Tag: God
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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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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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Repurposed
Isaiah 55:11 promises God’s Word does not go out without a purposeful return in all He means to accomplish. I have witnessed this spiritual principle many times. All around, we have opportunities in how we carry His Word and how we listen to it ourselves. words + photographs MELISSA SWEARENGIN I once heard a funny…
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Leap of Faith
I currently have a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree as a family nurse practitioner. I work as fulltime faculty for Herzing University in the online family nurse practitioner program. words + photographs AMBER ENNIS Looking back over my life, I can see God’s hand guiding me to where I am today, but I never would…
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My Life, Used
Years of putting my faith into money, men, alcohol, drugs, the occult. My life was a disaster. But I can testify that’s when God can show up, and shine His light. words + photographs JODEE DORROUGH After many years, everything I learned, desired, strived for, everything I had sown in the darkness, the life I…
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Mavericks + Mazdas: Meaning in the Mundane
Top Gun’s the kind of movie that inspires us to drive our cars like they’re meant to fly. “It’s not the plane; it’s the pilot,” I think to myself as I shift from fourth gear to fifth, willing my Mazda 3 heavenward. But to my surprise, I’ve yet to experience liftoff. Maverick’s story is epic:…
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Broken Brain, Sovereign God
According to the yearly Alzheimer’s Association publication dubbed “Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,” more than six million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. While this mattered to me, say, 20 years ago, it wasn’t until it became personal to me because of my mom’s struggles that I fully appreciated the extent…
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Unfailing Love
I went through one of the darkest times of my life. I was being tormented by the darkness, and I felt far from God’s love. I wasn’t sure how I suddenly got dumped in such a moment, but all I knew was I felt abandoned and alone, and I thought I had no hope for…
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4 Life-giving Insights to Becoming a Better Leader Anyone Can Implement Today
LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES FROM MATTHEW’S GOSPEL In a few months, I will assume the leadership of the member care team at my mission agency’s mobilization center. While scripture is replete with leadership principles, Matthew’s gospel is my current focus of study. Therefore, I offer four leadership principles from the life of Jesus as told by Matthew.
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WAR
Gabi, a lively lady with a smile that immediately put me at ease, came into my life about a month after I moved to Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina. I met her while attempting to learn more about my neighborhood gym. While she rode the stationary bike, she translated the details of a gym membership. We quickly became…
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In the Wilderness
I’m a highly-functioning, anxious depressive. Doesn’t that sound fun? I hide it extremely well — the gift of being considered highly-functional. No one sees the panic flaring in my chest as my carefully-controlled world descends into chaos or the agonizing oppression that weighs me down when too happy becomes so, so sad. I’m guessing that…
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Love Allows Purpose In Pain
Now I want you to know,brothers and sisters,that what has happened to mehas actually served to advance the gospel.Philippians 1:12 I asked Chris Rees to my senior prom in 1991. It was our first date. I was 17; he was 19. Our families had known each other for years, and we attended the same church.…
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Foster/Adopt: Teresa Flora
If we had an hour and two cups of tea, I would tell you a remarkable miracle story. words + photographs TERESA FLORA The story’s main characters met at the age of 13. Married at 18. Did the normal married people stuff. He was a preacher; she was a nurse. They had three perfect sons,…
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A Village Becomes Home
Home isn’t typically something we think about much as being anything special in our lives. During holiday seasons perhaps we cherish home more as we look forward to gathering with friends and family. Otherwise for most, home seems to be simply a place we leave in the morning and return to at night for shelter. …
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Once New, Always New
A few weeks ago, we received a wonderful phone call. Our daughter called and told us our oldest granddaughter, Harlee, came to the living room that morning and was emotional and feeling sad. After some snuggle time on the couch, our granddaughter looked at her mom with eyes bright with tears and said, “I need…
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Foster/Adopt: The Goddard Family
Adoption is not for the faint of heart. The road can be long, disappointing, frustrating, and can lead to a lot of heartbreak and questioning God’s plan for your family. When our family (Greg, Tarynn, and our two sons) decided to start our journey, adoption wasn’t necessarily our intent. We found out about a hosting…
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Advent
Week 1: Hope Do you ever overwhelm yourself with Christmas activities? To the point you forget about Jesus’ birth until you’re sitting in a Christmas Eve service? I’ve been there more than I’d like to admit, but for the past few years I’ve been intentional about celebrating Advent in my home. I purchased a set…
Homegrown Journal 