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Backtracking to the Woods
We had a decision to make: go through or backtrack and find another option. Because of our disinterest in trudging through winter-cold water, soaking our shoes and socks, and possibly catching pneumonia (says my mom’s voice in my head), we backtracked and hoped for another, better, drier path. If you are hoping this is an…
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Lettuce and Peas, Please
Here’s a bright idea: Bookmark this page for updates throughout the season — words + photographs JULIE JOHNSON — Today’s the day, or so says my mom’s printed copy of the 2023 The Old Farmer’s Almanac. If I am to plant lettuce and peas under moon-favorable conditions and timing and all, it’s now or wait…
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Move. That. Rock.
When I noticed this barely-outta-the-ground crocus lifting a *heavy* rock into the air, my mind began racing with all the motivational, inspirational, you-are-stronger-than-you-think-you-are words I could type. WHAT IF, I thought, what if I shifted the idea a smidge and said instead, “You are stronger than you’ve been led to believe”? Like, let’s kick all…
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We Want A King. We Want It Now. *devotional*
“But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, (emphasis added) with a king to lead us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 1 Samuel 8:19-20 Devotion The elders of Israel had asked Samuel for…
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The Mom Battle I Can’t Fight
I’ve been fighting in the “War of Motherhood” for almost 12 years now. My thoughts??? Well, it’s pretty stinkin’ hard, often times embarrassing, and *always* incredibly exhausting. Oh, but I fight hard. I really do. I want to be the mom who has those middle-of-the-night, heart-to-heart chats with her struggling tween, and sometimes I am. I also want to…
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Greater *devotional*
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 Devotion Great love, great gift. The word “great” has always been one of my favorite words. It brings with it the idea things couldn’t be much better, that the world…
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Not Your Battle *devotional*
Read And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’”2 Chronicles 20:15 Recommended reading: 2 Chronicles 20, a great chapter showing believers what steps…
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Frog Hat *devotional*
Devotion How do you like my frog hat? I am at the treatment center waiting for my chemotherapy. Today I am handing out bookmarks to the other cancer patients. I made them. I know. I’m a 52-year-old dork, but at least I’m a dork for Jesus! One side has a Bible verse, and the other…
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Joy & Strength *devotional*
Read “O LORD, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage. Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD for my bones are in agony. I am sick at heart. How long, O LORD, until you restore me? Return, O LORD, and rescue me. Save me because…
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Rogue Body
A funny thing happened in 2019 as I began to serve a new congregation in South Carolina. The day after I preached my second sermon, I did not feel too good. By Tuesday, I was slurring my speech and had no energy. On Wednesday, I was dragged to urgent care, which is a misnomer. After…
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Faith Like a Lamb *devotional*
One of our sheep is a ewe named Rose. She was the first sheep I had ever halter trained. When Rose was young, I regularly went down to the pasture to talk to and pet her. In doing so, a bond was forged between sweet little Rose and myself. From the time I first put…
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Eclectica performs “In the Bleak Midwinter”
“In the Bleak Midwinter” is a poem written by Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894) in 1872. According to Mary Kay Beall, Rossetti wrote the lyrics by request of Scribner’s Monthly, an American magazine. Lyrics We are thrilled to share this arrangement of “In the Bleak Midwinter” with Homegrown Journal readers. It was composed by Denise Burrell…
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A Vegas Miracle
Several years ago, our son Travis transferred from working with Transportation Security Administration at the Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri to Durango, Colorado. From there, he found a better position with TSA in Las Vegas. Or so he thought. words + photographs SARAH TYLER It wasn’t long until we began receiving help calls from him…
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Miracle On Cherokee Street
I received my only pairs of legwarmers, one pink and one purple, from my sister Pam. She had been so excited to give them to me; she couldn’t wait until Christmas. Routinely, before we fell asleep in her bed, we would eat candy bars, Butterfingers and Skors. I was the first to know her baby…
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Baby, Please Come Home For Christmas
After a very long, seven-year journey of infertility and pregnancy loss, my husband, Casey, and I found out we were expecting. I had extra testing and monitoring during my pregnancy given our previous stillbirth, but everything always came back normal. However, at 31 weeks I began having contractions during a baby shower at work. I…
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Unified To Do More
I’ve been part of Special Olympics Missouri since I began assisting my dad* at events. When I was 10 years old, I participated in the Polar Plunge. In 6th grade, I became a Unified Partner where I assisted with basketball. Over the past eight years, I’ve grown and formed friendships with other athletes and Unified…
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Fickle Faith
“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance that God is working, even though we cannot see it. Faith knows that no matter what the situation, in our lives or someone else’s, that God is working in it.” That’s the definition you get if you ask Google. It’s a great definition but…
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