by Donna M. Magnotta
I am a Christian. I am a saved Christian. I am a Catholic. I'm all three.
What? You don't believe me? How can a Catholic be a Christian believer, you say? I am here to tell you it's true. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I believe He died for my sins and the sins of all humanity. I believe in his virgin birth, His death, and His resurrection. I believe He came so that all people could be saved. His blood was shed for people of every race, ethnicity, and religion. [Continue Reading...]
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by Chelle Wilson
After about 3 miles of walking in the crisp morning air, a full dish of kibble, a bowl of ice cubes, and a downward dog stretch or two, my Sando slides, languidly, languorously into repose, and then into deep sleep. He is content. Contentment by definition is “feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possession, status, or situation.” Today’s prayer for my husband is that he might be content. [Continue Reading...]
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By Micalagh Beckwith Moritz
eing in real relationships is sometimes a difficult, scary concept; it is not easy to open ourselves up to the possibility of our own weaknesses being revealed or getting hurt. Engaging in a deeper community takes courage, and here are some things that have been helpful for me along my journey: [Continue Reading...]
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by Geri Duggan McCann
I love my mum and will miss her. I missed being able to chat yesterday but I know I am thankful for the time we had together. I just wish there had been more time. And I know I am not alone, many of you have also had to say goodbye to your mother too soon.
As I faced my first Mother's Day without mum on the other end of the phone I was actually drawn to thinking about my "other" mothers that are still here on earth. [Continue Reading...]
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By April Sliwak for the Glory of God
I come from a family of “yellers.” I never thought anything of it; raising our voices when we spoke to one another was common. Then, my oldest daughter, at about four years old, asked me one day, “Mommy, why are you always angry and yelling at me?” I stopped in my tracks. I realized instantly, by the grace of God, that I was communicating in the only way I knew, and it wasn’t pretty. [Continue Reading...]
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by Elise Daly Parker
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been skeptical about the World Wide Web. I mean, are the relationships we think we have, real?
Plus, the World Wide Web…well, it can be a scary place, right?
We know there are predators “out there.” Our families can be overly exposed to news, trends, and pictures; evil we fight hard to protect them from.
But the World Wide Web can expose us to good too. [Continue Reading...]
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by Chelle Wilson
For Christmas last year, I got a new iPod. My new Nano replaced one three times its size with only one fourth the capacity. My sweetheart bought it in support of my latest evolution--runner. Running is moving meditation--the permission I grant myself for intimate worship--3 to 4 times a week or more. [Continue Reading...]
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by Beth Stiff
I had the opportunity to attend the Compel Conference in South Sioux City, Nebraska in January. The theme for the conference was A Dare to Dream with the lovely Deidra Riggs as the featured speaker for the weekend. We began on a Friday evening and I tried to write as fast as my fingers would allow to capture everything Deidra shared with us. [Continue Reading...]
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by Chelle Wilson
I had a refreshing conversation with my Gayle this morning. (I know, you’ve missed the adventures of Gayle, right? She’s well…). She confessed to me that she’s guilty of setting expectations which are, more often than not, unmet. They leave her feeling disappointed and exhausted. I told her to stop setting them. [Continue Reading...]
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By Susan Panzica
Last Wednesday, I attended the Ash Wednesday contemplative service at my church. What a blessing to take an hour to simply rest and ponder the sacrifice Jesus made for us, for me. At various stations, we had the opportunity to read Psalms, take communion, remember Gethsemane, etc. When I read this verse, I was moved to tears despite its familiarity [Continue Reading...]
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by Katie Landry
Tonight it is hitting me all over again. The unfairness of it all.
I have to be honest. Sometimes I just don’t get it. I don’t get God. It is so hard to see people suffer. It is so hard not to question God in times like this.
“Unfairness” looks different for all of us. For some, maybe it is a loveless marriage. For others, maybe it is wayward or rebellious kids. For me – it’s been infertility. [Continue Reading...]
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By Megan Romeo
New year. New beginning. New season. Yet same old feelings of brokenness, hurt, and ache that penetrate my heart. You see friends, in August I said goodbye to my dad who, after fighting a courageous battle against cancer, went Home to be in our Heavenly Father’s eternal and glorious presence. My world came crashing down as I cried, pleaded to Jesus to bring healing to my dad’s body. My heart and soul shattered for my family, as we experienced a loss that will be forever imprinted on our hearts. [Continue Reading...]
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by Chelle Wilson
Most mornings, I walk my dog as the sun rises. It is solitary fellowship, movement as I make my way through the scriptures by way of the Listener’s Bible. Despite the early hour and the fact that we are virtually alone, I’m still not isolated and disconnected. For evening walks, usually before sundown, there are no ear buds, and people are around. In either case, Sando is good for my health. According to an article published on active.com, dog owners may be healthier people. An added bonus for me? [Continue Reading...]
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by Elise Daly Parker
My lover is mine, and I am his. Song of Solomon 2:16
Chris and I were engaged on February 14, 1984, 30 years ago. And we’re still here—together, married. It was a lovely romantic evening at the historic Summit House in Jersey City, NJ. I had an inkling. Chris and I had been together for four years…we had been talking about marriage. I had my reservations. Not about Chris. About timing.
Were we ready? [Continue Reading...]
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By Beth Stiff
I wanted to start from the beginning...
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.~ Genesis 1:1-2
My focal point was going to be on the three words God says over and over again in the first chapter of Genesis: “…it is good."
He looked at all He created and said it was good. ~ Genesis 1:31
Starting from the beginning sounded like a good plan because I’m currently reading from the Book of Genesis and those three words jumped off the pages as I read. If we believe everything He said as truth, and he says those three words several times, I’m thinking those words are rather important. [Continue Reading...]
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By Chelle Wilson
This prayer is dedicated in part to the Polar Vortex, which has given us some of the most intense winter weather I can ever remember. It may be because I am older now, and snow and cold are more about heating the house, having suitable snow tires, and driving safely rather than finding the steepest hill to sled down, making the most audacious snowman, or filling an as yet undiscovered virgin plain with a heavenly host of snow angels. In any case, I am grateful that God speaks to me in many ways, often through the deep brown eyes of my beloved fur companion even on a treacherous and icy morning stroll. [Continue Reading…]
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Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... (Matthew 6:19-21, NRSV)
This verse has taken on a new meaning for me since I got to Belize. In this tropical climate, things, stuff, objects, don’t last very well. They break, they fall apart, but most of all, they mold. I didn’t believe people when I first got here. I thought, surely, my things would be the exception. But after a week of living in our small Belizean house, I started to see the effects of living in a tropical climate. My books started to grow mold, the clothes in my closet, my favorite shoes, my pink wallet, even my pillow (yuck)! [Continue Reading...]
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I caught myself doing it again this morning...
Waking with intentions of having a quiet time, but instead finding myself caught in the tangled world wide web of Pinterest. Yes, Pinterest - instead of starting my day with Jesus.
I wake early for Him. I make coffee to sit with Him. I grab my Bible to read about Him. I open my computer to blog about Him, but without warning or reason, I open a second window and start to Pin. But nothing about Him.
Social media could be the death of quiet times as we know them if we aren't careful. [Continue Reading...]
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by Jennifer Camp
"You are not strong." He says it again.
"My child, you are not strong."
These words He repeats four more times and I crumble, heart wrenching, chest tightening. It comes again as I type this, the screen blurring and my fingers wavering with the truth so close: Yes, I want so much to be strong. [Continue Reading...]
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By Micalagh Beckwith Moritz
I have been thinking about Mary, lately. Mary, the mother of Jesus. I have been thinking about the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to a son, but not just any son. She would give birth to the Messiah, “the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32). [Continue Reading...]
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