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Living life on purpose.

Our Favorite Family Devotional Book

Family Devotional Resources

Finding a family devotional to study with our kids has long been a priority. By no means can I say we read them every day, but we try to sit down and take in God’s word together a few times a week. My husband has led us in fun devotionals he’s found online, and we have purchased several great devotional books for kids over the years.

While reading The Lifegiving Home, by Sally and Sarah Clarkson, I noticed the mother and daughter reference their “Family Ways” more than once. They referenced the published family devotional based upon their system of family devotions, Our 24 Family Ways, written by Clay Clarkson.  I was instantly attracted to the practicality and essential teachings put forth in their Family Ways and decided to order this devotional for our family to dive into together. Boy, am I glad I did! VIEW POST

Living Up To YOU: Escaping the Comparison Trap

 

Get Out of the Comparison Trap and Just Be Yourself!

We all know someone who appears to have it all figured out. We watch them from ImSoInadequateville and wish for more. Wish that we could decorate like she can, mom like she can, wife like she does, own that business like she does, multitask like she can, cook like she does, manage that company like she does, dress like she does…(YOU fill in the blank). The list of people I think I should “be like” just might be never-ending. The comparison trap is a real thing! 

The truth is, God has generously gifted each of us in special ways. He had no intention of us living up to one another; He simply wants us to live up to exactly who He created us to be. Nothing more, nothing less. Have you ever reached a status IN ANY AREA OF LIFE in which you can declare that you have now officially “arrived?” Um, I haven’t. And I’m willing to bet that whoever you have in mind that you think you should be living up to hasn’t either. In one of her must-read books, Unglued, Lysa TerKeurst speaks about “imperfect progress.” Oh, how this resonated so deeply with me. I MUST be content with making progress, a little at a time, imperfectly, without comparison to others, and NOT in my own strength, but with the help of my Savior. It has to be enough. It IS enough. Claim freedom now from the comparison trap!VIEW POST

Navigating Mean Kids Through God’s Word

When Mean Kids Strike

“Worst. Day. Ever.” Those words make my heart drop as my son hops into the car after school. I don a fake smile for encouragement purposes. “Hey, bud! What do you mean? What happened?” But I already know the answer. The boy that was his bestie just days ago has apparently found a high-paying spot on Satan’s payroll. It’s been a week now that he’s been excluding him and ostracizing him for no apparent reason. “He doesn’t want to be my friend anymore, Mom. He and the other boys were making fun of me today. They even tripped me. He hates me. And I hate him. I just want to punch him in the face.”

Sounds like a plan, son. I’m on it. I’ll call your dad. He’s got this. When he gets home tonight I’ll have him teach you some military-style hand-to-hand combat. Tomorrow that kid will be toothless. I can’t wait to hear all the gory details. 

Okay, I didn’t say that. But I’d be a big fat liar if I said it didn’t cross my mind.VIEW POST

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