Tag: Jesus
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Walking Out of Tradition
For those of us in the United States, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. As I type this, sweet potatoes are roasting in the oven in preparation of sweet potato casserole. This is the first year, I’m baking them. Typically, I peel them, cube them, and then boil them. But, I heard it from the…
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Today’s Not A Given
As I watched a reel this morning on changing seasons, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude. Tears welled up in my eyes and the overflow gently rolled down my cheeks. Maybe in part due to the beautiful melody playing, or the pictures they chose to accompany said melody. Either way, they helped stir that emotional overload…
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Iron-On Transfer
What makes a successful iron-on transfer? Typically, heat and pressure working together. But, even with those elements seemingly perfectly at play, the transfer can be incomplete. I didn’t want to use the word failure because you never know what type of flaw might be at play you couldn’t see. Maybe something was wrong with the…
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Buyer Beware
There’s a prayer we known as Jesus Christ followers often pray. Lord, use me. Simple, yet powerful. I believe when we say those three words, we better mean it, no matter what it looks like. Mostly, we want that to look like God is using us to help someone in need. Someone who’s been praying…
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The Pain of My Past
I recently watched the movie The Burning Bed. It’s based on the true story of the years long domestic violence suffered by Francine Hughes. It’s not the first time I heard of this movie. It first appeared in 1984, so it’s been around the block a few times. It was however, the first time I…
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The Hidden Ballerina
I’m currently reading a Bible study with a small group of friends called, hidden, by Allison Allen. It’s about people in the Bible who were used greatly by God, yet tucked away in scriptural places where it’s easy to not pay them much attention. Why? Good question. Maybe they weren’t specifically named by name. Maybe…
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Your Compass Is Here
I recently watched an episode of Abbott Elementary. In a surprising twist of fate, the principal of the school got fired due to breaking the rules and accepting bribes. The teachers of the school were equally guilty of accepting bribes, but the principal stepped up and accepted full responsibility and consequences. She never thought she’d…
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It’s All Good
Today’s Ash Wednesday. The beginning of the Lenten season. I’ve been giving this a lot of thought this year. I’ve been praying and seeking to know how to move within this season. I’ve been paying attention to what speaks to my heart, that which will bring me closer to Jesus. I sure can make things…
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Emotional Punching Bag
“It’s funny how our past frames us. The person we used to be, never lets go of the person we are. Past failures and disappointments even victories take hold of us. They haunt like ghosts or visit us like old friends.” ~ One Tree Hill (season 9, episode 13) My previous publishing was about me…
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My Worst Best Friend
I was nervous. I wasn’t sure exactly what I was walking into, but I felt it was something I needed to do. So, on one of the weatheriest weather days of winter, my friend drove us to a nearby town. Along the highway we witnessed vehicles in ditches, tow trucks, emergency vehicles, but we kept…
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Belonging
A couple years ago, a friend and I stopped talking. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but I know I just couldn’t receive what had been said. I was burnt out on a level, I didn’t even know burnt out could reach. I quit my job. I quit parts of life. And quite frankly, I…
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Grace
“In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?” ~ James 2:25 (NIV) Psssst. Can I let you in on a little secret? It’s hard to be like Jesus. Just when I think…
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Hello 2025
In the infamous words sung by Barry Manilow, “Looks like we made it”. But, just those words, don’t sing the rest of the song. It doesn’t apply. I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more I appreciate making it one more day, one more week, one more month, and yes, one…
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You’re Not A Burden
Last Thursday night prior to hopping into bed, I got down on my knees and said my prayers. It’s a nightly thing, so no big news there. However, I specifically remember this night because I simply thanked God for everything. The minute the word everything left my mouth, I felt this panic rise up inside…
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Folding Laundry
Have you ever folded a piece of laundry and then dropped it? It falls to the ground in a heap, disheveled once again by circumstance. You pick it back up, attempt folding it again with the hopes this time, it remains folded. There’s no guarantee this time it will work out the way you want.…
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The Opposite Side
This is a post I made on my social media account two years ago. Thought I’d share with you all since the latest escapade with my slithery rivals isn’t nearly as traumatic. Although, I must say, any encounter with a snake is a heart palpitating, panic infused, mind racing event. Now, if you don’t like…
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Meh
This past weekend, I attended a womens conference with some good friends at one of our local area churches. It was a 2-day event filled with some of the top Christian leaders and a couple of local speakers. The theme of the event was “Because of Jesus”. I was excited to be amongst a throng…
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Level 38
The other day while I was driving, I decided to change the radio station. So many stations, yet nothing I wanted to hear. I miss having a CD player in my car. I know I can make playlists but, it’s not the same. Fellow CD lovers will totally understand. Suddenly, and without any type of…
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Beep Beep
Two years ago this month, God made a way for me to purchase a home. It’s what I wanted. Ranch style, not needing a lot of improvements, because I’m not into the home rebuilding/remodeling thing. Thankful to the people who do that, but it’s not my jam. I wanted a country setting but not too…
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Simple Places
This story originated August 14, 2022. Since this was written, the church mentioned within, permanently closed its doors. Everything has its season and nothing this side of heaven lasts forever. I often post on my Facebook page but neglected to share here. I guess maybe now is the better day for that. Thanks for being…
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Desensitized
The other day I stopped what I was doing to check and see what birds and critters may be at the feeder. To my surprise I saw a bird on top of another bird. I thought, ewww, because I thought they were, well, doing that birds and bees thing. So I slapped the window with…
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Alaska
When I was a young girl, I remember looking up in the dark skies of the night and looking for the Big Dipper. Somehow knowing that heavenly constellation was high in the sky brought me peace from the chaos of living in a home filled with addiction. How could the beauty of those shining beacons…
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Glow Sticks
“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT) This morning as I sat with God processing some childhood pain, I got the image…
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The Want of More
Scrolling through the radio stations I stopped when I saw Pat Benetar’s name pop up. Love me some Pat Benetar. It took a minute for me to recognize the song, “All Fired Up,” but as the song played on, bits and pieces came to mind and next thing I knew I was jammin’ in my…
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Moral High Ground
I watched a tv show. To summarize, over time, one woman had done some pretty sketchy things but justified her behavior by saying her actions were what was best for her employer. She was “protecting” them. Another woman, who worked for this same employer, also over time had done some deplorable things per the one…
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Moral High Ground
I watched a tv show. To summarize, over time, one woman had done some pretty sketchy things but justified her behavior by saying her actions were what was best for her employer. She was “protecting” them. Another woman, who worked for this same employer, also over time had done some deplorable things per the one…
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Check Your Thoughts
My baby brother has been heavily on my mind the past few days. I miss his voice. I miss his laugh. I miss his hugs. I hold onto these precious memories in my heart, and I smile. He thought of himself as quite the jokester. He loved to make others laugh. Those people, the ones…
Blessed to be Broken 