Book Review and Giveaway! :: The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge by Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker

Are you feeling a little blue? Post-Christmas malaise settling in? Are you thinking that there will be no more gifts for a year and you're a bummed about that? Well, then I've got great news! The...

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Joy - What Christmas is All About

Merry Christmas!...

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Joy - In Suffering

It's something we struggle with—this whole concept of suffering. We have an ingrained worldview that suggests suffering is only “fair” if it's deserved. When we know our desire is to serve God and we...

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Joy - Bigger than our whole world

As I've been mulling over the idea of how big God is and the miracle it is that He became flesh, I've also been thinking about how often God does things in ways that are both unexpected and...

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Unlimited Joy

As my daughter opened birthday gifts several months ago, a sheet of paper fluttered on the edge of my sight. All I registered was that there were at least twelve steps and for a fleeting moment, I questioned...

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Joy - In the Moment

I'm a wife, mother, and writer. I'm a daughter, sister, and friend. I'm a reader, knitter, and scrapbooker. I'm a cook, maid, and seamstress. I'm an engineer, manager, and bookkeeper. With all that...

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Rediscover Joy

I used to love this time of year. Before I grew up. Before I discovered that buying Christmas presents on a budget is hard work. Before I longed to be in two places at once. Before I spent hours cleaning, preparing,...

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Guest Blogs and Giveaways!

So, it's Tuesday. Not Monday. I could tell you that I planned it this way and just skip over the fact that I enjoyed, spent, wasted most of the day yesterday as I searched through box after box for...

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This is a test . . . this is only a test . . . but does God grade on the curve?

I was a straight-A student in high school. I wouldn't go so far as to say I enjoyed tests, but I was good at them. They were a source of pride. Proof that I had learned the material. And then...

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Thankfulness in the middle of a no good, very bad day

We spent all of October focused on renewing our minds. Then we've spent the past several weeks considering thankfulness. Have you noticed how crucial a thankful heart is to renewing your mind? I have....

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Book Review: Rooms by James L. Rubart

One of the things I am most thankful for is that my husband is a reader. I come from a family of readers and I'm not sure what I would do if I couldn't share my love of books with him. I'm always on...

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You have to look if you want to see

I wasn't expecting a God-moment as I drove to get my hair cut last week. The kids were in the back of the van, and for once, I wasn't running late. It was just a normal day. I was doing normal things. And...

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Book Review: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

I think the truest test of the power of a book is whether or not it lingers in your mind long after you've turned the last page. And if, in the lingering, it inspires you to change. Based on that definition,...

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Oblivious to the Obvious

 I love my Tervis tumbler.  It happened so fast, all I could do was pick up the pieces. Literally. You wouldn't think an 8-month-old had hands that move at the speed of light. But mine does. I...

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Thoughtful Thursday ~ Forever Thankful

I plan to spend November sharing a random assortment of things I am thankful for. Today, I want to tell you a little story. Once upon a time, there was a girl whose parents insisted she go to bed at...

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31 Days :: Day 31 ~ Are you ready for some action?

As we wrap up our 31 day journey, I want to leave you with the words of my favorite disciple. I Peter 1:13 ~ Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully...

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31 Days :: Day 30 ~ How do you know?

Psalm 46:10a ~ Be still, and know that I am God. (ESV) The Hebrew word translated here as "be still" is "raphah" and oh how I love the meaning...it means "sink, relax." So today, sink into Him. Relax...

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31 Days :: Day 29 ~ Does it do any good?

Mark 12:29-31 ~ Jesus answered, The most important is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all...

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31 Days :: Day 28 ~ Does it matter?

Mark 12:30 ~ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (ESV) We've come to our final weekend of focusing on...

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31 Days :: Day 27 ~ Does your imagination need a reality check?

Isaiah 26:3 ~ You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (ESV) Yesterday we unpacked some tough stuff. It won't be much easier today. Sorry. Please understand...

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31 Days :: Day 26 ~ Do you long for peace?

Isaiah 26:3 ~ You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (ESV) Today, we are diving into the Old Testament for a look at one of my favorite verses. And one...

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31 Days :: Day 25 ~ Is there anything worthy of praise?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of...

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31 Days :: Day 24 ~ Need a little tweaking?

If there is any excellence . . . think about these things. Phil. 4:8 (ESV) The Greek word for excellence is "arete" and it is most often defined as "virtuous thoughts feelings, actions; moral...

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31 Days :: Day 23 ~ What do they represent?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy...

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31 Days :: Day 22 ~ Need a break?

Yesterday, I gave you a challenge to make an effort this weekend to focus on the things that are commendable in the people who populate your world. So I thought we'd take a little break today. I've...

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