faith
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Lent Day 5: Ritual Religion vs. Right Relationship
Several years ago I signed up to take Karate. I wanted to learn how to defend myself against enemies and exercise, in an effort to keep this “temple of the Holy Spirit” healthy and whole. What started out with good intentions, quickly turned into a system of rules that riddled me with fear of failure… Continue reading
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Lent Day 4: Wrapped-Up
“God, your wrap-around presence is my protection, and my defense…” Psalm 7:10 (The Passion Translation) I see a theme emerging this Lenten season. I sense the Holy Spirit whispering words like: Comforter tucked into pocket And today I am adding “wrapped-up” to that list. These are not new words but I feel that a deeper… Continue reading
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Lent Day 3: Altar Pieces
What would it look like for us to lay out the pieces of our lives on the altar each morning and wait for God’s fire to fall upon our hearts? What pieces do we lay at Christ’s feet? Do we lay our garments and palm fronds like the Palm Sunday crowd? Are we fickle followers… Continue reading
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Lent Day 2: Making Room For The New Harvest
I love Leviticus. I know that sounds incredibly weird to most. God continues to show me fractals of Jesus throughout the Old Testament. Layers I could have never discovered on my own are supernaturally peeled back. The Holy Spirit divinely dances over the written word and it is like watching cream rise to the top.… Continue reading
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Lent Day 1: More Than a Lifestyle Makeover
Today marks the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday. The ash crosses marking many are messy memorial stones of our hopeless humanity redeemed at the cross. When I allow myself to linger in Lent, I am mesmerized by the mercy of The Master, not demoralized by the depth of my depravity. Lent is not a… Continue reading
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GENTalks Episode 14: Stop and Smell the Wildflowers
Click Here for GENTalks Podcast Show notes Episode 14 GENTalks: Stop and Smell the Wildflowers Beginning today with a huge shout out for local singer/songwriter and author, Deanna Wood, who wrote and sings the song “No More Secrets” for the community site, http://www.ourcityonahill.net. Below are links to the full song, as well as Deanna’s… Continue reading
#bettertogether, Ann Voskamp, Annie F. Downs, Beautiful Outlaw, Deanna Wood, How To Write Short by Roy Peter Clark, Jamie Ivey, John Eldredge, Julie Manning, Love Lives Here, Maria Goff, naomimoseley.com, Our City On A Hill, Rebeka Lyons, Stories of Art and Artists, That Sounds Fun Podcast, The Broken Way, The Happy Hour, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Wildflower Cafe, You Are Free -
GENTalks Episode 13: God Does Not Have A Plan For Our Lives
Click Here: Link to iTunes GENTalks Episode 13 Kaitlin and Katie dive straight into the deep water as they discuss the idea that “God does not have a plan for our lives” but He does have Kingdom purpose and that is a different outlook altogether. Another way it’s been put: God is not in control… Continue reading
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Risky and Worthy Business
“Could you please step back mam? And may I ask what you are doing?” Stepping out in obedience to God, I braved international travel without the security of my husband, and I somehow managed to stump Customs. How could Customs not know what I was doing? I confidently moved in, perfectly postured before the machine.… Continue reading
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All Is Well (Really?)
When we hear, ALL IS WELL, do we breathe a little easier, or do we immediately think, REALLY? WHAT PLANET DO YOU LIVE ON? WHATEVER! I have to admit I can fall into both categories. However, I am still a sucker for a WELL story, stories that start WELL, go WELL and end WELL! Deep… Continue reading
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Fear Fractured
Fear is real; although, what we fear may not be. In other words, fear appears to be dictated by perception, NOT NECESSARILY REALITY. Let me explain my thesis in light of personal experience. It was 1996 and our lives were on the cusp of the great unknown. Nestled up in my safe, sweet-spot, spooning my… Continue reading