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Showing posts with the label Christian living

3 AM Laundry and Eternal Perspective: Finding Grace in the Stomach Bug

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If you’ve been a mother for more than five minutes, you know that the "stomach bug" is one of the most dreaded phrases in the language. This past week, it hit our home. It wasn't a quick, one-night affair; it was a slow march through all four of my children, lasting an entire week. The most difficult part? It only happened at night in their shared bunk room.  I spent my nights displacing children from their bunk beds, scrubbing messes out of bedding, and avoiding every porous surface in the house. I had kids sleeping on plastic mats on the floor just to survive the night. There was one specific moment, exhausted and disgusted, where I was trying to clean out the tiny crevices between the furniture and the walls—spots I couldn't even reach because the bunk beds are all lined up—and I felt the weight of the week crashing down. I’ll be honest: I cried. The temptation to just give up and walk away was so strong. But leaving a mess like that on the walls and floors would h...

When Faith Feels Like a Performance: Shifting from Outcomes to Presence

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I had to ask myself a hard question recently: Is my faith actually in God, or is it in my own ability to "do the right things"? It’s an easy trap to fall into. We slip into a mindset where we think that if we obey the scriptures  (not even perfectly), follow the right rhythms, and check off enough "good deeds," we will get that prayer request. We start treating our obedience like a down payment for a life of answered prayers and ease. But here is the hard truth I’ve been sitting with: If my peace is dependent on getting my "desired outcome," then my faith isn't really in God—it’s in my own performance. Obedience Without the "Contract" Now, please hear me: realizing your faith has been performance-based doesn't mean you stop obeying the Lord or throw out your disciplines. Obedience is still the goal, but the motive has to change. It’s not about stopping the "good works"; it’s about shifting your focus from your own blueprint for...

Love Without Truth: The Danger of a Deceived Heart

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     As followers of Christ, we are called to love. It’s the very heartbeat of our faith, and everyone knows this. In a world that often feels fractured and cold, the desire to embody God’s love is a beautiful and commendable pursuit. We see brothers and sisters, filled with sincere hearts, striving to be compassionate, understanding, and inclusive. They genuinely believe they are walking in step with Christ—demonstrating His kindness to a watching world. But what happens when those good intentions, however pure, become untethered from the unchanging truth of God’s Word? What if, in our fervent desire to love, we unknowingly embrace teachings or practices that lead us away from the very God we claim to serve? Scripture warns us repeatedly about deception—especially in the last days. It doesn’t always arrive as an obvious lie, but often creeps in subtly, twisting truth just enough to turn hearts in the wrong direction. The Core Problem: Biblical Illiteracy and Cultural I...

Sharing Your Faith in a Politically Charged World — Even with Family

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Hey friend, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how challenging it can be to share our faith in a world that feels so divided—especially with family members who don’t see eye to eye with us, whether it’s about politics or even Christianity itself. It’s easy to get caught up in heated debates, to want to prove our point or “win” the conversation. But I want to encourage you (and myself!) to try something different: put the politics aside. Remember, for many non-believers, their political views and their understanding of what it means to live as a Christian might be very different from ours. And that’s okay. Our priority isn’t to convince them about who to vote for or how to run a country. Our priority is to make Christ the main focus — loving God first, then loving our neighbors, no matter how different their views may be. If your family feels strongly opposed to you about about politics, God is the one who will help change the hearts of men. You can gently let your family know th...

My Favorite Bible Study Tools That You Can Grab on Amazon (On Prime Day, or Whenever)!

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 Hey friend, If you’ve ever sat down to read your Bible and felt a little overwhelmed—wondering where do I start? —you’re not alone. I’ve found that having the right Bible study tools can make all the difference when it comes to staying consistent, engaged, and inspired in God’s Word. So today I’m sharing some of my absolute favorite Bible study tools —all available on Amazon and perfect for your daily quiet time, Bible journaling, or even just getting back into a rhythm with Scripture. (Yes, these are affiliate links—meaning if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my little corner of the internet 🫶) 📖 1. A Good Bible I personally enjoy reading from the NKJV. And this one is a great size for everyday use and carry along to church,  I got this one for my husband:  NKJV Leather Bible But a cute journaling Bible could be a nice option too! Having space to write down notes, prayers, and verses that...

A Biblical Approach to Manage Overwhelm

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 Let’s be honest—life can be a lot . Between family, work, relationships, church, and personal expectations, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly juggling too much. If you’ve ever whispered, “I can’t do this,” or cried in the middle of a laundry pile—this post is for you. But you’re not alone. And more importantly, God sees you in your overwhelm. Here’s a biblical approach to help you navigate the chaos with grace and peace: 1. Pause and Breathe: God Invites Us to Rest In a world that praises hustle, God calls us to rest. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 Start by pausing. Take a deep breath. Before you make another to-do list, bring your burdens to the One who promises rest. He doesn’t need you to do it all—He invites you to come as you are. 2. Don’t Carry It Alone Overwhelm often grows when we believe the lie that it’s all up to us. But God designed us for dependence—on Him and on others. “Cast all your...

How to Use the BLESS Method to Easily and Authentically Share Your Faith

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Sharing your faith doesn't have to feel forced or intimidating. In fact, it can be as simple as building genuine relationships and showing God's love in everyday moments. One practical way to do this is by using the BLESS method—a simple, relational approach to evangelism that fits naturally into daily life. So, what is BLESS? BLESS is an acronym that outlines five intentional practices that help you share your faith in a way that feels authentic and compassionate—not pushy or performative. B – Begin with Prayer/ Bless with Prayer Before you do anything, start with prayer. Ask God to guide your interactions and open your heart to the people around you. Pray for opportunities, for the courage to show love, and for the Holy Spirit to work through you. You may also use prayer as a way to intercede on behalf of another, opening up an opportunity to bless someone based on something they have shared that needs prayer. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful....

Shining Light in the Darkness: A Small Win for Truth

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For the past few years, my family and I have frequented our local library, as I'm sure many families do. It’s a place where children can be introduced to the world of books, imagination, and learning. However, during our visits, I noticed something that didn’t sit well with me: the children's section was often filled with books promoting political agendas and topics that were simply not appropriate for young minds. Now, I understand that libraries are supposed to be spaces for free expression and freedom of speech. I know that librarians often make decisions on what books to display based on their own perspectives or interests. But when it comes to the children’s section of the library, there is a clear distinction that must be made. This space is for children, and it should reflect child-appropriate material that nurtures their minds and souls in a healthy, loving way. As a mother, I couldn’t just stand by and let my children be exposed to things that were, in my opinion, to...