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Every New Year is full of hope and promise. I usually renew my resolutions to lose weight, become more organized, and create more frequent blog posts. So far, I have not done much to get organized. It is the middle of February and I am still working on my “New Year’s” post. Instead of traditional goals, I will use one word for 2023 that helps me grow spiritually. I will persevere in 2023. Philippians 3:14 is, “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation,Read More →

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I have flipped to the ending of a book when the action got too intense. I also search the internet for spoilers when watching a series. I can’t stand not knowing how a story ends. My life is the same in that I want to know my “endings”. Anytime I face uncertainty, I stay awake to map possible outcomes instead of resting. I waste time trying to solve a problem that can fix itself. Proverbs 16:5 is, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 God’s plans for me are better than anything I can imagine.Read More →

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Like everyone, I have been deeply hurt by others. I believe I have forgiven and reached the point where a past rejection no longer bothers me. Somehow, I remember everything about it and feel the pain all over again. My mind keeps thinking about how unjust this situation was. To put this emotional pain behind me for good, I have to seek Jesus. Exodus 14:14 is, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. “ Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001 I am grateful to serve a God mighty enough to fight my battles. He is the only one canRead More →

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The meaning of the Easter message gets deeper for me every year. I realize how much my stubbornness to surrender my food intake has cost. I once felt guilty because I continued to overeat. Instead of repenting, I found excuses. I not only feel bad because I could be smaller, but because I saw my disobedience from eating too much. Romans 5:8 is, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011 Jesus died for all sin, including mine. I used to think my overeating was not that bad,Read More →

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I do my best to love others. I try to encourage those who are down and help when I can. When I am busy or tired, I forgot those “prayer requests” I promised to do. I find it hard to show love to those who are negative, mean, or hard to be around. It is hard to love, or be nice to people that bring me down. Romans 8:38 is, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today, nor our worries about tomorrow – not even theRead More →

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Finding satisfaction in the world is impossible. No matter how much I have, I see something else I think is needed. We are remodeling our house and I see updates we can’t afford to do. I want a few extra days after my spring break is over since the week off was not enough. My soul yearns for something not of this world to fill it. Psalm 63:5 is, “You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 I will never be satisfied with anything the world offers. God is the onlyRead More →

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The Lent season is time for me to grow closer to the Lord. In the past, I would give something as a token sacrifice. I once stopped drinking soda for these 40 days and then indulged after Easter. It was more about avoiding my token than growing closer to the Lord. Since I struggle with temptations of excess food and a distorted body image, I once used Lenten fasting as an opportunity to diet. The weight never left for good and I gained nothing spiritually. Isaiah 58:6 is, “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten theRead More →

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Last week, the news of an major ice storm brought me into a sea of fear. I prepared best I could, but kept thinking “What if our electricity goes out?” I could not sleep with sounds of winter precipitation banging on my windows. I was certain our lights and heat would go out soon. When morning came and the power was still on, I still worried that it would go out. Instead of relaxing on my snow day, I wasted energy over something I had no control over 1 Peter 5:7 is, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”Read More →

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On Christmas Eve, I finally had my tree up and all the presents wrapped. Instead of enjoying the moment, I worry about things I still have to do and ways I can make the perfect Christmas. Jesus came to our world humble and far from our social media perfection standards. John 16:33 is, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 Christ came into this world so we can have peace in Him. WhenRead More →

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It is mid December and my Christmas decor is still in boxes. We are remodeling and I waited until our tv wiring was completed. I usually have everything decorated immediately after Thanksgiving and think I am the only one without Christmas festivities up. My perfectionist self is struggling. I love Christmas and have listened to carols since the week after Halloween. All this work of getting my house ready for the season does nothing to prepare my heart to meet Jesus. Luke 10:38-42 tells the story of Jesus’ visit with 2 sisters. Verse 41-42 is, “But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, youRead More →