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What I’m Reading This Month
This month, I have the privilege to help launch the new book Relentless: The Unshakeable Presence of a God Who Never Leaves by Michele Cushatt. Michele’s book delves into the Word of God to answer the one question most of us have when we navigate through difficult times: Where is God in my pain? She does not shy away from the question as she openly shares some of her most vulnerable moments during her darkest journey. Here is what she says about her book: “To descend into the basement of my faith journey, and hopefully, discover evidence of God’s presence…To learn, once and for all, that God doesn’t condemn our…
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What I’m Reading: August Edition
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Deep Roots
Within the last month or two, we have seen at least two prominent Christian figures leave the faith. The Bible warns us of a “great falling away” during the last days. Some versions use the word “rebellion” while others use “apostasy.” The original Greek word is “apostasia” and it means “a falling away, defection, apostasy.” (Strong’s Concordance). Basically, it means to abandon or leave the faith. I don’t know why these two people left the faith and it’s not my place to try and guess. For those of us who are still walking in faith, though, we need to stay strong. But how do we do that? The first thing…
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It’s Not Us vs. Them
As true Christ-followers, we need to stop politicizing God and our faith. When we politicize Him, we are effectively putting Him in a man-made mold, trying to form Him into an image we created – an image we desire God to fit because it falls in line with what we believe. That image is not God. That image is an idol. The truth is God does not fit neatly into any political party. Labels such as conservative and progressive divide the church. When we place labels before our faith, we are telling the world we follow the ideologies associated with that particular political party. Though the intention may be innocent…
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When We Lack Faith
Lately, as I’ve re-read books in the Old Testament, I’ve asked God to reveal Himself through His Word, to help me learn more about Him and who He is so that I can apply it to my life. While reading the story of the twelve men who were sent out by Moses to spy on the land of Canaan, I believed He answered my prayer as I had new insight into how important it is to keep the faith, rather than live a faithless, fear-filled life. Let me recap the story here: God told Moses to send twelve men (one from each tribe) to spy out the land of Canaan.…
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Just Be
I recently read a letter C.S. Lewis wrote to a woman answering her question of why God wants us. In the brief letter, he explained God didn’t want us “for anything,” but rather He just wanted us. As I read those few, brief words, excitement and conviction filled my soul. Excitement, because they reminded me of God’s love for us. Yes, God may have a purpose for our lives, but He didn’t redeem us for what we can do for Him. He redeemed us out of His pure mercy, grace, and love. He knew there was no way anyone could live a perfect life, so He sent His Son, Jesus…
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Letters to Me
What is my responsibility to the church as a member of the body of Christ? Am I fulfilling those responsibilities? These are just a couple of questions I asked myself while reading Francis Chan’s Letters to the Church. In it, he compares the church in the Bible to the church of today. He also compares modern day churches in America to other churches around the world. He is careful to point out his motivation for writing this book. It is not to condemn, but to rather encourage the members of the body of Christ to reflect upon their own role in the Church and to seek guidance in areas to…
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Pruning the Heart
If you want a prayer answered quickly, then ask the LORD to show you your heart, that is, to reveal any hidden sins, false beliefs, unbelief, impurity, and so on. He is more than willing to answer that prayer quickly. I’ve prayed this prayer a few times in my life, and it’s always answered. In fact, I’m currently experiencing this now. To say this week has been a bit tough spiritually is an understatement. I’ve been shown through various ways how I could love others better, pray for loved ones more, trust in the LORD wholeheartedly, and give generously without fear. So, why do this? Why pray for God to…
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My Spiritual Mentor
Last night, I attended a meeting discussing women in church leadership. One of the topics discussed by the panel was “Who was your spiritual mentor?” Of course, for me, my answer would have been my mom. She provided a beautiful example of living in Christ during my formative years. I remember sitting on my mom’s lap at the age of six, asking Jesus to come into my heart. She had tried to discuss Jesus with me a year or so earlier, but all I remember of that exchange is of me asking her where God came from and if He had a mom. Her answers only led to more questions…
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Word Study: Abide
“Abide in Me, and I in you…” John 15:4 (ESV) I was 23 years old and searching for direction in my life. After having left college the year before, I knew I needed to return to school. Employed as a customer service representative at a bank, I was working in a job that didn’t fulfill my calling in life (there’s nothing wrong with working in customer service, so please don’t think I’m putting it down. I’m referring to my own personal life and calling). I needed to do something different. I started praying about what direction I needed to take in my life and searched after the LORD to see…
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Take Delight
At the beginning of each year, I pray about a word to focus on throughout the year. Have you ever done this? This year, I have two (because I apparently need all the help I can get): wisdom and delight. Today, I will focus on delight. “Delight yourself in the LORD…” Psalm 37:4 (ESV) Ask either one of my kids and they will tell you how much I love sunsets. I enjoy them because they are different every night. When I watch the setting sun, I am reminded of how creative and artistic our Heavenly Father is. Some evenings, the sun sets in a brilliant blaze of oranges, yellows, reds…
