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Living life on purpose.

Four Words for the New Year

 

Four Words for the New Year

I’m not really one to make New Year’s resolutions. On one hand, I have a follow-through problem. I hate to say something out loud and not follow through with it (there’s a shamefully good chance of this) – so I’d rather just avoid setting myself up for failure. On the other hand, I genuinely spend a good portion of my life listening, reading, and thinking about how I could/should/will improve. I am a self-reflector by nature, and I certainly don’t wait until the new year to try and assess all the things I need to change about myself. I’m a work in progress. *Sigh.

But, this year, the new beginning has me thinking. I believe God has placed some words on my heart that I want to carry with me into this year – but not only into 2018 – into my future. I am feeling inspired and hopeful about things that are to come. Not only over the next 12 months but for my life and family in general. VIEW POST

Fruits of the Spirit For Kids: Character Training and FREE Printable!

The Fruits of the Spirit for Kids

Character Training for Our Children

Every time I mess up – say something I shouldn’t, think something I shouldn’t, lose my temper, or act just plain ugly – I’m reminded of this verse:

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

Anything good in me isn’t me at all. Left to my own devices I’m just filthy rags. But, thankfully, God doesn’t intend for us to be left to our own devices. Galatians 5:22-23 gives us the well-known Fruits of the Spirit, the characteristics that will abide in us when we are in Him. I must communicate the importance of the fruits of the spirit for kids, too! VIEW POST

The Easy Way to Fight an Idle Mind: God’s Word for Today

Hearing God’s Word for Today

Far be it from me to have an idle mind. You know, since it’s the devil’s workshop and all. How effortlessly our minds wander to fears, anxieties, and what-ifs! One scroll through social media or, heaven forbid, watching one segment of the ten o’clock news will have your mind fixed on everything disheartening. So, how are we, as competent humans, busy with careers, family, parenting, homemaking, spouse-ing (if you’ll allow me to make up a word)…supposed to think about “such things” (Phil 4:3)? Jesus called us to be in the world but not of the world, but, lo and behold, here we are, helpless earthlings in a constant battle to be both hearers and doers of the Word.

While I may not always carve out time in my crazy day to stop in solitude for peace, quiet, and spiritual nourishment (**I’m working on this!), that doesn’t mean I must be deprived of a fresh serving of God’s Word for today. I don’t have to stop or carve out a spare moment to listen to something! Listening to sermons and audio programs that feed my soul keep me going. I listen while doing housework, cooking, putting on my makeup (as rare as that may be), and driving (this happens to be one of my favorites since we are in the car oh so much). And, as easy as that, I hear hand-picked audio that helps to fix my mind on greater things than what I just saw on Facebook. Discovering the One Place App has been a literal game-changer for me (thanks, Mom!). A quick download will equip you to hear pertinent and meaningful truths on-demand and hear God’s word for today! Here are some of my favorite broadcasts:VIEW POST

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