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Anxiety Faith Fear Focus Hope Knowing God

Meditating on the Pure Things in Life

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 ESV Where can we find wisdom that is pure, unadulterated by ulterior motives, uncontaminated by selfishness, and uncorrupted by evil? I opened my laptop, determined to begin my morning by reading an online devotional. […]

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creation God's Glory Hope Joy Nature Wonder

Recalling Loveliness in the World

In a world filled with anxiety and despair, we can still find joy. We just need to retrain our minds to focus on the goodness and loveliness that still exists.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, […]

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Faith Righteousness and Justice Trusting God

What’s Right with the World

So much is wrong with the world! Lord, show me something right! This year I vowed to change my mindset and dwell on the positive. (Philippians 4:8) But February’s been a difficult month for me. As winds of change sweep through our nation, I keep my eyes and ears open. I watch the news and […]

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Faith Hope Patience Prayer Trusting God

Wait for It: It’s not too Late for a Miracle

I’m witnessing a miracle. I watch with fascination as fat flakes fly in a frigid frenzy across my lawn. It’s snowing in South Louisiana. Those who live in more northerly climates may not understand our enchantment with snow in the deep south. To northerners, a snowfall may be merely a form of precipitation to contend […]

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Christian Life Focus God's Faithfulness God's Glory Hope Hope of heaven Service Wisdom

Whatever Is Honorable: Think on these Things

 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV If you watch the news long enough, you’ll see a world filled with crooks and scoundrels, […]

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Faith God's Word Truth Wisdom

When You’re Searching for Truth

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8 ESV Fake news. Fact checks. Flip-flopping opinions. How do we know what to believe? We used to […]

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creation Knowing God Nature Restoration Wonder

How to Hear from God in Nature

Does it ever seem like you spend a lot of time hearing about God, but you don’t actually hear from God? Sometimes we have to go outdoors and experience nature in order to hear from God. I’m not the outdoorsy type. Even as a child, when all the other kids were outside playing ball and […]

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Anxiety Fear Hope Joy Prayer Thanksgiving

How to Move Forward When You’re Trapped by Fear

Sometimes I feel like Benjamin Bunny, trapped by fear and unable to move forward. In The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, Little Benjamin Bunny and his cousin Peter Rabbit sneak into Mr. MacGregor’s garden. With Mr. MacGregor gone for the day, they freely roam the garden and fill their bellies with vegetables. But when a white […]

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Christian Life Humility Joy Obedience Sacrifice Service

The Value of Sacrifice

Someone once asked me what my mother taught me about motherhood. I thought of the word “sacrifice”. My mother belonged to the so-called “Greatest Generation.” The Great Depression taught this generation to “make do” with what they had and sometimes to “do without.” During World War II, this generation of people rallied to do their […]

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Christian Life God's Glory Humility Identity in Christ Knowing God Trusting God

When You Feel Small, Powerless, or Pushed Around…

God Is Exalted (and He Will Lift You Up) “In God you come up against something which is in every respect immeasurably superior to yourself. Unless you know God as that—and, therefore, know yourself as nothing in comparison—you do not know God at all.”  C. S. Lewis “Be still, and know that I am God. […]