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Can Steadfastness be a Reality?
Her face is etched in pain. Usually a happy, vibrant person, it is if the light has been snatched from her life. The grief washes over her as she comes to grips with the terrible diagnosis. Her husband of many years is dying and the doctors predict it will happen quite soon. How do we move forward when life is turned upside down? Where do we find solace and strength when turmoil reigns in our lives? It is a subject I speak of frequently as none of us is immune to the effects of sin in our world. We need constant reminders of how to deal with life’s challenges. Anger…
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In my Father’s Arms
It was a joyous day yesterday as my children and grandchildren took me on an excursion to a heritage village museum. It was a place we had toured together when my children were young and it was restorative to spend time together there again. Our day took us through many old buildings and farm sites and we had great fun rambling through the extensive site. One of the members of our party was my three-year-old granddaughter. She did really well throughout most of the day, but as the heat increased and the steps taken were many, my granddaughter began to wear out. In her grumpy state her mother picked up…
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Fighting the Battle
There are days when I wonder how such a small plant can create such a big problem. My battle with chickweed is an ongoing challenge. It is my nemesis – causing me considerable time and effort to eradicate. Chickweed is a difficult plant. The roots are delicate and don’t pull up easily. If you hoe chickweed, it can restart itself from the bits of the plant. Even in areas where I have taken the time to dig it up and throw out the plants, I still battle the weed. This nasty little weed is causing me to lose production in certain parts of my garden. I despair at times that…
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In the Zone
I sit at my desk, cheerily answering the phone and attending to the myriads of duties that go along with my receptionist job in a bustling youth ministry organization. The position has a few challenges, but for the most part, I function with ease. I definitely am in a safe, secure comfort zone. After having left a difficult job prior to this one, I’m not looking for anything to ruffle my feathers. I am happy and content to go about my work. Within a year after taking on this job one of the directors quit and the executives were on the hunt for a replacement. The job requires strong communication…
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When Facing a Brutal Adversary
It is a rough time for our family right now. Only a few months ago, we lost our dear Elizabeth to cancer. This week cancer has stolen another loved one – a beloved brother and uncle. But cancer’s attack doesn’t end there. We also learned this past week that my husband’s friend since childhood has stage 4 cancer with only a few months to live. I’ve got to say, I want to scream. I want to rant. I have cried buckets of tears over the losses and impending loss. In Elizabeth’s funeral message the pastor spoke of cancer being a brutal adversary. It can destroy our song. But he didn’t…
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Living a Life of Service
For as long as I can remember, the love of Christ has been a part of my life. An outpouring from that love has been my desire to be of service to my Lord. I just cannot imagine a life without reaching out to others with care and concern and sharing the Gospel message of hope and peace. Throughout Scripture the admonition is given to serve the Lord with all our hearts. Christian service is meant to be done with enthusiasm not as a dreary expectation. How often, though, is my service based on what other people expect of me. I drag my feet and complain about all these things…
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Leaving a Legacy
Yesterday was a joyous day as we celebrated a family birthday. As I watched my children and grandchildren playing, I chuckled at their antics. It warmed my heart to see their interactions and enjoyment of each other. As I look at the next two generations, I wonder what kind of legacy I am leaving them. What is it that I need to pass on to them as the best inheritance? How can I lead my life that will be an example to them and encourage them in their own life journeys? How can I be God’s light in their lives and show them the hope I have in Christ? One…
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What to do with Anxiety
As I reflect on my teaching experiences, an overarching theme comes up. I am seeing more and more children with some form of anxiety. It astounds me how children so young can be filled with so much trepidation and uncertainty about life. I can understand anxiety in students who are experiencing issues at home but it frequently shows up in children who seem to have a together home life and things going well. I have observed children being almost paralyzed with fear over new situations or new relationships. Their whole viewpoint is skewed with a focus on all the what ifs rather than what is true and right. Anxiety affects…
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Life in Abundance
As we began life on our acreage nine years ago, we had great plans for a flourishing garden to provide food for our household. It has been a tumultuous process with flooding, hail, and a variety of other circumstances trying to destroy our hard work. It has been many years of waiting for what was planted to come to fruition. Definitely, it has been a time to develop patience. We planted our little fruit trees in faith, trusting that God would help them grow and produce fruit. This year we are finally seeing some of that come into play. As I walk through the garden and see the abundance of…
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Be Strong and Take Heart
Just when I think things are going well, something happens to upset my equilibrium. It would be nice if things could just go okay for a while. Why do these bumps in the road keep happening? It would be really nice to just have a peaceful life for a time at least. The fact is, in our sinful world, there is no perfect ride. There are twists and turns in the road and many unforeseen pitfalls and hazards. Sometimes our road is a familiar one, but still there are hidden challenges along the way. Sometimes God takes us on a road less travelled or one in places we never thought…
