, around those most vulnerable places, to keep others from seeing whatever it is we don’t want them…
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A Mother’s Heart
Now I lay me down to sleep, the Lord I pray my soul to keep. If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. I remember concluding the prayers by asking God to bless my mom, my dad, my brothers, and even the smelly old cat that my brothers hated…
Got any book recommendations?
in heartbreak and in hope 