devotional
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How Can Self-Control Become Your Game-Changer? Galatians Devotional 10
All ten weeks of our summer study, I’ve been humming that silly kid’s song, “The Fruit of the Spirit’s Not a Coconut,” but lately, I’ve been thinking that IF one such spiritual attribute WAS a coconut, it would have to be self-control. All the others from love right through to gentleness evoked sweetness that sent…
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Is Gentleness #GOALS at Your House? Galatians Devotional 9
Bible teacher Kristin Bonin can straight-up preach a word on unity and integrity in the body of Christ! Last fall this author and founder of Dwell Project spoke to several hundred women at my church, and since then, I’ve gotten to linger over coffee with her to talk all things scripture, raising kids, and reaching…
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How Will You Stay Faithful When Your Faith Is Rocked? Galatians Devotional 8
Reverse puberty. Fun phrase, and no, I’m not wishing kids would morph into their younger selves. Where would the adventure be in that? No, “reverse puberty” is how doctors explain the “profound amount of [biological] stress that causes physical, mental, and emotional strain” during a woman’s perimenopausal years. Well, thank you, doctor. I’ll just have a…
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When evil looms, will you pray this prayer? Galatians Devotional 7
Darkness. Brokenness. Evil. Sickness. I’m not going to recount the news cycles of the last few weeks, but if you’ve scrolled the headlines, you’ve seen enough to make your heart break, anxiety rise, or anger spark, more so if events hit close to home. Or maybe you’re becoming numb to tales of pain, violence, and…
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Are You Serving Up “Rightness” or Kindness? Galatians Devotional 6
Ever been caught between the choice to insist you’re right and the choice to extend kindness? This week, I’ve asked my friend and previous guest-poster Dena Hobbs to discuss why the spiritual fruit of kindness matters, especially in this climate of polarizing rhetoric and harsh criticism. Enjoy Dena’s wisdom and then check out some of…
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Where Do You Cultivate Patience in a Right-Now World? Galatians Devotional 5
Four years of college and they’ve got me working the switchboard. Waste of time. That was younger me at my first job in a high-tech firm’s marketing department. When they said I’d work with technology, I didn’t realize that meant operating the phones from the receptionist desk. Surprise, surprise, when I shared such injustice with…
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Will You Let Peace Put You Back Together? Galatians Devotional 4
“Sarah, I need you to pray with me right now.” That was how I ambushed a new friend at a writer’s conference just a few days ago. What had started as a joy-infused time of skill sharpening and networking had now ushered in my anxiety gremlins as I rehearsed a list of shortfalls. Article ideas…
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How Will You Stay Joyful? Galatians Devotional 3
This week I’m sweating for Jesus with some fantastic rising 7th graders who’ve chosen to serve needy families by doing yardwork and hosting a VBS in a Houston-area park. Translation? LOOOONG days of dirt, fire ants, and other creepy crawlies, not to mention stuffy church-van rides and lots of last minute changes to their VBS…
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Is Your Love Growing? Galatians Devotional 2
I love sweet, summer strawberries. I also love new shoes, puppies, vacations, and my family. Like everyone else, I throw that word “love” around a lot, but I also know the way I feel about my husband and kids is different than the way I feel about relaxing poolside in July. Something in that kind…
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Who’s Your Soul Gardener? Galatians Devotional 1
Summer is smoldering away here in Houston, and it’s got me craving bowlfuls of berries. One of my favorite summertime treats is simply fresh or frozen blueberries with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of natural shredded coconut. My kids call it my pretend ice cream and look at me with pity…